Need help again!! Crazy Boss is at it again.

I've spent 2 months working on this Access 2003 db, get something done
and then the 'boss' wants something different that what was originally
stated, or wants to add this or that. It's been nuts, but it's finally
done.

Now he has decided, after telling me that this is what he didn't want
at the beginning of the project, that he wants to be able to access the
db online and to create one that he can have uploaded to a server and
work on from any computer anywhere that he may happen to be.

Any ideas on the best way to do this?? I'm not getting paid for this
job, doing in to help out my step-dad pay off his legal fee's (the db
is for a computer illiterate lawyer).

I would suggest remote desktop to his computer, PCAnywhere, or
GoToMyPC.
This way you do not have to convert your forms to data access pages,
find a hosting service that supports MS-ACCESS, not be concerned about
different printer attachments.

(Especially in light of the financial benefits to you!)

Hi Marina,

You can easily put the database on a webserver, and then connect to it
(show records, add, update, delete records) using ASP.

It is a fairly easy transition as you can use VBScript (a subset of VB)

Here are a couple of 'beginner' tutorial sites to connect Access db's
and ASP.
http://www.haneng.com/Lessons.asp
http://www.webwizguide.info/asp/tuto...a_database.asp

Just my .02

I fear that mksnyder is underestimating the learning curve / difficulty of
converting your database to an ASP application. In fact, even with the most
recent and most capable tools, you simply canNOT create as rich a client in
that way -- browsers just have inadequate support.

It is certainly possible to create ASP web applications, and nice ones, that
interface with the data in an .MDB, but with a demanding user (as you
apparently have), I'd avoid that option like the plague.

I'd agree with DoDahD... remote access.

I hope you are being credited by the hours worked for those debts, not by
the job. A "by the job" project, in those circumstances, is likely _never_
to be deemed complete.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

"mksnyder" <marlin.snyder@promartinc.com> wrote in message
news:1138386207.084716.110460@g44g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...[color=blue]
> Hi Marina,
>
> You can easily put the database on a webserver, and then connect to it
> (show records, add, update, delete records) using ASP.
>
> It is a fairly easy transition as you can use VBScript (a subset of VB)
>
> Here are a couple of 'beginner' tutorial sites to connect Access db's
> and ASP.
> http://www.haneng.com/Lessons.asp
> http://www.webwizguide.info/asp/tuto...a_database.asp
>
> Just my .02
>[/color]

"mksnyder" <marlin.snyder@promartinc.com> wrote in
news:1138386207.084716.110460@g44g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com:
[color=blue]
> You can easily put the database on a webserver, and then connect
> to it (show records, add, update, delete records) using ASP.
>
> It is a fairly easy transition as you can use VBScript (a subset
> of VB)
>
> Here are a couple of 'beginner' tutorial sites to connect Access
> db's and ASP.
> http://www.haneng.com/Lessons.asp
> http://www.webwizguide.info/asp/tuto..._to_a_database.
> asp[/color]

This is simply a ridiculous suggestion.

It would require completely rewriting the entire application from
scratch in a language the original poster does not know, and using
UI conventions that are completely different than those that are
appropriate to Access applications.

I can't see how anyone who knows anything about Access applications
at all would make such a suggestion, unless they didn't really read
the original poster's message, or were just trying to be mean.

--
David W. Fenton http://www.dfenton.com/
usenet at dfenton dot com http://www.dfenton.com/DFA/

I'm not sure that a remote desktop would be the thing to do. He only
has dial-up and 1 phone line at the office so conectivity would become
a big issue. Also with PC anywhere I'm pretty sure that you need a
copy on the computer you are using, so stopping in at a Kinko's
somewhere to use a computer would not work. What do you think of MySQL
for this. I hate to scrap the whole project (after populating it no
less, grrrrr) but I think that's what's gona have to happen.

"Marina" <maiden_moon@earthlink.net> wrote in
news:1138427476.661569.56340@z14g2000cwz.googlegro ups.com:
[color=blue]
> I'm not sure that a remote desktop would be the thing to do. He
> only has dial-up and 1 phone line at the office so conectivity
> would become a big issue. Also with PC anywhere I'm pretty sure
> that you need a copy on the computer you are using, so stopping in
> at a Kinko's somewhere to use a computer would not work. What do
> you think of MySQL for this. I hate to scrap the whole project
> (after populating it no less, grrrrr) but I think that's what's
> gona have to happen.[/color]

MySQL is a toy database unless you use the non-native InnoDB tables,
which add complexities and incompatibilities.

There is no way that you could redesign an Access app into a
browser-based app for free -- it's a huge project.

You should look at GoToMYPC, though, which if I'm not mistaken is a
product of Citrix, and uses the built-in Remote Desktop protocols.
It is advertised as being accessible from any PC, probably using the
Citrix extensions that allow remote control from a web browser.

I believe GoToMyPC is constantly running a free trial, so it
shouldn't cost anything to test.

The problem, of course, is that he's only using dialup. That isn't
going to work. Unless he's using really cheap dialup, it shouldn't
much more than double his costs to switch to some form of broadband,
and he'll think it's worth it because of the vastly improved
convenience and speed.

Secondly, if he wants universal access like this, the only way to do
it is to spend money, either on connectivity and software, or on web
hosting, so the choice between broadband remote control and a
browser-based app hosted on a website is probably pretty close to
cost neutral.

If you account for *your* costs in recreating the app for a website,
it's a helluva lot more expensive, but *you're* the one bearing the
costs. Don't even think of going there. He wouldn likely not like
the result even a professional web developer would produce, because
web interfaces are incredibly clunky and slow in comparison to an
Access application.

And if he doesn't want to spend any money at all, then he's stuck
with what he's got. Additional functionality and flexibility just
don't come for free -- don't give him the impression that it does.

--
David W. Fenton http://www.dfenton.com/
usenet at dfenton dot com http://www.dfenton.com/DFA/

Marina wrote:[color=blue]
> I'm not sure that a remote desktop would be the thing to do. He only
> has dial-up and 1 phone line at the office so conectivity would become
> a big issue. Also with PC anywhere I'm pretty sure that you need a
> copy on the computer you are using, so stopping in at a Kinko's
> somewhere to use a computer would not work. What do you think of MySQL
> for this. I hate to scrap the whole project (after populating it no
> less, grrrrr) but I think that's what's gona have to happen.[/color]

For a reasonable monthly fee (eg Brinkster.com charges ~US$8/month for
MySQL and ~US$18/month for MS SQL), there are hosts that will rent you
access to either MySQL or MS SQL databases that are remotely linkable
via ODBC (and ADODB?). The tables sit on the host and the app is on his
PC and/or laptop and/or USB-flashdisk. If the app is designed to move
the minimum amount of data across the connection (for example open a
form with one record at a time based on a selection rather than open a
form on a whole table) the response time is quite acceptable. This isn't
a solution that will allow him to use a public PC to get at the app.
That is where the ASP solution would work, but as you may be aware, ASP
is a lot more work to get a lot less rich of an interface than Access.
A LOT more work! A LOT less rich!

--
Bri

ASP is a lot more work. But an Access form and a well coded HTML form?
There is no comparison. The HTML form wins by miles and miles and miles.

He is willing to pay for a web host, etc... and I am well versed with
html, and cgi. My sister is self taught, but knows PHP and MySQL. I
don't care, and am pretty sure he doesn't, how 'pretty' it is, just
needs to work. I wish I could cheat and connect it though FrontPage
and upload the whole *bleeping* thing.

Lyle Fairfield wrote:[color=blue]
> ASP is a lot more work.[/color]

Absolutely!
[color=blue]
> But an Access form and a well coded HTML form?
> There is no comparison. The HTML form wins by miles and miles and miles.[/color]

Huh? I've yet to see an HTML/ASP form that even comes close to anything
but the most basic Access Form. Do you have an example of one of these
forms? I'd be very interested to see one.

--
Bri

I outlined my views on this in
http://groups.google.com/group/comp....2cdc948626d05e

I no longer recommend IE, or rather I recommend NOT IE.

On the UI

Let's start with
onmouseover and onmouseout.
Did you see the recent thread about this? It just can't be done well
with an Access Form.

Move on to style and CSS.
Is there any route through which the appearance of Access Forms can be
so pretty, so consistent and so dynamic?

Now ... Buttons. How many thousands of posts have we had here about
changing the background color of these?

And ...what next ... how about the "file" input type. Is this any good
or what?

And multiple forms ... is it useful to be able to have multiple forms
with the same parent .. the document?

I could go on and on ... but I won't

Bri wrote:[color=blue]
>
> Lyle Fairfield wrote:
>[color=green]
>> ASP is a lot more work.[/color]
>
>
> Absolutely!
>[color=green]
>> But an Access form and a well coded HTML form?
>> There is no comparison. The HTML form wins by miles and miles and miles.[/color]
>
>
> Huh? I've yet to see an HTML/ASP form that even comes close to anything
> but the most basic Access Form. Do you have an example of one of these
> forms? I'd be very interested to see one.[/color]

http://www.jackbe.com/prod_demo.html

Enter bogus info and watch the enterprise demo.

Marina wrote:[color=blue]
> He is willing to pay for a web host, etc... and I am well versed with
> html, and cgi. My sister is self taught, but knows PHP and MySQL. I
> don't care, and am pretty sure he doesn't, how 'pretty' it is, just
> needs to work. I wish I could cheat and connect it though FrontPage
> and upload the whole *bleeping* thing.
>[/color]
You have a guy that is willing to pay for a web host and etc and is
unwilling to cough up $20 or less for a second line? Talk about a
tightass. A lawyer that can't afford DSL (which would not require a
second line)?

You state the client is "a computer illiterate lawyer". And you are
letting a illiterate dictate computer technology? I see lots or
headache and heartache in your future.

Tell the tightass to get a life and let you do your work. # 1, tell
tightass to get DSL or Cable so he can work on a computer decently. #2,
tell the tightass to pay the monthly sevice contract to GoToMyPC. He'll
appreciate that he can deduct it from his taxes. #3, go to
http://www.gotomypc.com. Get a temp account and test it out yourself.

he is what he is. All he cares about is that it works, he pays hosting
costs for his basic web site anyway. I'm sure he could afford DSL, but
is of the mind that dsl gives you viruses, etc.... He has his
reason's, and he is the boss... I can design it in whatever language
works best, etc but he wants it online, period. No he's not a 'rich'
laywer, but he does know what he wants and has his reasons for how and
why he wants it that way.

rkc any idea how much??? If I can fork out a little money and have the
bill my step-dad owes payed up then I'm fine with that as long as the
boss covers hosting etc....Even if it's something I just have to modify
it might be worth it. This is a $15,000 bill being payed off with a
db.... that's one reason why I'm willing to do what he wants.

Marina wrote:[color=blue]
> rkc any idea how much???[/color]

I have no idea what you are asking about.
Quote something, please.

rkc wrote:
[color=blue]
>http://www.jackbe.com/prod_demo.html
>
>Enter bogus info and watch the enterprise demo.[/color]

Just wondering if you knew how much this program costs. Don't really
want to give them my phone # tell I have some idea of basic cost

Marina wrote:[color=blue]
> he is what he is. All he cares about is that it works, he pays hosting
> costs for his basic web site anyway. I'm sure he could afford DSL, but
> is of the mind that dsl gives you viruses, etc....[/color]

Really? Illiterate does come to mind. DSL's initial use, prior to the
internet, was for running home security systems. It was cheap but once
the internet came into play DSL moved in the realm of a cash cow. I'm
not sure how DSL gives one viruses but dial-up doesn't. All dial-up
does, as far as I'm concerned, is give you a longer wait time to view
web pages. Various tools for various things. Use cable/DSL to get
responsive down/uploads. Use virus protection, get a firewall, keep up
to date on Windows updates (virtually impossible using dial-up since
instead of seconds to download the patches it takes hours), and get some
adaware/spyware program like AdAware.

He has his[color=blue]
> reason's, and he is the boss... I can design it in whatever language
> works best, etc but he wants it online, period. No he's not a 'rich'
> laywer, but he does know what he wants and has his reasons for how and
> why he wants it that way.
>[/color]
Have him check out GoToMyPC. It's acceptable if one uses a dial-up
line, quite snappy really, but that could conflict with people calling
in to the same line while he's on the web. That's where DSL/cable would
come in, with the tools I specified. Then it rocks. And GoToMyPC is
very secure.

salad <oil@vinegar.com> wrote in
news:Z0UCf.5390$1n4.3640@newsread2.news.pas.earthl ink.net:
[color=blue]
> Marina wrote:[color=green]
>> He is willing to pay for a web host, etc... and I am well versed
>> with html, and cgi. My sister is self taught, but knows PHP and
>> MySQL. I don't care, and am pretty sure he doesn't, how 'pretty'
>> it is, just needs to work. I wish I could cheat and connect it
>> though FrontPage and upload the whole *bleeping* thing.
>>[/color]
> You have a guy that is willing to pay for a web host and etc and
> is unwilling to cough up $20 or less for a second line? Talk
> about a tightass. A lawyer that can't afford DSL (which would not
> require a second line)?
>
> You state the client is "a computer illiterate lawyer". And you
> are letting a illiterate dictate computer technology? I see lots
> or headache and heartache in your future.
>
> Tell the tightass to get a life and let you do your work. # 1,
> tell tightass to get DSL or Cable so he can work on a computer
> decently. #2, tell the tightass to pay the monthly sevice
> contract to GoToMyPC. He'll appreciate that he can deduct it from
> his taxes. #3, go to http://www.gotomypc.com. Get a temp account
> and test it out yourself.[/color]

Let me say I'm in 100% agreement with the above assessment and
recommendations.

--
David W. Fenton http://www.dfenton.com/
usenet at dfenton dot com http://www.dfenton.com/DFA/

"Lyle Fairfield" <lylefairfield@aim.com> wrote in
news:1138472107.342692.14960@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com:
[color=blue]
> ASP is a lot more work. But an Access form and a well coded HTML
> form? There is no comparison. The HTML form wins by miles and
> miles and miles.[/color]

Wins *what* by miles?

Certainly functionality, ease of creation or speed (latency).

--
David W. Fenton http://www.dfenton.com/
usenet at dfenton dot com http://www.dfenton.com/DFA/

Marina wrote:[color=blue]
> rkc wrote:
>
>[color=green]
>>http://www.jackbe.com/prod_demo.html
>>
>>Enter bogus info and watch the enterprise demo.[/color]
>
>
> Just wondering if you knew how much this program costs. Don't really
> want to give them my phone # tell I have some idea of basic cost[/color]

No. My guess would be $lots.

I only posted the link as an example of what is being done with web
applications these days. I wasn't suggesting it as a solution for the
mess you're in.

Need help again!! Crazy Boss is at it again.

re: Need help again!! Crazy Boss is at it again.

re: Need help again!! Crazy Boss is at it again.

re: Need help again!! Crazy Boss is at it again.

re: Need help again!! Crazy Boss is at it again.

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re: Need help again!! Crazy Boss is at it again.

re: Need help again!! Crazy Boss is at it again.

re: Need help again!! Crazy Boss is at it again.

re: Need help again!! Crazy Boss is at it again.

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