Question Using Dropbox to host a front end / back end database

[RainLover]

If there is a URL for the dropbox folder, you can concatenate that with the file name and use the FollowHyperLink method to open the file.

Pat

I do not believe there is a way to link to the Dropbox folder that resides in the cloud.

I and many others would like to do this so if you can create a link please post your solution.

The same problem exists with Sky Drive. I have attempted to create a link with both products.

When I use "Link" I mean that I would like to link the Front End on my computer with the Back End that resides in the cloud. The object is for all users no matter where they are to be able to share the back end as if they were working within a LAN.

 

[spikepl]

#19 Your dropbox folder is a normal folder on your computer, so you read/write/delete files in it just like to any other folder.

#21 Why on earth would anyone want to link to dropbox in the sky? And then have to manage the file copying/syncing oneself? That is what the dropbox application does for you, at your convenience.

 

[RainLover]

#19 Your dropbox folder is a normal folder on your computer, so you read/write/delete files in it just like to any other folder.

#21 Why on earth would anyone want to link to dropbox in the sky? And then have to manage the file copying/syncing oneself? That is what the dropbox application does for you, at your convenience.

Spike

The Objective is to have the Back End in the cloud. This way people in the office can connect to the same Back End as people on he road. People like Salesmen, Techs or the Boss who stay at different motels each night.

At the moment this is not possible unless you use something like VPN, Windows Terminal Server.

In spit of what people think, this is currently not possible.

Or should I say that I don't know how to do exactly that. I have set up something similar but nothing seamless.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

on reflection, I now do not see how dropbox could be used as a backend

However, there maybe better alternatives. Amazon host SQL databases in the cloud on something called Amazon Web Services AWS. This is charged for: Active SQL backend databases are charged for based on size, and uptime. Other than a complicated connection string they work as if they were local, and therefore are sutiable for this sort of exercise.

They give you a free account for a month, to test it out.

I have a very poor broadband at home, and abandoned it, as I was not getting acceptable speed, but it is worth a try. It worked for me, but just slowly. A fast fibre connection might be OK. If this doesn't give you an acceptable speed, I can't see that dropbox (even if it was technically able to do it) would be any different.

I am sure other providers such as Rackspace might offer similar faciliites to Amazon.

Hope this helps


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final thought. I think something like this ought to be an easier solution than trying to actually recode a database for web use. Far easier

 

[RainLover]

on reflection, I now do not see how dropbox could be used as a back end

However, there maybe better alternatives. Amazon host SQL databases in the cloud on something called Amazon Web Services AWS. This is charged for: Active SQL back end databases are charged for based on size, and uptime. Other than a complicated connection string they work as if they were local, and therefore are suitable for this sort of exercise.

They give you a free account for a month, to test it out.

I have a very poor broadband at home, and abandoned it, as I was not getting acceptable speed, but it is worth a try. It worked for me, but just slowly. A fast fibre connection might be OK. If this doesn't give you an acceptable speed, I can't see that dropbox (even if it was technically able to do it) would be any different.

I am sure other providers such as Rackspace might offer similar faciliites to Amazon.

Hope this helps


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final thought. I think something like this ought to be an easier solution than trying to actually recode a database for web use. Far easier

Dave

I believe we are in basic agreement. There are many solutions including the writing of a Web based program. But if you are looking for a simple cost effective solution then Dropbox is not it.

The best I have come up with is to place the Backend into Dropbox which is installed on the server.

A copy is updated on each users Dropbox whenever the server copy changes. This is fine for all users who have access to the server.

Those who do not are given Read Only privlidges. When required they update their Dropbox via any internet connection. They can then view the latest data but cannot update/edit etc.

The Front End must be programed to tell the difference between a connection to the server as opposed to the copy on their own PC.

I need to do some live testing to see if the results are what I expect.

 

[RainLover]

I realize this is an older thread, but its the only one I can find with a similar conversation to my question... i am trying to use dropbox as a way to share a documents folder which will store documents that are linked to a filepath stored in my access table. I have done this before using a shared drive on a network, but I am not sure how to set the file path to the dropbox folder, any help please?

I hope the last few posts answer your question. If not post back again with more details of what you want.