Add Programming to Your Skill Set

While many technical communicators may already have HTML, CSS, or Javascript skills, many may feel that it's time to take the next step: creating a web page that hooks up to a Microsoft Access database. With new, affordable tools, now is certainly a good time to get started. While there are a number of tools that you could use, this article describes Web Matrix as an example that can help you get started with programming and connecting a web page to a database.

Hansen, Heidi. STC Puget Sound (2005). Careers>TC>Databases>Microsoft Access

Building a Database of Graphic Files Using Microsoft Access  

Many technical communicators manage large collections of graphic files and must keep track of which graphics are used in which deliverables. An effective tool for managing a collection of graphic files is a relational database management system (RDMS) such as Microsoft Access. Before the database can be built in Access, it is necessary to 1) create detailed functional requirements and 2) build a high-level conceptual model from which the database relations (tables) can be derived. A spreadsheet program can be used to build the conceptual model and generate the relations. Normalization checks should be performed on the relations before the database is implemented in Access.

Lowe, Richard B. STC Proceedings (2005). Articles>Information Design>Databases>Microsoft Access

Capturing Feedback: Building a Tighter Net  

Describes how to use Microsoft FrontPage and Access to build a system for organizing and retrieving feedback from reviewers. The article is intended for those with some experience with Web and database design.

Shoesmith, Kevin. Intercom (2001). Design>Content Management>Web Design>Microsoft Access

Console Accessibility

This white paper is intended to show how the console Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) can be used to programmatically access information about the console and applications running under the console in Windows XP.

Microsoft (2001). Articles>User Interface>Accessibility>Microsoft Windows

Developing a Database Publishing System: A Demonstration  

We developed a database publishing system that uses raw data from a database and produces camera ready copy using Microsoft Access, FrameMaker, and Brio Publish. This type of project requires a project plan that defines the scope of the project, a complete understanding of the various relationships in the database, selection of the right tools for the task, and a sensitivity to the needs of the users who face dramatic change in their environment. This demonstration focuses on all aspects of this effort.

Cantoni, Georgina C. and Judith L. 'Judy' Glick-Smith. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>Content Management>Single Sourcing>Microsoft Access

Head-Tracking Pointer

An application that, using an inexpensive camera, lets users control a mouse pointer by aiming their face around the screen.

IBM (2006). Resources>Software>Accessibility>Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Accessibility

Microsoft Active Accessibility 2.0 is a COM-based technology that improves the way accessibility aids work with applications running on Microsoft Windows operating systems. It provides dynamic-link libraries that are incorporated into the operating system as well as a COM interface and application programming elements that provide reliable methods for exposing information about user interface elements. By following accessibility design practices and using Microsoft Active Accessibility, you can make technology products for your customers with accessibility needs.

Microsoft. Design>Accessibility>Software>Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Word Accessibility Techniques

Most people use word processors incorrectly. Rather than use true headings, they simply enlarge the font size and make it bold. If you do this, the document has no real structure that can be discerned by a screen reader. The correct way to provide structure within Word documents is to use Word styles.

WebAIM. Articles>Word Processing>Accessibility>Microsoft Word

PowerPoint Accessibility Techniques

There's nothing wrong with posting presentations in their original format; however, you must also post an HTML-based version to ensure maximum accessibility.

WebAIM (2003). Presentations>Accessibility>Design>Microsoft PowerPoint

Software Driving Software: Active Accessibility-Compliant Apps Give Programmers New Tools to Manipulate Software

Starting from the basics of Active Accessibility, this article leads you through the development of a software testing application. You'll see how this testing application interacts with common controls and other UI elements, then processes the resulting WinEvents.

Klementiev, Dmitri. Microsoft (2000). Articles>Accessibility>Software>Microsoft Windows

Testing Assistive Technology for Compatibility with Microsoft Windows XP

This article prioritizes areas of the Microsoft Windows XP interface that can be tested to ensure compatibility between assistive technologies and Windows XP.

Microsoft (2002). Articles>Accessibility>Testing>Microsoft Windows

Understanding SAMI 1.0

This article describes how the new Microsoft Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange (SAMI) technology expands the ability to provide closed captioning to a wide range of multimedia products.

Microsoft (2003). Articles>Accessibility>Software>Microsoft Windows

Web Adaptation Technology

Software that dynamically adapts Web pages to meet the needs of individuals with visual, motor, and print limitations.

IBM (2005). Resources>Software>Accessibility>Microsoft Windows

Work with XML in Microsoft Access 2003

If you are a Microsoft Access user, you'll be happy to know that you can export Access 2003 data as XML.

O'Reilly and Associates (2005). Articles>Information Design>Databases>Microsoft Access

Working With External Text Files in Microsoft Access 2007

Step-by-step procedure explained with a large number of screen shots. Both linking and importing are described.

Krishnaswamy, Jayaram. OfficeUsers.org (2007). Articles>Software>Databases>Microsoft Access