Rekall database app software open sourced
November 18th, 2003
The Kompany, known for its products for KDE, has released Rekall under the GPL. Rekall is like Microsoft Access, but it works with MySQL and PostreSQL (DB2 as well, but no Oracle yet). So, you get the form builder capability and easy import/export. It is scriptable with Python. They’ve set up a site called Rekall Revealed to host the open source project. Rekall does not rely on KDE, but will run on Windows and Linux using Qt.
There is also a runtime available that appears to be less restricted than the GPLed main product. I’d be curious to give it a try. Looks pretty spiffy from the screen shots.
From a slashdot comment:
No…a tool like MS Access in the hands of managers with just enough knowledge to be dangerous is a BAD thing.
I agree that people can make some pretty screwed up databases with Access, because most people don’t understand relational theory. However, I think that a manager putting together a database is a better step than a manager putting together a spreadsheet that is then mailed around to dozens of people.
Looks like there is also a bit of controversy surrounding this product:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=3fa6a720%240%2412675%24fa0fcedb%40lovejoy.zen.co.uk
It appears that there are some ownership issues. Either way, it looks like both sides of the ownership debate are releasing it under the GPL.