Topic: Change backend database to PostgreSQL
It would be helpful if the backend database for Recorder 6 could be changed from SQL Server to PostgreSQL.
This should be relatively straight forward provided that Recorder 6 uses standard SQL commands and has not used Microsoft specific extensions.
I use GIS a lot to analyse the data, which means at present I have to export the data out of Recorder 6, and then import it into PostgreSQL/PostGIS and then run a script to convert Grid Reference into a spatial point that can be used by GIS software, such as QGIS. Theoretically this all could be done in SQL Server, which is fine if you can afford the commercial version of SQL Server with the Spatial option enabled. However, I use SQL Express which does not provide that functionality.
Another advantage is the cost saving for those organisations that need to use the multi-user version of Recorder 6. i.e. no longer need to buy commercial licences of MS SQL Server.
Harry
Surrey County Butterfly Recorder