MSAccess

[Kahtar]

I am trying to develop a web based database system using Microsoft Access.
I've been to the mysql thing and created a database there, no problem. Even figured out how to create a table, upload an excel file into the database.
I just can't seem to figure out how to access the database from MS Access. I'm not sure what the server location is. Guess mostly what I need at this point is an address to plug into Access to point it to the database I created.

[bdh]

The short answer is you can't. Port 3306, the one required for MySQL is not open to the outside world. It's a security thing because the MySQL service is common to an entire server (not just one site), so if a hacker could get into say the root account they could corrupt or destroy all MySQL data and that would break everything that uses a database -- which is pretty much all sites these days.

What you need is an intermediate (PHP or cgi) that runs on the server that talks locally to the MySQL. you in turn speak from your side over HTTP to the script running on the server.

[Kahtar]

hmmmm. Well, I don't have a clue....
I can access the database using phpmyadmin of course. beyond that I know nothing about php, or cgi.
Guess I'll throw in the towel. Thanks.

[bdh]

Can you explain to me why you want to access a database on your website from your PC? What is it's purpose and how did you plan to work with it? If I understand that, I may be able to give you some ideas ... there is always another way.

[Kahtar]

Well, I do most of the data entry for the mission I work with on my computer. But there is a duplicate database on the mission computer as well, and sometimes that gets updated without my knowledge, then things get erased and records are lost. A single, centralized database that all involved have access to would eliminate that problem.
I also will be doing the same for a TV station and a ministry school, with much the same issues. So what I want eventually is one location, ie one server, with the 3 databases on it, with access permisions accordingly. They each need access to their own database, and so do I. They don't however, need access to each other's databases.
The databases for the mission and the TV station will include contact info and account info. The school will be limited to student tracking.

[bdh]

Is the data complex and related? (Do you have linked tables and such in your MS database)

Ideally I'm thinking something like a PHP/MySQL Web based solution would work best where everyone enters the data via a web browser on the internet - so the source is common and data is always correct. However, there is an inevitable "BUT" here ... you probably won't find an application that will do the job you want out of the box ... or at least not without some searching. Have you taken a look at sourceforge.net? ... there are a bazillion free applications there and I'm pretty sure you can [eventually] find what you need to fulfill your requirements.

[Kahtar]

Yea, several linked tables within each db.
I'll take a look at that, thanks.