Teaching Myself

  • Thread starter Thread starter Martha W. Stone
  • Start date Start date
M

Martha W. Stone

I am the "accidential techie" in the office because computers and technology
doesn't scare me (and probably also due to my minor in computer science). I
have a spreadsheet that I'm using to keep up with money raised from
different company employees (I work for a non-profit fundraising group).
The spreadsheet now has so much information (and three years worth) that
it's too complicated to read easily. I'd like to move the information into
Access, but am having a hard time understanding how to do it. I've read an
Access for Dummies book as well as gone through the Video Professor's Access
CD. Neither one really helps me figure out how to create this database the
way I want it and to make it useable for everyone in the office.

Any ideas on where to look for training?
 
Hi Martha,

I'm glad to hear that you are taking the time to figure out the basics
before slapping something together. The most important thing is to get the
logical design of the tables and how they relate to one another right. Here
are some references and resources that might help with the design phase of
your project:

ACC2002: Database Normalization Basics
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;283878

ACC2000: "Understanding Relational Database Design" Document Available in
Download Center
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=234208

Also check this page for links to several articles and a presentation on
Normalization basics:

Support WebCast: Database Normalization Basics
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/servicedesks/webcasts/wc060600/wcblurb060600.asp

There are also several books which have good discussions about
logical design and database normalization - two that I like are:

a. Hernandez, Michael. Database Design for Mere Mortals 2nd Edition. :
Addison-Wesley Developers Press, March 2003

b. Riordan, Rebecca. Designing Relational Database Systems

After you get the design down then you might also want to look at Northwinds
sample database and some of the other template databases for ideas on how to
put the pieces together.

At any time you can post back here when you have specific questions. Good
luck :-)
 
FWIW, I'd add to that list Steve Roman's Access Database Design and
Programming.
I actually prefer it to Michael's book, even if he _does_ have the world's
greated title, and I don't really think my book is appropriate for absolute
beginners.

HTH

--
Rebecca Riordan, MVP

Designing Relational Database Systems
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Programming Step by Step
Microsoft ADO.NET Step by Step

http://www.microsoft.com/mspress

Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves,
for they shall never cease to be amused...

Sandra Daigle said:
Hi Martha,

I'm glad to hear that you are taking the time to figure out the basics
before slapping something together. The most important thing is to get the
logical design of the tables and how they relate to one another right. Here
are some references and resources that might help with the design phase of
your project:

ACC2002: Database Normalization Basics
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;283878

ACC2000: "Understanding Relational Database Design" Document Available in
Download Center
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=234208

Also check this page for links to several articles and a presentation on
Normalization basics:

Support WebCast: Database Normalization Basics
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/servicedesks/webcasts/wc060600/wcblurb060600.asp

There are also several books which have good discussions about
logical design and database normalization - two that I like are:

a. Hernandez, Michael. Database Design for Mere Mortals 2nd Edition. :
Addison-Wesley Developers Press, March 2003

b. Riordan, Rebecca. Designing Relational Database Systems

After you get the design down then you might also want to look at Northwinds
sample database and some of the other template databases for ideas on how to
put the pieces together.

At any time you can post back here when you have specific questions. Good
luck :-)

--
Sandra Daigle
[Microsoft Access MVP]
For the benefit of others please post all replies to this newsgroup.

I am the "accidential techie" in the office because computers and
technology doesn't scare me (and probably also due to my minor in
computer science). I have a spreadsheet that I'm using to keep up
with money raised from different company employees (I work for a
non-profit fundraising group). The spreadsheet now has so much
information (and three years worth) that it's too complicated to read
easily. I'd like to move the information into Access, but am having
a hard time understanding how to do it. I've read an Access for
Dummies book as well as gone through the Video Professor's Access CD.
Neither one really helps me figure out how to create this database
the way I want it and to make it useable for everyone in the office.

Any ideas on where to look for training?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Sandra Daigle said:
Hmmm, I guess I'll have to check out Steve Roman's book.

I disagree about your book - it's not written or intended for absolute
beginners but I think there are many beginners that would benefit from it.
You address several things that I haven't seen addressed as well in other
books - (choosing the right control to go with the type of data is just one
thing that immediately comes to mind). Shall I go on :-)
Click to expand...

I have got to get Rebecca's book!
 
Yes, you should go on, and on, and on...my ego needs all the help it can
get! <eg>

But you'll love the new one -- it's _all_ about picking the right controls.
Unfortunately, it's .Net

--
Rebecca Riordan, MVP

Designing Relational Database Systems
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Programming Step by Step
Microsoft ADO.NET Step by Step

http://www.microsoft.com/mspress

Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves,
for they shall never cease to be amused...

Sandra Daigle said:
Hmmm, I guess I'll have to check out Steve Roman's book.

I disagree about your book - it's not written or intended for absolute
beginners but I think there are many beginners that would benefit from it.
You address several things that I haven't seen addressed as well in other
books - (choosing the right control to go with the type of data is just one
thing that immediately comes to mind). Shall I go on :-)

--
Sandra Daigle
[Microsoft Access MVP]
For the benefit of others please post all replies to this newsgroup.

Rebecca said:
FWIW, I'd add to that list Steve Roman's Access Database Design and
Programming.
I actually prefer it to Michael's book, even if he _does_ have the world's
greated title, and I don't really think my book is appropriate for
absolute beginners.

HTH
Click to expand...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/servicedesks/webcasts/wc060600/wcblurb060600.asp
There are also several books which have good discussions about
logical design and database normalization - two that I like are:

a. Hernandez, Michael. Database Design for Mere Mortals 2nd Edition. :
Addison-Wesley Developers Press, March 2003

b. Riordan, Rebecca. Designing Relational Database Systems

After you get the design down then you might also want to look at Northwinds
sample database and some of the other template databases for ideas on
Click to expand...
how
to
put the pieces together.

At any time you can post back here when you have specific questions. Good
luck :-)

--
Sandra Daigle
[Microsoft Access MVP]
For the benefit of others please post all replies to this newsgroup.


Martha W. Stone wrote:
I am the "accidential techie" in the office because computers and
technology doesn't scare me (and probably also due to my minor in
computer science). I have a spreadsheet that I'm using to keep up
with money raised from different company employees (I work for a
non-profit fundraising group). The spreadsheet now has so much
information (and three years worth) that it's too complicated to read
easily. I'd like to move the information into Access, but am having
a hard time understanding how to do it. I've read an Access for
Dummies book as well as gone through the Video Professor's Access CD.
Neither one really helps me figure out how to create this database
the way I want it and to make it useable for everyone in the office.

Any ideas on where to look for training?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I have got to get Rebecca's book!
Click to expand...

Me too. Meanwhile, Steve Roman's book is very good. Being from O'Reilly
it's slimmer and less chummy than the average computer book - but
averages much more information per page.

John Nurick [Microsoft Access MVP]

Please respond in the newgroup and not by email.
 
No problem - I need a bigger bookshelf anyway!

--
Sandra Daigle
[Microsoft Access MVP]
For the benefit of others please post all replies to this newsgroup.

Rebecca said:
Yes, you should go on, and on, and on...my ego needs all the help it can
get! <eg>

But you'll love the new one -- it's _all_ about picking the right
controls. Unfortunately, it's .Net


Sandra Daigle said:
Hmmm, I guess I'll have to check out Steve Roman's book.

I disagree about your book - it's not written or intended for absolute
beginners but I think there are many beginners that would benefit from
it. You address several things that I haven't seen addressed as well in
other books - (choosing the right control to go with the type of data is
just one
thing that immediately comes to mind). Shall I go on :-)

--
Sandra Daigle
[Microsoft Access MVP]
For the benefit of others please post all replies to this newsgroup.

Rebecca said:
FWIW, I'd add to that list Steve Roman's Access Database Design and
Programming.
I actually prefer it to Michael's book, even if he _does_ have the world's
greated title, and I don't really think my book is appropriate for
absolute beginners.

HTH


Hi Martha,

I'm glad to hear that you are taking the time to figure out the basics
before slapping something together. The most important thing is to get
the logical design of the tables and how they relate to one another
right.
Here
are some references and resources that might help with the design phase
of your project:

ACC2002: Database Normalization Basics
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;283878

ACC2000: "Understanding Relational Database Design" Document Available in
Download Center
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=234208

Also check this page for links to several articles and a presentation on
Normalization basics:

Support WebCast: Database Normalization Basics
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/servicedesks/webcasts/wc060600/wcblurb060600.asp
There are also several books which have good discussions about
logical design and database normalization - two that I like are:

a. Hernandez, Michael. Database Design for Mere Mortals 2nd Edition. :
Addison-Wesley Developers Press, March 2003

b. Riordan, Rebecca. Designing Relational Database Systems

After you get the design down then you might also want to look at
Northwinds
sample database and some of the other template databases for ideas on how
to
put the pieces together.

At any time you can post back here when you have specific questions. Good
luck :-)

--
Sandra Daigle
[Microsoft Access MVP]
For the benefit of others please post all replies to this newsgroup.


Martha W. Stone wrote:
I am the "accidential techie" in the office because computers and
technology doesn't scare me (and probably also due to my minor in
computer science). I have a spreadsheet that I'm using to keep up
with money raised from different company employees (I work for a
non-profit fundraising group). The spreadsheet now has so much
information (and three years worth) that it's too complicated to read
easily. I'd like to move the information into Access, but am having
a hard time understanding how to do it. I've read an Access for
Dummies book as well as gone through the Video Professor's Access CD.
Neither one really helps me figure out how to create this database
the way I want it and to make it useable for everyone in the office.

Any ideas on where to look for training?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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