Which is better to have? A complete Access DB, a SQL back nd linked to Access front end DB, or an executable application linked to an SQL or Access back end for data?

Thanks

The answer is YES. I say that because you should always pick the correct tools to do the job. Each of those situations can have their place and so none of them is truly the BEST in an overall sense.

Ok how about most efficient, for a multi user (not many but a few) system over a LAN that legally needs to be very secure, and due to having pictures and other information over wireless needs to be efficient. Access seems to freeze when jumping through records quickly because of the pictures?

For that application I think I would go with either an ASP.NET or VB.NET front end with a SQL Server backend.

is there a HUGE difference between VB and VB.NET, only that i know enough VB for it, but have never learned .NET

Well, there is some pretty significant syntax differences and it is quite a bit different in the way you program stuff, but if you are an experienced VB programmer then it shouldn't be very difficult at all to make the transition.

However, if you are like me - just a fair VB6 programmer - then it may take quite a bit more to learn.

There's nothing wrong with using VB6 if you're comfortable with it.

Yea i'm a fair programmer in it, basically everything i know in VB is what i've taught myself in access, so i'd welcome the challenge of porting it over to .NET but is it going to be hugely complex? What are the biggest differences?

I may learn it all when i go to Uni but was looking for now rather than later :)

Yea i'm a fair programmer in it, basically everything i know in VB is what i've taught myself in access,...
VB6 is similar to Access VBA in a lot of ways, but there are still differences. Are we talking about the actual VB6 program?

... so i'd welcome the challenge of porting it over to .NET but is it going to be hugely complex? What are the biggest differences?

Here's a couple of sites with info:
http://www.programmersheaven.com/2/FAQ-VBNET-VB6-VBNET-Differences

http://www.thescarms.com/vbasic/vb6vsvbnet.aspx

Yea the VB6 program from Microsoft. I used to have that installed. I'm downloading the new express VB 2005 now which is (i believe) based on the .NET

I've had a look around the net and through those links you sent (thanks very much for those btw, excellent :) ) and decided to install it and see if i can work with it, as it certainly seems to have some nice features added to it, just might take a while to get used to the differences, but I'm sure I'll be able tog et some sort of grasp on it