Thanks for all the help, multi user is not an issue so i'm going to go with either sqlite or compact. i like that compact does not need an install when distribution, not sure if sqlite does but going to get to grips with it over the coming days.
~M

>>Hi all,
>>
>>I was going to start writing a few small applications in .Net and was wondering about a good desktop database. I'd rather not use VFP just from an experience point of view. What I'd like to do is write a small application to record the name and personal details of people using a .Net (c#) front with a database behind it that is deployable on any desktop windows xp or vista onwards.
>>
>If you want multiuser access across the network, use the MS-SQL free express -
>you won't run into the size limit of 10GB from the above and for Dotnet it has the best support in VS.
>The free versions of Oracle and especially DB2 have less restirction AFAIR
>but you will find more help for MS-SQL directly in Dotnet circles.
>If you consider to learn a totally OS DB, I'd pick PostGreSQL over MySQL
>
>If is deployable on any desktop windows xp or vista onwards.
>is meant as a database for each single PC, no concurrent C/S access,
>go for SQLite, probably the most installed ebedded DB,
>but multiuser access there is less sophisticated than even vfp -
>it is MEANT as the local datastore on a particular machine (Thunderbird, Firefox...).
>
>Also promises portability of the data file even down to mobile devices.
>
>my 0.02 EUR
>
>thomas