Product Description

Following the critical thinking, problem-solving approach of the New Perspectives Series learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Access 2007, including the new features of the software. The case-based tutorials challenge learners to apply what they are learning to real-life tasks, preparing them to easily transfer skills to new situations. With the New Perspectives Series approach, learners understand why they’re learning what they’re learning, and are better situated to retain skills.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23691 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 792 pages

About the Author
Joseph J. Adamski spent 12 years as a computer professional at aerospace and financial services companies and is an Associate Professor Emeritus at Grand Valley State University. He has worked as a computer professional and educator for over 40 years with a special interest in database management and personal uses of databases.

Kathleen Finnegan is a co-author on New Perspectives on Microsoft Access and has edited and managed many other textbooks on Microsoft applications for Thomson Course Technology. Kathy taught various computer courses for corporate training and high-tech companies and developed courseware as a technical writer and editor.

Customer Reviews

Requires abstracting the rule
This text takes you through step by step. However, formatting and technical aspects are given the same weight and are interspersed through each chapter. There is no list of generic steps to follow so you must abstract the rule when your database requirements differ from that in the text. The tutorials at the end (after chapter 4) require some skill that is not developed in the sample problems. It is unnecessarily wordy making it difficult to follow (there is no recognition that the user would have some basic Office skills like holding the shift key down to move a selected object). Often, a process is separated into several headings making it unclear how the process fits together as a whole. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Access 2007, Comprehensive (New Perspectives)

Not as bad as others suggest
This is not going to be a very long review, but I would just like to combat the reviews others have left.

This book is a step by step walk through of different scenarios. They are consistent in the fact that they do not skip steps, and if you follow precisely, you should not get too lost.

Case scenarios (homework sections) can be completed by applying what you do in the tutorials, which can be referenced if you get stuck.

I would say for a beginner to access, it could seem overwhelming, especially if using this for an independent study course - if you are just learning, try to get it in a class with a knowledgeable instructor to help you through!

I knew some access prior to coming into this class, so maybe that's why it wasn't as bad to me as others led me to believe.

Overpriced textbook, not a very good reference or how-to
This book is obscenely overpriced for the content. I bought this book because it was required for a MS Access class. When this class is over, I will probably never open this book again. It does a very good job in walking you through the steps needed to complete each assignment and tutorial. However it does very little in explaining what is going on in each step.

For example, "To modify the calculated controls and their attached labels: step 9 - ... set the Tab Stop to No, set the ControlTip Text propery to Calculated total number of invoices for this contract..." (pg312). To this day, I have no idea why I had to do that.

When it comes time to design or modify a real database that is set up differently than the examples, you will have trouble figuring out what is going on.

Also, there is no disc included with the practice databases you will need. Unless your teacher provides them to you, you will have to download them from the web. Have fun with that if you have a slow connection.

I have a hard time understanding many to many relationships. It's probably the most complicated concepts in database design. However the book only spent 7 1/2 pages (and 1 simple example) on it. So I still don't understand it well.

Don't get this book if you don't have to. It will help you get through a MS Access class, but it is a poor reference book.

I would recomend Access 2007: The Missing Manual by Matthew MacDonald instead. The Missing Manual focuses on basic design and understanding overall database concepts.