Re: Using Access 2003 & 2007 databases
- From: Helpful Harry <helpful_harry@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:25:06 +1300
In article
<ca6d02f5-502c-483c-ab83-b3892e9baf15@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Grip <grip@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Feb 16, 9:07 pm, "Scott" <NoSpam-Scott...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
In our office, we have a number of well developed Access 2003 & 2007
databases in use. A couple of art designers are required to use the
databases. I set up virtual pc and run Access 2007 to make them accessible.
After the use for some time, they found very paintful to use this method. I
have learnt FileMaker is something like Access but on Mac platform. Can
someone share your knowledge and experiance with me on how easy for
FileMaker to use Access database directly or indirectly.
FileMaker is nothing like Access - FileMaker is easy to use and
actually works! ;o)
FileMaker is a completely different product to Access. The only
similarity is that they are both database applications. They can not
open each others files.
Assuming you are using the databases over a network, you might be able
to use FileMaker as a "front-end" to the Access database via things
like OBDC or SQL, but it's probably not worth all the effort (and
probably "expert" expense to set-up) for only a couple of people.
Another option is to get rid of Access entirely and use FileMaker for
both the Mac and Windows computers, BUT then you're going to have to
re-create the databases starting all over again from scratch (you can
transfer the actual data, but not the database's strucuture, reports,
etc.), which will obviously be hugely expensive in money and time.
There are some things you can do to speed up Virtual PC *a little*, but
it's never going to be as fast as a real Windows computer. You can
downgrade the version of Windows to as low as you can - Windows XP or
Windows 95 are far less power-hungry than Windows 2000. Turn off as
many of the "toys" in Windows as you can, including lowering the screen
colours and resolution. Set Virtual PC to use more memory - but not too
much since Virtual PC has a limit (which depends on the version). Try
not to run too many applications in either Windows or MacOS at the same
time. Do not use Norton Antivirus in Windows - it's notoriously bad for
slowing down the computer (as well as being a rip-off with it's annual
fee)!! You do need an antivirus for Windows, so instead use something
like AVG.
Realistically the easiest solution is to just put a cheap Windows PC in
the corner for them to use when they need the database (or continue to
use VirtualPC) ... at least until you upgrade to Intel Macs where you
can then use CrossOver to run Windows Access directly in MacOS X at
something much closer to full speed.
OR you can change the Macs over to Windows computers since most of the
normal "design" software is available for both systems with little real
difference between the two these days.
Is it the method of using an Access database on a Mac that's the
problem or is it the Access db itself? It sounds like the Access db
is fine ("well-developed"), but virtual PC is not working for the
designers. Have you tried Parallels, Bootcamp, or VNC instead of
virtual PC.
If the designers are just being stuffy about using a Microsoft
product, the problem is with the designers.
Virtual PC is for PowerPC-based Macs. So unfortunately that means to be
able to change to Parallels, VMWare, CrossOver or Boot Camp they would
also need to upgrade to an Intel-based Mac. (I'm not sure about VNC.)
Helpful Harry
Hopefully helping harassed humans happily handle handiwork hardships ;o)
.
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