Database Design for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Relational Database Design by Michael J. Hernandez (Addison-Wesley, January 1997) provides an introduction to relational database design concepts that's easy to understand and apply. On the Web, head for the University of Massachusetts Database Systems Laboratory Database site, www-ccs.cs.umass.edu/db/databasesites.html, where you can find links to database textbooks, research journals, bulletins, bibliographies, technical reports, books, and database-related discussion groups.

Popular database magazines include Datamation at www.datamation.com and Data and Intelligent Enterprise at www.intelligententerprise.com/dbframe.shtml, where you can find Database Programming and Design archives as well as DBMS archives and Oracle View archives. In addition, you can find links to articles on database technology and software at ZDNet's AnchorDesk (www.zdnet.com/anchordesk); connect to the site and then search using the key term "database."

The Data Management Association International (DAMA) at www.dama.org is the leading organization for professionals in database management. Other professional associations include the Information Resources Management Association at www.hbg.psu.edu/Faculty/m1k/IRMA.html, the International Data Warehousing Association at www.idwa.org, and the Society for Information Management at www.simnet.org.