Are we obsolete?

[Gina Maylone]

I have spent my life developing Access apps - now, following a bad experience with the lack of abilities of Sharepoint 2013, I feel like I've come to the end of the road. Is anyone else feeling that way? If so, what's the next step?

Cheers,


Gina

[orange]

Gina,

There is more to database than Access or Sharepoint. Database skills -requirements analysis, design, ERD/data modelling), data dictionary, query design, sql, gui, maintenance/backup processes.... can be applied to any data base or potential database application.

From my reading and participation in forums I'm seeing a lot of emphasis on web and cloud - with just about 0 for the desktop/LAN Access/JET/ACC database/user/developer/client. If you read between the lines you see things like "2010 is very similar to 2003 --except all the controls/wizards (interface) you're familiar with have been moved/hidden to all new locations"; "there's nothing in 2013 for the desktop developer";"all the vba skills and procedures you have won't work with Sharepoint"... seems the answer is keep buying more, get new developers, and change the way you currently support your business with database.

I don't think this is much of a marketing strategy, but it seems to be working since I see more and more people with Access 2013, Sharepoint, Office365..

Access is a very useful front end to any number of databases that support ODBC.

Good luck.

[Gina Maylone]

Thank you orange. I greatly appreciate your input.

[ssanfu]

I don't think this is much of a marketing strategy, but it seems to be working since I see more and more people with Access 2013, Sharepoint, Office365.

We've had the business model of Sharepoint, the Cloud and Office365 pitched to us in the disaster recovery guise.

Having the data in Sharepoint/ the Cloud means the data is off site in case of a disaster. But I am uneasy with not being in control of the data. If there was no access to the internet, we would be hosed, disaster or not.

Having Office365 - I am still not willing to move to Access 2013. I don't think it is stable enough and there are features that have been removed (from what I have read). With Office365 it sounds like you get the latest version automatically - buggy or not - you have no choice when you "upgrade"... uhhhh... I mean convert to the next version. (changing to the next version is not necessarily an "upgrade").

So I am starting to delve into Sharepoint and The Cloud in my spare time. Actually, I am having to make time - I ran out of "spare time" years ago.
As fast as the industry is changing, it is up to us to maintain our skills and knowledge. The other option is to change jobs...Programming is still fun, so I'll stick around a while longer.


As long as you are learning, you are still alive!!
If I learn everything I want to, I will live to be 159 years young...