I started with dBase III, III+, IV, V and Visual Basis V and moved to Access 95 when my dBase kept hanging up and losing my fresh inputted data. If you don't get a clean save and exit all is lost.

I learned Access 95 just by just doing it and using the help files and the Microsoft book (as weak as it is). Later I bought the QUE book "Using Access 97". When that brick wall I mentioned came up I bought the Prentice Hall book "SQL Fundamentals" by John Patrick. Great book, it came with a CD of sample databases for each chapter so I didn't have to waste my time inputting worthless information just to learn it. Over the years I transitioned from Access 95, 97, 98 and 2000.

I use the graphic interface for all table design, its just easier than SQL. I start my queries with the graphic interface and the wizards and then switch to SQL view. It saves a lot of typing.

Great topic here, Roy