[DB_Browser-announce] New DB_Browser Beta Version, Other Big Changes

[Chris H. <ch...@su...>]

DB_Browser Users:

Greetings!  I'm very excited to be writing to you tonight because I've
finally gotten around to doing some significant work on DB_Browser, as
well as setting up an infrastructure to let others do some work on it too.

DB_Browser website:
  http://www.summersault.com/software/db_browser/

NEW VERSION
-----------

The first announcement is that DB_Browser version 1.40beta1 is now out.
This version is significantly different from previous versions:

-Major improvements in MySQL compatibility and functionality
-Major improvements in structure, readability of code
-Use of HTML::Template to implement templating system
-Better Oracle compatibility
-Ability to restrict functionality available for public users
-Improved formatting of search results and error messages
-Searching is now partial-match enabled
-Updated installation and configuration documentation
-Complete re-write of html output routines

Information about downloading and installing:
  http://www.summersault.com/software/db_browser/index.html

I should emphasize, however, that this version still needs testing, and
that's why I'm releasing it as a beta.  And I need testers; if you have an
environment where you can test this version, please download the release
at your convenience and put it through its paces.

For the rest of you: you can definitely expect a "stable" release of
DB_Browser sometime in the next few weeks, after I'm convinced that it's
been tested and refined sufficiently.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
------------------

I want your feedback!  If you have a few moments, please consider taking
this brief survey:
  http://sourceforge.net/survey/survey.php?group_id=14974&survey_id=11152


DEVELOPERS WELCOME
------------------

Related to this, I've now set up a project account with SourceForge, which
will facilitate contributions to the development of the project much more
easily than ever before.  Programmer, designer, or database whiz, we've
got a job for you!  More information:

  http://www.summersault.com/software/db_browser/developer.html


OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE BACK
--------------------------

As you can tell from the significant pause between today and the last time
I released a version of DB_Browser, it's very hard to find time to work on
this software.  In hopes of at least partially alleviating this problem,
I've set up a page that gives you, the end user, some options for
contributing to the project financially.  DB_Browser is still (and always
will be) free, but your donations help me to be able to spend more time on
the project, and to make a better software package.

Details here:
  http://www.summersault.com/software/db_browser/moneystuff/index.html

COMING SOON
-----------

With all of this new infrastructure set up, there's a lot of new neat
stuff ready to happen with DB_Browser.  As I continue to get more user
contributions and feature requests, DB_Browser will become an even better
piece of software.  Stay tuned, and thanks for your support.

Thanks,
Chris

-- Chris Hardie -----------------------------
----- mailto:ch...@su... ----------
-------- http://www.summersault.com/chris/ --

To unsubscribe from this list, or to change your subscription options,
please visit this site:
  http://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/listinfo/dbbrowser-announce