| Should We Stop Using AI? Stardate 2026.0606: I talked about this in Quick Queries 95, but I feel strongly about this issue, so I wanted to post it here as well, and open it up for discussion in the Captain's Log. I recently received an email from John up in Windsor, Ontario, expressing concerns about artificial intelligence, data centers, electricity consumption, water usage, and the environmental impact of all this new technology. I'll... |  |
| Why Outdated Doesn't Mean Obsolete Stardate 2026.0604: I haven't had time to write a "proper" Captain's Log in a while, but a membership cancellation came across my inbox recently that got me thinking. Not because the person was rude. Quite the opposite, actually. The comment was thoughtful and honest. They said they were moving on to other technologies because Access felt outdated in the AI era. The interesting thing is that I've been hearing... |  |
| Back in the Office Stardate 2026.0602: I am back in the office after a week off, so I'm spending today unclogging my inbox. If you are expecting to hear back from me, you should get a reply today. Hopefully the inbox Tribbles will stop multiplying. | |
| Out of Office Until Tue June 2 Stardate 2026.0526: Captain's Log, supplemental I'll be on an away mission until Stardate 2026.0602. I'm taking a shuttlecraft on a top-secret mission involving warp drives, questionable alien beverages, and at least one redshirt who should probably stay behind. I'll respond when I return safely to the sector. LLAP RR |  |
| Current Channel Broke My Old Database Stardate 2026.0526: Well, this has been an interesting day in the world of Microsoft Access. A couple of days ago, I updated my main workstation, Picard (of course), to the latest Current Channel build of Microsoft Access because I wanted to get the new form zooming feature that Microsoft released recently. Ironically, after all this, I still don't even have the feature yet. What I DID get, however, was a... |  |
| Squish Your Face Stardate 2026.0521: Tiny website enhancement deployed today: profile pictures will no longer squish your face into a funhouse mirror version of yourself. For years I've told people to upload square profile pictures. For years absolutely nobody (including me) has listened. So if you upload a rectangular image now, the site will keep the correct aspect ratio instead of stretching your head like saltwater taffy.... |  |
| Dinner's on Blue Cross. Huzzah! Stardate 2026.0521: Today I received proof that you shouldn't automatically ignore every email that looks like spam. About five years ago, I got an email from something called [email protected] with the subject line "Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement Notice." You know the type. It looked exactly like one of those sketchy class action or phishing emails that usually end with someone in another country... |  |
| I Love Juan's Profile Pic Stardate 2026.0519: I just have to say that I absolutely LOVE moderator Juan Rivera's new profile pic (below). I am calling on all Trekkies to follow suit. Make it so! LLAP RR |  |
| Crazy Busy Week Stardate 2026.0518: I just realized it's been about a week since I last updated the Captain's Log, so I wanted to let everyone know that yes, I'm still here. It's been an incredibly busy couple of weeks. Between recording new videos, preparing content that's already scheduled for the next few days, and continuing work on the SQL Server course, there's been a lot going on behind the scenes. Time seems to be... | |
| Feature Update from Access DevCon Stardate 2026.0511: Karl from Access Forever posted an article and a video on the new features coming soon for Access. Check it out. LLAP RR | |