On 2008 Aug 24, at 17:38, Jeff wrote:
Internally within Microsoft Access is called a "Legacy database".
MS wants you to use SQL Server with VB Studio or .NET as the front
end for any serious work. Access move from the Jet engine was to
allow for easy upsizing. I've never understood why learn VB for
Access and not just move to SQL Server and VB and leave Access out.
As for comparing them, these are two VERY different products.
FileMaker is at its roots an end-user database that scales up well
in some instances and not so well in others. Access has its roots
as a developer focused db that was was brought into the Office
suite and does a VERY poor job scaling down to the end-user while
also choking as the solution scales upwards, hence MS
recommendation to limit it's use in multi-user scenarios.
People that have worked with Access for years love it. I've
attended a few of the Access Developers Conferences that are put on
by the same people that do the FileMaker conferences BTW! The
passion is much the same but they feel neglected, at least in
private, by Microsoft which has placed its bets with SQL Server and
VB or .NET.
I remember being optimistic when Microsoft acquired FoxBase, thinking
that at last they'd get a user-friendly DB manager to replace the
turkey that Access used to be. (You think it's bad now, you shoulda
seen it THEN!)
But no. They put FoxBase on a shelf, refused to market or upgrade it,
and let it die. Access remained their pampered prince. It's the
world's most widely used DB manager only because Microsoft
essentially gives it away free with every copy of Office for Windows.
(They've got better sense than to try to foist it off on Mac users.)
Clearly Microsoft was following the standard practice that made it
the world's most valuable corporation: If you can't beat 'em to
death, buy 'em out. The last thing in the world they ever tried was
to out-innovate anyone.
I will shudder to the roots of my soul the day I hear they've decided
to go after FileMaker Inc.
= = = = = =
Richard S. Russell, a Bright (http://the-brights.net)
2642 Kendall Av. #2, Madison WI 53705-3736
608+233-5640 • [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://richardsrussell.livejournal.com/
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Microsoft is not the answer. Microsoft is the question. "No" is the
answer.
