Written by an accomplished developer and bestselling author, this book serves both as a starting point for novice Access developers and as a robust reference to new features and advanced topics for experienced programmers. This task-oriented handbook delivers comprehensive coverage of Access database development--starting with the fundamentals and continuing to advanced multiuser and multicomputer issues.
I am an author/trainer/webmaster. My area of specialization is database development. Among the programming topics that I like to prepare content about are SQL Server, T-SQL, Access, VBA, Visual Basic .NET, ADO.NET, and ASP.NET. I especially like working on the intersection of two or three of these topics at once.
I have been working with personal computers since the early 1980's. In the late 1980's, I started a part-time computer consulting practice, and I devoted myself to the practice on a full-time basis starting in 1991. I initially started consulting with 1-2-3 and Symphony before migrating to Microsoft Access as my main consulting tool. Microsoft selected me as a Microsoft Access hero to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Microsoft Access (http://www.microsoft.com/Office/previous/access/10years/dobson.asp).
Starting around 1999, I added coverage of Microsoft SQL Server. In fact, I spent a lot of time focusing on advanced ways of using Access and SQL Server together, and I authored a book on these topics. In early 2002, I added coverage of Visual Basic .NET, ADO.NET, and ASP.NET. I eventually authored two books and two DVDs on these topics. Most recently, I focused on SQL Server 2005 Express, Visual Basic Express, and Visual Web Developer Express. My most recent book describes how to build database applications with these three tools.
In addition to authoring books, I regularly write for computer periodicals. In the past several years, my articles appeared in such publications as SQL Server Magazine, Smart Access, Visual Studio Developer, SQL Server Professional, and SQL Server Solutions. My favorite approach in books and articles is to explain and demonstrate new or difficult topics in a way that makes them easy to use by beginning and intermediate level developers and professionals who create their own database solutions.
I have always enjoyed making presentations on computer topics. Starting in the early 1990's, I presented sessions at computer conferences. In 1999, I started sponsoring my own seminar training events. My sixth annual seminar training event consists of 21 hours of database development training for SQL Server Express, Visual Basic Express, and Visual Web Developer Express (http://www.programmingmsaccess.com/seminar2006).
