Topics from Recent Meetings

 
How to Secure an Access Database (pdf)
This is an Adobe Acrobat document containing an overview of several methods which can be used to add security to MS Access Database Applications. Click here to download a free version of the Acrobat Reader.
An Introduction to SQL and Building Applications using MS Access (pdf)
A compilation of techniques discussed at several SIG meetings. This Adobe Document was presented at the local chapter of the ACM .
How to Create Defect-Free Access Database Applications (pdf)
A Summary of tips organized by the major MS Access sections
How databases has changed the world (pdf)
The impact that the invention of databases has had on the world
MS Access Macros, Menus, and Toolbars (pdf)
Working with Access Macros, Menus, and Toolbars
 How does MS Access compare to other desktop database engines? (pdf)
Competing desktop database environments:
Two January 2003 articles are summarized look at PC_Magazine (pdf). PC Magazine liked FileMaker Pro 6 somewhat better for web publishing. A detailed comparison of Filemaker Pro versus MS Access can be seen at FM vs Access (pdf).
Spreadsheet versus Database: Outgrowing a spreadsheet (pdf)
Spreadsheets can be a handy way to organize your data, but as a spreadsheet grows, there can be problems.
          Spreadsheet errors have gotten several firms into trouble.
 
 

Upsizing an Access Database
Upgrade wizard allow for conversion to either MSDE (the Microsoft database engine) or to SQL Server.
The future of .NET and MS Access
Dot Net (.Net) is 'Visual Basic for the Web', it is Microsoft's answer to Java and it looks promising.
 
Topics planned for future meetings:
- Using the windows API / SDK from MS Access
- Converting Access to an exe:  GFM Converter  for forms, Active Reports for reporting.
- Plain and Fancy Access reporting.
- Using Ole Automation: How to control Excel or Word from Access.

Downloads

Automatic Form or Report Builder. Was built to automatically convert any table or query into a form or report 'On the fly'.
Very useful for getting dynamic reports from Access cross-tab queries, where the columns depend upon the data in the tables.
Click here for the self-extracting Access 97 version, click here for the self-extracting Access 2000 version.
There is a single table and a single form in these databases,  follow the instructions in the 'help' on the form.
It creates a detached input form, with all of the code required to 'post' a record to a table.