Replacement for MS Access

[OldPhart]

I've grabbed a couple of surplus PC's from the office and am in the process of setting up Linux and Unix boxes to replace the Micro$oft garbage that we currently have at home. The only thing for which I don't see an obvious replacement is MS Access.

Yes, I know that there are a lot of real database products available, but the simeple fact is that my wife has got a couple of Access applications that she uses regularly. Each one uses several forms to enter and update data on patients and procedures, and can produce several reports.

Please don't waste both of our bandwidths telling me to run away from Access as quickly as possible (that is what I'm doing) or that there are a lot of better databases (I know there are). What I'm looking for is something that I can use to produce some data entry/update forms, some standard reports, and control their use. All my searches so far have yielded GUI tools for creating and managing the database (something I can handle just fine from the command line) or sollutions that are much more complicated that the task that I'm trying to accomplish. I refuse to believe that the open/free software community doesn't have a solution that's simpler than something out of Redmond. Yes I could write a lot of VB or C++, but would rather spend my time having some single malt.;) I'd hate to leave a whole partition on my drive just for these applications.

[mpjbrennan]

Have you considered mySQL/php?

patrick

[OldPhart]

I've been hoping to use MySQL as the database engine. I've only glanced at PHP so far. That may be because I haven't been visualizing this as a something accessed through the browser. I'll take a closer look. In the mean time, I'm still open to other suggestions, particularly any that avoid or minimize writing code, since I've already written moer than my lifetime's quota. Thanks.

[ssjf]

Apperently, the beta for this is almost ready... I really don't know how long you are willing to wait, but here's the link.

Haccess (http://sourceforge.net/projects/haccess/)

Good Luck.

[Jaxn]

I am facing this same issue.

I use php with MySQL and Postgres for myself, but a friend's mom wants to switch to Linux and needs an Access-like tool.

I am really surprised there is not an open-source front-end like Access.

-Jaxn

[HouTxM]

Have you looked at STAR OFFICE? I have used STAR OFFICE and it certainly works Very Well with Microsoft Applications. I haven't used the Database much but the Word Processor allows you to originate a document and then save it in MS Word format allowing MS Users to Open it and so on. You can download Star office to try it, also if you decide to purchase the Star Office Suite, it is only $ 75.00 comparable to MS OFFICE Professional. I hope this works for you. here is the URL.....www.staroffice.com

[JavaGuy]

There is a good chance that your linux distro comes with MySQL and/or PostgreSQl already installed...both are far superior to access as database servers.....but lack the visual tools you are used to with Access.


You can find free documentation (or download them) at:

www.mysql.org
www.postgresql.org
or try Firebird:
firebird.sourceforge.net


There is a slick little generic database front end (forms, reporting, etc) for any database:
(a "visual tool")
here (about $70 or so)
http://www.thekompany.com/products/rekall/


I'm not so sure that Open Office includes a database...(am I correct??).

also, browse through the database area of sourceforge.net.....