Accessing Database from ASP.NET

[Ido]

Hi,

I want to make a web application that will have access to a data source,
and to let all database options to users. It is my first time experience
in web application\s and ASP.net. I have some experience in HTML,
and in VB

I have a few questions:

1. Right now I start exploring the Microsoft tool called "Web Matrix".
Its a tool like VS.NET (allthough I never worked with VS.net before)
with Tool box, and many more features.
You can download it free:
http://www.asp.net/

...did someone heard about "Web Matrix" ? can I use it instead of
VS.net ? Does it better/worst than VS.net?

2. To develop ASP.net Database apps - does the Database B]must[/B]
be SQL7.0 or higher? cant it be SQL6.5 ? why not? (I have SQL6.5)
or cant it be access? or Oracle?

3. General question:
I want any user in my organization to be able to access my web
application, so I need:
1. a computer with SQL server (6.5? 7? 2000?) installed on.
2. a development machine to develop the web application.

my question?
How does the user would use the web application?
do I need to make any installtion on the user computers? do they
need to install IIS? cant I just develop the web app on the
development machine, and replace it on the Intranet, and by that
all others users can use the web application?

Thanks

 

[Derek Stone]

1. Visual Studio is better. Why? Because you pay for it.

2. You can use any database with an ODBC provider, including Access.

3. Anyone with a decent web browser will be able to access and use your web application.