vb123

10 Years As A Writer

2008-07-02T04:13:00.005+10:00

10 years ago I wrote my first article for the now defunct Smart Access magazine (but still the best paper news on Access). Just thought I would share this occasion with all of you.

Happy Anniversary Garry :)

Access 2003 .MDB front-end with Access 2007 .ACCDB back-end

2008-06-26T18:39:00.002+10:00

Now that Access 2007 uses a better encryption system for securing your data (provided you upgrade to RC4-128 as my last post suggests), as developers you might wonder if it's possible to use an Access 2007 file as a back-end to an Access 2003 front-end application.

Well it is possible, but you have to use late-binding forms (or completely unbound forms).

Read more: Using an Access 2007 .accdb back-end database in an Access 2000+ front-end application

Was Bill Gates a good coder?

2008-06-24T08:57:00.002+10:00

This article analyzes whether Bill was a "goto line" or a "Case Else" sort of guy. Read more

Expression Web ~ The New FrontPage

2008-06-23T18:41:00.004+10:00

I FINALLY got around to updating my 10 year old gr-fx.com website using Microsoft Express Web. This site acts as my company website rather than vb123.com which is my information website. Anyway the interface in Expression Web is pretty good (note that there are about 5 other expression tools) and if you are familiar with FrontPage, this is a no brainer and a worthwhile upgrade (backup your site first).

The photo page from the MVP 2008 summit may interest some readers.

Garry Robinson

SQL Server 2005 Express ~ Getting Started

2008-06-20T20:49:00.006+10:00

What I always find the most incomprehensible thing about SQL Server is that it is so hard to actually know what to do to get started. Take Windows Vista, click on the Start button and its likely that you will see the SQL Server Configuration Manager in the recently used program list. Now as this is the only SQL server program that is obvious, you would expect that you could create a database and start doing things. Well you cannot, its simply a more fancy version of the old SQL Server Service manager for SQL 2000. It starts and stops the SQL program and does a few other administration tasks. So stop there, dont worry about it.

Type in "sql server management studio express" in the internet search engine and download that product. Install it. Now you will know the name of your Server, be able to create databases and all other things that you expect in a database backend.

Excel to Access

2008-06-20T09:14:00.002+10:00

Over the last 13 years of Access consultancy, 20% of our work has involved converting Excel mega (muddled) systems into Microsoft Access and in lots of cases then uses those Excel spreadsheets for reports. Here are new videos from Microsoft on getting Excel in Access 2007

The Microsoft Word Spike

2008-06-18T09:05:00.001+10:00

Have you ever heard of the spike in MS Word. It does multiple pastes

Excel Automation and Windows Vista

2008-06-17T13:28:00.003+10:00

If you find that you have the following error

Automation error
Library not registered.
-2147319779

When trying to run automation code in Access 2003 and Vista, you need to change the automation code to late binding from early binding.

ie This means remove the reference to Excel

Dim objXLApp As Excel.Application

and change it to

Dim objXLApp As Object

Read more

http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/latebinding.htm

Garry Robinson

Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne ~ Meet Garry

2008-06-10T16:58:00.007+10:00

Send me an email to book a half price 90 minute meeting in the CBD of Sydney or Melbourne. Let me know what you want to chat about and definitely bring your database in for the discussion.

Topic Ideas: Your database and things like upgrade to sql server readiness, upgrade to Access 2007 or simply one of my recent online papers.

Garry Robinson

Compacting Has Been Reported to Delete Access 2007 ACCDB files

2008-06-09T10:07:00.009+10:00

The Microsoft Access team has reported instances where internal Compact and Repair will delete one of the new ACCDB format files. They have also said that you can ring support to get the fix for this problem. Search the internet for "KB article 950812" for more detail.

Well first of all don't panic about this, if you are not using Access 2007, it doesn't matter to you. If you are using using Access 2007, then make sure that you have good regular backups and also head off and recover a database from those backups just to be sure (bit like eating your greens).

For all of those readers who are Access Workbench users, make sure that the ACCDB databases that you compact regularly are saved as a favorite with the backup date set to 1 day. See the picture.

And be assured that when the next service pack rolls along, this will all be fixed and if an easy patch comes along before then, I will tell you about it in my newsletters or one of the many Access MVPs will surely mention it in our maxout newsletter.

Garry Robinson
Sydney Access MVP

P.S. We are making adjustments to the workbench to make sure that you understand this issue when doing ACCDB compacting

Access 2007 Encryption

2008-06-05T01:07:00.005+10:00

Prior to Access 2007, security of passwords (database and at workgroup user level) has been a joke. Fortunately for us developers, Access 2007 is a big step in the right direction. Even more so if you follow my guide here to tighten up your encryption settings even further.

http://www.everythingaccess.com/encrypt

It's true that the 'one password for all' scenario isn't perfect for everyone, but it's all we've got now that ULS doesn't exist in A2007 format files. In some situations it's just fine, and most of all it's pretty darn secure as long as you use a strong password and follow my guide.

Wayne Phillips
EverythingAccess.com

Garry has now written a covering article on the topic here

Peter on ASP.NET And VS 2008

2008-05-31T08:21:00.002+10:00

Peter Vogel, the editor that got me hooked into writing, writes about new versions of ASP.net and Visual Studio 2008. Its not really Access but hey, when Peter puts pen to paper, its generally worth reading. Also if you see Peter Vogel as a speaker at a conference, make sure you attend his session.

Video: Find Out About Using The Windows Taskbar on the side

2008-05-22T23:16:00.004+10:00

See why its better to place the taskbar on the side in Windows XP (In my humble opinion). Ok so I was just trying to make a video :)

Credit to 2007

2008-05-21T09:37:00.002+10:00

We just recovered an old Access 2000 database from tapes and when we opened it, Access 2002 told us that the database was corrupt. We couldnt get the data out even by exporting. But when we opened the mdb file in Access 2007, we were told that the vba was corrupt and would we like to repair. Yes and the problem was fixed

Note that we use our workbench to switch versions of Access and our repair service if this sort of solution doesn't fix corruptions.

Feel Like Getting Access Fit ~ Read on Aussies

2008-05-16T14:14:00.013+10:00

The activity that I have enjoyed the most over the last 12 years is working with other Access developers. On many occasions I have sat down with a developer and gone over the many things that they would like to do to improve both their business and their Access software. After an hour or two the developer has gone home with a few tricks and sensible strategies to keep their software development focused. I personally love these meetings because it gives me insight into how people really use Microsoft Access and this helps my writing and my business.

So now I have decided that I want to see if there are more Australian Access developers of any skill level that would like to work with me to improve their skills. To achieve this, I considered running formal Access training classes ("now children here is a form") or having a lecture hall full of people (no that's not personable enough). After thinking about this for a while, I thought, why not be like a fitness trainer: Introduce new routines, guide people and let everybody in a small group improve together.

So if you live in Australia, send me an e-mail and tell me your name, what city you live in, tell me what you would like to learn, and whether you would be interested in one of these ideas

a) Getting together at your office or meeting me in the city with only people from your company

b) Getting together with two or three other Access people in the central business district for an hour or two

c) Getting together with 5 to 10 Access people in the central business district for an hour talk and discussion among your peers (sort of like a user group)

Please note that I would like to talk about something thought-provoking before discussing your databases and issues. Also note that my intention is to charge everyone who attends these meetings (unless you also give a talk).

So all you Aussies, send in your emails to my website for my email address and come and get fit.

Garry Robinson
Australian Access MVP

How Would You Create A Ribbon for Access 2007

2008-05-07T08:15:00.004+10:00

In this article, Anthony Moore shows you how you would use Visual Studio 2007 to craft a ribbon that you could modify for Microsoft Access 2007.

Read the word document here

This In The Cloud Database race gets hotter and hotter

2008-04-09T22:14:00.002+10:00

Google Aps release a In The Cloud database engine to take on Amazon read more

IMHO: Maybe Microsoft is gunning for the front-end software part of this model rather than the backend, if Office tools such as Excel and Access do all the brain work and Google and Amazon sit in the background storing data, Office still sells. Same applies to MS software tools such as vb.net

Garry Editor of vb123.com
and Access MVP

A Positive Spin on Access 2007

2008-04-08T08:38:00.002+10:00

PC World has a positive spin on Access 2007 here.

My own view on Access 2007 is that if you have Access 2000 or less, its time to start thinking about it. Access 2002 is still the best version and Access 2003 was OK except for the mess with Macro Security.

New Version Of The Workbench for Microsoft Access

2008-04-07T02:37:00.005+10:00

In the latest version of my popular Access Workbench tool, you can now make sense of those obscure computer names that occur at large networks. The Workbench does this by allowing you to add notes for those computer names and then displays them in the database Users Tab. Notes you might add would be Name of person using the computer or email address or phone number. Read More

Also in the latest version, the delivery button will create a zip file with dates in it for databases that don't use the Workbench version system and when you purchase the software, the bonus download sample databases have been simplified for easier installation of the much requested Shutdown and Messaging forms. Find and download the Workbench Here

Garry Robinson
Microsoft Access MVP

Ken Getz Needs Respect and Discusses XML in VB

2008-04-04T07:38:00.002+11:00

There is no one on the planet that commands my respect more than Ken Getz but he still feels inferior to c# programmers. Anyway here is an article on cool Linq support in vb.net and it mentions Access where Ken cut his teeth.

Here is the article

Jet Engine Vulnerability - Word Opens Jet

2008-04-04T07:31:00.002+11:00

This article describes a security issue that means a jet engine patch is heading our way soon.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc434695.aspx

Maquarie Island Penguins

2008-04-03T19:50:00.004+11:00

My son is doing a project on Macquarie Island, thought you might like to see a picture of hundreds of penguins to break up your day.

Here is the link to the real picture..

Garry's New Writing Challenge

2008-03-20T06:05:00.003+11:00

This year I have decided to take on the challenge of writing an article a month for Database Journal, a prestige offering from Internet.com. If you want to see a picture of my ugly noggin (head), go to this page for my biography. Note that I will keep you fully upto date with whatever I write by telling you where the articles are in my newsletters.

Also a special thanks must go out to my old Smart Access co-writer Danny Lesandrini who has written countless articles for Database Journal for many years and now is having some time off.

Garry

Access and related tools good reading links

2008-03-14T14:50:00.000+11:00

I have published a page of useful internet links such as access backups, commentary on FrontPage, ensuring you have the right form size

Access and related tools good reading links

Access Team Blog : Pushing Access data to the web: Integrating with Office Live Small Business

2008-03-11T20:05:00.000+11:00

Here is a link that gives you a good idea about how you might some tables on the web and interact with Access 2007. You do it using Office Live Small Buisness

Access Team Blog : Pushing Access data to the web: Integrating with Office Live Small Business

You can keep up with all the posts at the Microsoft Access blog by subscribing to the MaxOut newsletter