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Having spent years on the Access Team and at our meetings, Bill has keen insights into what is important to the Access developer. His perspective will make this an invaluable opportunity for us to learn about the practical aspects and benefits of working with SQL Server 2005. Bill will demonstrate the features that we should be aware of when using MS Access against SQL Server 2005. He will cover table and view design, working with stored procedures, performance tuning, and many other goodies.

We are starting the new year with a big bash  (no … not splash <g>)!!! 
Bring your friends and join us for a custom tailored presentation on SQL SERVER 2005’s hottest features. Our very own Armen Stein  has received special training so that he can tell us about the new features and benefits that will be of particular interest to Access Developers! We will also have special training DVD’s and files that will only be offered to attendees. PLUS we will be giving away Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server 2005, certification exams and more!! 
Members and guests are encouraged to utilize the special training opportunities offered at this event. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in some of the drawings! So, spread the word and make plans now to join us for a very special evening, sponsored in part by INETA and Microsoft.

Our second annual showcase event for members to share their tips, tools and techniques. This is YOUR night! This is an excellent opportunity to show off one of your favorite features or processes. And, one of the beauties is that this is primarily a demonstrations, slide shows are strictly optional. Sign up NOW!!! Send your topic proposal to Teresa.

You have all seen techniques for building Access front-ends to SQL Server, and several of you have asked how to build web front-ends to your Access databases. In this presentation, Tim will give you an introduction to ASP.Net 2.0 & Visual Web Developer 2005. Tim will also show us the technique that he uses for synchronizing data between his local database and the SQL Server on his website. Whether you are new to Access or an expert developer, you can count on gaining a better understanding of what can be done and how to do it. Tim is an expert developer and generously shares his insights and tools. Please join us for an informative, easy to assimilate presentation.

BOE is a complete Access application that provides for team navigation, collaboration, and documentation as well as a development framework for any other custom MS Access applications. It provides a rich, low cost platform for any business team that uses MS Office to build, document and share their business process, organization and project models. Using a familiar Shortcut/Treeview interface you can build your own systems that integrate Access tables, queries, forms and reports with editable Rich Text documentation, Outlook Folders, Office Documents and HTML content.

Want to come prepared with questions? For a preview of BOE, please visit www.BusinessOfficeSynergy.com. In addition to demonstrate the powers of BOE, Mike will share some of the development techniques that makes this such an impressive interface. And if that isn't enough to pique your interest, how about this … Mike will provide a free developer's license to qualified members – Having this license will allow you to expose 80% of the modifiable Access Code … NOW do we have your attention?   Alrightee then, see you Tuesday!

Armen will be sharing some of his Access UI design techniques. What a great opportunity to learn some of the time tested tools used by J Street Technology. Armen will cover such tools for things as browsing for files and folders, color coding records on continuous forms, handling inactive records in combo boxes, and much more. Armen has offered to have extra material on hand so that he can tailor the presentation to the audience … :-) 

There are more and more opportunities to connect databases to XML sources. And, as we Geoff pointed out last month, transformers are definitely the tool of choice. Of course, custom transformers aren’t easy to create. Sooooo in steps Tim. In addition to explaining the nuts and bolts about transformers, Tim will walk us through building a transformer to import RSS feed.  Ahhh … did you notice, I side stepped the issue of giving away Tim’s transformer. Regretfully, that isn’t in the cards (hey, I’m being upfront about this …). But, instead of giving you a fish, we’re teaching you how to fish! And, in case you haven’t heard, this is the best season in years ;-}

As you know Access offers a rich set of XML features. But, did you realize that you can use XML to create a complete database from a collection of text files? This week’s session will demo the major aspects of XML in Access.  Topics will include a discussion on the XML data structure and format for Access, the Import/ExportXML Object Model and as well as high level coverage of the XMLDocument object. It will even spotlight a cool transformer tool. There will be plenty of demos throughout the presentation, so we should all come away with an understanding of how to Export tables to an XML file through the UI and how to use the Import/ExportXML OM. Time permitting, Geoff will also include a demo of  how to use the XMLDocument object (if there is time).

Join us to learn how to make coding easier, faster and more reliable. Dick will be sharing some of his expertise and preference for working with class modules. Dick will be showing us techniques to build code that is easy to understand, maintain and re-use. Forms and reports are the windows to our solutions, so its always good to see another developers perspective on how to build ‘em better!

Opening the Evening with Zac Woodall
Zac will discuss building manageable Access applications … Demonstrate to IT departments that your Access applications that will remain useful and low maintenance in the future. This will cover best practices for architecting a robust and maintainable solution.  Zac will include sample code, tips, and techniques for removing the need for central IT to be involved, and he will cover some tools that can make building manageable databases easier.  Bring it on!!

Bringing it Home will be Randy Weers
Randy is going to demonstrate how to work with Windows Script Hosting. Every Windows user can benefit from WSH, whether they use it simply to automate repetitive tasks or take full advantage of WSH's ability to utilize COM objects. By itself, WSH provides two great objects: "WScript" and "Scripting". And by combining WSH with Office Automation objects you can do things such as create a script the will print a report out of Access and even automatically initiate daily or weekly events.  Let’s make life EASY!!

Please join us on April 19th (yes, this was rescheduled from February 15th and March 15th) for an informative evening dedicated to helping us improve the security and maintenance of our SOHO networks ... aka ... home and small business computers and networks.
The presentation will cover maintenance, virus protection, identify protection, and Microsoft's new anti spyware software. Several of us have already benefited from one of Geoff's presentation, and I can whole heartedly endorse this!!!

Join us Tuesday evening to enjoy the rare and distinct benefit of a special appearance by John Viescas. Who can resist, "Avoiding the Calendar OCX and DLL Hell?" John will demonstrate how he builds a form, and he will share some of his code for doing a better job. In addition to what you will learn at the meeting, the presentation will include links to helpful resources and a few downloads on his web site. The meeting materials will be available for members to download.

Special meeting location: This month the meeting will be held in Building 35 in the Kaloloch room. Building 34 and 35 share the same parking lot. Building 35 is to the left of the entrance we normal use to Building 34. Please remember to bring meeting topic ideas and, if you haven't renewed yet, your check for $30 for your annual membership. Thanks. Teresa.

Windows SharePoint Services is a new server technology provided free by Microsoft to its Windows Server 2003 customers. SharePoint is specifically designed for workgroup collaboration, centered around lists of data. Lists can be created from pre-defined template types, such as Contacts, Documents, or Tasks, or can have a customized schema.
This session discusses migrating data from JET to a SharePoint back end storage system using Access. It includes building rich front ends on WSS data using Access forms and reports, and using Front Page to customize a thin (web) client experience on the same data who are outside the firewall, or don’t have Access installed.

This month Tim will demonstrate an easy way to collect and compile responses. Hmmm ... sounds like a handy tool for surveys, voting, customer questionnaires, etc.

Tim will show us XML techniques available in Excel as well as ways to develop polling forms that request special information.

This evening will be filled with demonstrations by fellow developers. Each presentation will have about ten to fifteen minutes to demonstrate a favorite tip, technique or tool. This will include the opportunity for the rest of us to suggest enhancements and alternatives!  Talk about an opportunity to add to your tool box and to see how others do things!

Presenters and Topics Needed! We are still seeking 4 more topics. Please email your proposal (err ... proposed presentation that is) to Teresa@DataDynamicsNW.com

More and more Access applications have to accept data from a variety sources. So, we are constantly faced with scrubbing, parsing, formatting, and checking for duplicate records. Alla will demonstrate some efficient processes for working with data, such as from a legacy system or a web form.

Tyler Ashbridge has helped several clients make better decisions based on logistical data. By integrating the graphic displays of MapPoint with the powerful analysis tools of Access, businesses can target specific markets, track moves, calculate distances and much more. In addition to demonstrating how to build the interface between MapPoint and Access, Tyler will share some business models. Wouldn't it be great to plot customers by selected demographic criteria.

David will demonstrate various methods of importing data from Microsoft Word and Excel into an Access Database. He will also show us various processes for exporting data from Access to custom reports created in Word and Excel.

With all the legacy systems and new applications and features, the ways to import/export data and integrate with other applications are constantly changing and improving. Join us to expand your tool box by learning from yet another perspective!

Tim will be giving us a valuable presentation on class modules and show us several advanced coding techniques (e.g. using debug.assert). Plus, as a tremendous bonus, we will also have the opportunity to learn a process for using digital signatures. Ahhh do we feel a little relief coming our way. YES, digital signatures are an issue that we are currently or soon will be facing. So, Tim will be providing timely suggestions and options.

Access developers know that to build more powerful database applications, they must have the option of using SQL Server for the back-end database. Armen will present ways to leverage your existing Access development skills and experience by using Access MDBs (instead of ADPs) with SQL Server Armen will cover the Access/SQL decision, performance considerations, coding techniques and SQL Server capabilities, and will also leave time for questions. Also, as requested at the last meeting, Armen will present the code necessary to link to a SQL Server database without using a DSN.

He’s back …. Scott is surfacing again.
Tonight, we have the special privilege of seeing the unveiling of some of Scott’s new tools. You can read his books, you can search the web for resources, but you can only see this compilation of material by joining us on June 15^th!!  So, be sure to arrive by 6:10 to get good seats for this world class presentation!

The Microsoft Access team has been working for months to discover and provide solutions to issues related to converting 97 data bases to Access 2000, 2002 or 2003. And, they are creating a tool kit to make life easier for developers. The kit is comprised primarily of two tools. One tool will scan the server/computer to identify and provide pertinent information about Access databases on the machine(s) and the other will report the information about the databases, including an analysis of which databases will require manual intervention to successfully convert.

Michael will  discuss many aspects of references in Access databases. He'll explain how they work, why the work and why they sometimes don't work. Fortunately, he'll also share some wisdom about how to avoid the problems of references that do not work. The discussion will cover MDEs and ADEs, explaining why they are better and when they are worse) and how VBA compilation state enters into the equation. Being a true expert, Michael will also talk about how the Jet expression engine can cause problems with references that are a bit harder to detect.

Technical vision, knowledge and skills are essential, but your business and financial success may equally depend on your business savvy. In this information-packed session, you'll find out how you and your software development business efforts can be more successful. Learn about contracts and business issues, sales and marketing of software products and services, setting your fee, negotiation strategies, handling customer objections, and getting paid. 100 business and legal documents will be provided with the session materials.

Main Presentation – The New Macro Security Features by Tim and Toby Getsch
Learn practical ways to use Windows SharePoint Services.  See SharePoint sites that are currently in use, and find out how easy they are to build.  See how Access and Excel can talk to SharePoint to make SharePoint based web sites even more powerful.  Find out what you need to do to have your very own SharePoint site up and running. Find out how using SharePoint will make managing your data on a web site a whole lot easier. Bonus Material: Learn how to get eBay data into an Access solution.

Design FrontPage WebSites for SharePoint   -- 
Speaking SharePoint, here are some related links … Find out how you can create Web sites for Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services and Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 that utilize all of the features of Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003
- Windows SharePoint Services    http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=377989

- SharePoint Portal Server   http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=377990

Macro Security and Sandbox Mode – This is a topic that you can not afford to miss! As a developer, you owe it to yourself and your clients to quickly learn about the new security features in Access 2003. And, if you’re thinking this doesn’t apply to you because you don’t use macros and you don’t “play” with Access so you don’t care about sandboxes, well, that merely demonstrates how important it is that you are at this meeting! Macro security and sandbox mode are features that help protect you and your clients from malicious code that can be imbedded in code or even stuck into a control on a form.
Sam is going to explain about Macro Security, what all the prompts are and how to manage them. And, he will even demonstrate how to automate the security levels using code! Of course, Macro Security also means we need to know about digital signatures. So, Sam will show us how to sign our databases, explain what it means and what objects are covered by a digital signature. Hmmm.. performance is always an issue  -- he’ll talk about that and a host of other things that need to be considered when dealing with all the new security features. Obviously, that means that he’ll also delve into the sandbox. Ahhh … finally the fun stuff. No, you won’t need shovels. Trust me, this will be heavy digging!

Please, join us for the special privilege of learning more about (some of) the tools, tips and techniques that Michael offers. We frequently defer to Michael’s expertise, and many of you have recommended Michael’s tools as solutions for problems that are discussed at the meetings. Tonight, we will have the rare opportunity of not only learning more about when and how to take advantage of what Michael has to offer, but we will also learn some of the background … You know, things like what prompted the idea in the first place.

Many of you have asked about installation programs. A lot of us would like to deploy via a professional looking set-up programs, but let’s face it, until it’s an urgent need, we’ll likely postpone the research. Well there was so much interest, that we were able to convince Wise Solutions and Install Shield to become sponsors! So, tonight we will see five installation programs demonstrated!!! In addition to demonstrating their product, the reviewers will form a panel to help answer questions.

Access Developer Extensions (ADE), the new developer tools for Access 2003 enable developers to more quickly and easily create, test and deploy sophisticated Access solutions. You can create customized MDE files and finally create customized installer packages that bundle your Access files as well as the Access 2003 Runtime!

InstallShield DevStudio9, which combines the functionality of both the Professional and Developer versions. It allows you to choose between script based or MSI based installation packaging processes. It has both wizard based development and direct table editing to allow customizing of any part of the installation.

InstallShield Express uses Windows Installer service, so you can include auto repair and many other features. It also includes runtime support for Access. By using the redistributables table, you can drop modules into the set-up. If dependencies exist for the chosen items, they will be included automatically.

WISE Installation System is an easy-to-use, script-based installation tool that helps create professional, reliable installations. It is versatile enough to enable you to quickly create a simple, reliable install, as well as to meet advanced requirements such as Internet/intranet distribution, Windows CE installs or application repairs.

WISE for Windows Installer is a development tool that helps you build your installation application by providing a more user friendly wizard-like form view. Behind the scenes it still populates the MSI standard data tables that will become the data file for the Microsoft Systems Installer (MSI) at install time.

While Access has some great controls built into forms and reports, there are times when they just may not do the job – or it may be cost effective to use something that has already been tested and proven . This is where ActiveX controls come in. Scott will be going over the good, the bad, and the ugly of using of ActiveX controls in your applications. You will see how to develop professional looking applications using third party controls such as those offered by DBI Technology and FMS Inc. Scott will also discuss when and how to use ActiveX controls using VBA

Many of you have asked for tips creating reports. What?? You mean that Access doesn’t do everything that you want it to? Tonight, Linda will demonstrate several techniques and tools that she has used to create and format reports. Those of you who were fortunate enough to have seen Linda’s presentation for the Access SIG, already know how informative her presentation is. But wait … tonight’s version will be even better … Linda has researched some of the requests from our meeting topic survey and has modified her presentation to specifically address some of those issues

A special session from Microsoft experts on soon to be released developer tools.

• Creating Access forms based on Outlook data
• Modifying data in Outlook from Access and vice versa

• Creating Web Queries in Excel
• Creating Access, Linked Tables to Excel files

Lynn Garst will provide 2 papers. One on Setting up Security for Access 97 and the other on Converting Access 95 to Access 97.