I can't be of much help, but I'll give you what I've got. I am just learning
Access, and haven't worked with any other database (except a little data
entry with dBaseIII back in the '80's). But a tech who worked on my computer
told me he had been certified on Access Level IV (no, I don't know what that
means), but gave it up. He got tired of all the changes. He told me there are
simpler database programs out there (no, I don't know what they are), if all
I wanted to do is names and addresses. But I've never done anything the easy
way, so why start now? And my needs are--shall we say--a bit unconventional.
All I know is that the learning curve for Access is far steeper than anything
else I've ever tackled. And when I found myself trying to learn Access 2003
with an Idiot's Guide to Access 2000 (long story), I saw what he meant about
changes from one version to the next.
Good luck with your term paper. Maybe "New Users" isn't the best discussion
group for this post? How about Access General Questions? Let the experienced
users weigh in--although you'll probably get more pros than cons. That's why
I replied--balance.
