Changes to the web site have consisted primarily of routine maintenance. The Meeting Minutes page has been restructured to make it more user-friendly.

The relational database project is progressing. As reported last year, I am using the SQLite database software. The design of the database will be based on the old Microsoft Access database, but with the addition of new data fields. The size of some of the existing data fields will be expanded to incorporate more data. As of May 12th the old data has been transferred from Access to SQLite, which turned out to be a larger project than it should have been.

I am currently working on an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) library for SQLite. Most of the commercially available ORM libraries are far too complicated for our use. Having our own light weight library will not change the appearance of the web site, so no changes will be visible. The goal of the library is to simplify future maintenance of the site. I can also use this library in other software projects not related to the Old Gravyard Association. In other words, I view the library project as a wise investment in software infrastructure.

In fact, initial testing of the ORM library is being carried out as part of another project, unrelated to the NHOGA project. This project involves a well established, professionally designed database. Once testing is complete with this database the conversion of the NHOGA database should be much easier. Stay tuned.

Clark Bagnall
Webmaster