There appears to be much ado about Google Fusion Tables (GFT) threatening the database stalwarts like Oracle and IBM. Am I missing something? It appears to be less like a database and more like Google Docs’ Spreadsheet. The difference being that GFT replaces formulaic functions with bulk capabilities like filtering, aggregation and merging.

GFT appears to have no query capability, other than the ability to filter data. In other words, you can narrow the data down to what fits your criteria and then you can visualize that data. Instead of the formulaic "processing" you get from a database, you have the ability to aggregate data (combine disparate data), filter it (show stuff that fits your criteria) and then visualize it so that individuals can discern correlations and trends.

There appears to be much ado about Google Fusion Tables (GFT) threatening the database stalwarts like Oracle and IBM. Am I missing something? It appears to be less like a database and more like Google Docs’ Spreadsheet. The difference being that GFT replaces formulaic functions with bulk capabilities like filtering, aggregation and merging.

GFT appears to have no query capability, other than the ability to filter data. In other words, you can narrow the data down to what fits your criteria and then you can visualize that data. Instead of the formulaic "processing" you get from a database, you have the ability to aggregate data (combine disparate data), filter it (show stuff that fits your criteria) and then visualize it so that individuals can discern correlations and trends.