Experienced SQL Professional Migrating to Oracle 8i

Hi,

Can anyone point me in the direction of information about how to get to grips with Oracle 8i quickly given that I have 14 years SQL experience with Oracle Rdb, Oracle 7, MS SQL Server, Sybase SQL Server, Informix, MS Access, FoxPro etc.

I find Oracle's documentation baffling. All I want is a way to install the database correctly first time and get a database defined in it on Windows NT.

What are all the 8i passwords for?
What does Enterprise Manager do for me? How do I install it? Why does it complain if I try to install it on the same machine as the main database?
Why does WebDB blatantly fail to install on any of the 5 NT machines I have here?
Why do I constantly have to change TNSNAMES.ORA? Why are there 4 TNSNAMES.ORA? Which one is the live one? What is Net8?
What's a listener? Do I need one per database or one per server?

As you can see I am very confused. I have been trying to implement Oracle 8i since October and it seems to be so difficult (in the same timeframe I have implemented 3 MS SQL Server installations).

• David -- david rawle, technical director | e-mail: david.rawle_at_channel-a.com channel a, soho, london, uk | phone: +44 (0) 20 7287 6544 http://www.channel-a.com | fax: +44 (0) 20 7287 6554 (signature and public encryption key attached)