[Ham-Computers] Question regarding Microsoft Access

[Ken Sprouse / WA3FKG]

John Burch wrote:

> Hello:
>
> I need to learn how to use Access at a very moderate
> level and was wondering if any of you might recommend
> a book suitable for beginners.
>
> I tend to shy away from any of the "(Any Topic) For Dummies"
> books and would prefer something with the beginning
> user in mind.  A book containing working examples for
> Access 97 would be a really big plus for me.
>
> Thank you for your time, and for the read.
>
> John
> ..
>

I was looking for a similar volume a while back and found the pickings very
slim.  I'm not quite sure why.  Seem like your options are the "dummies" books
or something of a much more technical and expensive nature.  If you have Access
as part of Microsoft Office you can "play" with it and learn a lot.  This can
involve a lot of time and depending on how adapt you are with software may not
be the best route.  I got my feet wet by just jumping in and using the learn by
trying method.  Latter when I wanted to do some more complex things I bought a
book.

The book I purchased was "Mastering Access 97 Development" second edition by
Alison Balter.  Published by Sams the ISBN number is 0-672-30999-8.  The cover
price on the book is $50 ($49.99 -:) and if I remember correctly I bought mine
from Amazon.com  ( http://www.amazon.com ) on line.  The book contains a CD
with all of the code examples sited within it.  I think it is a good book, it
has a lot of working examples but I don't know that I would classify it as a
"beginners" book.

You didn't say if you are familiar with database design and how complex the
project is that you are trying to do.  This book covers just about everything
you would need to know in great detail but it is not a "take you by the hand"
and show you every keystroke you need to make to get a database created and
working.

I suggest you go to Amazon or Barnes & Nobel (http://www.bn.com ) and browse
their sites for titles.  Read the customer reviews and try to judge how close
the reviewer is to your skill level in order to see if the book would be of
value to you.  Here in the Pittsburgh area there is a chain of stores called
Book Country that sell new but out of date books and publisher over runs at
discount prices.  I have found some good bargains there on occasion.  You may
want to look for something similar in your area.  Hope this helps.  Good luck
in your hunt.



--
Ken Sprouse Sr.  Oakmont,Pa  wa3fkg@arrl.net http://www.qsl.net/wa3fkg
Member North Hills Amateur Radio Club   ][ http://nharc.pgh.pa.us
Ask me how you can have a picture of anything on your mouse pad.
To those responsible, make no mistake, we ARE coming.
Glock - The ultimate point and click user interface.(c)



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