I have an Access DB (97) version on a Linux Server. I have multiple users
in
that access it. Some have Windows XP and some have Windows 98. What would
be
the reasons to upgrade to Access 2000 or Access XP?
thanks
In your case, likely little, if any reason. If your machines don't already
have access 2000, then I would stick with a97. That version is now 4
versions old, but it still remains a very good version of ms-access.
If you have to choose between a97, and a2000, most of use will take a97, as
a2000 is consider not a very good version.
The basic product called access 2003 is similar to what you got. However,
the new version does have a lot of new things.
When ADO came out to better work with sql server, then it was introduced to
a2000. When VB6 came out, the vb6 code compatibility added to access.
When .net came along, and web services became the rage, then in In a2002,
and 2003, we got the ability to use web services via the soap add in tool
kit.
We also got a nice add in for a2003 for source code control (so, you can
use VSS with ms-access).
a2000 was the first version to ship with support for un-code characters.
This means the data is not stored as ASCII, but as uni-code characters (you
actually wind up storing 2 characters for every "one" as compared to a97).
So, for international use, or different langue support, again the later
versions are much better.
And, there is of course XML support introduced in a2002, and it is even
better in a2003.
There is also tons of little things in that you can now nest more then 3
sub-forms deep.
There is themed controls (windows xp look). This makes your "old" software
look a lot more modern.
Here is some screen shots
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/Articles/Grid.htm
and
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/Atheme/index.htm
The other area is that the later versions a2002, and a2003 seem to live
better with printers.
So, as Microsoft comes out with new technologies, then those new
technologies are added to ms-access. So, we now can use things like .net web
services, and xml.
Like any development environment, if you are not using any of these new
features, then likely you don't need to upgrade...
There is also the issue of no new updates, or bug fixes, but then that old
saying about something not broke don't need fixing...
While access 97 is old, Microsoft has worked very hard on compatibility, and
access 97 will run on a brand new windows xp box...
It sounds like some of this software is old, and does need some
upgrading..but if it works fine...then you are fine....
