Replication/mde files

[intern42]

I'm having a bit of a problem deciding what to do here...

I've created an Access 2000 .mdb that someone else needs to use. This person will be the only one using the database, but he knows next to nothing about Access.
For this reason I've made custom forms for everything so that
he'll never need to see the database window or even know what the tables are.

I certainly don't want him to accidentally poke around and change anything.

For this reason, I originally decided to make a copy of my .mdb and convert this copy to a .mde file. I also changed all the start-up options so that the database window and almost all of the toolbar options were disabled.

This worked great... until I realized that after he populates the database, he may discover that he needs more functionality or a new form or report.
For this reason, I decided to make my original "developer's copy" the Design Master and give him a replica.

Here's my problem:
I cannot convert the replica to a .mde file OR change the start-up options to disable the database window and all the menu options.
However, if I convert the original database to a .mde then I can't make necessary changes.

I don't want the other user to be able to change ANYTHING, but I want to be able to make design changes that can get replicated to his database easily without fear of losing any of his data.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RangerTen]

you ever think of splitting your database? He won't lose his backend data from the tables, and then you can easily replace the front end as he (or you) feel that there are updates to the project. Works fairly easy.

 

[intern42]

Thanks, I hadn't thought of that and will look in to it.

If I split it, will I still be able to "lock out" the user from directly manipulating tables and forms?

 

[Cosmos75]

These links might help you out, I had the same questions.

Disable Design View with Password Protection
http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31453

Disable changes to queries?
http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47941

Delink Backend for Copy?
http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41086

Split Database - Add password from Front End or Back End?
http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48236

Compacting Split Database - Front / Back End (Access 97)
http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48415