Number of Registered Copies Needed?

W

Westaradg

I am setting up a database that will be eventually used on a LAN, for now
it's used on a single PC that has a registered copy of Access. Do I need to
buy a copy of Access for each pc in order to make it work, or do I need to
register multiple users. If someone could clarify what I need to have to be
set up correctly I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
 
J

John Nurick

You need to have Access installed on each PC.

This can be the full "paid-for" version, but there's also a "runtime"
edition of Access which will run an application that has been created
with the full version. Once you've bought the add-on with the runtime
version you can install the runtime on any number of PCs without
additional licensing costs.

What you have to buy depends on the version of Office. For Office 2003,
see http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011208861033.aspx

Also, for a multi-user database it's strongly recommended to split it
into a front end containing the queries, forms, reports and the rest of
the user interface, and a back end containing only the tables. See e.g.
http://allenbrowne.com/ser-01.html
 
W

Westaradg

Hmmm, I did a search for the run time edition and it sounds like something I
would be interested in, but all I find is articles about the runtime edition
but where do I buy it? I currently have Office 2000 Professional.

Thank you for your response.
 
J

John Nurick

For Access 2000 databases, what you need is the "Microsoft Office
Developer Extensions" for Office 2000 (maybe that's not the exact name).
AFAIK Microsoft haven't sold this for several years, so your choices are

(a) acquire a licensed copy (e.g. on eBay)

(b) upgrade to Office 2003 and the Office 2003 Developer Extensions

(c) don't use the runtime at all.

Probably (b) or (c) make most sense. Microsoft ended mainstream support
for Office 2000 in 2004 and plans to cease providing security patches
and other support in 2009. And Access 2000 has never been the best
version of the product.
 
Top