A client, finally, is considering a linux server. It's a small business with 5 workstations and has a lot of clumsy file sharing going on via the windows peer-to-peer scheme.

The client wants to use the ACT! contact manager. ACT! has a peer-to-peer solution and one that runs on Windows Server. I haven't seen it yet, but apparently there's also a web-based version - and this might be the solution we recommend. That HAS to run on a Linux (apache) box, otherwise they'd be knocked out of a significant portion of the market!

The ACT! product does seem to revolve around Windows, but wondering if there's a possibility we could run their server version using Wine? Or even if using Wine will be necessary?

They'll continue to use XP for the desktops, but I'd rather have them on a Linux server for everything else.

I'm hoping someone else has already been there and done that, and might offer some advice.

ACT! version 7.0 requires MS SQL and will only run on a Windows server.
ACT! 6.0 can run on a Linux server (although not "officially" supported, unfortunately) - Yes, WINE is necessary. You must also turn OFF Opportunistic Record Locking to prevent corruption in the ACT! database.
ACT! for Web uses ASP and requires IIS - it won't run under any other Web server... it will run even on an XP or 2000 workstation (although it would be limited to <10 concurrent users and run slowly in this environment)

Hope this helps.

GL

Thanks for that information.

I eventually contacted the company ("Best" software).

The only solution they could offer is "shared folder" synchronization. Apparently the shared folder can exist on a server (i tried it here on a samba-connected linux box and it seemed to work). However the synchronization is not "real time", or even "near-real time". It happens either manually or on a scheduler every 15 minutes (minimum).

Too bad, but there seems to be little movement with the ACT folks to run on MySql or Postgres.

-m-

Hi k1mgy,

I assume that the versions are the same here in Canada, but I have a client (7 user office) running Act! 2004 (ver. 6.0) on a linux server in realtime. The Server is just a file and print server, program is loaded locally on Win2k workstations and Mapped network drive to the Linux data share. It is realtime and works great, only issue has been they have to reindex everyday in the evening. But runs fine, just loaded the base program purchased at best buy, same number of copies as users and then went into preferences and changes setting the the mapped S: drive. Has run for over a year now with no issues.

Hope that helps,

TheSonic1

Thanks TheSonic1.

Does this support multi-user access to the same database? This is the primary reason for getting it on a server.

I talked to ACT and they don't seem to know much about the penguin.

-m-

Yes, all 7 users are running from one database and are logged in at the same time. Had this setup first on a windows 2000 station and had some issues with access and reboots, so I loaded a linux server and have never looked back.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

TheSonic1

P.S. I do not think this is a supported setup on either windows or linux servers because "BEST" software have a multi-user product version of Act! and that is all they will support. Now in saying that I have not upgraded to 2005 yet. Bu I have used successfully versions 2000,2003,2004 in this environment.

Very helpful discussion. Thank you for your time on this.

Yes, I'd like to know how support of multiuser access to the same database is achieved - particularly do you use Samba or NFS to connect? Also, is there anything special that needs to be done to ACT such that it will allow this?

I thought that they used a "flat file" scheme such that the file is locked as long as a user has it open, therefore prevent concurrent access.

If I'm proven wrong, this is a delightlful development I never bothered to test because I never thought it would work!

Sorry, i asked the same question over again. Seems like I cannot read lately. Will give this setup a try and post back here with results.