ODBC (or Open Database Connectivity) is a programming interface standard used for connecting computer applications to a database (such as Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Server) that supports the SQL language. The ODBC standard has been around for several years (almost an eternity in the computing world) and is a commonly accepted way to connect applications with databases as diverse as Oracle, Informix, Sybase SQL Server, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft SQL Server.
To configure ODBC in Windows 98, do the following:
NOTE: As explained in the User DSN tab, user data sources store information about how you connect to the indicated data provider. Only you can view your user data sources, and they can be used only on your current machine.
NOTE: The system data sources work just like user data sources, except that they are visible to all users and services on the PC.
NOTE: Adding and deleting system data sources works much the same as adding and deleting other data sources.
NOTE: To add or remove an ODBC driver, you must use the instructions that came with that driver's installation disk(s).
The installation software for five online service providers is provided with the Windows 98 operating system (on the Windows 98 CD-ROM):
All these services can be loaded from the Windows 98 CD, but none are installed by default. To access these services, do the following:
NOTE: Microsoft does not put its MSN icon inside the Online Services folder when you install Windows 98. Instead, Microsoft puts "the other guys" in the folder and its own MSN Set Up The Microsoft Network icon directly on the Windows 98 desktop.
NOTE: All these online services require fees that can cost about $20-30 per month.
NOTE: This file contains contact information for these online service providers, including technical support and billing telephone numbers for each service provider listed. Furthermore, basic information about product support and payments, setting up new accounts, and setting up your computer to use an existing account is provided within this text file.
Windows 98 comes with an electronic version of its user manual. This electronic version of the user manual is known as the Online User's Guide (not to be confused with the Online Services discussed in the previous topic). To access this user guide, do the following:
NOTE: There are three tabs at the top of the window: Contents, Index, and Search. To select a tab, click the tab of your choice and it appears for your use. Entry-level Windows 98 users will probably find the Contents tab most useful; it contains little books on each general topic area (such as Using a Mouse, Internet Basics, and Glossary). Intermediate users (those who are former users of either Windows 95 or Windows NT Workstation), should enjoy the layout of the Index tab. This tab permits you to type the specific topic about which you need information, and it appears in the list below. Advanced users of Windows 98 will find the Search tab the most useful. Here, you can obtain a list of the topics that relate to a specific "higher-level" topic.
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