RE: [cobalt-users] FrontPage & Database Integration

["Paul Duffield" <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Lanny,

> I am running a RAQ 4i which has ChiliSoft ASP installed. I am
> attempting to get the built in FrontPage database features to
> work. When going to web settings in FrontPage it states that the
> FrontPage database features are not available.
>
> I have searched all over the web without any luck so far on this
> issue. According to the ChiliSoft documentation included with the
> RAQ it should be able to integrate with FrontPage and I should be
> able to use the built in FrontPage database connectivity and
> utilize the FrontPage database results wizard etc.
>
> This is a big deal to many of my clients who aren't comfortable
> writing ASP scripts themselves but the can use the wizard in FrontPage.

The "problem" is in the dbase that you are trying to use. Which unless I am
mistaken will be the Access 2000 one (or any Access version) you will have
more luck if you start working with asp pages using something like Interbase
for which there are drivers available. (There are none for Access) You can't
just rely on the create database facility in Front Page (2000) at least as
this creates an Access 2000 dbase which is a big no go unless you have an NT
server at your disposition. There is a list of drivers in the chilisoft!
front end for pre installed drivers but you could put your own on too. (None
available for Access though!)

Additionally as a quick fix, and obviously dependant on your/your customers
requirements you can set up a DSN less connection to say an Excel csv file
stored in the same Front Page web.The top row can provide the "field names"
of sorts. This can be used to access data without any problems assuming of
course that the data requirements are not vast. The csv data can also be
updated online from a Front Page form residing in the web utilising the
Front Page extensions component for forms.

I love and hate Front Page at the same time. Brilliant features - if only
good old Bill would actually share them with us all and make them compatible
with other systems :-) (The day water runs uphill maybe ?)

Paul Duffield