Customer Reviews

Microsoft Access 2002 for Dummies

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Every time Microsoft upgrades Access, I upgrade my Dummies reference.

I started out with Access 2.0, never having used a database; Dummies for 2.0 taught me how to work inside the complex world of queries and reports that they used at that job site.

When I changed jobs, I had Access 97 on my desktop, and my job description was to automate all the functions of the facilties and telecomm departments using it. I bought Dummies for 97, and built and deployed the seven interlinked department databases that they're STILL using at my old company to run those departmental functions.

At my new job, once again, I'm automating all the office functions, only this time I'm setting up to capture data off the web, learning data access pages, etc. We have 2002 here.

It doesn't matter how complicated a problem it is, I can always find how to START solving it somewhere in the simple language of Access for Dummies. And since I'm also teaching other people to work from the ground up in Access, Dummies is an invaluable resource for them to sit down and read, in clear, simple language, how this beast is supposed to work.

I'd give this SIX starts if I could!

I bought this book because I've always been satisfied with the Dummies series. I consider myself fairly proficient with many of the MICROSOFT program (Word, Excel, Power Point), and I even took an Access class several years ago. With that in mind, I thought I'd have no problem picking up some of the basics of the program with the help of this book. Boy, was I wrong. The book is full "rules" in a list and directions that use vocabulary with which most new users of Access would be unfamiliar. I haven't finished it yet, but thus far, the author doesn't give you any opportunities to practice the information she's giving you. Any teacher knows that without doing something that you've been taught, you haven't really learned it. I remember years ago, even the manuals that came with the computers had exercises for readers to practice each newly taught skill. Here, in a book that's supposed to be teaching us a new and complex program, there are no opportunities to determine whether you've really understood a concept.
Besides this intrinsic flaw, another problem with the book is the author's continual cracking of corny jokes. I know it's supposed to entertain readers, but when you're confused and trying to figure out a concept in the chapter, those attempts at humor are just annoying.

Don't buy this book. I don't have another one to recommend, but I can save you from a useless purchase.

I normally like the Dummies series of books, but even for a Dummies book, this was just far too elementary. The first 65 pages (4 chapters) are a complete waste, as they are written for people who have never used a computer before. As a whole, this book only teaches you about 5-10% of what Access can do - both overall and on each of the very few topics that it does touch upon. There are constant annoying references to how "nerdy" any relevant information is. Instead of explaining this "nerdy" info in an easy to understand matter (which I thought was the point of a Dummies book), the author just mentions that it exists, makes a bad joke about it, and then ignores it and moves on.

The truth is, if you're going to learn about databases (which is what Access is all about), then you'd better be ready to get a little "nerdy". Just like if you're going to learn about fixing cars, you'd better show up wearing jeans and expect to get dirty, otherwise, what's the point?! The author spends 7 out of 10 words making very bad jokes and showing the user how to do mundane things like how to use the file menu and how to save your project than offering anything useful. Even if you are a brand new Access user, this book would be useless for you. The only reason anyone would give this book a good review is if they just don't know anything about Access or how to use windows or any computer. I'm still searching for a useful beginner-to-intermediate manual for Access 2002.

This book would be good for beginners. This book, unfortunately, focuses too much on basic computer functions and doesn't give enough detail about building databases using Access. It is easy to read and follow, but entirely too basic for most users, especially those already familiar with Access and what it can do.

I have worked with a real database program (Filemaker) and was tearing my hair out over Access 2002. It made no sense, wasn't logical, etc. Finally realizing that I was never going to get it without a lot of blood, sweat and/or tears; I broke down and ordered the book - I love the for Dummies series - and got it together.

I've now successfully created a working database with reports, forms, and queries that has reduced several word doc. forms, spreadsheets, etc into 1 database. Do I love Access 2002 - NO. Would I rather use another more intelligent program - YES. However, I have been able to make what I have work, and so the book is well worth the money.

Ultimatley, if you and/or the company you work for can afford a real database program - save yourself some agony and buy it. If you can't and are stuck with Microsoft's sad and lousy product - then buy the book. Good luck!

This book is awful. Too light on content, and far too jokey. This guy belongs to that species of writer who think: (a) Every book simply gets better if every line is somehow fashioned into a gag; and (b) Gags are VERY handy for padding out your book if the task of building real content into your work is just too inconvenient.

This wad of paper (ok, book) is from the shadowy realm of Pretend Advice: wordy and patronising, but with lots of 'good humor' filler to take away the sting of learning very little. A step-by-step guide should actually take you through a process; this book is just a series of very generic instructions that only have real meaning to someone who has already learned the process being described. Kaufeld conceals this deficiency by cleverly assaulting the reader with a relentless barrage of mindless chitchat and a forest of exclamation marks. This gets on your nerves like a hyperactive dog that never settles down.

I expect any defence of this kind of style to run along the lines of how helpful and positive it is to incorporate humor... how the objective might be to 'keep it light'... that we'll help our reader to be less daunted... etc. That kind of argument is standard in this modern age of philosophic fluff, but isn't convincing. It's like celebrating a flash flood by pointing out how vital water is to life. But as we all know, in many aspects of life, less is more. Many humans learn this wisdom by adulthood. The point is, zealous presentation can never make up for lack of content. This principle applies to a fun, introductory-level popular book, as well as a doctoral dissertation. "Yes, it wasn't so helpful, but oh it was funny." If we find ourselves saying that about any kind of a REFERENCE guide, then sorry: it's a fail.

As a previous reviewer points out, we may not be able to suggest any wonderful alternatives, but we can provide advice that helps avoid wasting money and reading-time on books like this. And speaking of books like this, I'd like to disrecommend another well-padded joke book disguised as a helpful computer guide: David Gulbransen's "The Complete Idiot's Guide to XML". Both these books are thinner than they appear; do not waste your money on them!

These guys really do seem to believe that we are true dummies and complete idiots. Evidently (I have bought both their books) they are correct.