4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
The most impressive-looking useless book on my bookshelf, November 21, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: PE USING ACCESS 97 (Platinum Edition Using) (Hardcover)
Tonight is the last time I ever try to find a subject in this badly-written and organized book.
I am trying to find out some information about linked tables and why my query is not returning the desired recordset. My experience using this book to find out that info has been quite an ordeal to say the least.
Maybe the information is buried somewhere. I'd like to know where it is so that I can GET SOME WORK DONE.
The book is practically unreadable. It is laid out horribly, the examples are fairly obvious, but to top it off the author does not provide non-obvious examples. For example, I am referring to the first information I found about using the expression builder to build a query. The 1st example is "*Like*". That's it! Couldn't you, Mr. Jennings, go into a LITTLE more detail such as build us a working example of something more complex? Am I expected to read every single page before attempting to use the index to intelligently target my search for a subject?
This is the 2nd QUE book I have bought and the LAST QUE BOOK I WILL EVER BUY!
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Anybody want this book?, January 25, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: PE USING ACCESS 97 (Platinum Edition Using) (Hardcover)
I will send anybody this book, for free. All you have to do is pay the 50 bucks or so for shipping (because it weighs a ton), and I'll ship it to you.
I am looking for information on LockEdits property so that I can actually use Access in the manner in which it was designed, but so far, I have been unlucky in my search results. That means that LockEdits is not a topic in the index.
Hmmmm.
Me = Somebody who needs to get some work done.
"Using Access 97" = "The Ultimate Reference." (front cover).
Result? = (drum roll please...)... The Access Help File!
Maybe in their next printing they can take out some of the hundreds of useless screen shots, and add more substance.
In addition, the editorial has all the character of a dry, unroasted potato. Here is a sample:
"Click the Close button and then alter the width of the columns in run mode so that all seven columns of the query fit on one sheet of paper when you print it. Return to Report Preview mode after you finish this process." (p. 282, Using Query by Example)
<gulp>
How about:
"Occasionally, you might want to use data from your query as part of a different Windows application without printing the data in a report. The simplest technique for transferring data in your query to another Windows application is to use the Clipboard" (p. 283 Creating Your First Real Query).
One of the worst aspects of this book is that it is printed on dark, low-grade (and heavy!) paper. The result is that it is *extremely* difficult to read unless you are at a library directly under a fluorescent lamp, and even THEN it is tough to read!
I have noticed that QUE seems intent on reprinting many of their other books on this crappy paper. I suppose that they are saving big bucks by doing this. Unfortunately, it is done at the expense of us, the buyers.
So to summarize, here are the key features:
* Book does not have my desired topic(s).
* Book forces me to use the Help file.
* Book is a boring read. There seems to be no human behind it.
* Book is cluttered with too many useless screen shots, taking the place of substance.
* Book weighs a ton, and is readable only with a desk to support it. Don't even think about holding the book in your arms for long. You WILL need to use a desk. And forget about transporting it in anything other than a car. If you use a backpack, you are SOL and will have a miserable, miserable commute and will wake up with a backache the next morning.
* Pages are dark and difficult to read. They look grayish, as though they have been infused with cigarette ash.
Oh, and it's $65. There are PLENTY of other books on the market for less than that. I'm on my way to get one.
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