Customer Reviews

Microsoft® Office Access 2003 Inside Out (Bpg-Inside Out)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The intended audience for this book isn't someone who just needs to use a Microsoft Access Database. Instead, this book is for someone who knows Access basics and understands databases and wants to create their own database - or perhaps their own application - including possibly using Visual Basic programming or macros. If this is you, then this book is GREAT! Doesn't bother you with the tiny details, but gives you what you need to get moving on your project, including how to prevent users from tinkering with your form design, how to fine tune your database/application using the performance analyzer, and other ideas to put together a high-quality database or application. (The reason why some reviewers have rated the book lower, is that they were probably outside the targeted audience, and the material was therefore less appropriate for them.)

There is no doubt that the Inside Out series from Microsoft is a much superior source for learning than the Step By Step Series. Topics are covered with more thoroughness which includes theory, reasons for doing things in a certain way and a better understanding of various possible parameters. That necessarily equates to a bulkier tome but the information is worth the weight. Unfortunately, others can produce the information in a more inspired and interesting manner.

This book is thorough. Anyone wishing to learn about Access 2003 would be well served by its use. It comes with examples on disk and a well thought out sequential development that builds on previous lessons. The only problem is staying awake. The illustrations are plentiful but tend to be small and difficult to read but the correspond well to what actually appeared on my screen. That is often not the case. This is a good choice but there are better ones. I like this one mostly as a reference. There are better references out there too.

John has done a great job with this book. It is in plain language that a beginner in Access would be able to understand. It includes lots of screen shots and descriptions of why things need to be done the recommended way. It also has good technical detail for the more advanced user. Following the procedures in this book will definitely improve your database application.

The author correctly states this should probably not be your first Microsoft Access book. Yet he tries to take the reader from the ground up (inside out) through very detailed 1,298 pages. It starts by defining what a database is (not required if you have taken Programming 101) and goes into fine detail on publishing databases on web pages (for advanced users). My main complaint about this book is that it does not get you started on even the most simple application without plowing through more than half the text. The author is just beginning to discuss the design of forms on page 685! A hard read, a month later I have made it to page 219.

As the review title says, this is a big book - one that is chockful of tips, examples and code (on the included CD) that will reveal the power and ease-of-use that Microsoft Access 2003 possesses. As another reviewer stated, the examples are not the same, old tired Northwind database but fresh and exciting looking examples created by the author. Everyone - from beginner to advanced users - will find something in this book. And the big plus is the SQL information in the book and on the CD.

This book is well thought out, well written and, well, just a darn good buy. I don't think you can go wrong with this one. I know that I won't.

I have been tasked with developing a new database for tracking and reporting city inspection data, permits, citations, etc. I had limited previous experience in using Access. I did take a one-day class in access programing, which gave me a leg up on getting into some programming. The Beginner type Access books that I previously used did not provide enough depth to help me develope the database. So, I was looking for a more advanced reference book. The great reviews for Access 2003 Inside Out encouraged me to give it a try. But, after daily using the book for the past several months, I found that it was not very helpful. The Microsoft website help function provided much more understandable help to me than is book. Perhaps if I had time to read the book from cover to cover to get a comprehensive view of how everything works, this book would be useful. Perhaps it is a good comprehensive reference book for people who have more experience with Access. But, for me, who had limited prior experience, it was not very useful.

I find that Mr. Viescas is too specific in his examples, and does not explain how everything works.

I found that the first half of the book was great and helpful in covering the basics about microsoft access.

However when you get to the section on VBA and automating your applications, He will give you specific example, tell you how he wrote the code, but will not give you clear enough examples about how to do it on your own, in your own application. Very Frustrating.

Mr. Viescas is not alone though. I have been reading many Access Books, and Access VBA Books, and have yet to find one that really teaches you how to do it.

For being nearly 1300 pages, this book is barely sufficient. While there is plenty of information, the book is poorly organized with sparse and general headings followed by paragraphs of wordy explanatory text. A better use of headings and sub headings would allow for better reference.

Turning for help in the index is also disappointing. The book is poorly indexed and seems to have been given little thought or personal attention to its organization.

The last place to turn is to code samples, but these are so sparse and abbreviated that you have to search for them among pages of text. I'm all for having copies of the code on the accompanying CD, but for even a neophyte, sample code is essential to grasping all the detail.

I feel sympathetic that the author obviously spent a prodigious amount of time writing 1300 pages of prose, but the bottom line for technology books is that you need to show me, not just tell me about it.

This book contains numerous, very detailed compilations of information about ACCESS features, with solid examples of how the features work and how to use them in a database. Consistent with the power of ACCESS, it covers many topics that the novice and the mid-level ACCESS user will find useful and educational. An excellent book for learning new things or reminding yourself of things that you once knew and need to look up again.

I am only one fourth way through the book. I am a doctor, not an IT professional and I wanted a book that teaches me database design from no knowledge to some sound base and as I go though the book, I am amazed. This book is really for the uninitiated and for the bigwigs in access as well. I got going to write the review by just reading the first few pages and I am sure this will turn out to be the final reference for all those seasoned access developers out there. John really does justice to his designation of "MVP" (Microsoft's Most Valuable Professional) in this book. He has been also very kind enough to help me out with designing my applications.

I have one grouch though. I wish there was a book or maybe John would be kind enough to add another CD or section where he would leave a few practice applications for us to develop for ourselves and compare with his way of developing, this gives a hands on experience, which I find a must for novices like us.

A MUST BUY I must say, if you really want to ACCESS your needs for database designa and Access!!

Dr Alok Modi MD