Vicki,

To simplify, AC runs on a "main computer."

If the main computer runs Windows 7 (or Vista or XP), each computer is "equal", but one still holds all the data. This is a peer-to-peer system.

The advantages to this system:

It is cheap
It is simple
It is easy to add to.

If the main computer is a server, then it runs a server operating system. The hardware in a server may be better, the power supply may automatically protect against failures (redundant power supply), the server may have data duplicated to protect against hard drive failures (RAID), and so forth. The software gives better security, and can do other neat things that are over my head.

Disadvantages:

Cost
Needs an IT person to set up/support. (Although Sandeep is trying to convince me otherwise.)

If cost were no object, and if I were assured of a good network IT person, a server would be the way to go.

But operating on limited funds, with myself being the IT person, peer-to-peer has been quite adequate.

Please don't let this cause you to give up on AC!

Gene

Gene Nallin MD solo family practice with one PA Cumberland, Md