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The Grand Soviet Database
Ever since we got our first compliance database, about 15 years ago now, I've been arguing that the Division needs to consolidate everything into one Grand Soviet Database. "The man with one watch knows what time it is. The man with two watches is never sure," I say, nodding my head wisely.
I don't think anybody else knows what I mean by that. But it has dawned on them that when you have half a dozen databases with the "same" data in each, and some of the updates get done HERE and some get done THERE, it's impossible to tell which version of the data is correct. So, yes, we are finally getting one central database, with each group of users having their own front end to connect to that part of the data they need.
I'm usually all against centralization of power in the Ivory Tower down there near the Capitol Building, but in this case I'll make an exception.
I'm not going to complain about the new database system too much. After all, it's what I've been agitating for. I even stopped myself from mentioning that, as usual, the only things that work so far are the bean counting functions. Most of the things that would help us get some actual WORK done around here are upgrades to be added later as time and money allow-- which means never. We're still waiting for those upgrades on the original DOS database, the fifteen year old one that we're finally phasing out. So I'm not holding my breath for upgrades on the new system, y'unnerstand.
The new system does have a few bugs. One that I noticed is that due to a bug in the part that reads some Federal database or other, one of the pollution control devices listed is "Military Aircraft."
I thought about that for a while. At first it seemed like an error for sure, but on second thought, why not? It would work-- but only for those Honest Businessmen who are REALLY recalcitrant about ending their pollution any other way.
I don't think anybody else knows what I mean by that. But it has dawned on them that when you have half a dozen databases with the "same" data in each, and some of the updates get done HERE and some get done THERE, it's impossible to tell which version of the data is correct. So, yes, we are finally getting one central database, with each group of users having their own front end to connect to that part of the data they need.
I'm usually all against centralization of power in the Ivory Tower down there near the Capitol Building, but in this case I'll make an exception.
I'm not going to complain about the new database system too much. After all, it's what I've been agitating for. I even stopped myself from mentioning that, as usual, the only things that work so far are the bean counting functions. Most of the things that would help us get some actual WORK done around here are upgrades to be added later as time and money allow-- which means never. We're still waiting for those upgrades on the original DOS database, the fifteen year old one that we're finally phasing out. So I'm not holding my breath for upgrades on the new system, y'unnerstand.
The new system does have a few bugs. One that I noticed is that due to a bug in the part that reads some Federal database or other, one of the pollution control devices listed is "Military Aircraft."
I thought about that for a while. At first it seemed like an error for sure, but on second thought, why not? It would work-- but only for those Honest Businessmen who are REALLY recalcitrant about ending their pollution any other way.