I need a project.

[Brad]

Good idea, but I don't think it's safe to assume that users will only loan things to other users.

So I don't think we should use userid, you're gonna need to let them type in a name.

[zourtney]

True, there is a difference between the end-user and the person loaned from/borrowed to.

I always [over] worry about data normalization. I mean, what if you type "nick" instead of "Nick", "zourtney" instead of "Courtney"? I guess it's up to the end-user to keep it consistent, regardless of whether you're selecting from a list of existing users of just free-typing it in.

But I would most definitely want a mode where I say, "give me everything borrow from or loaned to Eve's Dad."

[Brad]

You could make all searches case insensitive and use like instead of equals. That'd make it easy enough.

Or every time they enter a person they've loaned something to or borrowed something from add it to the database. Then when they go to search (or borrow/loan something) you could give them a drop-down list of all the people that are in the database.

That's the best I can think of for data normalization.

[Nick]

Did you ever create a proposed database layout or should I give it a whack?

[zourtney]

I say, "Go for it." I'm sure that both Brad and I can provide criticism (though it may be given in jest a not pertain to the task at hand).

[Nick]

Ok!11

[zourtney]

Did you ever work on this or did apathy and other projects win out?

[Nick]

20% apathy, 16% race fever, 54% other projects, plus life in general.

[zourtney]

The following project timetable data has been extrapolated based on recent posts and known calendar events. Please update the table, adding a new row to reflect the current values for this, the week of 27 Dec 2009.

Date	Apathy	Race Fever	Other Projects	Life
21 Nov 2009	9%*	10%*	47%*	34%*
28 Nov 2009	18%*	12%*	54%*	16%*
05 Dec 2009	20%	16%	54%	10% (inferred from adjacent statistical data from this post)

* projected values based on previous conversions and known calendar events

[zourtney]

With Brad working on his C++ during lunch times at work, I've been getting that cplusta urge. Little nuggets of knowledge, such as "duh, you need a semicolon at the end of your class definition" are coming back and I like it. I still know C++, but am way out of practice.

I'd like to make a programming project which utilizes C++ because I don't want to lose it. But, on the other hand, it's foolish to pick a technology before you pick a project. I've learned at least that much along the way.

[Nick]

The movie database thing doesn't lend itself well to C++. Though I am sure we can find something you/we could make. I have been making things for myself to do (mostly useless but interesting) and having physical projects (see sheetrock) given to me so I haven't done much of the database stuff other then think about it so far. That means I am open to other options if you have suggestions. 

[zourtney]

The meDBia project would be very entirely useful. I want it! Talk of it kind of fizzled out. I suppose because we all have lots of other things to be working on.

You're definitely right, though, C++ isn't "the right hammer" for that job. I still am torn between a client/server vs a standalone setup. Both have their advantages. I like web-based client/server because of portability. The thought of whipping out my mobile internets and checking what I see on the store's shelf against my personal collection is enticing...though probably so rarely useful that the simplicity of a standalone app tied to an embedded DB makes logical sense. I mean, do I really need an entire web server running just to see what movies I have cataloged? Then there's the privacy advantage of a standalone system...not that I have any book/movie/etc I wouldn't share...it's just the principle of the matter.

Anyway, that's in no way helpful to anyone, but I'll put it on our randomnet annyway.