Special Edition Using Microsoft Access 2002

Rating:
Summary: Too much is too little
Review: Access 2002 is in it's infancy, as are the books being published about it. I have Access experiencing dating back to 1994, and am only rusty because I have been doing more client-server DB development in the meantime.

That being said, I recently chose this book in a bookstore, where I could also browse some other thick tomes, such as the Access 2002 Bible. From the table of contents, it just seemed this book would have more information than the others on advanced aspects of Access.

For instance of the 1400 (!!) pages, the last half are devoted to "Upgrading to SQL Server 2000 Databases", "Publishing Data to Intranets and the Internet", and "Programming and Converting Access Applications": these are parts 5, 6 & 7 respectively. The contents further indicate that these chapters will cover topics such as Transact-SQL/Stored Procedures, XML, Visual Basic for Apps, ADO, etcetera, all of which (except maybe XML) I'd touched on before in a prior Intranet/SQL Server application.

I have not yet read all 1400 pages -- I have a life after all! But after reading the first couple of chapters, I am confident this book will meet my needs. For instance, the first chapter provides a great overview of features new to Access 2002, with plenty of references to the points later in the book for those who want that extra detail immediately.

I also think this would be a good book for newer -- but still "serious" -- Access and/or Database users, because the first 700 pages are all about the basics of database design and the interface provided by Access, such as forms and reports. I will try to follow up when I have read more, but so far so good.

Rating:
Summary: I chose this over other books I could browse in a bookstore
Review: Access 2002 is in it's infancy, as are the books being published about it. I have Access experiencing dating back to 1994, and am only rusty because I have been doing more client-server DB development in the meantime.

That being said, I recently chose this book in a bookstore, where I could also browse some other thick tomes, such as the Access 2002 Bible. From the table of contents, it just seemed this book would have more information than the others on advanced aspects of Access.

For instance of the 1400 (!!) pages, the last half are devoted to "Upgrading to SQL Server 2000 Databases", "Publishing Data to Intranets and the Internet", and "Programming and Converting Access Applications": these are parts 5, 6 & 7 respectively. The contents further indicate that these chapters will cover topics such as Transact-SQL/Stored Procedures, XML, Visual Basic for Apps, ADO, etcetera, all of which (except maybe XML) I'd touched on before in a prior Intranet/SQL Server application.

I have not yet read all 1400 pages -- I have a life after all! But after reading the first couple of chapters, I am confident this book will meet my needs. For instance, the first chapter provides a great overview of features new to Access 2002, with plenty of references to the points later in the book for those who want that extra detail immediately.

I also think this would be a good book for newer -- but still "serious" -- Access and/or Database users, because the first 700 pages are all about the basics of database design and the interface provided by Access, such as forms and reports. I will try to follow up when I have read more, but so far so good.

Rating:
Summary: Special Edition: Special
Review: Despite the back of the book as suggested for Beginning to Advanced students, this is not something I would wholeheartedly recommend. It is more for the Intermediate and above.
There is a lot of detail given, but the manner in which it is presented leads to more head-scratching than moments of revelation. If you are just starting out, choose another book. If you need a reference, pick this one. If you're not sure where you fall, take the safe path and read reviews for other books.

Rating:
Summary: Not for beginners.
Review: Despite the back of the book as suggested for Beginning to Advanced students, this is not something I would wholeheartedly recommend. It is more for the Intermediate and above.
There is a lot of detail given, but the manner in which it is presented leads to more head-scratching than moments of revelation. If you are just starting out, choose another book. If you need a reference, pick this one. If you're not sure where you fall, take the safe path and read reviews for other books.

Rating:
Summary: Special Edition: Special
Review: This book, along with many of the other books in the Special Edition collection have earned my attention and purchases over the past 3-4 years. I have learned just about everything I know about building websites, making up databases, word processing, etc. either online or through books related to specific software packages. When I went to develop my first database in MS Access 2000, I bought every single book on the topic. Very few times, did I discover myself finding the information I needed in other books except the Special Edition one.

When we made our XP upgrade, the decision was simple: Special Edition Using Microsoft Access 2002. It will be the only book on the subject purchased---and a good decision it was!

Yes, you have to read. Yes, you have to use the index. Yes, you have to stop and think about what you are looking up and wanting to do. When you have those decisions made, the book is waiting there for you with all the answers written very simply and in an easy--to-read manner.

Rating:
Summary: Too much is too little
Review: Unless you make your living developing databases, or have lots of time to read it, don't buy this book; especially if this is your first Access book. The author takes you through 1488 pages of wordy discussions and painful descriptions of how-to tasks, more suitable for corporate IS professionals than for users from many other professions. This book assumes you are connected to a back-end SQL server and that you will be running Access as a front-end. I give this book an average of two stars (four for Content, and zero for Usability)