Re: [libreoffice-users] Compatibility of LO Base with Access databases

On 08/02/2016 03:02 PM, tonybsa wrote:
> In defence of LibreOffice Base.
> Unlike Ian I have had very good results with Base.
>
> Over the last 8 years I have used Base as a a "front end" to a MySQL database in 5 different 
> countries for different projects.
>
> One database was for the New Ireland (PNG) Provincial Government Old Age & Disabled Pension fund. 
> 170,000 records updated and maintained by two dedicated data entry people, but accessed by 
> approximately 35 other users. LibreOffice Base on Windows 10, 8 and XP PC, on Ubuntu 12.04 PC, on 
> Macintosh OS X laptop. All connecting via ethernet and wireless to a Ubuntu 12.04 Server.
>
> Another similar situation with Ministry of Tourism, Tonga collecting data on visitors to Tonga and 
> also used for tourism venture's licensing and administration and conventions. 25 users connecting 
> LibreOffice Base to MySQL on FreeBSD server, with Windows and Ubuntu PCs.
>
> Full administration for 5 divisions in Sanma Provincial Council, Santo, Vanuatu. Including HR, 
> Accounts, Youth, Disabilities, Planning, etc. 75 staff members, plus external users, with 
> LibreOffice Base connecting to MySQL on Ubuntu 14.04 server from Windows (10, 8.1, XP), Ubuntu 
> 12.04 and Macintosh PCs.
>
> Now I used Access (Base not available) at Kokopo Business College for student records. Created a 
> database for College Library with Base on Ubuntu PCs connecting to central MySQL database via Fibre 
> Optics.
>
> Had real trouble trying to set this up with Access for multiple users (25 teachers, 10 admin staff).
> When I got LibreOffice Base I had similar problems with using the HSQLDB engine.
>
> I found that connecting Base to MySQL was very easy and I had real problems trying to connect 
> Access.
> I could also use Base on Linux machines and update all my colleagues to a consistent operating 
> system.
>
> You can not export Access forms, reports, macros, etc to use with Base but you can export all the 
> data from Access and import it into Base very easily.
>
> Sorry to keep on!!! I have had good results with LibreOffice Base connecting to an external 
> database. I also make extensive use of Macros with Base.
>
> Just in case you are wondering -- I am retired and about to have my 75th birthday so not just 
> straight out of Uni.!!!
>
> Thanks for listening
>
> Tony Bray
> tonybsa@mac.com
> MacBook Pro 15 inch Mid 2009
> 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM,
> Mac OS X  10.11.6
> LibreOffice 5.0.6
> Scribus 1.4.4
> Libre Project 1.5.19
> Parallels Desktop 11.02
> Ubuntu 14.04
> LibreOffice 4.4.4
> MySQL, PHP, Apache
I will second that defense of Base.  Tony's experience is much broader 
than mine, so counts for more points.  I only maintain two inventory 
databases with several tables each on a single Slackware 14.1 Linux 
machine.  Many of these inventory tables have more than 1000 records and 
growing.  I am connecting LO Base to a mariadb local server with the 
mysql-connector-java connector and, unlike Ian, in the over one decade 
of use I have never had a data loss or a crash of any sort that took my 
data or the Base forms or reports. It is very stable, which is good, 
because I rely on these databases very much.  I consider them critical.  
The Report Builder is another story, but it has never corrupted my data, 
and it is improving with time.  Long live Base's connection options.

BTW, Tony.  I am also retired and only 2 years younger than you, with a 
birthday coming up soon.
Girvin Herr



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