|
The idea of an on-line database came about when Pam DeHetre
was made aware of the Golden Retriever database by Jan
Van Wormer a few years back. |
| "Hmmm...",
Pam thought. "Wouldn't it be nice if we had a database
like that for our Dobermans?". |
|
Pam contacted me in the summer of 2003 to ask if I'd be interested
in putting together a proposal for this project. Her plan
was to have the database be the first project started during
her term as President of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America. |
|
The
proposal was approved by the BOD at the 2003 Nationals in Colorado.
Our goal was to have a user-friendly database for our DPCA Members
to enter information about their dogs and have it assessable
online to everyone. |
| Originally,
I looked into several off-the-shelf breed database programs.
These databases were designed to provide basic information and
looked quite simple. In October, 2003, I issued an invitation
to the DPCA Membership. |
| WANTED: Volunteer to serve
on new DPCA Committee. Computer skills required - proficient
in or willing to learn Microsoft SQL Server Database software.
Excellent working conditions. Fun co-worker and job satisfaction
more than make up for the lack of salary. |
|
| When Bobbi
Kerlin, of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, saw the request, she offered
to donate her "DobeDeck" database as a starting point
for the project. |
| Our committee
work officially started on November 11th, 2003. We spent a good
deal of time evaluating the feasibility of modifying Bobbi's
database for our use. Even though it involved a lot of work,
we felt the final product would be far superior to any off-the-shelf
database program currently available. We decided to "go
for it" and "DobeQuest" was born! |
| Darlene Young
of San Jose, California and Lee Hartfield of Victoria, BC, Canada,
both long term DPCA members and Doberman breeders, joined the
group to help with design ideas and to provide research and
data entry assistance. |
|
When we found
that the skills needed for a project of this magnitude required
much more programming knowledge and ability than any of us could
provide, I asked the DPCA Membership for a volunteer computer
programmer. We had several offers, but unfortunately, no one
was able to devote the time needed to complete the project.
|
| Then Bobbi met
Alex, a newly minted graduate of Queen's University, who "loves
a challenge"! |
| Alex Eiser has
experience in software development working for several companies,
including Queen's University and IBM Canada. He entered Carnegie
Mellon as a graduate student in the fall of 2004. |
| That's our history...
now about the Database. |
| DPCA Members
can request a password to enter information about their Dobermans. |
|
Members can enter information about birth, death, genotype,
dentition, stud book entries, registries, conformation and working
titles, health testing results, sire, dam, progeny and littermate
information, breeder and owner particulars, upload a photo,
add brief notes and "vignettes" about the dog and
generate a pedigree. |
|
The database tracks all changes to the information and provides
an "edit history" that reflects the changes made by
each user. |
"DobeQuest" also allows both members
and non-members to browse the information contained in the
site.
|
|
Future plans include multiple parameter search, kennel information
and the ability to calculate inbreeding coefficients. |
|
Because of the unique design of the database and the hard work
and dedication of our committee, "DobeQuest" is far
more sophisticated than any other online breed database currently
in existence!. A heartfelt THANK YOU to Alex, Bobbi, Darlene
and Lee for the countless hours you have spent to make this
project a reality. |
