Below
you'll find a list of frequently-asked questions and their answers. If, after reading this
page, you still have questions about the OpenDB User Group and its goals, please don't
hesitate to contact the User Group via the Feedback
page on this site.Why is the OpenDB User Group necessary?
The OpenDB User Group is committed to publicly sharing the knowledge its
users have
made available to the OpenDB "PublicPIM"
common
database structure definition.
To make the
software that
demonstrates the functionality available in as many different software languages and for as
many different platforms as possible.
To educate the Database user community about the
risks associated with vendor control of any proprietary structure/language on which their business
may depend.
Who will be invited to participate in the OpenDB User Group ?
The OpenDB User Group believes that in order to increase the level of
OpenDB
"PublicPIM"
common
database structure usage to
the maximum number of Database users and publishers that it should be presented like a
"Hello World
database benchmark and example".
Everyone who produces or publishes databases or
database tools would be invited to use the OpenDB "PublicPIM"
common
database structure and layout as the most
intuitive way to demonstrate their products.
It's subject files should prove to be
usable internationally for use in databases on any platform from PDA's to
Enterprise size data warehouses.
The
Ontology will
serve everyone's interests.
What has happened to the OMNIBUS/PublicPIM technology that ASAP Telesis technologies provided?
The OMNIBUS/PublicPIM technology that ASAP Telesis technologies has provided make up the majority of the documentation and prototype that the OpenDB
User Group is
presently making available to it's users.
It has since morphed into a product known as "PublicPIM".
Still, the
user group is not static and
will share and incorporate any OpenDB knowledge and improvements possessed by all
users and vendors that join and share with the group.
How is the User Group organized? Who pays for it? Who controls it?
The OpenDB User Group is set up as a non-profit corporation, OpenDB
User Group.
It
maintains a mailing address at 5203 Hwy 3, Dickinson, TX 77539-6833, though the
User Group
currently has no permanent staff.
It was funded by donations from the founders
listed in our press release.
Leadership consist of representatives
of the
founders which oversee the User Group's activities.
ASAP Telesis technologies has granted the OpenDB User Group. a non-exclusive,
royalty-free, perpetual license to the basic OpenDB ontology known as
"PublicPIM". All of the users have been granted an non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license in
the technology for non-commercial use
by the OpenDB User Group.
The
copyright and the ongoing development responsibility for OMNIBUS/PublicPIM remain with
ASAP
Telesis technologies.
ASAP Telesis technologies
will continue to contribute to the OpenDB User Group any and all enhancements it makes to the
OMNIBUS/PublicPIM Technology.
ASAP Telesis technologies underwrote the initial costs of forming the
OpenDB User Group and development cost for "PublicPIM" website database
application.
It is expected that from this day forward, the User Group will be
self-sustaining.
How is the OpenDB User Group going to disseminate this information regarding OpenDB
and PublicPIM ?
The User Group will maintain these Web sites:
www.OpenDB.org and
PublicPIM.org.
We expect these to be the
primary vehicles for disseminating information.
The User Group will periodically issue press
releases.
Is ASAP Telesis technologies going to license the OMNIBUS/PublicPIM technology to the OpenDB
alliance for royalties?
No. ASAP Telesis technologies will not be licensing the OMNIBUS/PublicPIM technology.
Perpetual,
non-exclusive, royalty-free object code licenses for non-commercial use are granted to all
registered users of the OpenDB User Group simply for joining.
What will the User Group do if Users change the OpenDB model?
Obviously, the User Group hopes to work with Users in such a way that any
changes they wish to make to the model's structure definition can be
quickly incorporated into OpenDB, if it improves the presentation,
accessibility, or conversion amongst the different platforms.
Why aren't Flat files good enough?
OpenDB User Group promotes its OpenDB model's format as the approved method for presentation
or exchange of Database data with other Database systems.
We believe that due to
inconvenience, poor performance, and poor accessibility of their specifications, that the
preponderance of Database formats are an inadequate and unacceptable solution for
presentation and data exchange. Click here for more details on
this subject.
