How do I set up ChurchTrac on our Local Area Network (LAN) so we can share data?

Note: These instructions require above-average computer skills, including the ability to set up and share files across a network. You may want to consider using ChurchTrac 2009's data synchronization features instead of shared networking for better performance.

1. First, all the computers must be connected to a router or network hub that allows you to share files and/or an internet connection. If your computer are not already set up on a network, you'll need to do that before you can share ChurchTrac data between the computers.
    
2. Install the latest version of ChurchTrac on each computer connected to your local area network. At this point all the computers on the network have their own program file and their own data file.
    
3. Decide which computer on the network will store the ChurchTrac data file (ctdata) for all the other computers to share. Since all the computers on the network will share one ctdata file, the computer where this file is located this file should be on a computer that is normally turned on during the hours this file would need to be accessed. NOTE: If the computer that stores the ctdata file is turned off, no other computers on the network will be able to run ChurchTrac (the data will be inaccessible). It is also a good idea to place the ctdata file on a faster (or newer) computer, which will speed up access to all network users. TIP: For best performance, make sure the computer that stores the data file is connected to the network hub via a network cable and not with a wireless connection. Also, it will work best if this computer has a minimum of 512 MB of RAM on Windows XP or 1 GB of RAM if running Vista.
    
4. Copy the ctdata file to a shared documents folder on the computer you picked in Step 3. By default, the ctdata file is stored in the C:\...\Documents\ChurchTrac\ folder (open My Documents then double-click on the ChurchTrac folder). You may also make this ChurchTrac folder a shared folder on the network. The shared folder where ctdata is stored must be setup so that network users are allowed to make changes to the files (read-only access won't work).
    
5. On every other network computer, rename the “ctdata” file to “ctdata_old” (without quotes). Your computer may list the filename as “ctdata.mdb”, in which case you would rename it to “ctdata_old.mdb”.
    
6. Launch ChurchTrac on one of the network computers. If you have performed the above steps correctly, you should get the following message: "ChurchTrac could not locate the ChurchTrac data file..."
    
7. Click "Browse for the data file" and use the file dialog to navigate to the location on the network where you have stored the ctdata file to be shared. Click on the ctdata file and then click “Open”. It may take a few moments for ChurchTrac to reconnect to the data file. When this process is complete, ChurchTrac will be ready for use. SUGGESTION: Do not open ChurchTrac on any other network computers while setting up a computer for network access. If other computers are running ChurchTrac it will greatly increase the time needed to configure each individual computer.
    
8. The final step applies only to the computers on the network that do not locally store the ctdata file (the computer you picked in Step 4 above doesn't require this setting). On each of these network computers you'll need to adjust their Windows/Internet Explorer security settings in order to share a file over the network unhindered.