ULS: Getting Around It

[doyle60]

I hear there is no ULS in later versions of Access.

1) Why did they take it out? To me, it is like saying Excel won't
Data-Sort anymore. I don't get it.

2) Will it come back in some later version?

3) If not, what is the best method around this problem if you are
building a new database from scratch?

I have ideas but will hold my thoughts.

I understand that some one with Access knowledge may be able to figure
out how some make-shift security works. But I am more interested in
protecting those who do not want to do harm from some one who is out
to do harm. But with that said, I'd rather have the old security
back.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

I hear there is no ULS in later versions of Access.

Actually, the above is not 100% correct. If you use mdb format with 2007,
then ULS still works just fine....

1) Why did they take it out? To me, it is like saying Excel won't
Data-Sort anymore. I don't get it.

Here some reasons (not that I agree with them...but just my observations).

Few. people were using it
ULS security breaking programs on the net were a dime a dozen.
ULS is not really secure anyway, why fool yourself.
Several versions of sql server are now free for the taking (with far better
security).

2) Will it come back in some later version?

Not likely, but ULS is supported in 2007 if you use mdb files.

3) If not, what is the best method around this problem if you are
building a new database from scratch?

Well, you have to distinguish between hiding the access interface and that
of data security. The best workaround right now is to simply use the mdb
format, and thus you get ULS with access 2007 that way.

But with that said, I'd rather have the old security
back.

I 100% agree with you. I would liked to see it in the new "ACE" database
engine. I think the problem here is that just so few people were using it.
Throw in that ULS was not really secure and now that sql server editions are
free, then the case becomes quite hard to justify spending development
dollars on this feature that few use and worse it was not really that
secure.

 

[John W. Vinson]

I hear there is no ULS in later versions of Access.

That is incorrect. It *is* the case that the new .accdb format in Access2007
does not support ULS, but Access2007 still allows databases to be created in
the .mdb format, and the .mdb format (and its deriviatives like .mde) still
allow the user of workgroup security.

1) Why did they take it out? To me, it is like saying Excel won't
Data-Sort anymore. I don't get it.

I don't work for Microsoft, and that information would be under a
nondisclosure agreement even IF it were discussed outside the company - which
to my knowledge it hasn't been. It wasn't very secure, for one thing; there
are easily found "hacks" to crack the security.

2) Will it come back in some later version?

Probably not. My crystal ball is a bit cloudy though.

3) If not, what is the best method around this problem if you are
building a new database from scratch?

Store the data in SQL/Server (SQL Express is free, with some limitations) and
secure it there. Distribute .mde or .accde files to users if you want to
protect the code and prevent modification of the database structure; keep the
master .mdb or .accdb in a secure location and control who gets to use it with
Windows user ID security.

I have ideas but will hold my thoughts.

I understand that some one with Access knowledge may be able to figure
out how some make-shift security works. But I am more interested in
protecting those who do not want to do harm from some one who is out
to do harm. But with that said, I'd rather have the old security
back.

The analogy another MVP posted is that workgroup security was like a screen
door latch. It keeps honest people out.