FundRaiser Blog
The FundRaiser Software Blog is an excellent resource for nonprofit organizations looking to learn more about fundraising, donor management, membership management, and much more.
In the beginning... how network technology change has effected FundRaiser
When I first created FundRaiser in prehistoric times, it was cutting edge (this was way before Windows), but time passes and things change, fastest of all when it comes to computer technology. Since those DOS days, enormous changes have occurred, many of which affect our use of single/multi-user vs. client/server for FundRaiser, which is what I want to talk about today.
For many years, FundRaiser has offered users the option of using either client/server or single/multi-user for network setups. Both worked fine most of the time on local networks, although client/server was always faster and more reliable.
Single/multi-user was actually a carry-over from the DOS version of FundRaiser. For those of you who skipped computer history in school, DOS was before you could use a mouse and before graphics or images of any kind could be displayed on the screen. You used only the keyboard to enter commands and data. When FundRaiser moved out of DOS into Windows around the year 2000, client/server had become available for small networks. We added it as an option, but the benefits weren’t as clear or as important as they are now, and it was more complicated to install. Most of our users didn’t care which technology we used, especially since client/server added significantly to the cost.
Client/server systems are now much more important because of the widespread use of networks in almost all offices, and because the internet has become so much more important. (Client/server is needed for FundRaiser to work safely and securely across the internet.)
For all these reasons and more, we are phasing out the single/multi-user options for FundRaiser in favor of client/server. We are doing it to keep FundRaiser current with the times, and to ensure that you have the best functioning, most flexible and secure database possible. We will continue to support single and multi-user for some time yet, but once we come out with version 5 of FundRaiser next year, we will no longer offer updates for non-client/server versions.
In line with this change in policy, we have negotiated a lower price for the client/server database from it's makers, Sybase and Advantage. We are passing these lower prices along to you to make it easier for you to adjust to the changes.
For many years, FundRaiser has offered users the option of using either client/server or single/multi-user for network setups. Both worked fine most of the time on local networks, although client/server was always faster and more reliable.
Single/multi-user was actually a carry-over from the DOS version of FundRaiser. For those of you who skipped computer history in school, DOS was before you could use a mouse and before graphics or images of any kind could be displayed on the screen. You used only the keyboard to enter commands and data. When FundRaiser moved out of DOS into Windows around the year 2000, client/server had become available for small networks. We added it as an option, but the benefits weren’t as clear or as important as they are now, and it was more complicated to install. Most of our users didn’t care which technology we used, especially since client/server added significantly to the cost.
Now
Networks are common now and their setup is much easier to accomplish. People buy their own equipment, some of which may or may not work well together. They often use the automatic Windows network setup, which works well in some circumstances, but not in all. It usually works fine for Excel and Word, but may not be up to the demands that a modern database requires. Fortunately, client/server handles network problems better than the old single/multi-user setups ever did.Client/server systems are now much more important because of the widespread use of networks in almost all offices, and because the internet has become so much more important. (Client/server is needed for FundRaiser to work safely and securely across the internet.)
For all these reasons and more, we are phasing out the single/multi-user options for FundRaiser in favor of client/server. We are doing it to keep FundRaiser current with the times, and to ensure that you have the best functioning, most flexible and secure database possible. We will continue to support single and multi-user for some time yet, but once we come out with version 5 of FundRaiser next year, we will no longer offer updates for non-client/server versions.
In line with this change in policy, we have negotiated a lower price for the client/server database from it's makers, Sybase and Advantage. We are passing these lower prices along to you to make it easier for you to adjust to the changes.
