Multiple Keyboards on form

[bgarey]

I want to have several people plugging in data on a form.
I can have multiple keyboards hooked up to the computer. All work but there is only one cursor. So only one person can enter data at a time.
Any way to get around this?

[orange]

In most multi-user databases, you would have a front end on each user's PC and a single back end database in a shared directory accessible by the front ends.

Research multiuser database and split database.

[bgarey]

I know how to split data bases, but that won't work for this application and the users that are plugging in data.

[bgarey]

We only have one computer available for this project.

[orange]

Please tell us more about the 1 computer. How do you plan on having multiple keyboards (operational simultaneously)?

Any way to get around this?

Have you considered sending the data(in whatever form your users have [paper/documents]) to a data entry service?
I'm sure that isn't what you meant, but it must be a feasible option.

[bgarey]

The program is for voting in a school. We have about 1900 students voting. I have about 4 teachers that will plug in votes simultaneously to count the votes.
Unfortunately our district server will not accept Office databases. That is why I can't split the data base.
I can load the program on different computers, but that will add some problems because we have multiple votes, runoffs etc.
I also have used bar code scanners. That worked, but we had so many errors that it slowed us down. So I decided to try multiple keyboards.

[rpeare]

There is no way you're going to be able to handle multiple concurrent data entry on a single form on a single computer from multiple keyboards.

In fact I do not think you could do it with ANY application at all, every windows based program I know of requires the the person doing entry (word processors, spreadsheets, etc) to have the cursor under their control.

If you are truly not allowed to build a database that could be accessed from multiple computers and you are really only allowed to use one computer you are stuck with 1 data entry person. The only other thought would be to put the results into a text document, then import the results after the fact, or put them in a spreadsheet and import them after the fact.

[bgarey]

Thanks,
I was afraid of that.

[ssanfu]

You could set up a private LAN with 4 or 5 computers/laptops. A router (and maybe a switch for more ports) and 4 to 5 25 foot Cat-5 cables is all you would need.
The router is the DHCP server (gives out IP addresses). Most routers have 4 or 5 ports. Plug in a switch and you can have up to 16 more ports.

DO NOT use wireless - you will/can corrupt the dB.

Have one of the computers host the BE and all computers have the FE linked to the BE.

Don't know what you would do after entering the data.... print reports, export to a text file, ?????

[orange]

But,Steve the original constraint was

We only have one computer available for this project.

[ssanfu]

Yea, well, a lot of people have laptops.... if they need is great for a short time, maybe they would use their personal laptops to get the job done.
It was just an option to have multiple data entry people ......