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#1
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Cleanup items for 1st database
Folks,
I have taken the contact management template from office's web site and done some small modifications to it and have it set up and working (for the most part). I'm now wanting to clean up how it appears to my users who will be actually inputting data into it. So, I'm looking for advice. I'm new to this and want to do things in the right order. Now when the database opens, it launches a form, but I would like to make is as simple on users as possible. Should I try to make a switchboard, or what would you suggest? I also don't have any security on any of the forms/tables, nor do users have to log into work, should I add that, or build on those things as the database evolves? I assume by default more than one user can input data at the same time, is that true? Right now I'm just trying to get us something started with the expectation of evolving it as we go. Thanks for any advice. |
#2
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Cleanup items for 1st database
Mike
See comments in-line below... "Mike" wrote in message ... Folks, I have taken the contact management template from office's web site and done some small modifications to it and have it set up and working (for the most part). I'm now wanting to clean up how it appears to my users who will be actually inputting data into it. So, I'm looking for advice. I'm new to this and want to do things in the right order. This sounds like you are now working on the "UI" (User Interface) issues, a topic related to graphic design. If you don't have experience creating user-friendly (and user-proof) applications, you'll probably want to spend some time learning about graphical user interface design. Now when the database opens, it launches a form, but I would like to make is as simple on users as possible. Why do you think it would not be simple for a user to start out on a form they need to fill in? Should I try to make a switchboard, or what would you suggest? If, by "switchboard", you mean the built-in Access switchboard, I think you'll find, in the long run, that you have more flexibility and control if you create an unbound form, add command buttons (that open other forms), and use this "main menu" as a starting point. I also don't have any security on any of the forms/tables, nor do users have to log into work, should I add that, or build on those things as the database evolves? Whoops! Change of focus. Users probably care very little about any behind-the-scenes work you do to implement security. Let me ask, is there any reason any of the data should NOT be seen by some of the potential users? I assume by default more than one user can input data at the same time, is that true? Depends, do you have a "split" design or are all your forms, queries, data, reports (etc.) located in a single .mdb file? You'll need to split your application/database and put the back-end (data-only) somewhere on a LAN that all users can connect to. Right now I'm just trying to get us something started with the expectation of evolving it as we go. Thanks for any advice. Good luck! Regards Jeff Boyce Microsoft Office/Access MVP |
#3
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Cleanup items for 1st database
Jeff,
Thanks for the reply. As you can tell, I'm slowly working through the steps here. Comments in-line. "Jeff Boyce" wrote: Mike See comments in-line below... "Mike" wrote in message ... Folks, I have taken the contact management template from office's web site and done some small modifications to it and have it set up and working (for the most part). I'm now wanting to clean up how it appears to my users who will be actually inputting data into it. So, I'm looking for advice. I'm new to this and want to do things in the right order. This sounds like you are now working on the "UI" (User Interface) issues, a topic related to graphic design. If you don't have experience creating user-friendly (and user-proof) applications, you'll probably want to spend some time learning about graphical user interface design. That is correct, I have the information I am starting with working, I just need to work on "what the user sees." Now when the database opens, it launches a form, but I would like to make is as simple on users as possible. Why do you think it would not be simple for a user to start out on a form they need to fill in? I didn't quite say this right. I'm fine with it opening a form, but when I double click on the database, it launches the form, but also shows all of the tables and such behind it, and I want to prevent the users from seeing anything other than the form they are to be using. I don't want them seeing the tables and such. Should I try to make a switchboard, or what would you suggest? If, by "switchboard", you mean the built-in Access switchboard, I think you'll find, in the long run, that you have more flexibility and control if you create an unbound form, add command buttons (that open other forms), and use this "main menu" as a starting point. OK, that makes sense. I was talking about the Access Switchboard, but I see what you mean about creating an unbound form. I also don't have any security on any of the forms/tables, nor do users have to log into work, should I add that, or build on those things as the database evolves? Whoops! Change of focus. Users probably care very little about any behind-the-scenes work you do to implement security. Let me ask, is there any reason any of the data should NOT be seen by some of the potential users? No, other than I don't want them messing with the tables and forms, only filling out client information using the forms provided. I assume by default more than one user can input data at the same time, is that true? Depends, do you have a "split" design or are all your forms, queries, data, reports (etc.) located in a single .mdb file? You'll need to split your application/database and put the back-end (data-only) somewhere on a LAN that all users can connect to. I have a single .mdb file that I was going to store on a network share for all users to use. I do have SQL server available, if that would be better? Right now I'm just trying to get us something started with the expectation of evolving it as we go. Thanks for any advice. Good luck! Sorry about the simpleness of my questions, but I'm just starting on this journey. I've been asked to come up with a client management program quickly and so I'm learning on the fly. I bought the Access 2003 Bible and am working from there, but I need all the help I can get. Regards Jeff Boyce Microsoft Office/Access MVP Thanks, Mike |
#4
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Cleanup items for 1st database
Mike
comments-on-comments-on-comments in-line below...g! "Mike" wrote in message ... Jeff, Thanks for the reply. As you can tell, I'm slowly working through the steps here. Comments in-line. "Jeff Boyce" wrote: Mike See comments in-line below... "Mike" wrote in message ... Folks, I have taken the contact management template from office's web site and done some small modifications to it and have it set up and working (for the most part). I'm now wanting to clean up how it appears to my users who will be actually inputting data into it. So, I'm looking for advice. I'm new to this and want to do things in the right order. This sounds like you are now working on the "UI" (User Interface) issues, a topic related to graphic design. If you don't have experience creating user-friendly (and user-proof) applications, you'll probably want to spend some time learning about graphical user interface design. That is correct, I have the information I am starting with working, I just need to work on "what the user sees." Find some help (or ideas) on effective user interface design. Now when the database opens, it launches a form, but I would like to make is as simple on users as possible. Why do you think it would not be simple for a user to start out on a form they need to fill in? I didn't quite say this right. I'm fine with it opening a form, but when I double click on the database, it launches the form, but also shows all of the tables and such behind it, and I want to prevent the users from seeing anything other than the form they are to be using. I don't want them seeing the tables and such. You can set an option to Hide the Database Window. You can have the form that opens on launch Maximize (to hide anything "behind" it). Should I try to make a switchboard, or what would you suggest? If, by "switchboard", you mean the built-in Access switchboard, I think you'll find, in the long run, that you have more flexibility and control if you create an unbound form, add command buttons (that open other forms), and use this "main menu" as a starting point. OK, that makes sense. I was talking about the Access Switchboard, but I see what you mean about creating an unbound form. I also don't have any security on any of the forms/tables, nor do users have to log into work, should I add that, or build on those things as the database evolves? Whoops! Change of focus. Users probably care very little about any behind-the-scenes work you do to implement security. Let me ask, is there any reason any of the data should NOT be seen by some of the potential users? No, other than I don't want them messing with the tables and forms, only filling out client information using the forms provided. If you have malicious or clumsy users, folks who break things on purpose or on accident, you may need to implement some form of security (but it won't be as effective as you hope!). If you hide the database window and, via your user interface design, ONLY present them with what you want them to see, you might not need security. NOTE!: Access is not Excel or Word. You let users see "behind the curtain" in the latter two because they know how to manipulate numbers and words. Very few users understand that Access is a tool, not an application. You wouldn't turn someone loose with a metal-grinding milling machine without training, would you? G I assume by default more than one user can input data at the same time, is that true? Depends, do you have a "split" design or are all your forms, queries, data, reports (etc.) located in a single .mdb file? You'll need to split your application/database and put the back-end (data-only) somewhere on a LAN that all users can connect to. I have a single .mdb file that I was going to store on a network share for all users to use. I do have SQL server available, if that would be better? Read up on split design ... and you don't need SQL-Server, Oracle, DB2, or any other robust back-end to do this, unless you have a need you haven't mentioned, for a more-robust back-end data store. Right now I'm just trying to get us something started with the expectation of evolving it as we go. Thanks for any advice. Good luck! Sorry about the simpleness of my questions, but I'm just starting on this journey. I've been asked to come up with a client management program quickly and so I'm learning on the fly. I bought the Access 2003 Bible and am working from there, but I need all the help I can get. Keep coming back here. The 'groups are pretty good for answering specific questions. Good luck! Regards Jeff Boyce Microsoft Office/Access MVP |
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