Quote Originally Posted by DEXWERX View Post
Using VB6 from a Cloud MySQL instance isn't as simple as changing the connection string. As dil pointed out - on most shared instances, you won't have direct port access to the DB. you'll need a "service" similar to the ASP Schmidt posted.
I didn't drill down too deep in Google's site, but they do seem to make provisions for using "MySQL Client" (from a VB6 point of view probably the ODBC Driver is enough?) for external connections. I didn't see what the restrictions are, maybe whitelisting fixed IP addresses? Probably some extra charges too.

Figuring out the cost of Cloud services is always a lot of "fun" as well. There are lots of usage models with different rates based on type and pattern of access. That's part of the attraction of renting a naked host instance like those 1and1 probably offers: the pricing model is much simpler. You're just getting less, though it may be all you need.