Next to InDesign, this is my most-used business application, so this is great news. Most of it is still stuck in System 7 mode (the interface needs an overhaul, not just a paint job) but it's still the de facto database champ in my book.

[www.thinksecret.com]

FileMaker, Inc. is currently wrapping up development of FileMaker Pro 8.5 Advanced, sources familiar with the application's plans have disclosed. The upgrade will mark the first Universal Binary of the database application, a feature the Apple subsidiary originally planned for version 9 but was pushed forward after prompting by Apple, which released the first Intel-based Macs in January.

Other new features that have been incorporated into version 8.5 include a Web Viewer that allows information on Web pages to be put directly into a FileMaker database, as well as accompanying Custom Web Addresses that will automatically add support for mining data from FedEx, Mapquest, and other popular Web sites into databases, as well as enabling the creation of custom Web Viewer links. Web integration has also been expanded to Web-enabled applications.

The ability to name specific objects, long desired by FileMaker developers, will finally arrive with FileMaker Pro 8.5 Advanced, sources said, while novices should appreciate the new Learning Center, which ties together online resources for FileMaker users.

The release of FileMaker Pro 8.5 Advanced should pre-empt a similar upgrade to FileMaker Server 8, which is not expected before Intel-based Xserves begin shipping later this summer.

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By the name and the fact that it adds new features, it sounds like it is a paid upgrade instead of a free update.

I was thinking yesterday that we'd probably have to pay for a new version to get Universal support. I can use it right now for sure. I'm preparing a FM8 Runtime project for commercial release and some of my potential customers have already moved to Intel Macs.

Thanks for the heads up.

I've almost purchased FM recently several times for an upcoming project but I kept putting it off as the project keeps getting resceheduled.

Now I know....

3p

I'm so sorry for this...

In FileMaker, I'd really like to see the sort of programmability that VBA allows in Access, or Perl allows with MySQL.

There. I said it.

Say it to them, not us.

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Filemaker is horrible as a database, but it has a nice GUI, is cross platform, and easy to use. It is best used for light database projects. A real DBA would go insane using it for heavy DB work.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2006 10:30AM by C(-)ris.

Ease of use is very important. The SO's work database is currently kept in FileMaker. It was easy to create data-entry forms, and to set up export scripts to prepare everything for upload to the web server. Photos are stored and displayed; it's all spiffy and easy for her to use.

But, I'm really starting to dig the whole integration thing provided by PHP and MySQL. Seriously dig.

Also, I wish FileMaker were able to read a data file on another computer. Right now, I have a developer's copy of FM Server, so we can get this done without spending the money for an additional copy of the program. But it'd be nice to just read the file (like Access does), without the necessity of another copy of FM acting as a host.

Again, I wish a lower-level sort of scripting language were available. I think it's far easier to type and manage code like
----
For dt from dtStart to now()
#Do stuff here
next dt
----
...than how FM's scripting is set up.

I'd also really like the option to run straight SQL queries (including instructions to add/modify/dump tables) on local data, not just on remote databases.

GtDS

I guess my usage would be categorized as light. I put in client information on projects and, thanks to the "MacDraw-like" set-up, I can easily manipulate the data into a variety of standard form layouts used by my clients.

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Quote
Greg the dogsitter
Also, I wish FileMaker were able to read a data file on another computer.

Can't you use traditional OS-provided file sharing to open up a remote file? Sure there is a performance hit, but performance is what FM Server is for.

Quote

Again, I wish a lower-level sort of scripting language were available. I think it's far easier to type and manage code like
----
For dt from dtStart to now()
#Do stuff here
next dt
----
...than how FM's scripting is set up.

Sometimes I wish for that too. It would be pretty tricky to do without compromising FileMaker's ease of use. At least FileMaker lets you program plug-ins (although I haven't written any yet). For some of the heavy lifting, I am planning on scripting export/process with custom program/import whenever I encounter speed issues.

There is aslo a free, cool plug-in available that lets you run any shell command and have its output be passed back as the result of the FM calculation command. It is here:
[www.abstrakt.com]
It is (unfortunately) not Open Source. Compiled versions for Mac (PPC) and Windows are available.

Quote
Greg the dogsitter
I'd also really like the option to run straight SQL queries (including instructions to add/modify/dump tables) on local data, not just on remote databases.

I thought you could run SQL commands on local databases. It may be limited to external databases (not the same file), but (from what I recall) you can run SQL commands on FM databases on the same computer as long as you have your ODBC set up properly with FileMaker. That has been an issue with Mac OSX drivers for a while. Under Windows it is supported.

You are of course limited to the SQL commands you can issue to FM. I remember automating creation of tables and fields in an especially lengthy new FM project. At the time I did it under Windows since ODBC was easier for me to set up there.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2006 12:08PM by TheTominator.

in competent hands, FileMaker can probably handle over 90% of the world's database needs, though admittedly the other 10% represent huge quantities of data. it's evolved nicely, albeit slowly, very S_L_O_W_L_Y...

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Sometimes it is what it is...
and then there's times when it's really better.



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