Need Microsoft Access to run on my Mac Powerbook

[eineer]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)

I've been told I need to buy Virtual PC for my Mac and then Microsoft Office 2008 (for the PC, which includes ACCESS) in order to use MS Access for a college course I'm taking. I do believe that once I get Virtual PC, I could get MS Access as a temporary free download for 60 days. My questions:
1. is the above info correct?
2. where do I get Virtual PC for my Mac? cost?
3. Is Virtual PC easy to use or will I need to buy a book to explain it to me?
4. How about ease-of-use of Microsoft Access?
Thank you to whomever can give me some direction before I go spending mega bucks for what is hopefully a short term need.

 

[CyberTaz]

See Below;

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)

I've been told I need to buy Virtual PC for my Mac and then Microsoft Office
2008 (for the PC, which includes ACCESS) in order to use MS Access for a
college course I'm taking. I do believe that once I get Virtual PC, I could
get MS Access as a temporary free download for 60 days. My questions:
1. is the above info correct?

I don't know who you've been listening to but you've either misunderstood or
they are a poor source of information ( at least on this matter).

First, it depends on what Mac you have - Virtual PC doesn't run on Intel
Macs, only G4s & G5s (and only runs "reasonably well" on more powerful G5s
with plenty of RAM).

If you have an Intel Mac you'll need to use Apple's Boot Camp (which is
included if you upgrade to Leopard) or you can use Parallels or VMWare
Fusion (or one of a few other emulators available) with either Tiger or
Leopard.

Also, you'll not find Office 2008 for the PC - that's the *Mac* version of
Office. The PC version would be either 2003 or 2007 - and only certain
editions include Access, so check before you buy.

Additionally, you'll also need a copy of the Windows operating system -
either Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista (again, which edition
depends on which of the above emulators you use).

2. where do I get Virtual PC for my Mac? cost?

Check any of the online software vendors including educational outlets.
Pricing varies & the emulator software can be purchased with/without the
Window OS which will affect cost.

3. Is Virtual PC easy to use or will I need to buy a book to explain it to me?

You need some degree of technical knowledge to configure the emulator
properly & then installing Windows is a chore in itself. If you've never
done anything like that before you'll probably need some help.

4. How about ease-of-use of Microsoft Access?

Access is like a lot of programs - the *basics* are fairly easy but there's
much more under the surface. Knowledge of relational database design
concepts are also needed... Access isn't a "database" program, it's an
application for designing & operating custom data management files.

Thank you to whomever can give me some direction before I go spending mega
bucks for what is hopefully a short term need.

Good Luck |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac