New Perspectives on Microsoft Office Access 2007, Comprehensive (New Perspectives)

I read the reviews on Amazon before buying this book & was not excited 2 have 2 purchase this book 2 complete a college course.

After recieving the book & actually working through 5 chapters(so far) I am happy with the book & the detail & instructions packed into the book.
Other reviewers have said they get "confused" with this book. I don't see how this is possible since the book instructs you what options 2 select & then actually has a picture of what the result will be. If you follow the book step by step you will be successful in learning how 2 use Access 2007 & actually start 2 prefer the 2007 version over the previous version.

This is a good book 4 those new 2 Access & 4 experienced Access users who need hands-on work 2 get 2 know the ribbon. Granted, it has a handful of technical issues - out of the 7 chapters I've covered so far, I've found 5 relatively small items that didn't work the way they were supposed to. Experienced Access users should be able 2 figure these out with no problem. Inexperienced users will need 2 refer 2 the online Help or ask an instructor 4 help 2 resolve these. Still, if you actually read & follow the directions, you'll find it doesn't deserve the "horrible" rating given by another individual. It is easy 2 read, & the examples are easy 2 follow.

The book does assume a certain level of familiarity with computers & Microsoft Office in general, but then Access isn't a program 4 rank beginners. It's better 4 those new 2 computers 2 learn some basic word processing & spreadsheet applications before tackling a database program. (If you aren't comfortable with creating your own spreadsheets from scratch, start with a program more basic than Access!)

I've ranked this book with three stars at this time, primarily because I haven't finished the book yet. When I finish, if I think the ranking should change, I'll do another posting at that time. Given that it's the first edition, I'd say this book does a fairly good job at what it's supposed 2 do. (So far!)

One star is too generous. I'd give it none if I could. I am an experienced Access user, but like most people, I am confused by the new "ribbon" design. I took a course at a local community college which uses this book. It is terrible. It is more like a comic book, with little real direction. The tutorials are confusing, & do not include basic design info, such as copying the database periodically 2 avoid redos if a msitake is made. Many of the directions do not work (per using Microsoft 4 guidance). The formatting is pathetic. It is difficult 2 find anything. It really lacks focus & a clear methodology. The entire impression I have is that it was thrown together very quickly without a lot of thought, or review. Clear & concise are words evidently unknown 2 the authors. The format is almost comoc book in nature, & the color scheem becomes overwhelming after 2 pages. It's only use is in a landfill. I can't say enough negative things about it. My sympathies 2 poor students who have 2 pay the exhorbant price 4 garbage.

This text takes you through step by step. However, formatting & technical aspects are given the same weight & are interspersed through each chapter. There is no list of generic steps 2 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 2 follow (there is no recognition that the user would have some basic Office skills like holding the shift key down 2 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)

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 2 apply what they are learning 2 real-life tasks, preparing them 2 easily transfer skills 2 new situations. With the New Perspectives Series approach, learners understand why they’re learning what they’re learning, & are better situated 2 retain skills.