Move away from MS Access

Using MS Access I have developed a database application for a local charity. They are happy with the results, since I have built LOTS of custom forms (and custom VB code) for them so that anyone with a modicum of experience with PCs can use it.

Because of the success of the app they want more volunteers at the charity to use the app. However purchasing more copies of MS Access it out of the question.

So I'm faced with redeveloping the application using other tools. If I'm going to do this I would like to make use freely available tools and I'm looking for suggestions, advice, anything.

I'm looking for the simplest solution possible - I don't want to spend days having to learn lots of new stuff.

So, other than give up the day job and learn how to use decent development tools, any suggestions?

thanks in advance, Si

mySQL is a good, widely used open source db. THere are a few syntax variations from access, but nothing you can't pick up quickly.
HTH

MySQL is the most logical choice and there is a set of tools and scripts that can migrate an Access Database to MySQL. Unlike Access, MySQL sticks to the ANSI 92 Structured Query Language (SQL) with a few quirks. MySQL syntax is a bit different than access, however most basic SQL queries will run on most database packages from MySQL to DB2 and Oracle.

PostgreSQL and FirebirdSQL are also to other opensource systems worth considering if you want more advanced features like row locking, transactions, etc.

However, MySQL is proably the most widely documented, supported, and used Database package in the world. I know of a couple Hospitals that use software running MySQL on the back-end with millions and millions of rows of data like a champ.

MySQL will proably be over kill for anything the chairty will be doing, but its free and well made and would be my first choice like karsh.

Unfortunately for you, MySQL is only a database and doesn't include interface items such as forms and reports etc. You'll have to create the interface using the programming language of your choice.

how about getting the developer version of access so you can create run-time versions of the app?