MS Access Substitute
 

Is there a Linux based substitute for MS Access? I'd like to pitch Linux as a desktop replacement, but this will come up, and I don't have an answer for it.

there are many free (GPL) SQL based databases available for linux. most modern distributions come with postgresQL and/or MySQL. i would recommend postgres - it's better then access any day. there are detailed comparisons out there too, just search google.com for them

http://www.postgresql.org
http://www.mysql.com/

I agree completely, FuzzyOne! My sentimental favorite is Interbase, but PostGres is arguably the best Open Source choice (careful - don't need a Holy War here...) Problem is that, so far as I know, there aren't pretty graphical development tools. I can argue technical excellence until the end of time without making a dent. Yeah, I know, but I've fought similar battles in the past and don't need more scar tissue...

gui for dbs
 

hi,,

there's lot's of frontends for MySQL but if you go in for mysql , u have to compromise on foreign keys and transactions , but it is amazingly fast and offers fine grained access control

However PostgreSQL rules!!

Didn't know that, penseur2! Time for some research! These folks aren't doing anything real sophisticated - they're proud of it, and I lack the heart to tell 'em I was doing better with <GASP!> COBOL and ISAM twenty years ago...

*sex0rz MySQL*

'tis the greatest, it is. *nods*