Advice required with Access data pages

[mcgrcoAgain]

Hi,
I'm currently putting together a database for a medical NGO in Cambodia (http://www.medicorps.com/updates/cambodia.html) and am looking for some advice. The simple database is for logging client referral cases by Cambodian doctors to a team of international doctors. I haven't used access in 10 months and despite programming in access for 5 years progress is very slow. At the moment I'm designing the input and search forms. I was thinking that a more logical approach would be to convert the forms to access data pages and put the database online. I haven't used data access pages but from what i know their fairly limited?
The goal would be the ability to log/search the data with auto updated pull downlist based on the actual data. Ultimately I want the data compiled and emailed to a email list from withing the website. The trouble is I have no idea how to do it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[reclusivemonkey]

In order for people to use Data Access Pages they need to be able to download and install the Microsoft Office Web Components. This is not always possible, so you would be better using something like ASP which has no other requirements other than a browser at the user end. Also, Access has limits to the number of users who can access the database at one time. You may find this a problem if its going to be busy. You may want to explore alternatives like MSSQL Server or MySQL.

 

[mcgrcoAgain]

Thanks for replying so promptly. It sounds like it would make more sense but I haven’t the first clue about asp ,mysql. mssql server. I have only 3 more weeks to complete this task so I'm not sure what to do. Normally I would relish the opportunity to learn some new skills but time is not on my side. Are there any applications out there that allow you to build simple online databases without having any knowledge of html? If anyone can suggest something then please let me know .

 

[Pat Hartman]

Look at FrontPage. I'm sure that I'll be boo'd for that suggestion but you may already have it or can get it cheaply due to your non-profit status. It is also pretty easy to use from what I understand and can create static web pages from Access databases. I don't know if it can make dynamic web pages or updatable webpages.

 

[reclusivemonkey]

Look at FrontPage. I'm sure that I'll be boo'd for that suggestion but you may already have it or can get it cheaply due to your non-profit status.

BOO! ;-) Actually, from what I can tell, this may be an option. I've never used Front Page (I prefer HTML Editors to WYSIWYG Applications) but you used to have support for it on your web server, which wasn't always the case. However, according to Netcraft, it is supported on your server;

Apache/1.3.19 (Unix) Chili!Soft-ASP/3.6.2 FrontPage/5.0.2.2510 PHP/4.1.1

It is also pretty easy to use from what I understand and can create static web pages from Access databases. I don't know if it can make dynamic web pages or updatable webpages.

I would think from the OP's post;

At the moment I'm designing the input and search forms.
[...]
The simple database is for logging client referral cases

that being dynamic and updatable were pretty much solid requirements.

Good luck, its a worthy cause

 

[mcgrcoAgain]

Thank you both for your advice. I've been playing around with Frontpage I think I need access to the site before I can test a database. In addition It doesn't let me connect to an access database. Its looking for a dsn address! I'm afraid I'm going to have to ditch the .asp and just have a networked database with email functionality for now. When i get back to my country I can look at it from home.

By the way, does any one know if its possible to update an access database from a simple email in out ook. ie Date sent, emailaddress, message... I've been using Lotus notes for too long !

Thanks again