Good beginner to intermediate resource manual?

[BJ]

I'm just getting into Access, as the 'back office guy' for a small business,
which desperately needs db management for call logs, job tracking, customer
management. I have a need for a day-to-day Access resource manual.
I am familiar with most of the basics of dbs, but not Access-specific terms,
syntax, layouts, etc.
I don't want just a 'dummies' manual, but I don't want to spend $300 or
more on an encyclopedic set either. I do need to make sure I understand all
the underlying basics, as I get back into the db world.
I see a lot of good info in your groups here, and though I follow most of
the concepts, much of the terms and references are over my head, even in the
new user group.
Looking for help - thanks!

 

[John W. Vinson]

I'm just getting into Access, as the 'back office guy' for a small business,
which desperately needs db management for call logs, job tracking, customer
management. I have a need for a day-to-day Access resource manual.
I am familiar with most of the basics of dbs, but not Access-specific terms,
syntax, layouts, etc.
I don't want just a 'dummies' manual, but I don't want to spend $300 or
more on an encyclopedic set either. I do need to make sure I understand all
the underlying basics, as I get back into the db world.
I see a lot of good info in your groups here, and though I follow most of
the concepts, much of the terms and references are over my head, even in the
new user group.
Looking for help - thanks!

Here's my (incomplete) list of generic references:

Jeff Conrad's resources page:
http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/accessjunkie/resources.html

The Access Web resources page:
http://www.mvps.org/access/resources/index.html

Roger Carlson's tutorials, samples and tips:
http://www.rogersaccesslibrary.com/

A free tutorial written by Crystal:
http://allenbrowne.com/casu-22.html

A video how-to series by Crystal:
http://www.YouTube.com/user/LearnAccessByCrystal

MVP Allen Browne's tutorials:
http://allenbrowne.com/links.html#Tutorials


For a specific book you may want to consider John Viescas' _Access <version>
Inside Out_; but there are a lot of good books. Your best bet may be to go to
a good bookstore (Borders, Barnes & Noble, or a good local bookstore with a
tech section), pull a dozen Access books off the shelf, and sit down with a
latte or a cup of tea and browse through them. Check the indexes and contents
especially!

 

[BJ]

Alright - free resources!
I look forward to checking this stuff out.
Thanks,
BJ