[rdouglass]

[quote]Originally posted by Jack Simth:

Oh yes, it is possible - Microsoft tries to be everything to everyone - but Office products are designed primarily for one user at a time; using Excel or Access for an Online database, while supported, is a very bad idea....

Maybe IYO...

Access can be a very acceptable DB platform for ASP pages - you don't HAVE to go out and fork over the $$$ for SQL. Most of it relies on the person doing the coding. I hear almost weekly how Access DB's are only good for 10 Users at a time - BAH!! I support 90+ Users on an Intranet server using Access as the DB and these are not lightweight Users. The system is 'hit' at minimum 1 every 90 seconds per user and serves up info on over 30,000 pages (not dynamic pages but static content) and doesn't even hiccup.

Again, the key is in the coding. You have to be efficient when opening and closing the DB connection (open at the Last possible moment and close as soon as possible), usig commands like "getrows" and not stuff like rs.movenext . Don't use DSN connections and let your SQL query define the records as precisely as possible. IOW don't use "SELECT * FROM myTable...".

There's a lot written out there, but the bottom line is don't think you need a sledge hammer to kill a mosquito. There are so many people saying you need that sledgehammer....'course there were many people saying the 'world is flat' as well

If you really want to use Excel you can. Check MS's site or try this page:

http://www.aspfaqs.com/webtech/051502-1.shtml

Hope it helps...

[ June 02, 2003, 18:56: Message edited by: rdouglass ]