Hi David,

Oracle server can be a little overwelming at first but it is not so unlike
any other database system.

ABout the specific request for integration with an oracle system I have recently
worked through a simlar project and can help with any specific questions.

See my other email about technet.oracle.com and check out marks code
examples. I also forgot this but oracle is now
offering free oracle course over the web at http://www.oracle.com/education/oln/
(formal oracle training is reccommended also and looks good in your CV)

Specific to the integration request. I am assuming you want to get some data
back and worth from a VFP database to an oracle one.

You could...
1a) Create Text and XML files from the Oracle end. This would involve simple stored procedures and all information can be retrieved while the server is offline.
1b) You could also update directly into the tables via ODBC and retrieve tables
some DBA's would not be comfortable with this for several reasons. Protective of their data, if one system goes offline both systems cannot operate.

2a)"Oracle Integration Server" can be downloaded from technet. I did not use this.
2b) If integrating with another database i.e. mssql check out oracle integration server and Oracle Transparent Gateway.

You will probably need to know the following.
1) Oracle Basics (page 1 of manual)
2) Connecting to server.

Anyways a good first day you could download oracle or PO.
-Create a user (CREATE USER)
-Create a table (CREATE TABLE)
-Login from VFP,VB
-download table (SELECT)
-add a row (insert, update)

I hope that is helpful.