Re: Is Oracle the worst-documented product of all time?

> Regretfully, this deficit makes professional database software seem
> another candidate for takeover by the Evil Empire. While we hate giving
> them money, we expect that SQL Server -- with its marketing force, ease
> of use and simpler explanation -- will take over an unexpected part of
> the traditional database market for small and medium commercial users.

Ever try to compare the EE's KnowledgeBase support database to the woefully inadequate Oracle raw dump of their support database?

While EE usually has well-written tech note documents that follow a standard format of Problem, How to reproduce, Resolution or Workaround, and Status (It's often simply an admission of a bug), Oracle's product is really not something that's fit for consumption by the average DBA/developer.

Try looking for a specific error message and if you find anything at all, usually its something like a terse few phrases with a response by another tech along the lines of "i got a call like this too. couldn't reproduce. strange."

KB is also available to search for free on the Web and relatively inexpensively (like $100 a year or something) on the TechNet subscription CD. As far as I know, you have to sign up for a support subscription program to search Oracle's support database online.

I must give Oracle some credit, however, for ditching the dreadful Oracle Book and moving their support and documentation to HTML with a Java search interface on the latest Oracle Developer Programme CD we got from them.

If Oracle could supplement a world-class application with a support database accessible to mere mortals, the Evil Empire might have some more competition in the smaller commercial user market.

Mike Hackett Received on Sun Jul 13 1997 - 00:00:00 CDT