Database researchers have striven to improve the capability
of a database in terms of both performance and functional-
ity. We assert that the usability of a database is as important
as its capability. In this paper, we study why database sys-
tems today are so difficult to use. We identify a set of five
pain points and propose a research agenda to address these.
In particular, we introduce a presentation data model and
recommend direct data manipulation with a schema later
approach. We also stress the importance of provenance and
of consistency across presentation models.