SQL Server Migration Assistant for Oracle V3.1

SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) is a free suite of tools from Microsoft to reduce the effort, cost, and risk of migrating from Oracle to SQL Server. SSMA is said to automate almost every aspect of the migration process including assessment, schema and data migration, business logic conversion, and validation. Companies such as Motorola and Simon & Schuster have used SSMA to migrate their business-critical databases.

Access 2007 Navigation Pane Demo

A new video demo on using the Access 2007 Navigation Pane has been published on the Office On-Line portal.

You can also access these articles from the portal:

• Use the Navigation Pane to quickly view and access objects
  
  
• Create and manage custom categories and groups in the Navigation Pane

New Version of Ezy Documenter Premium

Ezy Documenter Premium Edition New v6.1
Add-In for Microsoft© Access 97 - 2007

Standard Edition featured in Woody's Access Watch

Ezy Documenter Premium automatically documents and prints in fully formatted Access reports all the objects in your Access database: tables and fields, table relations, query definitions, forms and record sources, reports and record sources, code modules, macros, data access pages, references, custom command bars, and database properties. Users can customize of each Ezy Documenter Database Report.

New in v 6.0:

• Linked table paths
• Data Access Pages: name, linked URL, and Data Source
• Custom Command Bars
• All Database Object Properties

New in v 6.1:

• Updated GUI
• Users can now select the export folder

Only US$39.95 including free upgrades to new versions.

MSDN Community Distribution CD August 2007

The MSDN Community Distribution CD Image Download for August 2007 is now available for download (693mb)

Office 2007 SP1 Technical Preview Now Available

From Bink.nu:

Microsoft Office 2007 SP1 Technical Preview Available If you were a member of the Microsoft Office Product Evaluation TAP, you should now have access to the Microsoft Office 2007 System Service Pack 1 Technical Preview. Just log into Connect, and check under Microsoft Office. This is going to be a short one preview. Microsoft is only accepting feedback for about 30 days, so start downloading now!

Latest Access 2007 Articles from Office On-Line

Exploring a desktop Access 2007 database

Create an Access 2007 database using templates

Build forms in Access 2007 using design tools

Automate applications with macros in Access 2007

Access 2007 Database Engine

The new Access 2007 database engine, which reads and writes .accdb files, is available as a redistributable EXE file (25mb) for those developers who need to code against the file directly, by-passing Access/VBA.

The download installs a set of components that can be used by non-Microsoft Office applications to read data from 2007 Office system files such as Microsoft Office Access 2007 (mdb and accdb) files and Microsoft Office Excel 2007 (xls, xlsx, and xlsb) files. Connectivity to Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services and Text files is also supported.

ODBC and OLEDB drivers are installed for application developers to use in developing their applications with connectivity to Office file formats.

Latest Access Knowledge Base Articles

Courtesy of KBAlertz.com:

Access 2000

935370 Issues that you may encounter when you open or are using a Microsoft Office Access database on a computer that is running Windows Vista
934526 Description of the security update for Office 2000: May 8, 2007

Access 2002

932857 You may receive an error message when you try to install or run an Office program: "This patch package could not be opened" or "The installation source for the product is not available"
927680 Error message when you try to create a database from a Visual SourceSafe project in Access 2003 or in Access 2002: "Failed to import file"
927680 Error message when you try to create a database from a Visual SourceSafe project in Access 2003 or in Access 2002: "Failed to import file"

Access 2003

934151 Description of the Office 2003 post-Service Pack 2 hotfix package for Office 2003 Proofing Tools: March 12, 2007
934182 Description of the Office 2003 post-Service Pack 2 hotfix package for the Italian thesaurus and for the Italian MUI: March 9, 2007
932844 Description of the Office 2003 post-Service Pack 2 hotfix package: February 12, 2007
932848 Description of the Office 2003 post-Service Pack 2 hotfix package for the Office 2003 proofing tools: February 21, 2007
932841 Description of the Office 2003 post-Service Pack 2 hotfix package for the Italian MUI and for the Italian proofing tools: February 21, 2007
932840 Description of the Office 2003 post-Service Pack 2 hotfix package for the Italian thesaurus, for the Italian MUI, and for Office 2003 Proofing Tools: March 6, 2007
933734 Description of the Office 2003 post-Service Pack 2 hotfix package for the Italian version of Office 2003: March 1, 2007
934180 Description of the security update for Office 2003: May 8, 2007
936748 Issues that are fixed in Access 2003 by Office 2003 Service Pack 1

New Office Developer Resources

From Microsoft:

Office 2003: Overview of Developer Technologies A white paper that presents an overview of developer technologies and tools to help enable solution developers to build custom solutions for Microsoft Office 2003 Editions.

Office 2007: Developer Posters Download these posters to learn more about the new features of and enhancements to the 2007 Microsoft Office System.

SQL Server Magazine Events

Upcoming Web Seminar

Get the Most from DFS This web seminar on August 14, 2007 will cover what DFS is and how it works, the server and client OS versions that support DFS, how to configure DFS, the limitations of DFS, using DFS-N and DFS-R, as well as managing DFS. We will explain the basics of DFS and provide a quick "how-to" on implementing DFS-N and DFS-R in your Windows Server 2003 environment.

On-Demand Web Seminars

High Performance Connectivity for SQL Server 2005 and SSIS Learn how best-of-breed high-speed data interconnects to the new SSIS environment make plug-and-play with mainframe, legacy, Teradata, and other database systems a reality. These new connectors are drop-in solutions that are cost-effective, and provide best-of-breed bi-directional data movement.

Keep Exchange Running - The High Availability Imperative If there is a "killer app", it's email. Business communications rely heavily on email, and an increasingly mobile base of users and clients continually lowers the tolerance for email downtime. Attend this informative eSeminar sponsored by CA XOsoft, and hear from Paul Robichaux, who will share helpful information that can help you meet your enterprise's HA needs. Register now so you won't miss out on this chance to learn how to keep your Exchange servers running — and what to do if disaster strikes.

Keep Unsecured Machines Off Your Network Tune into the hottest up-to-date network security protection through this exclusive podcast featuring Windows IT Pro editor Karen Forster and Microsoft’s Ian Hameroff. Learn how Network Access Control (NAC) and Network Access Protection (NAP) work and what technologies are involved, as well as what third-party products are poised to work with these technologies.

Access 2007 Template Files Explained

The MS Access Team Blog at Microsoft has posted a timely article explaining how the new format Access 2007 database ADDT template files work, and there is a tip on how you can create your own template with a button click! More

I would also add that by renaming an ADDT to a ZIP, you can unzip any template into a folder hierarchy of the component objects, and you can then review/edit the individual XML documents .

CodePlex Portal for SQL Server

Codeplex is the project hosting site for Microsoft SQL Server Samples and Community Projects. The portal catalogs samples included with Product Releases, samples from the community, and independent SQL Server Community projects.

You can also download samples databases. The Product samples are the latest Microsoft samples released with Service Packs or major releases of SQL Server. Community samples are sample code and applications from Microsoft, MVPs, and the SQL Server community at large. There are release notes and brief descriptions of all the sample databases and code.

Free Office Tutorials

The Office Lecture site offers a range of free MS Office tutorials. There is also an affiliate site Free Programming Books with a range of free downloadable eBooks. Both are ad-driven portals, but definitely worth browsing.

SQL Server Administration: New Articles

New articles on SQL Server Administration from TechRepublic.com:

• Creating table partitions in SQL Server 2005
• Partition switching in SQL Server 2005
• Installing and Configuring Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 w/ SQL Server
• Installing and Configuring MOM 2005 w/ SQL Server Part II

Access 2007 Quick Tips #1: Add a Total Row to an Access 2007 Table

Before Access 2007, you could calculate totals on your data in an Access query, report, or form. Now Access 2007 lets you add a Total row field to your tables. Article from Mary Ann Richardson ot TechRepublic.com.

Latest Office 2007 Articles from Microsoft

• 2007 Microsoft Office System Document Encryption
• Migrating to the 2007 Microsoft Office System
• How to Use Information Rights Management in the 2007 Microsoft Office System
• Office Communicator Web Access (2007 release) Planning and Deployment Guide
• Office Communications Server 2007 Release Notes
• Office Communications Server 2007 Command-Line Reference Guide
• Office Communications Server 2007 Technical Overview
• Office Communications Server 2007 Standard Edition Deployment Guide
• Office Communications Server 2007 Enterprise Edition Deployment Guide
• Office Communications Server 2007 Active Directory Guide
• Office Communications Server 2007 Archiving and CDR Server Deployment Guide
• Office Communicator 2007 Quick Reference Card
• Office Communicator 2007 What's New Guide
• Office Communicator 2007 Quick Reference Card for Keyboard Shortcuts
• Office Communicator 2007 Quick Reference Card for Phone and Video
• Office Communicator 2007 Quick Reference Card for Phone and Video
• Office Communicator 2007 Frequently Asked Questions
• Office Communicator 2007 Group Policies
• Office Communicator 2007 Getting Started Guide

ITSearchEngine - Focused Search For IT Products



I have just discovered this cool new IT-focused portal: ITSearchEngine

Access 2007 Runtime Re-Issued

The Access 2007 Runtime is similar to previous runtimes in that all design-related UI is either removed or disabled. You do NOT need to buy any special SKU in order to redistribute the Access 2007 Runtime. You can freely redistribute it or point users to this download.

You can also download the Access 2007 Developer Extensions package.

Latest SQL Server Hotfixes

FIX: The Cluster Discrimination tab is empty when you browse a clustering
model of SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services in SQL Server BIDS

FIX: You cannot cancel an MDX query that runs for a long time in SQL Server
2005 Analysis Services

FIX: A server may start slowly if you have SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services
installed and if many objects are stored on the server

Zoho: David's Office Suite



An interesting review of the ZOHO On-Line Office-Style Applications Suite.

Use Pre-Built Style Features to Format Excel 2007

This article from TechRepublic.com shows you how to use the the Styles section of the Home tab in the Excel 2007 Ribbon.

Use Excel Services to Enable Business Intelligence on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Applications

Excel Services is a new way to interact with Excel spreadsheets, allowing you to add spreadsheets and workbooks to your enterprise dashboards and portals on Office SharePoint Server 2007. This free sample chapter from the Microsoft Press book, Programming Excel Services, covers:

• Understanding Excel Services and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007
• Understanding the History of SharePoint
• Installing and Configuring Excel Services

Migrating From Oracle to SQL Server 2005

Migrating from Oracle: When SQL Server 2005 Makes Sense From DevX.com An article that rounds up a few ways to make longstanding Oracle adherents feel not only comfortable but highly conversant with SQL Server.

Latest SQL Server 2005 Fixes

FIX: You may experience poor performance after you install SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1

FIX: Error messages when you run a query against a linked server that you create in SQL Server 2005: "Statement(s) could not be prepared" and "The column prefix '' does not match with a table name or alias name used in the query"

Office Security Updates for July 2007

Security Update for the 2007 Microsoft Office System (KB936514) A security vulnerability exists in the 2007 Microsoft Office System and the Compatibility Pack for the 2007 Office System that could allow remote code execution. This update resolves that vulnerability.

Security Update for Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 (KB936646) A security vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 that could allow remote code execution. This update resolves that vulnerability.

Security Update for Excel Viewer 2003 (KB936508) A security vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office Excel Viewer 2003 that could allow arbitrary code to run when opening a malicious document. This update addresses that vulnerability.

Security Update for Excel 2002 (KB936513) A security vulnerability exists in Microsoft Excel 2002 that could allow remote code execution. This update resolves that vulnerability.

Update for Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 (KB937608) This update fixes a problem in which a calendar item that is marked as private is opened if it is found by using the Search Desktop feature.

Security Update for Excel 2000 (KB936511) A security vulnerability exists in Microsoft Excel 2000 that could allow remote code execution. This update resolves that vulnerability.

Security Update for Microsoft Office Excel 2007 (KB936509) A security vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office Excel 2007 that could allow remote code execution. This update resolves that vulnerability.

Security Update for Excel 2003 (KB936507) A security vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office Excel 2003 that could allow remote code execution. This update resolves that vulnerability.

Access 2007 on Vista Woes

As more users deploy Access 2007 on Windows Vista desktops, Access developers can expect a quantum leap in support calls. I have found that simple VBA code that works in all 32-bit versions of Access, including Access 2007 on pre-Vista Windows, does not work in Access 2007 on Vista.

Service packs are required now!

SQL Server 2005 Best Practices Analyzer (July 2007)

SQL Server 2005 Best Practices Analyzer (July 2007) The SQL Server 2005 Best Practices Analyzer (BPA) gathers data from Microsoft Windows and SQL Server configuration settings, using a predefined list of SQL Server 2005 recommendations and best practices to determine if there are potential issues in the database environment.

Access Development Tip

I just bought my-self a new PC and a 19in wide-screen monitor. While the actual screen area is 94% of my old standard 19in LCD, the Office VBA window for all versions after Office 97, is now more user-friendly, with the sidebar object browser sitting nicely at the side of the screen, with no loss of characters in the code panel.

In Access 2007, the new Database Window sidebar comes into its own, and also provides a natural border where you can adjust the actual width of a form as you work on it, while the shorter screen enforces a more disciplined form design.

Automated Access Front-End Database Management

Access MVP, Tony Toews, has developed a free tool for helping to manage and publish front-end Access databases. Download Auto FE Updater. Tony also explains why you should front-end.

Access 2007 Runtime: Product Recall

Perhaps it may be wiser to be a tortoise rather than a hare for downloads like this...

From the What's New In Access 2007 Blog:

Wednesday, June 27, 2007 10:57 AM Access Runtime is on Hold. It turns out that there was a recall class issue with one of the Access Runtime components. After we released the Access Runtime yesterday it was discovered that patches on Microsoft Update would not automatically detect and patch this component. We unfortunately had to pull down the Access Runtime download until we can ensure that all components are supportable.

We are sorry for the inconvenience, and we are aiming to have it back up in a couple of weeks. If you happen to be one of the few to download the Access Runtime, please wait for the new, supportable version before deploying to your customers.

Office 2000 Ribbon Customizer

From the What's New in Access 2007 Blog:

For those of you who have been struggling a little with Ribbon customization in Access 2007 and miss the old world of CommandBars where you could design the command experience directly through the UI, Patrick Schmid has a cool add-in that allows you to make graphical design changes to your Ribbons from right within Office. It works with all Office apps that have the Ribbon.

His tool is free to try, and he's also currently got a beta program going. You can pick up the trial here: http://pschmid.net/office2007/ribboncustomizer/download.php, and join the Beta here: http://pschmid.net/office2007/ribboncustomizer/betaprogram.php.

Access 2007 Developer Extensions and Runtime are LIVE and FREE!

Access 2007 Download: Access Developer Extensions

Access 2007 Download: Access Runtime PS: This download pulled by MS on 27 June 2007 - see Access Extra Post 27 June 2007

Free eLearning Software Training from Microsoft

You need an MS Live ID to access this content:

• Changing the Appearance of Documents Using Microsoft® Office Word 2003
• What's New in Microsoft® Office Professional Enterprise Edition 2003
• What's New: Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional to Windows XP Professional
• Introduction to the New Microsoft® Office Fluent™ User Interface
• Getting Started with Windows Vista
• Getting Started with Microsoft Office Word 2007
• Getting Started with Microsoft® Office Excel® 2007
• Getting Started with Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007
• Getting Started with Microsoft® Office Outlook® 2007
• Creating a New Database Using Microsoft® Office Access 2003 Finding and Organizing E-Mail Messages
• Using Microsoft® Office Outlook® 2003
• Getting Started with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
• Making Presentations Look Consistent Using Microsoft® Office PowerPoint® 2003
• Managing Business Contacts and Payroll Data with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
• Managing Cash Flow with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
• Managing Customer and Vendor Data with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
• Performing Calculations on Data Using Microsoft® Office Excel 2003
• Reporting and Administering with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
• Working with Files and Folders Using Microsoft Windows® XP Professional Service Pack 2

Introduction to Access 2007: We ALL Need it

Access 2007: Get Up to Speed

As the Office 2007 GUI is radically different from previuos versions, even advanced uswers and developer will benefit from this free intoduction.

This course includes:

• Three self-paced lessons and three practice sessions for hands-on experience. Practices require Access 2007.
• A short test at the end of each lesson; tests are not scored.
• A Quick Reference Card you can take away from the course.

After completing this on-line course you will be able to:

• Download a database from the new Getting Started page.
• Create database objects by using the new Ribbon.
• Save and share your data in appropriate formats.

Latest SQL Server Hotfixes from Microsoft

FIX: An access violation may occur in SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services when you try to use a 2007 Office system program to open an offline local cube

FIX: High CPU utilisation by SQL Server 2005 may occur when you use NUMA architecture on a computer that has an x64-based version of SQL Server 2005 installed

Restoring a SQL Server Database to a New Server

Restore a SQL Server database to a new server If you have to move databases to a new server, you have two options for carrying out this task: SQL Server Management Studio (GUI) or T-SQL (Command line). This download from TechRepublic.com shows you both methods.

Download Office 2007 Sample:
Using the Business Data Catalog and Smart Tags with the 2007 Office System

2007 Office Sample: Using the Business Data Catalog and Smart Tags with the 2007 Office System This code sample accompanies the MSDN article, Using the Business Data Catalog and Smart Tags with the 2007 Office System, available from the Related Resources section of this download page.

Goodbye to Office 2003
Microsoft has announced that after June 30, 2007, OEM Office 2003 will no longer be available from Microsoft. Some authorized OEM distributors may have some remaining inventory left for a short time after June 30th; however,Microsoft will no longer be shipping OEM Office 2003 to them. More

Ten New Office 2007 Interface Elements: All About that Button Thing...

The radical new Office 2007 interface includes a number of new elements. To make it easier to talk about all these features as you help users get up to speed Jody Golbert TechRepublic.com blogger has a look at 10 major Office 2007 interface elements and their official names.

Iterate Through Databases and Tables in SQL Server

Iterating through tables and databases in SQL Server This tip from TechRepublic.com presents two very handy stored procedures that live in the master database but are not mentioned in SQL Server Books Online.

Solution Accelerator for Office 2007 Business Desktop Deployment

Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment Download planning, building, and technical guidance, templates, and scripts to facilitate deployment of Windows Vista and Office 2007

Version: 1.1
Published by Microsoft on: June 7, 2007
Download Size: 27.7 MB - 55.4 MB

The Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) is best-practice guidance for desktop deployment, targeted at companies that want to reduce deployment time, effort, and cost by increasing the level of automation. BDD allows administrators to deploy desktops with Zero Touch and Lite Touch interaction at the target PCs, and also helps organizations move to a managed environment with standardized desktop images.

BDD 2007 is offered in two versions to support Solution Accelerator component installation on x64 or x86 hosts. You select the version that corresponds with your host hardware type: both versions support x86 and x64 client operating systems.

Hotfix Rollup for Office 2007

Hotfix Rollup for the 2007 Microsoft Office System (KB935520) Microsoft has released an update for the spelling checker in the 2007 Microsoft Office programs. This release is an update to the English-language dictionary.

Create Custom Off-Line MSDN Content with PackageThis!

Take Parts of the MSDN Library Offline with PackageThis!

Created by the MSDN development team, PackageThis! allows you to choose documentation sets from the MSDN Library to save as HXS or CHM format files. You simply select nodes in the MSDN Library tree view to package as your own local mini-library, or to build into your own library. Multiple languages are supported. Cool!

Latest SQL Server Fixes

FIX: Changes in the publisher database are not replicated to the subscribers in a transactional replication if the publisher database runs exposed in a database mirroring session in SQL Server 2005.

FIX: An access violation may occur when you try to log in to an instance of SQL Server 2000.

Get the Latest SQL Server 2005 Documentation

SQL Server 2005 Books Online (May 2007) Download an updated version of the documentation and tutorials for Microsoft SQL Server 2005.

Product Focus: SmartForm ADP

When you work with Access Data Projects (ADPs), the native Access form wizard - even in Access 2007 - is very basic:

With my SmartFormADP Form Wizard, you can easily build a smart elegant auto-filter form based on any SQL Server table or view in a matter of seconds using only mouse-clicks:

SmarfFormADP for ADPs/ACCDPs comes bundled with SmartForm+ for MDBs/ACCDBs and is available for immediate download for only US$29.95.

New Office 2007 Downloads

2007 Office System: Microsoft SDK for Open XML Formats Technology Preview This download provides strongly typed part classes for use with Open XML documents.

Excel 2007 Add-in: Synchronizing Tables with SharePoint Lists This add-in works with Excel 2007 to allow you to synchronize data in a table with a list on a SharePoint site.

VBScript Quick Reference

Download a quick reference guide to commonly-used VBScript commands.

Using Advanced Table Hints in SQL Server

This article from TechRepublic.com explores the benefits and side effects of using three types of table hints when running queries in SQL Server: READCOMMITTED, REPEATABLEREAD, and SERIALIZABLE. The previous article in this series covered NOLOCK and READPAST.

Other SQL Server articles from Tech Republic:

• Experiencing the power of SQL templates
• Building a data values dictionary with SQL
• Using recursion in stored procedures
• Develop more quickly by re-using databases
• Recovering from hardware upgrade problems with SQL
• Create a histograph in SQL Server

Focus on Access 2007 for Access Junkies

Access Junkie, Jeff Conrad, Access MVP Alumni and a Microsoft Software Engineer on the Excel - Access Services Team, has established a very useful site devoted to Access 2007 and its new features and technologies. There is a broad range of resources and links available. The best Access 2007 site I have visited.

Jeff has also co-authored Microsoft Office Access 2007 Inside Out (MS Press)

Microsoft Office Access 2007 Developer Reference Portal

The Microsoft Office Access 2007 Developer Reference Portal provides conceptual overviews, programming tasks, samples, and references to guide you in developing Access solutions.

The reference has the following sections:

• What's New New members by object and in alphabetical order.
• How Do I... in Access 2007 A map of how-to topics of custom Access solutions.
• Concepts Important concepts for developing custom Access solutions.
• Access Object Model Reference
  
• Access Macro Actions Documentation for all of theAccess macro actions .
• Microsoft Data Access Objects (DAO) Reference
  
• Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects (ADO)
  
• Microsoft Jet Replication Objects (JRO)
  
• Microsoft Access SQL Reference
  
• Microsoft Access Database Engine Error Reference
  
  

How To Use VBA Variables

Download a free sample chapter from VBA for the 2007 Microsoft Office System (Que) exploring variables and how to use them in your VBA procedures.

Chapter topics include:

• Declaring variables
• Avoiding variable errors
• Understanding variable data types
• Using array variables
• Working with constants
• Storing user input in a variable

Courtesy of TechRepublic.com.

Latest SQL Server Updates

How to run a SQL Server 2005 Integration Services package as a SQL Server Agent Job

FIX: A gradual increase in memory consumption for the USERSTORE_TOKENPERM cache store occurs in SQL Server 2005

FIX: The Check Database Integrity task and the Execute T-SQL Statement task in a maintenance plan may lose database context in certain circumstances in SQL Server 2005 builds 3042 through 3053

Easy User Filtering in Access

A new feature in Access 2007 is on-the-fly filtering of forms.

My Ezy Filter Plus Access Add-In, which has been around for a while, provides more advanced on-the fly filtering for forms and reports, and for Access 97 to Access 2003 as well:

• Easily filter any existing data form or previewed report in any Access database
• An add code options allows developers to add Ezy Filter to their applications.

The following graphical representation of Ezy Filter Plus in action in the sample Northwind MDB that ships with Access, highlights the essential features of Ezy Filter Plus and shows you how easy it is to use and implement (click on an image to zoom in):

1. Invoke the Ezy Filter Plus Add-In and click Add Code to add Ezy Filtering to your database:





2. In any Access form or report click the Ezy Filter button on the form view toolbar or popup menu and start filtering:



3. Click the Filter toggle button to return to the unfiltered form:



Buy Ezy Filter Plus now and get the Ezy Reporter Add-In for free - a 50% saving.

Security In Access 2007

Workgroup security has been dropped from Access 2007, which I personally see as a big negative.

In many Access applications users can create new objects at runtime, such as queries, forms and reports. A compiled MDE/ACCDE will not cut it as you can't protect your developer objects and code, and allow users to create their own objects. In prior versions of Access 2007, you could selectively protect developer objects and give users permissions to create new objects, using the very robust Access workgroup security features. This means that many of my Access application and add-ins will not be distributed in the Access 2007 format. One wonders if the Microsoft Access development team considers the views of developers and users.

Having said this, MSDN has just published an article by MVP and fellow-Aussie, Garry Robinson, Security Considerations and Guidance for Access 2007, which is the first comprehensive discussion of security in Access 2007.

Gary has also written a valuable book on pre-Access 2007 security: Real World Microsoft Access Database Protection and Security.

Keep Your Custom Access Application Icon Loaded

The Access StartUp dialog file path entry for a custom icon is hard-coded, so if you distribute your application and the absolute path is not be replicated in the user's PC, your custom icon will not load with your database.

The following code in a module will allways load your custom Icon provided the ICO file is in the same folder as your application database:

Option Compare Database
Option Explicit

Public Function fnAddAppIconProp()
'Call this function from the OnLoad Event of your StartUp form

Dim intX As Integer
Const DB_Text As Long = 10
intX = AddAppProperty("AppIcon", DB_Text, CurrentProject.Path & _
"\myapp.ico")
Application.RefreshTitleBar

End Function

Function AddAppProperty(strName As String, varType As Variant, varValue _
As Variant) As Integer

Dim dbs As Object, prp As Variant
Const conPropNotFoundError = 3270

On Error GoTo AddProp_Err

Set dbs = CurrentDb
dbs.Properties(strName) = varValue
AddAppProperty = True

AddProp_Exit:

Exit Function

AddProp_Err:

If Err = conPropNotFoundError Then
Set prp = dbs.CreateProperty(strName, varType, varValue)
dbs.Properties.Append prp
Resume
Else
AddAppProperty = False
Resume AddProp_Exit
End If

End Function

Save as PDF or XPS Add-In for Office 2007

XPS is a file format, like PDF, that preserves document formatting in a fixed layout and ensures that when the document is viewed or printed, it will retain the exact original format. You can save documents in XPS format in Office 2007 programs after installing the Microsoft Save AS PDF OR XPS Add-In for Office 2007 programs, which you can download here.

Office 2007 Terms You Should Know

Mini-Glossary: Office 2007 Terms You Should Know From TechRepublic.com

NEW v1.2 Ezy StartBar for Windows
A faster more versatile Start Menu for your Desktop



Ezy StartBar for Windows v1.2 is now available. After feedback from users, I have updated this very popular download, which has been listed by many software sites.

Ezy StartBar adds a supplemental Start Menu SideBar to your Windows Taskbar, and provides quick access to groups of menu items. It offers more flexibility than the standard Windows Start Menu, and the number of links is virtually unlimited. You can manage Ezy StartBar exclusively using your mouse.

Ezy StartBar behaves like the standard Start Menu, but also allows you to create groups of shortcuts, which can be added, edited and deleted on the fly, with full drag and drop functionality. You can drag shortcuts onto any group in the SideBar when Ezy StartBar is pinned to your Desktop.

A link to any program, file, folder, shortcut, or URL can be added to the Ezy StartBar SideBar by either pinning the SideBar and dragging and dropping a file or a shortcut onto a group, or by using the SideBar's File Open dialog whether the SideBar is pinned or un-pinned.

A group or an item can be renamed, edited, or removed from the SideBar by right-clicking the SideBar and using the commands available from the popup menu. The order of the items in a group can be arranged by dragging and dropping them to the preferred position within a group or from one group to another.

Unlike the standard Windows Start Menu, a SideBar link item created from a shortcut that is subsequently moved or deleted will still work, as the Ezy StartBar link points to the actual file location not the shortcut.

Download (500kb)

New features and fixes include:

• System-wide Hot Key
• Default skin is now the user's Windows scheme - custom skin option removed
• URL link source not lost when source shortcut is deleted
• Launch bar now fully repositions and resizes with Taskbar position and size
• Launch bar now visible when Taskbar is set to auto-hide
• Menubar replaced by graphical toolbar

Office 2003 SP3 to provide Office 2007 Security Features

Microsoft plans to make some of the security improvements and features built into Office 2007 available for Office 2003, a company representative said Thursday. Service Pack 3 for Office 2003 will be focused on security. Joshua Edwards, a technical product manager for Office at Microsoft said: "We're not going to take everything, but we will take as much as we can."

Microsoft hasn't yet set a release date for the Office 2003 update, which like other service packs will be available as a free upgrade.

More from Source: news.com.com

Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Application Templates

Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Application Template Documents: All Application Template Datasheets This download combines all of the datasheets for the Application Templates for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 into one convenient package.

AutoRuns for Windows v8.61

This utility from MSDN goes way beyond the MSConfig utility bundled with Windows. Autoruns is the most comprehensive startup monitor I have seen and shows which programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and the entries in the order Windows processes them, including applications in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. You can configure Autoruns to show other locations, including Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, and more.

Autorun's Hide Signed Microsoft Entries option lists third-party auto-starting images that have been added to your system, and supports the auto-starting images configured for other system accounts. Also included in the download package is a command-line equivalent, Autorunsc, that outputs in CSV format.

Download the Office 2007 Formats Compatibility Pack

Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats
Open, edit, and save documents, workbooks, and presentations in the file formats new to Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007.

Training presentation: Get up to speed with Office 2007

Download this Powerpoint template of training content about the new look of the Office 2007 and its new tools and benefits. This content is geared for a corporate trainer to present to a group.

Version: PowerPoint 2000 or later
Download size: 1350 KB (5 mins @ 56 Kbps)

Office 2003 and 2007:
MSDN Technical Articles, How-To Content, and Code Samples

MSDN have researched the MSDN Library – Office Solutions Development Node and pulled tons of useful links and categorized them by content type. MSDN will update these pages as more content is published.

These are all new resources pages that compile links to articles, code samples, and how-to articles for Office 2007:

• Code Samples 2007
• Technical Articles 2007
• Tools and Utilities 2007
• How-To Center Home Page:
  
  • How Do I ... in 2007 Office System Programs
    
  • How Do I ... in 2007 Office System Services
  • How Do I ... in 2007 Office System Servers
  • How Do I ... in Tools and Technologies

They have also built some resource pages for Office 2003:

• Code Samples 2003
• Technical Articles 2003
• Tools and Utilities 2003

Source: Erika Ehrli's MSDN Blog - Adventures in Office Development and .NET

Connecting to Oracle With MS Access

These are helpful walkthroughs on using Access to connect to Oracle back-ends. The first article also addresses the differences between Oracle SQL and Access SQL:

• The Database Journal - Connecting with Oracle: Accessing Oracle via Access and Excel
  
  
• Oracle FAQS - Connecting Oracle with MS-Access

Up-sizing from Access to SQL Server

A useful resource portal from MS Gold Certified Partner ssw.com.au on the rationale for up-sizing from Access to SQL Server and managing the up-size process. You can download an up-sizing plan template and these white papers:

• What’s New and Different when Moving Your Backend from Access to SQL Server 2000
• How to Migrate Your Backend from Access to SQL Server 2000

Fifty Ways to Improve Your Visual Basic Programs

An excellent article from VB author J.P. Hamilton on 50 things you can do to make your VB [and VBA] code more effective and easier to maintain.

It's Official: Don't Deploy Access Database on Windows Vista

From Access KB Article No. 935370 issued by Microsoft on 10 April 2007:

When you open or are using a Microsoft Office Access database on a computer that is running Windows Vista, you may encounter one or more of the following issues:

Applies To

• Microsoft Office Access 2007
• Microsoft Office Access 2003
• Microsoft Access 2002 Standard Edition
• Microsoft Access 2000 Standard Edition
• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Enterprise
• Windows Vista Home Basic
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Ultimate

Symptoms

	Access appears to stop responding.
	Access responds very slowly.
	Access exits unexpectedly or crashes.
	An event that resembles the following is logged in the Application log: Log Name: Application Source: Application Hang Logged: Date_and_Time Event ID: 1002 Task Category: (101) Level: Error Keywords: Classic User: N/A Computer: Computer_Name Description: The program MSACCESS.EXE version Version_Number stopped interacting with Windows and was closed. To see if more information about the problem is available, check the problem history in the Problem Reports and Solutions control panel. Process ID: Process_ID Start Time: Hexadecimal_Time Termination Time: Hexadecimal_Time

After you encounter one or more of these issues, you receive the following error message the next time that you open the database: The document Database_Name caused a serious error the last time it was opened. Would you like to continue opening it? When you open the database, you encounter the following issues:

	All data in tables and queries shows as "#Name?"
	You no longer see any objects in the navigation pane.

This problem may occur if the following conditions are true:

	The database that you are using is a shared database that resides on a Windows Vista-based computer.
	Two or more Windows Vista-based computers are trying to use the database at the same time.

Note If you run the beta versions of Windows Server Code Name "Longhorn," you may also experience this problem.

Cause

This problem is related to issues with Server Message Block (SMB) 2.0 when SMB 2.0 is running on a Windows Vista-based computer.

Workaround

You can temporarily work around this problem by sharing the database from a computer that is not running Windows Vista or a beta version of Windows Server "Longhorn." We do not recommend this method as a permanent solution. You should check this article periodically for a permanent solution.

Status

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. Microsoft is currently working on a more permanent solution to this problem and will update this article when that information is available.

SQL Server Analysis Cubes and Excel 2007 Pivot Tables

Excel 2007 Document: Designing SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services Cubes for Excel 2007 PivotTables This MS document outlines how to improve the end-user experience by optimizing the cube design for Microsoft Office Excel 2007 PivotTable dynamic views.

MSDN April 2007 Library Available for Download

MSDN Library (April 2007) The MSDN Library provides access to essential programming information, including technical reference documentations, white papers, software development kits, and code samples necessary to develop Web services and applications.

New SQL Server Hosting Downloads

SQL Server Database Publishing Services 1.1 SQL Server Database Publishing Services can be deployed by shared hosting providers to enable publishing of SQL Server databases over the Internet.

SQL Server Database Publishing Wizard 1.1 The SQL Server Database Publishing Wizard provides a way to publish databases to T-SQL scripts or directly to supporting hosting service providers.

PS: Help File for CodeGuru ZIP Library

I have compiled a Help file for the CGZipLibrary.dll, using the excellent freeware tool HTML Help COM Assistant from DevComponents.com. The CHM file documents all objects, methods and properies in the DLL.

• Download the CGZipLibrary Help File
• Download HTML Help COM Assistant

Zip And UnZip In Access Without WinZip

Not all users will have WinZip on their PC. The following VBA code using the OpenSource CodeGuru Zip DLL library offers a simple and effective way to manage ZIP files during application installation and within applications. I have used this basic code in an application without mishap.

1. Download the DLL's and source code from: http://www.codeguru.com/vb/gen/vb_graphics/fileformats/article.php/c6743/

2. Deploy the DLL, CGZipLibrary.dll, to the application folder or to the .../Windows/System32 folder

3. Add a Reference to the DLL

4. Use VBA code based on the following sample Access form module:

' Unzip/Zip Client program for the CGZipLibrary ActiveXDLL
' Based on VB6 Code by Chris Eastwood, July 1999
Option Explicit

Private Declare Function GetTempPath Lib "kernel32" Alias "GetTempPathA" (ByVal nBufferLength As Long, ByVal lpBuffer As String) As Long

Private Function GetTempPathName() As String
Dim sBuffer As String
Dim lRet As Long

sBuffer = String$(255, vbNullChar)
lRet = GetTempPath(255, sBuffer)
If lRet > 0 Then
sBuffer = Left$(sBuffer, lRet)
End If
GetTempPathName = sBuffer
End Function

Private Sub cmdUnZip_Click()
On Error GoTo vbErrorHandler

' Unzip the ZIPTEST.ZIP file to the Windows Temp Directory'
Dim oUnZip As CGUnzipFiles
Set oUnZip = New CGUnzipFiles
With oUnZip
' Which Zip File ?
.ZipFileName = "C:\ZIPTEST.ZIP"
' Where are we zipping to ?'
.ExtractDir = GetTempPathName
'Keep Directory Structure of Zip ?'
.HonorDirectories = False
' Unzip and Display any errors as required
If .Unzip <> 0 Then
MsgBox .GetLastMessage
End If
End With
Set oUnZip = Nothing
MsgBox "\ZIPTEST.ZIP Extracted Successfully to " & GetTempPathName

Exit Sub
vbErrorHandler:
MsgBox Err.Number & Err.Description
End Sub

Private Sub cmdZip_Click()
On Error GoTo vbErrorHandler

Set oZip = New CGZipFiles
With oZip'
' Give Zip File a Name\Path
.ZipFileName = "\ZIPTEST.ZIP"
.UpdatingZip = False ' ensures a new zip is created
' Add in the files to the zip - in this case - all the files in the current directory
.AddFile App.Path & "\*.*"
' Make the zip file & display any errors
If .MakeZipFile <> 0 Then
MsgBox .GetLastMessage ' any errors
End If
End With
Set oZip = Nothing
MsgBox "\ZIPTEST.ZIP Created Successfully"

Exit Sub
vbErrorHandler:
MsgBox Err.Number & Err.Description
End Sub

NEW Ezy StartBar for Windows
A faster more versatile Start Menu for your Desktop



I have just launched my latest freeware application: Ezy StartBar for Windows.

Ezy StartBar adds a supplemental Start Menu SideBar to your Windows Taskbar, and provides quick access to groups of menu items. It offers more flexibility than the standard Windows Start Menu, and the number of links is virtually unlimited. You can manage Ezy StartBar exclusively using your mouse.

Ezy StartBar behaves like the standard Start Menu, but also allows you to create groups of shortcuts, which can be added, edited and deleted on the fly, with full drag and drop functionality. You can drag shortcuts onto any group in the SideBar when Ezy StartBar is pinned to your Desktop.

A link to any program, file, shortcut, or URL can be added to the Ezy StartBar SideBar by either pinning the SideBar and dragging and dropping a file or a shortcut onto a group, or by using the SideBar's File Open dialog whether the SideBar is pinned or un-pinned.

A group or an item can be renamed, edited, or removed from the SideBar by right-clicking the SideBar and using the commands available from the popup menu. The order of the items in a group can be arranged by dragging and dropping them to the preferred position within a group or from one group to another.

Unlike the standard Windows Start Menu, a SideBar link item created from a shortcut that is subsequently moved or deleted will still work, as the Ezy StartBar link points to the actual file location not the shortcut.

Download (500kb)