History of Access on UtterAccess Wiki

I prefer the greater functionality of Access 2007 as opposed to Access 2003; however, I prefer the user interface of Access 2003 over that of Access 2007. To me, the user interface of Access 2007 seems a little flat.

I really like the functionality of making graph directly from tables. But I'm still a little bit lost with the 2007 interface.

V1: Just a cool product for $99

V1.1: Wow, a runtime?

V2: Solid as a rock.

V7 (95): Don't ask me.

V8: Probably the best release (for the desktop) ever. Code embedded in forms/reports? WOW!

V9 (2000): ADP and DAP? Yawn. Help absolutely sucks - I saved my '97 files.

V10 (2002): OK, so ADP now sorta works.

V11 (2003): Finally, a 2000 release that works pretty well - almost as good as '97

V12 (2007): Well, it took a while. Getting used to the new UI takes a bit of effort, but it's worth it. Multi-valued fields? Gimme a break!

V14 (2010): Web apps that finally work. Bye bye DAP! John Viescas - Access MVP since 1993

I remember going to the Access launch at the Dorchester Hotel in London in December 1992. The thing that still sticks in my mind most was the brilliant marketing slogan - Access was added to the Office bundle to create Office Professional: "Bigger Office

Easy Access

Highly Desirable" V8 (97) and V11 (2003) have been my favourites so far in terms of functionality and reliability. I have gotten to like 2007 although I do miss the database window and the ease of building menus/toolbars. However I am excited about 2010, especially the web apps. 4 things on my wish list now:

1) Better integration with SQL Server

2) The inclusion of Access in the Huron project - demos looked awesome

3) the integration of BCS/external lists into web apps to avoid the current work arounds

4) As activeX controls are not supported in the browser I am hoping we will get some cool Silverlight controls for things like tree views, calendars, image browsing. The team have done a brilliant job with 2010!

I could go on and on, but it's making me feel old. Here was my original experience when Access first launched and how I and FMS started our support for Access, which led to our being the largest 3rd party firm for Access. www.fmsinc.com/.../history This article was part of the 10th Anniversary of Access. I don't know if the articles of the other players in the early days are still available somewhere.

I started working with Access 2003 when I was at University creating small databases. Now I'm training Access to people who have created bigger DB's than I have. I love 2007 is more user friendly that 2003. Creating reports, different types of forms, working with macros. I haven't started working on 2010 buy I cant waite to see the new features. I heard that you can use vissio with the new Access 2010, that's cool.

Wow! Has anyone else noticed that Workgroup Security is not included with the new Access database format? This is the purpose of a SHARED database...to set security levels/logins and permissions. Why would Microsoft drop the most important option for database development?

A couple of things went missing along the way: ODBC/DAO transactions (broken), and Wizards written in Access VBA/Access Basic. A couple of things just drifted out of sight: leading-edge SQL and RDMS design, user-level security (I know it went missing, but that was long after it drifted out of sight), and a modern GUI design interface.

@bg3075 workgroup security... User level security is still completely supported in Access 2010. You just need to ensure you use the jet or so call mdb format. It still avaiable. And, since there free versions of sql server that work well with access. You also can now place your data on SharePoint. So, you have lots of great choices if you looking for a secure data store. @ david said: RDMS desing? I’m not sure what you mean by really leading edge relational database designs? For Access 2010 we now have stored procedures and database triggers. We never had this before and table triggers is generally considered an advanced RDMS feature. And improvements in the GUI? GUI improvements have been VERY strong this release. We have a new WEB style based navigation control. We have a new web browser control (great for displaying parts or pictures from the web). The picture control now allows pictures or graphic icons to display in continuous forms without 3rd party controls. AGain for parts catalogs or displayed a open/closed grapic for a project can be done without 3rd party controls. We have round and shaded buttons (beveling) with complete web style hover effects. Image transparency is now supported on forms . Button now support graphics + text with ease. Applications are now themed and can be changed global with ease by just changing the theme. Images inserted into forms can now be shared between forms (so, if you change the one image, then all istances change since here only one copy of the graphic). There is also a ribbon customer is now built into the product. I could go on and on in terms of the improvements into the new features that are centered around graphics and the GUI. So in terms of the graphical interface and allowing one to build a modern interface Access 2010 is a big leap forward in exactly the area of graphics and UI you are asking about about. Albert D. Kallal

Edmonton, Alberta Canada

kallal@msn.com