title: What database should I use in this VB.NET app?
body: <p>My database must be updated at arbitrary intervals, manually, with new info to put on standart tables that don't require structural modifications. one app will update the database.<br>
  Another app, the one I will distribute (to friends and family only, but doesn't require any security feature to it, like encrypting the database) will read the database and use its data on labels, listviews, etc.</p>
  
  <p>The problem is, I'm the perfect definition of full-fledged n00b at programming of any sort, and still don't know what database to use.</p>
  
  <p>I thought that I should use a SQL CE (*.sdf) file, and store that database thing on an FTP. then, I could download it and get data from it everytime the "client" app runs, and certain button ("connect") is clicked. 
  After some hard-core googling, I found out how to connect to the sdf thing, using this connection string:</p>
  
  <pre><code>Provider=Microsoft.SQLSERVER.CE.OLEDB.3.5;Data Source=D:\Documents and Settings\Camilo\JCTM.sdf
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>So it connects, or at least didn't show any error.</p>
  
  <p>I don't know if it's a good idea to use sdf SQL CE files as databases, if it's too hard maybe I should go for XML? what do you guys suggest, what is the easiest way to implement very simple databases in VB.NET?</p>
  
  <p>By simple databases I mean:
  - no search needed
  - no advanced features except storing strings on tables with columns and rows
  - easy to access, read, edit, etc. by different VB.NET apps</p>
  
  <p>Is sdf a good idea?</p>