About Stephen Jackson Expertise I can help with questions regarding VB.NET syntax and object references, with data interfaces and with the design and creation of robust, data aware object classes. I can also be very helpful with creating distributable applications and provide tricks and tips on .msi creation. I also have extensive experience in designing SQL Server Databases and interfacing them with VB.NET. I try to avoid web specific questions, as that is an area of expertise all its own.
Experience
Experience in the Area: I have been a programmer in Visual Basic since version 1.0 and have worked with VB.NET (which is infinitely more powerful than previous versions) since its initial release and SQL Server, both as a corporate IT professional and professional consultant. I first wrote Basic in 1976 on a TRS 80 and have worked in Visual Basic 1.0 and every subsequent release of Microsoft Visual Basic. I worked for over 7 years as a Senior Level Consultant in the area and currently hold a Project Manager position in IT.
Education and Credentials: MBA in Econometrics, 1983, University of Memphis.
BBA in Financial Management, 1982, Fogelman College of Business and Economics, University of Memphis. Microsoft Certified Professional
Areas of Special Expertise:
My specialty is the design of Object Oriented Solutions with robust, data aware object classes. I generally avoid the classic ‘Three Tier’ model as I find it redundant and cumbersome to maintain. I also specialize in the creation of ‘User Friendly’ User Interfaces which help lessen the need for user training and help prevent user error. I work best with Windows Forms based applications, and while I do work in C# as well, I prefer to limit my questions here to Windows Forms based applications created in Visual Basic.NET and SQL Server. I wil also address questions relating to the distribution and installation of Windows Forms based applications created in VB.NET.
Expert: Stephen Jackson Date: 5/5/2008 Subject: Importing Outlook contacts into another database
Question I am doing a project for my school which was supposed to be a database project. However, my school was unable to give me access to its exchange server database. What I am trying to do now is (using the built-in MS Outlook function) export a list of contacts from Outlook to another database called CenterIC. I am in direct contact with the person who manages their database and he's said there's no specific way to import the large amounts of data into the CenterIC database, so I will need to come up with a program which does so (preferably automatically). I need to make it user friendly so the company I'm working for will be able to do this procedure when I'm gone. I'm not as skilled in programming as I am in other aspects of computing, so if you have any ideas or suggestions on this matter, I would greatly appreciate any help. Thank you!
Answer Paul,
I believe I would begin by using the Outlook file menu, Export, to export to an Access Database (assuming you have access, if not, I suppose Comma delimited might work, but watch out for string operators in the data!).
That will get the contact information into a table format compatible with other databases. I have never used CenterIC, and so am unable to advise you on actually getting the information into it.
