Distributing MS Access 2

[BobbyRidler]

Hi,

I currently have a typical MS Access (2000) database. I have split the database into two parts, Client (front-end) and Server(Backend).

I need to distribute my application to users that may have different run-time versions of MS Office or Access. Also they may have different versions of MS Windows (95 to XP).

My question is, Has anyone ever distributed an MS Access db based on these varying criteria? and if so, how did you overcome them?


In anticipation of a response

Thanks
Anthony

 

[Transcend]

Hi there,

I could be wrong .. but i'm pretty sure you'll have to distribute access 2000 runtime to your users so that your front end will work. We changed over to access 2000 - we had to push it out to all users.

Transcend

 

[BobbyRidler]

Thanks Transcend,

I also failed to mention in my first thread that I may not be able to distribute a runtime version of Access 2000 due to financial constraints. If, I then develop my application using ADP or something similar how do I account for users who may have different versions of Windows operating system (Win 95 - Win XP)?


Regards

Anthony

 

[KenReay]

Hi

It is the usual problem, if you use features which are not available in earlier versions, then you cannot 'downgrade' to those earlier versions.

You do not say whichg versions of Office you are having to deal with, but assuming it is only 97 and 2000 then my approach would be to:

Use the save as 97 featrure of Access 2000 to save your backend mdb as A97 format (reason A2000 can link to A97 tables, but A97 cannot link to A2000 tables).

ensure your FE application does not contain any Access2000 specific features

Do all of your maintenance in the A2000 'master' version, and distibute a A2000 FE to users with A2000

Save a A97 'masetr' from your A2000 master and distribute that to users with A97.

You also mention versions of Windows, you need to ensure you application does not use any features which are not supported in the 'lowest' version (which sounds like it is W95, which I believe does not support Data Access Pages)

Hope this helps Regards

Ken Reay
Freelance Solutions Developer
Boldon Information Systems Ltd
Website needs upgrading, but for now -

http://www.kenneth.reay.btinternet.co.uk

UK

 

[Falcon99]

Wow. It's for reasons like this I have been moving more toward thin client (ie: ASP) solutions.

;->

Falcon99

 

[glrpfi]

Distributing a run-time version of access 2000 should cost no more than your time....If you have the developer version of MS Access 2000, it generates cost-free run-time instances. MS made the decision to do this to encourage proliferation of Acess 2000 applications.

If you do not have the developerversion, then your problem has about a $400.00 price tag

 

[FancyPrairie]

I created an Access 2000 database and distributed the runtime on Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows XP. Works on all of them.

 

[KenReay]

Hi

With the possible exception of ADP's on W95, THere is no issue with A2K running on different versions of Windows, it is the problem of users have different versions of OFFICE (and or Access) which is potentially an issue Regards

Ken Reay
Freelance Solutions Developer
Boldon Information Systems Ltd
Website needs upgrading, but for now -

http://www.kenneth.reay.btinternet.co.uk

UK

 

[BobbyRidler]

Thanks to everyone who responded ,

After reading all your replies, it seems that there a number of things that I have to consider before I or the organisation that I work for can make a decision.

By the way, I used MS Office 2000 professional version to develop the database. I have no problems about saving the backend or frontend as A97. However with the front end, I do not have a run-time version of A97 to test with once I do a conversion. Also, how do I determine which features will not work on A97.

One more thing, according to our sources I work with, apparently ADP for Office 2000 is about as rare as hens teeth. I live in Melbourne, Australia. Does anyone out there know of a supplier that would have ADP for Office 2000, or could I make do with the ADP for XP.


Regards

Anthony

 

[milcman]

It doesn't matter about the A97 runtime...If you distribute the A2k runtime, it should work on the other operating systems. (This is assuming that you get the Office 2000 Developer's Edition). Always test your application on different machines & setups to troubleshoot for bugs...