There is no Mac native version of Access. The only way to run it on the Mac is under Virtual PC (Windows emulation). Virtual PC and Access are both available from Microsoft.
Since FileMaker is a cross-platform database, it might be possible to export Access data into FileMaker on Windows, and then run FileMaker on the Mac using that data. In most cases that would not be a trivial task.
The real issue at hand is that Microsoft refuses to release a Macintosh compatible version of Access AND refuses to open up the formats and protocols used by Access so unless you are using Windows you can't get anything that supports Access fully. This way, once a company starts using an Access server they're pretty much locked out from ever switching from MS Windows.
Does anyone think this is a missing application (whether by MS or someone else) on the Mac?
I mean FileMaker is a bit more $ and perhaps higher end than Access in many ways.
Is there a need for a "prosumer" database application on the Mac?
There is no need for "prosumer" DBMS when full-on pro systems can be had for so little. We know that FileMaker is a great cross-platform DBMS from Apple subsidiary FileMaker, Inc. It is the No. 1 DBMS on the Mac and No. 2 on Windows. Even more powerful 4th Dimension can be had for just $49.00 at the academic price. Apple bundles OpenBase with MacOS X 10.4. There are several really wonderful database options on MacOS X. And yet, you clamor for Access
There are several really wonderful database options on MacOS X. And yet, you clamor for Access [/B]
The reason i clamor, as you say, for Access is because I am in college and it is required for oone of my classes. And yes I could use one of the many computer labs on campus, which looks like what I am going to have to do, however I would rather sit in the comfort of my own room then venture out into the cold RI nights.
Ummm...I wasn't clamoring for anything. I was asking everyone's opinion about the need for such a thing. \
P.S. Quoting academic pricing to those without access to it is kinda silly.
Although this is no longer the case, the academic price for 4th Dimension was $0.00 about a year ago. But the fact remains, at $0.00, $49.00, or full price, 4th Dimension is an awesome product and more than worth the asking price. Lest you forget, elsewhere I also mentioned OpenBase, which is part of the MacOS X 10.4 bundle and is bundled with new professional Macs. Some may think that a free professional DBMS is silly, but I don't.
Where is this OpenBase in OS X? CoreData uses the SQLlite engine. The only reference I can find to OpenBase is in WebObjects documentation, and WebObjects certainly isn't free.
Where is this OpenBase in OS X? CoreData uses the SQLlite engine. The only reference I can find to OpenBase is in WebObjects documentation, and WebObjects certainly isn't free.
OpenBase installs in your Applications folder when you install MacOS X 10.4. This is where you should find it if you buy a professional Mac with MacOS X 10.4 preinstalled.
Simply put, Access is a very powerful database. Anyone from a beginner to an expert can create database applications. Not only can you use Access as a stand-alone database and as a data source for other apps, but you can use it as a front-end interface to a back-end database server so you do not even need to use the Jet engine.
I would put Access on my iBook if it was available, but that is not going to happen because it would be one less "Windows only" application keeping people on Windows. Active-X might be a factor but Microsoft has the skills to overcome any obstacle that pops up in their quest to port their applications to the Mac. Personally, though, I am hoping for a true relational database to be included in iWork.
Active-X might be a factor? Ha! The whole reason active-x was invented was to prevent netscape users and mac users from being able to use certain applications online
OpenBase installs in your Applications folder when you install MacOS X 10.4. This is where you should find it if you buy a professional Mac with MacOS X 10.4 preinstalled.
So you're saying it doesn't come on the standalone DVD then?
Well, I must be missing it somehow as I did a Find on the Tiger install DVD and had no hits on OpenBase. There were OpenSSL and the OpenGLSDK packages, but no OpenBase.
Where is this OpenBase in OS X? CoreData uses the SQLlite engine. The only reference I can find to OpenBase is in WebObjects documentation, and WebObjects certainly isn't free.
WebObjects is now a part of Xcode tools, and is completely free. WebObjects hadn't done so well in the marketplace after (a) Apple aquired NextStep and (b) Apple nixed Obective-C support in recent versions, so they made it free a year or so ago.
Well, I must be missing it somehow as I did a Find on the Tiger install DVD and had no hits on OpenBase. There were OpenSSL and the OpenGLSDK packages, but no OpenBase.
Look. The MacOS X 10.4 DVD installsOpenBase on your system. I do not know the names of its files on the distribution DVD, nor do I care. If you want to use OpenBase, install MacOS X 10.4 and use it. If you want to "look" for it, then that's your privilege.
Comments
Since FileMaker is a cross-platform database, it might be possible to export Access data into FileMaker on Windows, and then run FileMaker on the Mac using that data. In most cases that would not be a trivial task.
It's a neat idea that has a terrible implementation and GUI.
I mean FileMaker is a bit more $ and perhaps higher end than Access in many ways.
Is there a need for a "prosumer" database application on the Mac?
http://www.actualtechnologies.com/product_access.php
I saved the link as it might be handy for me in the future, but it makes FileMaker closer to Access in at least one way - importing data.
Originally posted by Chris Cuilla
Does anyone think this is a missing application (whether by MS or someone else) on the Mac?
I mean FileMaker is a bit more $ and perhaps higher end than Access in many ways.
Is there a need for a "prosumer" database application on the Mac?
There is no need for "prosumer" DBMS when full-on pro systems can be had for so little. We know that FileMaker is a great cross-platform DBMS from Apple subsidiary FileMaker, Inc. It is the No. 1 DBMS on the Mac and No. 2 on Windows. Even more powerful 4th Dimension can be had for just $49.00 at the academic price. Apple bundles OpenBase with MacOS X 10.4. There are several really wonderful database options on MacOS X. And yet, you clamor for Access
Originally posted by Mr. Me
There are several really wonderful database options on MacOS X. And yet, you clamor for Access
The reason i clamor, as you say, for Access is because I am in college and it is required for oone of my classes. And yes I could use one of the many computer labs on campus, which looks like what I am going to have to do, however I would rather sit in the comfort of my own room then venture out into the cold RI nights.
Originally posted by Mr. Me
There are several really wonderful database options on MacOS X. And yet, you clamor for Access
Ummm...I wasn't clamoring for anything. I was asking everyone's opinion about the need for such a thing.
P.S. Quoting academic pricing to those without access to it is kinda silly.
Originally posted by kim kap sol
For anything other than a tiny database, Access is garbage.
It's a neat idea that has a terrible implementation and GUI.
I couldn't disagree with you more. Access is incredibly powerful. What are you comparing it to? FileMaker Pro?
Dave
Originally posted by Chris Cuilla
Ummm...I wasn't clamoring for anything. I was asking everyone's opinion about the need for such a thing.
P.S. Quoting academic pricing to those without access to it is kinda silly.
Although this is no longer the case, the academic price for 4th Dimension was $0.00 about a year ago. But the fact remains, at $0.00, $49.00, or full price, 4th Dimension is an awesome product and more than worth the asking price. Lest you forget, elsewhere I also mentioned OpenBase, which is part of the MacOS X 10.4 bundle and is bundled with new professional Macs. Some may think that a free professional DBMS is silly, but I don't.
Originally posted by PBG4 Dude
Where is this OpenBase in OS X? CoreData uses the SQLlite engine. The only reference I can find to OpenBase is in WebObjects documentation, and WebObjects certainly isn't free.
OpenBase installs in your Applications folder when you install MacOS X 10.4. This is where you should find it if you buy a professional Mac with MacOS X 10.4 preinstalled.
I would put Access on my iBook if it was available, but that is not going to happen because it would be one less "Windows only" application keeping people on Windows. Active-X might be a factor but Microsoft has the skills to overcome any obstacle that pops up in their quest to port their applications to the Mac. Personally, though, I am hoping for a true relational database to be included in iWork.
Originally posted by Mr. Me
OpenBase installs in your Applications folder when you install MacOS X 10.4. This is where you should find it if you buy a professional Mac with MacOS X 10.4 preinstalled.
So you're saying it doesn't come on the standalone DVD then?
Originally posted by PBG4 Dude
So you're saying it doesn't come on the standalone DVD then?
I'm saying that it does.
Originally posted by Mr. Me
I'm saying that it does.
Well, I must be missing it somehow as I did a Find on the Tiger install DVD and had no hits on OpenBase. There were OpenSSL and the OpenGLSDK packages, but no OpenBase.
Originally posted by PBG4 Dude
Where is this OpenBase in OS X? CoreData uses the SQLlite engine. The only reference I can find to OpenBase is in WebObjects documentation, and WebObjects certainly isn't free.
WebObjects is now a part of Xcode tools, and is completely free. WebObjects hadn't done so well in the marketplace after (a) Apple aquired NextStep and (b) Apple nixed Obective-C support in recent versions, so they made it free a year or so ago.
Originally posted by PBG4 Dude
Well, I must be missing it somehow as I did a Find on the Tiger install DVD and had no hits on OpenBase. There were OpenSSL and the OpenGLSDK packages, but no OpenBase.
Look. The MacOS X 10.4 DVD installs OpenBase on your system. I do not know the names of its files on the distribution DVD, nor do I care. If you want to use OpenBase, install MacOS X 10.4 and use it. If you want to "look" for it, then that's your privilege.