This project started September 2010 and is the next major development of the product. Plant Base 2 is a total code re-write, using an entirely different development product from the original. This is in fact the initial objective - to use an up-to-date programming language and database to create a robust and efficient application that we can take onwards into the future.
The underlying database, though different from the original one, is already well proven - we are using the exact same database engine as in the Plant Base Mobile edition. Some modifications have been needed, but we expect the desktop and new mobile database files to be essentially interchangeable.
At the the initial release, Plant Base 2 will have almost the same functions and design layout as the previous 1.6.x versions. This is entirely as planned from a long time ago - the major changes introduced in 1.6.0 were done as preparation for the re-write and are the reason why we have made such good progress. The existing program works well for most users - so we did not want the re-write to change something that was not broken!
This is very large task for us and the re-coding will take a considerable time. However, the work is now well progressed and we hope to have a Beta test version available quite soon.
Here is a current screenshot:
As you may see, it is quite similar the 1.6.x versions. There will be a few differences, perhaps even some down-sides, but Plant Base 2 will also have important advantages:-
- uses current technology
- very few system dependencies
- faster execution of both program and database
- minimum resource overhead
- almost unlimited database file size
- fully compatible with all Windows releases from Windows 2000
- portable mode - will run from a USB memory stick
- multiple language support for the user interface
- unicode support
- adapt to small screens, useable on most netbooks
- simpler data exchange with mobile editions
- native 64-bit version option
We are aiming for this to be the basis for further developments. Native editions for MAC and Linux are planned - they will be specific to each platform but will share large parts of the code with the Windows version and be developed using the same cross-platform language - PureBasic from Fantaisie Software. We are also looking at producing spin-off products for certain users such as small nurseries.
What about the Mobile Edition?
We plan to continue support of the edition for Window Mobile 5 and 6.x. New conversion and synchronization programs will be provided in order to support data exchange with desktop Plant Base 2.
There are currently no plans to produce a version for Windows Phone 7. However this will remain under review.
The main effort for a new mobile edition wiill be based on Android. Work is already in progress. The full edition will have an on-board database and be functionally similar the existing Windows Mobile Edition. There is already now a light-weight web-based app as a front-end to our online database - read more about our Android developments.
Other mobile platforms are continuously under consideration. For example there may be a possibility of an edition for HP/Palm WebOS at sometime in the future.
