[BNM] Online SQL ERD tool

[AndrewGill73@gmail.com]

Alastair,
Yes, i'd consider paying for an online tool like this...

We're using Visio at the moment and would prefer to use a more
collaborative tool that is designed for MySQL. Easy import/export to
MySQL schema would be great. And yes, versioning is really important.

I reckon there is a good niche market for your tool... I've used
www.gliffy.com which is fine for basic diagrams but not good for
complex ERD diagrams.

I'd be happy to help test if you're looking for beta testers.

cheers,
Andy

Andrew Gill (andrew at andrewgill.com)

Binary Portfolio Ltd | www.binaryportfolio.com | +44(0)1273-782909

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2009/1/5 Alastair James <al.james at gmail.com>:
> Hi there... Happy new year!
> The week before Christmas, I started looking for a decent tool for creating
> and managing ERD diagrams for SQL databases.
>
> To be honest, most of the tools I found did not do it for me. They were
> either, a) crappy b) windows only c) expensive. The best for MySQL databases
> is probably mysql workbench, but thats expensive and not available on mac at
> the moment. I suspect microsoft has a tool for this as well, but I have not
> seen it.
>
> Also, I wanted more collaboration and versioning control than a typical
> desktop app allows. I.e. instead of editing a file on my machine, I want a
> way to share the schemas with my distributed team.
>
> Basically, I started playing with the idea of a ERD editor in the browser,
> and knocked up a basic version. I then started thinking about building the
> 'basecamp of schema editors'. I.e. a strongly versioned, collaborative tool.
>
> I will build more features such as:
>
> * Strict (wiki style) versioning. I.e. every time I save it increments the
> 'minor' version. I.e. 1.15 to 1.16. You are asked to enter a comment when
> you save so that it maintains a changelog. You can also save a new 'major'
> version. I.e. 1.15 to 2.0.
> * Multiple users. Locking when one user is editing a file.
> * Multiple database dialects. Mysql at the moment, but will support at least
> postgres.
> * PDF export. Pretty diagrams!
> * Timeline / change log. What changes were made and when. View the schema
> (but not edit) previous versions.
> * Version compare. Whats different between version 1.15 and 1.16 of the
> schema?
> * Migrations. I.e. generate the SQL to take the database from version 1.15
> to 1.16. Or just the SQL to create a new copy of version 1.16. etc...
> * Maybe Rails migration export...
>
> Anyway, but question is: As developers, would you pay for such a service?
>
> I was thinking of a basecamp style pricing model. I.e. free for one schema
> and one user, more schemas and users for a small monthly fee ($10/month
> say)....
>
> What do you guys and gals think?
>
> Al
>
> --
> Dr Alastair James
> CTO James Publishing Ltd.
>
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