Once you've got the MySQL ODBC driver set up, just do File->Get External Data->Link Tables in Access.
Caveats:
Remember to put a timestamp column in each table that you want to update (this is in the MySQL docs). If you don't, you'll only be able to view the data.
While the Access/JET solution works fine, VB/ADO doesn't play nice with the MySQL ODBC driver. That's a shame, b/c you have to spring for Access on each desktop (or build some web forms).
And would everybody stop crying about the lack of transactions (etc.) in MySQL - they're using FileMaker for this database at the moment!!
I went to a talk given by an Arcadia faculty member. He discussed the problems that follow when 20-30 undergrads bring their laptops to class and are on the network - irc, email, games, etc. Chat rooms set up for class use degenerated into discussions about the cute guys (yes, he said that the chat room users were almost entirely female).
There were plusses though - his history survey course had no textbook, only a syllabus with links to web pages/projects (mainly hosted/funded by other universities). Groups in the class were assigned projects that they had to collaborate on during the course of the week - either face-to-face or electronically.
As for the need for laptops (vs. desktops), consider collaborative work or *gasp* studying in the library - you might want to have your computer handy when engaged in these activities.
I think that the Librarian's main point has more to do with effective use of limited resources and the desire to protect the *local* public libraries, not the LOC. I'll admit that I'm not up-to-date on the latest in scanning technology, but how many man-hours would it take to produce a on-line text? Princeton University took *months* to scan its card catalog (cards with a variety of typefaces, non-standard formatting, etc.), and did not use OCR, but rather has an image of each card (i.e., no full-text searching is available). Given the problems involved and resources consumed in this process, perhaps it is better for the LOC to focus on one-of-a-kind items first, as the Librarian suggested. Also, keep in mind that the community public library is a *free* source of information - it does not require a PC and paid subscription to an ISP to access. In fact, libraries also provide access to the net (see his comments on filtering - "there should be no question that the tradition of free public libraries... is the absolute platform of essentiality for our democracy." Furthermore, in public libraries "there is an inherent adversity to censorship.") If the LOC renders the public library obsolete to 50-75% of the public, the remainder, whether they are too poor or technically illiterate, will suffer. I'm not saying that I agree with his decision, only that the issues involved are more subtle than they first appear.
Slashdot Mirror
A much more insightful review can be found at the New Yorker web site.
Mike
Although I don't see the hoax on the front page at Kuro5hin.org any more, it was in their slashbox earlier today.
-Mike
- Remember to put a timestamp column in each table that you want to update (this is in the MySQL docs). If you don't, you'll only be able to view the data.
- While the Access/JET solution works fine, VB/ADO doesn't play nice with the MySQL ODBC driver. That's a shame, b/c you have to spring for Access on each desktop (or build some web forms).
And would everybody stop crying about the lack of transactions (etc.) in MySQL - they're using FileMaker for this database at the moment!!There were plusses though - his history survey course had no textbook, only a syllabus with links to web pages/projects (mainly hosted/funded by other universities). Groups in the class were assigned projects that they had to collaborate on during the course of the week - either face-to-face or electronically.
As for the need for laptops (vs. desktops), consider collaborative work or *gasp* studying in the library - you might want to have your computer handy when engaged in these activities.
It was moderated 5; interesting, so at least a few people must have read the Fast Company article back then.
They Write the Right Stuff
There have been 17 bugs total in the last 11 OS revisions of the Shuttle code, approximately 420,000 lines delivered each time.
I think that the Librarian's main point has more to do with effective use of limited resources and the desire to protect the *local* public libraries, not the LOC. I'll admit that I'm not up-to-date on the latest in scanning technology, but how many man-hours would it take to produce a on-line text? Princeton University took *months* to scan its card catalog (cards with a variety of typefaces, non-standard formatting, etc.), and did not use OCR, but rather has an image of each card (i.e., no full-text searching is available). Given the problems involved and resources consumed in this process, perhaps it is better for the LOC to focus on one-of-a-kind items first, as the Librarian suggested. Also, keep in mind that the community public library is a *free* source of information - it does not require a PC and paid subscription to an ISP to access. In fact, libraries also provide access to the net (see his comments on filtering - "there should be no question that the tradition of free public libraries ... is the absolute platform of essentiality for our democracy." Furthermore, in public libraries "there is an inherent adversity to censorship.") If the LOC renders the public library obsolete to 50-75% of the public, the remainder, whether they are too poor or technically illiterate, will suffer. I'm not saying that I agree with his decision, only that the issues involved are more subtle than they first appear.