FMS Total Access Developer Suite Plug-n-Play! Karl Moore
"32-bit ActiveX/OCX controls"
That's one of those geeky programming terms nerds use to ward would be developers from their industry. Don't fear -- the term simply refers to something you can add onto a normal Access form or report, just like a textbox or listbox.
Usually, these "controls" are pretty straight forward -- a real jazzy looking command button is one example of an ActiveX control. Other times, they are invisible items that you utilize in code -- for example, one of the FMS controls allows you to modify INI files -- obviously not a process you need a visible component for! Basically, you're just adding a neat block of pre-written code to your cool database.
Using these controls is just as simple. After you've installed Total Access Components, click on the "More Controls..." button on the Access design-mode toolbox. A huge list of available controls should appear -- you want those beginning with FMS. Just click on the required control -- and Bob's your Uncle! Well, no actually, he's mine. But that's a different story.
Included, you'll find controls for graphics, fancy borders, text effects, animated bitmaps, digital displays, progress meters, slider bars, spin buttons, gauges, pop-up menus, tabs, multimedia whatnots... and many others. Phew!
Most are data-aware, meaning you can easily attach them to a field in your table if you're after real database integration.
Any disadvantages? Only one. A couple of the controls, such as the calculator and CD-player are branded with titles such as "Total Access Calculator". Those of us who are really proud of our little Access babies, don't want users to know we've simply utilized a third party control!
