database system

[arctcat]

erik are david
the database needs recognize the newer 2002 access
It's all ways trying to convert over when opening database[:)]

[nmleague]

This is a pain, its 2006, my computer has access 2002, yet the game uses an access 1997 data base. I converted the data base to 2002, changed the speed attribute ranges then saved it as an accessd 1997 file so that it will work in the game. First saved it as a 2002 file but of course the game then couldnt recognize the data. By the time I got everything back so it worked in the game the speed ranges were also back to the origianal. Will try again.

[Paul Vebber]

I found it easier to just use Excel to do editing.

[nmleague]

I was able to edit the MainData skill attribute ranges. Then I created a new league, but also set the player level to college instead of Pro and I got much better results after the initial draft. I need too do more tweaking, I put the speed ranges for each of the positions edited at a size of about 10, and as a result got a fairly narrow distribution. I think I will make the range more like 15-20, so for example the speed range for WR will probably be 70-85, same for DB, RB about 65-80 and LB about 60-75.

One problem, I think with 480 players generated for each position for the draft the variance of player ability is minimal. For example the computer may generate a bell curve type of distribution, however there are so many players that the teams drafting have no problem filling there rooster with WR with outstanding speed, thus teams with 4-5 WR with speed of 97-99 [:)], and that is at the pro level, not all pro. That is also before my edits.

Is there anyway to adjust the factor that the game uses to modify the set ranges for each player level (peewee-allpro). I think the difference between college and pro, and pro and all pro, might be to great.

[David Winter]

ORIGINAL: nmleague

This is a pain, its 2006, my computer has access 2002, yet the game uses an access 1997 data base. I converted the data base to 2002, changed the speed attribute ranges then saved it as an accessd 1997 file so that it will work in the game. First saved it as a 2002 file but of course the game then couldnt recognize the data. By the time I got everything back so it worked in the game the speed ranges were also back to the origianal. Will try again.

This is by design. Access97 uses the JET 2.5 engine and that engine is the smallest footprint and is the simpliest engine to distribute. This made it very good to use for game creation. Yes, it's a bit out of date but none of the features of newer versions of the JET engine are required for this project.

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: arctcat
erik are david
the database needs recognize the newer 2002 access
It's all ways trying to convert over when opening database[:)]

As Paul said, you can use Excel. I also found it easy to convert them once, then Save As Access 97 and Access 2002 was happier with that in the future. David used the Access 97 format since it has the least bloat.

Regards,

- Erik

[Magnum357]

I actually use earlier versions of Access (like Acess or Acess97) because the new versions have so much extra crap that you don't need, but I can see this being a slight problem for people with new versions of Acesss unable to edit stuff in the Databases in fear of it not working in the game.

If I ever get more time, I think I might make some simple utilites that allow you to edit stuff without this problem occuring.

[frunky]

How do export from Excel to Access
I tried adding the teams in my league but when I to save the .mdb extension is not there or access 97 either [:(]

I'm using Excel 2003

[mark1726]

This is a pain, its 2006, my computer has access 2002, yet the game uses an access 1997 data base. I converted the data base to 2002, changed the speed attribute ranges then saved it as an accessd 1997 file so that it will work in the game. First saved it as a 2002 file but of course the game then couldnt recognize the data. By the time I got everything back so it worked in the game the speed ranges were also back to the origianal. Will try again.

You can always create a Access 2002 blank database and then just link all the tables from the maximum football databases to it. This is what I do and am able to edit stuff in my own created database without having to worry about conversions and such.

[Shaggyra]

ORIGINAL: mark1726

This is a pain, its 2006, my computer has access 2002, yet the game uses an access 1997 data base. I converted the data base to 2002, changed the speed attribute ranges then saved it as an accessd 1997 file so that it will work in the game. First saved it as a 2002 file but of course the game then couldnt recognize the data. By the time I got everything back so it worked in the game the speed ranges were also back to the origianal. Will try again.

You can always create a Access 2002 blank database and then just link all the tables from the maximum football databases to it. This is what I do and am able to edit stuff in my own created database without having to worry about conversions and such.

I have done this also. A word of advice: Put the "link" database in a different folder or the game will ask if you want to import it into your game and you will end up with 2 leagues that are the same.

[Antmeister71]

For those of you that were looking for a solution without having to purchase Microsoft Access, you can use the free office suite located here:
http://www.openoffice.org/

Then follow the steps below to edit the database.

1. Open up the program called Base.
2. Once the database wizard opens, select the third option that reads Connect to an existing database.
3. Click on the combo box and select Microsoft Access.
4. Click the Next button.
5. Click the Browse button and locate the database file (.mdb extension).
6. Click the Finish button.
7. Select where you want save your .odb file. This will always link to the .mdb file as long as you don't move it. After the .odb file is created, you won't have to go through these steps again.