Microsoft’s “Premier” Mix-Up: A Tale of Access and Amnesia (1 Viewer)

[Deleted]

This is an appeal to correct outdated and misleading information within Microsoft's official Access VBA documentation.

Back in 2018, I flagged an anomaly on the DoCmd.OpenQuery reference page, which boldly declared UtterAccess (UA) as "the premier Microsoft Access wiki and help forum." While Microsoft quickly removed the reference from that specific page, the assertion appears to have been left uncorrected across the rest of their documentation ecosystem.

The Persistence of the Error:

Fast forward to 2025, and this "premier" label remains. It is currently found on pages like the DAO Database.OpenRecordset method reference, and a simple search reveals its presence on numerous other documentation pages.

Challenging the 'Premier' Claim with Data:

While both UtterAccess (UA) and Access World Forum (AWF) are valuable resources, the designation of "premier" is not supported by current traffic data:

• Access World Forum (AWF): Approximately 35,000 hits per month.
• UtterAccess (UA): Approximately 7,500 hits per month.

The significant discrepancy in monthly traffic suggests that the "premier" designation is inaccurate and likely the result of an unverified, copy-pasted claim dating back many years.

A Call to Action:

This is not an attempt to start a forum rivalry, but rather to encourage Microsoft to maintain factual accuracy in its official reference material. The continued use of an outdated superlative undermines the credibility of the documentation.

I propose a friendly, professional, but firm push to update this information. Options include:

1. Direct Feedback: Submit a polite note via the documentation feedback forms (starting with the DAO page) suggesting a necessary update to reflect current community activity, citing the traffic statistics.
2. Social Nudge: Ping @MicrosoftDocs on X (formerly Twitter) with a civil, good-humored suggestion to review the "premier" label in light of community data.

Let’s help Microsoft align its official documentation with the current reality of the Access developer community.

 

[Isaac]

Well stated UG

 

[The_Doc_Man]

One wonders two questions at once.

1. Will MS remove the "premier" advertisement now that UA is no more?

2. Does AWF really WANT the "kiss of death" from MS by taking over as the "premier site"? Or is there another site that has better visit stats?

 

[Jon]

The fact that AWF has been the premier site for many years and UA is dead, really makes me question if Microsoft are looking at all outside of their bubble. Surely they should know what the most popular discussion forum is for their product? Have they got something against us? I can imagine them removing the link to UA if you query it, but then refusing to replace it with AWF. Perhaps it is the political posts they dislike, since it probably leans right on the whole while Microsoft leans left.

 

[arnelgp]

expect volumes of refugees flocking in..

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

Will they be in boats?

 

[arnelgp]

Will they be in boats?

wearing big hats.

 

[NauticalGent]

expect volumes of refugees flocking in..

Like originally intended in the US, we welcome ALL...

 

[NauticalGent]

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

Yep, something like that.

 

[Isaac]

Somehow I think that was written back when 2 million square miles of undeveloped land vs. 55 million people seemed like it would last forever

 

[NauticalGent]

Somehow I think that was written back when 2 million square miles of undeveloped land vs. 55 million people seemed like it would last forever

That and the idea of Gov "free" stuff wasn't an option.

 

[Isaac]

Yes, that's been on the Statue of Liberty since the 1880's. But now there's no more room for refugees. Sorry, "No Riders". However, we will still accept Fulbright Scolars, (i.e. exceptional foreign graduate students), wealthy and skill in demand foreigners. Healthcare Professionals is a good example.

But enough with visas to Indians already. There are plenty of professionals in Mexico, and they are our neighbor. We SHOULD be a good neighbor

 

[Cotswold]

Sometimes being a good neighbour to the likes of the boat people can be taken as a sign of weakness.
Then they expect everything for nothing, or free to take. To my mind they have to prove they are a good neighbour.

 

[AccessBlaster]

No good deed goes unpunished

 

[Isaac]

The Indians speak English - sort of.

Yeah every time they're going to miss a meeting they send a message in the chat saying, "I would not be able to make the meeting today"

I was kind of wonder, so are you going to be there or not?

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

https://accessusergroups.org/groups/

Returns:-

Internal Server Error​

The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Please contact the server administrator at webmaster@accessusergroups.org to inform them of the time this error occurred, and the actions you performed just before this error.

More information about this error may be available in the server error log.

Additionally, a 500 Internal Server Error error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

 

[arnelgp]

what is it?
another end is near and so i face..

 

[AccessBlaster]

It seems to be working now

 

[Cotswold]

AWF is no doubt just about the best advert that Microsoft has for Access.
It is also I think the only main Access support site. Little doubt that it has taken over from buying books on the subject. It will provide the answer to anything that can and has been asked. Microsoft should be more encouraging because if it ever closes it will not be replaced. Apart from the fact that any new site will take over 20 years to get where this is now.