Hi,

Since Django is are already in the Python space, you might consider
using Zope as a storage backend and application server. Zope provides an
object database which is easier to work with than object-relational
mapping. It will probably speed up your development time and allow you
to focus on what really matters, the domain, instead of the technical details.

Regards,
Ewout

>Hey all,
>
>I'm considering trying to create a framework\tool to allow people to
>create a whatbird.com like interface for other types of datasets
>(plants, trees, anything really).
>
>The idea is to create a framework allowing users to create a discovery
>tool with attribute selections to narrow down the result set. So, for
>example, our faculty/students would identify attributes found in all
>trees (leaf shape, fruit, bark, form, etc.) and then input this data
>into the tool which would then allow them to input actual trees and
>associate them with the attributes (as well as input description info,
>pictures, etc.). The end result would look something like whatbird.com
>does with birds.
>
>This will be a challenge for me (but a good one). My thought is to use a
>web framework like Django (picked because I know it a little) but am
>unsure if you can have it organize the database tables with the
>relationships properly. I considered using solr but thought it would be
>overkill considering the relatively small datasets this tool would be
>used to create (under 1000 objects) but in the end it might be a good
>bet. If approved (I have to talk to the dean of our forestry department
>to see if he will buy into the idea) I will try and create the bulk of
>it during January and tweak it the rest of the semester.
>
>Anyone interesting in working on this type of project with me?
>
>Mike Beccaria
>Systems Librarian
>Head of Digital Initiatives
>Paul Smith's College
>518.327.6376
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