I took some time to consider your question, what do I hope to achieve?George, what do you hope to achieve with this? I don't understand. I came to recommend my alternative, I talked about its benefits, I posted a sample and even a tutorial.
Firebase may not be SQL-based, but it can still be used as an alternative to syncing data with MS Access. While it may require some changes to an existing app (and that's the idea, in exchange for worldwide access), that doesn't mean it's not possible to use or hard to do. The methodology for handling unbound forms in Access can be applied to synchronize data with Firebase using its REST API. So, it is a viable option for developers, so much so there are CRUD operations in my sample file with minimal code usage. I don't know what you qualify as a "major change", but unbound forms and string manipulation can be done natively in Access, so it is not major. I anticipate your "RAD" argument, but you should complain with Microsoft, not with my alternative, which I had to look for because it is not done by Access natively.Firebase isn't actually an alternative since it is not SQL based and you don't use an ODBC driver to link it to Access. Doesn't mean you can't use it. Just means that it is not equivalent and requires major changes to an existing app.
Yes, there is often a trade-off involved when using free software, but that doesn't mean it's inherently bad or that users are being exploited. Many companies offer free software as part of their business model, leveraging data and other monetization strategies. It's not fair or knowledgeable to assume that using free software means you are automatically the product. I actually saw an update from you where you were offering free software a couple days ago, do I have to assume I am your product, guaranteed? Firebase, as of today, offers the free tier that can be used without any monetary cost, making it a practical choice for many developers.My POINT though was that nothing is free. If someone offers you "free" software, YOU are the product, guaranteed. Otherwise, how does the developer feed his family? On "free" food? Maybe his landlord offers "free" rent. If so, I'd be looking for hidden cameras While an individual may choose to take the risk of using "free" software, companies are rarely willing since their data is too valuable a company asset.
While it's true that individuals have a choice to not download or support "free" software, it's not a realistic option for everyone, especially in a professional context. Companies often have specific requirements and constraints, and choosing not to use "free" software may not be a viable or practical choice for them. It's important to consider the context and the specific needs of different users and organizations. In the case of Access, being in the package of Office, which includes the much more popular Excel and Word applications, it becomes free for a lot of them. Do not twist what I just said, many companies get their license because of Excel and Word, not Access. It is important to mention that all I'm seeing is your unfounded disqualification when, I suspect, you have not even developed with my alternative. Do you see me disqualifying your alternatives?George was replying to your justification of Google and other companies who offer "free" stuff using your data and you not having a choice. You do have a choice. Don't download the "free" stuff. Don't support the "free" model.
No, George. I have to mention post #14 again. You keep missing the point I was making there. But if you have issues understanding it, I can be more clear for you, read it again and answer me this: are you 100% sure that Windows has never kept track of your stuff while you were not aware of?You not only talked about the benefits of the supposed alternative, but you included arguments that are questionable, such as the "choice" to use the free software or not use it. I get it, if you want to use it, you have committed to letting Google, et al use your data. It's part of the original choice. But, as I said, you do make that original choice, use it or not. You can't bypass that step and go straight to, "I have to agree to share my data."
Post #14 again. Read it and answer me the previous question.What I hoped to achieve was making it clear that there are two sides to the proposition. And that simply asserting "you have no choice" comes with at least one or two assumptions which are not necessarily true.
Who made you the sole decision-maker for the thread? The original question was about sharing Access on OneDrive, but also:Going back to the original question, the OP wanted to know about putting Access on OneDrive to share Access. The OP did not ask for alternatives to Access. I get it, there are alternatives and some of them do have advantages. But going from that to "Move everything to a third-party site" where both the database and the interface have to be recreated in new tools, is a looong stretch for a simple departmental level accdb. If it makes sense to an Access user to do that, fine. However, the OP gets to make that call.
Just because it doesn't fit into your narrow view of what's feasible for a simple departmental level accdb doesn't mean it's not a valid option. We're here to provide insights and options, not limit the reader's choices based on YOUR limited perspective. Your resistance to considering alternatives is what's questionable here. Are you or Pat receiving commission from the alternatives you so lawfully predicate with? Because this is suspicious.Can this be done and if not are there any other options that would work which would allow them to use the application both in the work place as well as at home?
And now I'm done with this tiresome exchange. You have your opinions and seem not to be able to accept that there can be any others.Firebase may not be SQL-based, but it can still be used as an alternative to syncing data with MS Access. While it may require some changes to an existing app (and that's the idea, in exchange for worldwide access), that doesn't mean it's not possible to use or hard to do. The methodology for handling unbound forms in Access can be applied to synchronize data with Firebase using its REST API. So, it is a viable option for developers, so much so there are CRUD operations in my sample file with minimal code usage. I don't know what you qualify as a "major change", but unbound forms and string manipulation can be done natively in Access, so it is not major. I anticipate your "RAD" argument, but you should complain with Microsoft, not with my alternative, which I had to look for because it is not done by Access natively.
Yes, there is often a trade-off involved when using free software, but that doesn't mean it's inherently bad or that users are being exploited. Many companies offer free software as part of their business model, leveraging data and other monetization strategies. It's not fair or knowledgeable to assume that using free software means you are automatically the product. I actually saw an update from you where you were offering free software a couple days ago, do I have to assume I am your product, guaranteed? Firebase, as of today, offers the free tier that can be used without any monetary cost, making it a practical choice for many developers.
While it's true that individuals have a choice to not download or support "free" software, it's not a realistic option for everyone, especially in a professional context. Companies often have specific requirements and constraints, and choosing not to use "free" software may not be a viable or practical choice for them. It's important to consider the context and the specific needs of different users and organizations. In the case of Access, being in the package of Office, which includes the much more popular Excel and Word applications, it becomes free for a lot of them. Do not twist what I just said, many companies get their license because of Excel and Word, not Access. It is important to mention that all I'm seeing is your unfounded disqualification when, I suspect, you have not even developed with my alternative. Do you see me disqualifying your alternatives?
No, George. I have to mention post #14 again. You keep missing the point I was making there. But if you have issues understanding it, I can be more clear for you, read it again and answer me this: are you 100% sure that Windows has never kept track of your stuff while you were not aware of?
Post #14 again. Read it and answer me the previous question.
Who made you the sole decision-maker for the thread? The original question was about sharing Access on OneDrive, but also:
Just because it doesn't fit into your narrow view of what's feasible for a simple departmental level accdb doesn't mean it's not a valid option. We're here to provide insights and options, not limit the reader's choices based on YOUR limited perspective. Your resistance to considering alternatives is what's questionable here. Are you or Pat receiving commission from the alternatives you so lawfully predicate with? Because this is suspicious.
I accept your opinion and those of the others, George. But all I see is disqualification from you both. With what purpose?And now I'm done with this tiresome exchange. You have your opinions and seem not to be able to accept that there can be any others.
While it's true that individuals have a choice to not download or support "free" software, it's not a realistic option for everyone, especially in a professional context. Companies often have specific requirements and constraints, and choosing not to use "free" software may not be a viable or practical choice for them.
Man, you're too angry. I don't think it's appropriate to call someone "Liar" on a public forum. (or at least I won't, specially to someone like George)To any reader who read that, that is a lie, I never said that.
I really don't think the number of users has anything to do with its sustainability.I can only speak by the number of developers that use the service and it's going up because database as a service is currently a trend and many employeers are adopting it right now
Nobody doubts about your capabilities and good intentions. I've seen a lot of good contents in your posts, bookmarked them for future and have used some part of it in my database. What you see as attacks, may be something different. I mostly think it's the way you say your thought that has caused some conflicts.but it's not the first time they derail my intention of helping the community.
Looking forward to it. It's always good to be in touch with new technologies. I thank you for the time you'll put on it.I guess I'll make a thread about the concept, because I didn't address other things that can be done with it.
If you aren't liked, perhaps its not because you are 'well informed' but for other reasons.By doing that, I ensure that I am well-informed and avoid confusing and misleading information presented by individuals who claim expertise online. They don't like me though
@isladogs Later I received another mail from them. It was a very long list of why they will never use a free service/software. Translating all of it is hard but the top points were :Your IT department made a very important point.
There are so many other companies across the globe that can't afford to have such a high standard though.
I am willing to stand corrected. Point me to the page(s) on the Firebase website describing the ability to connect Access to a firebase database. Does it require an API? Does it use ODBC?Yeah, I absolutely agree, Doc. Navy operations are a matter of national security, a good candidate for the extreme of the line. You don't want to use software nobody will be responsible for in such a case. There are so many other companies across the globe that can't afford to have such a high standard though.
To add to that particular position, the alternative I posted, or "supposed alternative", as George said it was, or not even an alternative, as Pat said it is, is free... for their testing plan, which most Access developers will find more than enough, but it's backed by a huge giant tech, with a good number of security standards behind and I'm pretty sure a good number of governments in the entire world are using it, otherwise they probably wouldn't care about having so many standards, as opposed to __________.
George, if you're still around, I forgot to quote you specifically for this: "Move everything to a third-party site" where both the database and the interface have to be recreated in new tools,". My, I didn't say that in this thread, my position was in favor of Access as frontend and Firebase as backend and the sample I posted requires only Access, the backend is a canvas where Access is going to paint, you don't need to touch Firebase for anything other than creating the blank project. I guess you didn't read the thread after all. To any reader who read that, I never said that.