Current State of Paradox?

[chromeuk]

Hi everyone
Currently Paradox9 runs our company database (12yrs), and very efficiently too.

Because of the low profile of Paradox and the fact that it is now integrated into a suite, i was thinking of re-writing the database in Access. But to be quite honest, I was never happy with Access and after spending quite some time with it recently writing the core stucture, I am still not that impressed compared to ObjectPAL.

I am really looking for your opinions on whether you think that Paradox/ObjectPAL is still a worthwhile product to move forward with as I could use much of the existing structure as a foundation for the new mods we require. Plus 'why re-invent the wheel!'.

Is Paradox still in development?
Can it be used over the Web?
Will it work with Vista? (does anything work with Vista?)

I would much prefer to sick with Paradox but I don't want to come into the office one day and nobody can log-on due to an overnight 'Windows Upgrade' that makes Paradox inoperable!

Really appreciate your comments & questions

Kind regards

Mark (UK)

 

[TonyMcGuire]

Is Paradox still in development?
Can it be used over the Web?
Will it work with Vista? (does anything work with Vista?)

I would much prefer to sick with Paradox but I don't want to come into the office one day and nobody can log-on due to an overnight 'Windows Upgrade' that makes Paradox inoperable!

In development? No, not for several years.

Over the Web? Depends on your actual question. Terminal Services or such, yes. And it also has a web server built in, which can serve up your data as web pages. Can be fully functional for adding/updating records, and searching is lickity-split fast if well designed and programmed.

Work with Vista? Yes. Just make sure the 'idapi32.cfg' file (or whatever you name it) is OUTSIDE 'program files' and you are off and running.

Would I suggest Paradox as a platform for someone just getting started? No. Whether you use it to move forward depends on usage/users, how much you have invested/would have to invest, and several other points. In all likelihood it isn't the right choice for most; for some it may be the ONLY realistic choice.


Tony McGuire
"It's not about having enough time; we have the rest of our lives. It's about priorities.

 

[chromeuk]

Thanks for your reply Tony

As stated previously, we have used Paradox for many years but need to write some serious mods to bring it in line with our updated requirements. I am at ease with OPAL (though a little rusty) so it would be the preferred medium to work with, but I am just concerned that Paradox as an entity will be compatible with developing OS's etc. or will it just 'dissapear in to the woodwork' as a good old 'has-been' and become incompatible or obselete in the not too distant future.

Can you see my concerns from this?

As I have not kept abreast with the current state of Paradox since V.9 I just don't know if it is on a par with Access for eg (I have always been of the opinion that OPAL is superior, but 'some things change and some things don't').

So, given my predicament, would you trust to move on with Paradox for the forseeable future? I know the final decision is down to me but I would appreciate your (or anyones elses) perspective on this...

Kind regards

Mark (UK)

 

[TonyMcGuire]

There is really no way to answer without an in-depth understanding of your company, and its current/future needs.

And there is certainly no way of knowing what Mickey$oft might or might not put into a future version of an OS.

I think it is called 'Risk Assessment'. There are companies that charge a lot to help you with it.

Moving to a new enviroment could be costly - in both dollars and time.

NOT moving to a new environment could put you out of business.

But then, you could do fine on Paradox for the next 10 years and save yourself/company a TON of money and time.

Wish I had a magic wand and could come up with the right answer. But if I could, I would likely be enjoying life on my own island.

Tony McGuire
"It's not about having enough time; we have the rest of our lives. It's about priorities.

 

[chromeuk]

Thanks again for your reply Tony

I'll give it some further musing...

Regards

Mark (UK)