I have successfully done a lot of development without access to the SF database by just avoiding developing in those areas while disconnected.
You know, that's exactly what I do, too The further you get into your project development, the less you end up using the BOMapper; your database structures are generally the first thing created for the application and are pretty static once you get going. So, you don't always need access to the SF design-time database.
[quote]I have also had trouble designing forms without a connection to the SF database....very, very slow. I didn't notice this the last time I tried it though, so that may have been fixed./quote]
Hrm... you got me there. I'm not sure what would be trying to access it within the form designer. There are actions within the control designers that use it, like the localization tie-ins and such, but nothing that would be trying to access the database without you clicking specifically on it... unless there's something trying to pull the solution preferences for the design-time theming or something. Not sure.