Hi guys,

I was a long time user of interbase, but circumstances took me away
from it for a few years. I now have an opportunity to convert an
existing app and to create a couple of companion apps to go along with
it to Firebird.

I see several familiar names on this list. I have had several (email)
conversations with Ann Harrison, Helen Borrie, Claudio Valderrama, Jason
Wharton, etc. I doubt any of you remember me, but this kind of feels
like a school reunion for me, so Hi to all! Anyone know what happenned
to Diane Brown?

Anyway, here is my issue. Very time critical migration. My first task
will be to develop an application which centralizes several (as many as
1,200) locations (currently DBISAM) into a central database that will be
Firebird. I will develop a middle tier using ASTA for periodic
(frequent) bi-directional updates. Asta has stock servers built on
either BDE, FIBPlus, and Jason's IBObjects. BDE is out, so, I need to
decide quickly between the remaining two. The issues involved are, I
have a team that will need to learn Firebird quickly. I can help with
that some. Still there will be a learning curve for them, as well as
for me with the new tools. Recommendations (private email is fine if
you are worried you might offend either of the venders.)

I loved the old WISQL tool. The new interface tools I have looked (
more like glanced) at seem cumbersome. If there is a consensus
favorite, I would liek to know what it is and why.

Second, its been a while. I might need a kick in the right direction.
I am very comfortable with the SQL, etc. But, dialect 3 is new to me,
any gotchas I need to be aware of?

Two phase transactions, and the ability to exploit them with the new
tools is new territory for me. Any basic rules of thumb that might help
me get started in the right direction.

And, finally and most importantly, installation at a clients site. What
is involved, how difficult. What I am after is an install that is
transparent to my relativly unsophisticated users (scary thought
considering how unschooled I feel at this point). What is involved?
In my old days, we had to install a client on the workstations, and on
the server, an appropriate number of user access licenses on the
server. I expect that has changed totally.

Sorry for so many and such basic questions, I intend and expect to get
up to speed rapidly, and promise to help out on the list when I become
able.

For now, can't tell you how thrilled I am to be working with this DB
again! Honestly, it feels like coming home.

Regards,
Mitchell Peek