We are a trade association currently with a mostly-static website with a limited dynamic backend and a contact database that I need to upload/download information to and from the web. We have online meeting registrations, dynamic news items, members-only section, and a automated email to a contact group of the latest news items. However, we have no CMS, no single meeting software, no comprehensive contact data software, little user interaction, and a very slow turnaround for customer service. I cannot make changes to the database and would like to use ASP/SQL code to make the website more interactive.
I am currently looking for new database programs with good recommendations that have all these features for a reasonable price range - do you have any suggestions?
For a reasonable price, you can't beat MySQL. Your post said you are looking at MSSQL (but you posted in MySQL zone?), which is relatively expensive. Both are good platforms, though you will find that MSSQL is more mature and feature rich. Also, MySQL was recently purchased by Sun, so there's a bit of a question as to the fate of it in the future.
Still MySQL, is a great platform. I use it with my retail sites, and it performs admirably with next to zero issues. It would be able to handle all of the required tasks you mentioned, and is available for Windows is you're locked in to your OS.
I agree with routinet. MySQL does everything that I need it to do.
It sounds like you need to visit SourceForge.net. Find the software you need for free that comes with the source code written in a language that you know and change to the database that it uses. Most of the open source projects at Source Forge use MySQL. You will probably find web based software that meets most of your CMS needs there. Since you get the source code with open source software you have an excellent place to begin creating your own CMS package no matter what database it uses. There are over 170,000 projects at Source Forge.
It sounds like you're looking for a ContactManager not a DBMS. In which case, ACT is cheap, has a transparent MSSQL backend for your ASP, and meets your user requirements.
Goldmine will be more expensive to setup and maintain but will provide greater flexibility as your requirements grow. Not sure anymore but they used to provide an API to program against. And its written in .net so you can go crazy with your ASP.
