Executive Summary

The objective of our project is to design and implement a modern relational database management system for our client, MAD Scientist Network. The new relational database system will make the web site easier to be maintained and data in the database will be used more flexibly and efficiently.

MAD Scientist Network is a non-profit online destination where people can ask experts scientific and engineering questions, and learn more about the world around them. MAD Scientist Network made its debut in September 1995 as a part of Washington University's Young Scientist Program. The network allowed local students to ask scientific questions of the collected expertise at Washington University. Soon, they took advantage of the Internet to further the cause of science literacy among the general public. Today, more than 20 moderators (globally located) assist with the maintenance of the site. Nearly 800 scientists, also globally distributed, provide answers to specific questions in many scientific fields. With its successful implementation, MAD Scientist Network has won numerous awards, including OMNI Magazine's "Cool Science" award, and has been named one of Popular Science's "Top 50 Science Sites" for the past two years.

However, MAD Scientist Network doesn't have a relational DBMS. Currently, it's using Unix DBM, which is a traditional file-processing system for database management. They use DBM files to store and manipulate collected questions, answers, experiments and information associated with them. This system is conceptually clear and the physical location of files is flexible. However, while MadSci grows quickly, the volume of questions and answers grow dramatically as well. It takes longer and harder to process data and to maintain the web site.

So the client feels the need for MadSci to have a more efficient and more flexible database management system to carry out its tasks. Our team believes that the strength of the modern relational DBMS can improve the performance of MAD Scientist Network, and we expect to see the change.