Need a freeware MSAccess replacement.

[PC Freak]

Is there a freeware replacement for MSAccess. OpenOffice doesn't seem to have one.
I need something to open/edit the access files.

Thanks

 

[episodic]

This one is a tough one. . .Last I looked a suitable replacement did not exist. mysql and the such do not have friendly front ends . . .

 

[beer]

http://fedoranews.org/mweber/OO_db.shtml

 

[EagleKeeper]

One shot deal or will this be needed continiously.

Also, what version of Access was used for the MDB file.

Above post can be used for databases, however, the desscription is lacking in reference for Access

 

[beer]

Oh, damn. My bad.

 

[PC Freak]

Continiously.
Access97 is the version

 

[drag]

Access database is a very propriatary (and limited) design.

Like Outlook's (not express) mail database files, they probably use legal restrictions to make sure that nobody can create a product that can use those files, thus effectively locking you into MS's software.

Effectively MS makes sure that nobody buy nobody, unless they are using MS products, can ever access that information.

Don't know it for a fact, but this is just the sort of thing they do with people who use their premier software. There are probably some third party tools to help you translate into a more acceptable database format, such as SQL, but these guys would have to liscence the file format from MS, so they aren't going to be any cheaper.

Also you can't realy compare MySQL vs Access very well, they are on 2 completely different levels. Access is very specific to small business applications, anything dealing with large accounts it's going to fall flat on it's face. MySQL is designed for more general applications were the people using it would talor it to specific applications. For instance I've used Mysql to keep track of information about shows/recording time/recorded shows, and such for a PVR (tivo type thing) called MythTV. Also people commonly use it for web applications such as this forums (although not THIS particular forum). Also used for accounting and stuff like that. Whatever you want.

For what Access is designed for it's a great application, so don't get me wrong. It's just very specific and very propriatory.

My best bet for getting by cheaply would be to check out Sun's version of OpenOffice.org suite. It's called Star Office, and it costs around 75 dollars. The big difference is that it has a Access-like database program.

In my mind their is a chance that it could read the .mdb format, but I don't know for sure.

I'll see if I can find out.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Look at exporting the tables to another database that is more open source.

You could buy a MS Office 97 copy if you have to keep it in the Acess format and/or use a newer version of Office to import the Acess DB and use it from there.

 

[drag]

Howto open up mdb files in Org 1.1

Seems pretty ghetto, though.

Seems like MS makes their mdb file format compatable with other peoples stuff, so that is promising.

I decided that I am curious enough about Star Office and I bought it to download. 84 bucks with taxes, whoohoo.
The database application that comes from it is based on something called Adabus. I have some Access 2000 mdb files laying around, I'll see if they work with it.

 

[drag]

Bah, The database stuff in Soffice is a mild dissapointment.

Not what I was expecting at all. Nothing like Access or anything, the soffice relational database is a seperate application called "Adabas D".

It's one of those that has a "database kernel" or whatnot, so it's a full-fledged multiuser sql database.

Then the Soffice Office stuff can access that database and use it's information is things like spreedsheets and whatnot and submit information and whatnot. It's suitable for a big business situation and all that, but a Access replacement it is DEFINATELY NOT.

At least by itself... If there was a nice SQL office application out their to help build databases, then that would be cool, but I am not aware of one.

The version of Adabas that comes with Soffice is freely aviable here. So you can look at it without having to buy Soffice like I did.

In order to use Access files you would have to translate it thru the ODBC drivers stuff in Windows. OR export it to CSV (comma seperated values) and lose all the queries and such and then import it into Adabas.

The whole thing is over my head.

The easiest solution is probably just to buy another copy of Office pro... ghrrr. Unless you know a lot more about databases then me (which is likely.)

edit:
Oh, I gues you can create Tables, Queries, and do stuff like establish relationships from within Star Office.

Of course from the documentation, OR LACK THEREOF. You would have NO IDEA THIS WAS POSSIBLE. ghrr. Of course I can't get it to work worth a damn.