Why is Paradox Database better looking then Access?

[Dee]

Just tried the very lastest 2003 version of Access and it's pig ugly in use
to create nice forms, i.e. well spaced, nice colour, nice fonts, etc

Then tried today Paradox 9 which from what I can tell is about 5 years old
and it creates the nicest looking forms in it's database wizard. Within
minustes I have a fully functioning People Information Database.

Why does the world's largest software company produce such an ugly looking
set of forms? Espacially when the price tag is so high?

Why does it not for instance use all my desktop space instead of cramming
everything into a small window?

Why are the fonts so hard to read? Why are the colours so horrid. I simply
can't believe Access isn't better looking and has better wizards.

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

I often use the wizards to actually layout some fields on my forms. After
that, I kind of on my own.

I not sure what you mean by "ugly", but I often just use the standard grey
defaults, and with windows themes turned on, then much of what you see is
based on your windows settings, and not the wizards.

So, really, for a matter of taste, I find things look MUCH more professorial
if you choose the "standard" option with the wizards.

When you start using a bunch of background colors, funny colors and fonts
etc, then your application tends to look very amateurish.

I would just use the wizards with "standard" format, and let the forms take
on the windows theme that you currently are using (this is much nicer
result).

Here is some screen shots of forms (they were original created with the
wizards..but of course are further modified).

(these screen shots show themed controls turned on, and turned off).
http://www.attcanada.net/~kallal.msn/Atheme/index.htm

And, here is some screens again in ms-access:

http://www.attcanada.net/~kallal.msn/Articles/Grid.htm

And, if you build some menus..then you can get even nicer looking stuff.
Take a look at the screen shots here of ms-access:

http://www.attcanada.net/~kallal.msn/Articles/UseAbility/UserFriendly.htm

I will say that about the only real thing I agree with you is the issue of
forms being able to re-size with different resolutions. (the solution right
now is to develop to a 800x600 standard). So, yes, I do think that one weak
spot is forms don't re-size (you can get some code to re-size for you..but I
would like to see re-sizing built into ms-access).

However, as far as forms looking good, or bad...hum......that is mostly up
to you, and a matter of good taste.

 

[StCyrM]

Hi Dee

I gather that you're not thrilled with Access, and this is based on 'looks'.

However you fail to mention that in the case of Paradox, you have to configure
the BDE engine which is not too bad if you are using your system on a local
machine, however if you want to configure a multi-user application over a
network ... good luck.

You also fail to mention the transaction capability of both Access and Paradox
.... guess who wins that competition in the case of rolling back transactions?

You also fail to mention that you have to get used to Object Pascal instead of
Vb/Vba. Personnally I don't care because I've been using Paradox / Delphi for
many years, however for a new user, the learning curve is really awesome.

I agree that Access is not perfect, however as far as I'm concerned the product
competes very well with the present competion.


Best regards

Maurice St-Cyr

Micro Systems Consultants, Inc.

 

[Dee]

I often use the wizards to actually layout some fields on my forms. After
that, I kind of on my own.

Albert that's all very nice looking, well done.

But I bet you spent a long time doing those forms.

For the price charged for Access and considering the wealth of the company
making Access I expect more and am disappointed their own staff don't take
more pride in their product.

 

[Dee]

Hi Dee

I gather that you're not thrilled with Access, and this is based on

'looks'.


Hi,

Yes in this instance I'm making a comment on the Access Forms and notice I'm
only posting in the Forms Newsgroup not a general Access forum so all those
other things you mentioned are valid in a General Access forum but not in
this very specific newsgroup

I'm sure under the skin Access is excellent and have used it myself for a
number of years, but I was shocked to test the latest version and see no
real improvment in the forms handling.

Forms are the user's window into the database, it's the way they interact
with it and basic things like having a readable font matter - look at the
way Microsoft have introduced ClearType fonts in Windows XP, it makes simply
reading data easier... why hasn't basic stuff like this gone into Access?

 

[Rick Brandt]

'looks'.


Hi,

Yes in this instance I'm making a comment on the Access Forms and notice I'm
only posting in the Forms Newsgroup not a general Access forum so all those
other things you mentioned are valid in a General Access forum but not in
this very specific newsgroup

I'm sure under the skin Access is excellent and have used it myself for a
number of years, but I was shocked to test the latest version and see no
real improvment in the forms handling.

Forms are the user's window into the database, it's the way they interact
with it and basic things like having a readable font matter - look at the
way Microsoft have introduced ClearType fonts in Windows XP, it makes simply
reading data easier... why hasn't basic stuff like this gone into Access?

In my "Top 1000 things I wish Microsoft would improve in Access" Having the form
wizard produce "nicer looking forms" would be number 1001. I'm sure the
designers consider them as starting points only or for the complete novice.

 

[Brendan Reynolds]

Are you aware that you can create your own AutoFormat styles, and that the
form wizard can then use those styles for new forms?

Open a form that looks the way you like it in design view, click the
AutoFormat button on the toolbar and click the Customize button. Choose the
option to Create a new AutoFormat ... etc. The next time you use the form
wizard, your new auto format will be listed along with the built-in
'Blends', 'Blueprint', 'Expedition' etc. You can also choose a form of your
own design to be used as the template for new forms (Tools, Options,
Forms/Reports tab, Form Template (and also Report Template) replace the
default 'Normal' with the name of your form or report) and you can change
the default properties for a control type such as a text box or combo box -
select a control type in the toolbox without placing the control on the
form, and notice that the Properties window now says 'Default Text Box' or
'Default Combo Box' or whatever control type you selected. The properties
you set will become the defaults for new controls of that type on that form.
You can also select an existing control and choose 'Set Control Defaults'
from the Format menu to make new controls of that type adopt the properties
of the selected control.

In short, Access provides a lot of facilities to enable *you* to decide what
your forms should look like.

--
Brendan Reynolds (MVP)
http://brenreyn.blogspot.com

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