Java Database Connectivity (JDBC)

Hey ya.

I'm pretty new to Java / JSP (used to work on Coldfusion) and to get started I'm trying out a few things locally using Tomcat and MS Access. Now I've read somewhere (might even have been the Apache website) that the JDBC-ODBC-Bridge Sun delivers should only be used as a last resort. Problem is, what other choices do I have??
I've been searching for quite some time now, but haven't come up with a better solution.
Guess I might always get MySQL up and use the Type IV JDBC Driver for that.
And what about Sybase JRUN? That any good for Access and ODBC ???
Like I said, I'm still really green when things start with J, so hope someone takes the time...

Thanks, Andy