Rating: 
Summary: An educational fiasco
Review: As many of the books for Microsoft Press this book is written in a poor educational and pedagogical manner, even for a keen amateur programmer as myself. I am sure Rick Dobson is an expert, but he is a miserable teacher.
Rating: 
Summary: Programming VB.NET for Access Databases
Review: I am the author of this book. I am submitting this review because I believe there's a confusion about what's in the book. This is, in part, because the title changed three times on the way to its final release, and some book sellers didn't get the last change. For example, the book title on this page is correct, but the book cover shows the wrong title. I write this review to give potential readers a good idea about what's in the book and why the content is important for those creating solutions with Access databases.
I want to begin by saying this book is about Programming Visual Basic .NET. My goal is to introduce you to the .NET Framework through Visual Basic .NET. As result, the coverage is broad without drilling deeply into any one area. For example, you'll find 3 chapters on VB.NET programming, 2 on Windows Forms, 3 on ADO.NET, 2 on ASP.NET, and 1 chapter on XML Web Services. In addition, there's an introductory chapter on the .NET Framework and an appendix on XML for Visual Basic .NET Access database developers.
The second point that I want to make about the book is that it targets Access database developers. All the database samples in the book, except one, are for Access databases, and every chapter has at least one complete sample -- most have several samples. There is a separate chapter devoted to securing .NET applications for Access databases. To say the book is about Access databases is true. However, it is not about the Access UI. If you currently create solutions exclusively with the Access UI and you want to continue doing that, this book is not for you. However, if you currently program Access solutions with either VBA or VB, then this book is an easy way to transition to VB.NET.
I want to close my review by mentioning why I think it so important for Access developers to learn VB.NET. The simple answer is that .NET is coming. Microsoft introduced it in Visual Studio .NET, and then added it to Windows 2003. A Microsoft roadmap explains that the next version of SQL Server will include the .NET Framework. Can Access and the whole of Office be far behind? Beyond the certainty that .NET will be on a growing number of computers near you, there is the issue that now is the right time to learn VB.NET. This is because VB.NET is at the beginning. It can only become richer (more complicated) with each succeeding version. The best time to learn .NET is right now. My hope is that you use my book to help you do that.
Rating:
Summary: not very helpful
Review: I see the author is trying to pump it up but this is not a very good book. Poor examples; v. little Access, best to spend your money else where.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent, but confusing.
Review: I'm a brand new developer using VS.NET, and having never used Visual Studio before I've grown very tired of every single book on .NET
spending %60 of their time explaining how it was done in Visual Studio 6, and how it is done in Visual Studio .NET. This book isn't much
different except that I see a shocking amount of emphasis on the "old" ADO method of data access. In fact, if I read this correctly,
there is more written on ADO/ADOX than there is about ADO.NET.
This is about the 10th book on .NET that I've purchased and every one so far (especially those from MS Press) spend 2-6 chapters talking
about .NET, what it is and why is is so bloody terrific. Book authors, PLEASE, lets stop introducing and re-introducing the same stuff
in EVERY .NET book! Write a "Beginning .NET" for all that stuff and save your readers some time!
Overall my opinion is that this book is mediocre. What this book is is a general .NET book with an
emphasis on database programming (albeit with the "old" ADO stuff).
In short, I'm glad I bought it used for only $10.
Rating:
Summary: This book doesn't know its target
Review: I'm an Access developer and thought that this book would help me leverage my knowledge on Access and VB/VBA for use in .Net but unfortunately I found that this book rehashes on what I already know. Any intermediate or higher level programmer will find that this book will tell you once more about how to use Windows controls, program loops, etc. that he/she should already know very well by now. Also, the simple code samples are easy enough to read that they should NOT need to be described in great detail. What's worse, ADO (not ADO.Net) is used extensively so once more this is information I already know. There is no reason to limit yourself to the old ADO whether you are using Access databases or SQL Server databases. It's like driving a brand new car but leaving it in first gear.I think programmers who are just past the beginner level but well before intermediate level will find this book worthwhile because it does go in quite a lot of detail, detail that would be too much for a beginner but old hat for more experienced VB/VBA programmers.
Rating:
Summary: What does this have to do with Microsoft Access
Review: Maybe I'm missing something here, but I don't see where this book talks about Microsoft Access other than in the title.
Rating: 
Summary: Security
Review: Nice walkthrough of setting up database security (MDW file). Only reasonable source I found for this.
Rating:
Summary: Security
Review: Nice walkthrough of setting up database security (MDW file). Only reasonable source I found for this.
Rating: 
Summary: Microsoft writer Disappointing
Review: Nothing about the MsAccess Promise.
hardly touches MS Access. If you want to convert your
application find another solution.
Rating:
Summary: Not a Good Book
Review: Poor teaching style!
Code does not work!
Code not complete! poor reviews are deserved! find another book!
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