"Main PLUG discussion list" Hi, I would like to write an application that would more than likely run on Windows and interface with MySql.  This would be an app that would interface with a database allowing the user to add / edit / delete data. The need is very simple.  I was looking at Flex and find that I would probably need to use their Flex Builder which is $700.  That is not feasible at this point.  Trying to develop an app without it might be more of a pain than what it is worth. I could always use Java, which comes with it's difficulties also. My need is very simple.  I need to create a simple menu, some forms, and the ability to interact with MySql to manage data remotely - IE port 3306.  I would like to use an open source language, compiled to hide my work would be nice, Visual development environment would be good also.  At a very minimum, I would like it to run on Windows.  Mac and Linux would be a plus.  Security is an issue also.  Must be able to securely attach to port 3306 w/o someone being able to sniff out the user name and password. I know this is not a language issue, it is a configuration issue.  I wonder if there is something like SFTP/SSH for MySql. As I was writing this I think Java might be the solution.  Write once run everywhere. Java is open source and free.  Is there a visual development environment for Java that is free, easy to learn and robust? Is there another language or languages I should consider? Thanks for your insight!     ------------------------ Keith Smith