Bill - that's MSDE - MicroSoft Database Engine. Go to the MSDN website and search for MSDE; or, go direct to the MS SQL Server Development Center - http://msdn.microsoft.com/sql/
(Jan2005): I would recommend that you start with the LHS menu choice - "SQL Server Express and MSDE" - and look at all 3 items (SQL Server Express Edition is the new incarnation of MSDE and SQL Server, for those who are not "real" database people). Locate the appropriate download from there. The latest MSDE version is equivalent to MS SQL Server 2000, and is downloadable from here - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=413744d1-a0bc-479f- bafa-e4b278eb9147&displaylang=en This is a 43Mb download - you want the MSDE2000A.exe (see the bottom of that webpage). MSDE is freely redistributable. It's actually equivalent to the full-blown MS SQL Server, but is slightly 'choked' and lacking some 'tools'. Start at the SQL Server page and you will see that it's more than adequate, on its own. If you use MS Access (2000 version and up), the SQL (=MSDE) 'backend' .MDF files may be used, as an alternative to the usual .MDB files. There's ample documentation within Access on this. Access designers, etc work the same. In fact, MS has been trying to 'upsize' all Access users to MSDE for 4 years or more. There's currently another big push (roadshows, etc) to transition us. MSDE works on It's supplied on CD along with Manifold System GIS Release 6.0, as it's the database of choice for enterprise work using that GIS. You don't get sophisticated administration tools with MSDE, but there are excellent free ones available (I can provide links if you require them). However, I would seriously consider SQL Server Express Edition since there will be tight integration with Visual Studio 2005, and there are many nice 'useability enhancements' (tools, etc). Ian Thomas GeoSciSoft - Perth, Australia -----Original Message----- From: Bill Thoen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, 20 January 2005 6:04 AM To: MapInfo-L Subject: MI-L Looking for Alternative MS SQL Server 2000 I heard that Microsoft offers a package for database management called "MSDB" (?) that is similar to SQL Server, but can be downloaded for free. Does anyone know if this is true and where I can get it? And in particular, will it work with MapXtreme 2004? - Bill Thoen --------------------------------------------------------------------- List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com | To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message number: 14936 --------------------------------------------------------------------- List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com | To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message number: 14948
