Data Base Program for Mac

[David Head]

Before I comment, I will declare my vested interests. I have been a FileMaker Pro developer for 20 years. I am certified in versions 7, 8 and 9. I am a FileMaker Authorised Trainer. My business, uLearnIT, is the training partner for FileMaker Inc. in the Asia Pacific region.

So, with that in mind, I fully support the use of FileMaker Pro for small to medium workgroups in both Mac and Windows (and mixed) environments.

FileMaker Pro is perhaps the easiest and still very powerful database on the market. It has its downsides and its upsides. So let's not get started on a tirade about what you can and can't do easily in FileMaker Pro or Microsoft Access.

Adam, I am surprised that you would quote a December 2003 article on why FileMaker Pro sucks. It is 2009 and the IT world is very fast moving. Perhaps FileMaker Pro has moved on since then? Most of the "issues" that the writer cited as "reasons" have actually been addressed since then. A response to the article by the author says "the article is dated from the year 2003 and refers to filemaker 5". FileMaker Pro 10 was released on January 5.

FWIW, here is a response to the comments made:

• The horrible GUI? -- unsupported comment
• Scrollwheeling doesn't work -- works
• none [keyboard shortcuts] for ... bringing up the Script Editor -- there is now
• you can't even move more than one line of code at time -- you can now with cut/copy and paste
• you can't even do n:n-relations... -- yes you can; author seems to know little about normalisation
• no separation between your database application, your layouts and your data (Filemaker stuffs it all into a single, binary, proprietary file, which - for some reason - it then refers to as 'table') -- still the same but you can have multiple tables per files and data separation is possible
• Writing an application like this in any university software course would make you fail... -- spurious comment with little basis in fact
• Want to use global variables in your script? You have to add fields to your table! -- both global and script (local) variables are now available
• Want to transfer your layout to another 'table' or application? Tough luck! -- this is elementary in a single file
• Filemakers crappy implementation of an otherwise useful concept they call Portals -- unexplained allegation
• no built-in option to startup Filemaker Server(!) automatically on Mac OS X -- yes there is

There is not a lot left that makes it suck!

Ric, if you would like to contact me, I can help you out with getting something up and running quickly in FileMaker Pro. You would see how easy it really is! Your needs certainly seem simple and the customised needs database is where FileMaker Pro is aimed.

[Adam Randall]

Originally Posted by David Head

Adam, I am surprised that you would quote a December 2003 article on why FileMaker Pro sucks. It is 2009 and the IT world is very fast moving. Perhaps FileMaker Pro has moved on since then? Most of the "issues" that the writer cited as "reasons" have actually been addressed since then. A response to the article by the author says "the article is dated from the year 2003 and refers to filemaker 5". FileMaker Pro 10 was released on January 5.

Dont take my post too seriously, I make my living from Microsoft, have done for the last 10 years or so.

Not a day goes by when I dont hear how useless Microsoft is, most of it is baseless, but hey its an alternative view and occassionally I partake in the MS bashing action myself.

I passed no judgement on Filemaker Pro because I have rarely used it, just pointed out that other people found Filemaker difficult to work with.

I was not being un-dude

[Ric Willmot]

Adam,
Thank you for directing me to that post.
I loved it as I felt someone else had done the venting for me.
David, thank you very much for your offer to help me, I will drop you a note.
It's a VERY unfriendly piece of software for a non-computer business person.
VERY unfriendly.
David, you are a computer expert and it might seem simple to you - it's not.
I have had 4 different "smart" people try to help do something with FMP (one of them writes statistical software applications for the United Nations in New York and another has been involved in writing "wrappers" for SAP).
Neither of them could get this stuff to work with FMP.
An expensive piece of software that for over 12 months has done nothing for me or my business.

I love my FiloFax and iPhone.
They are both very user-friendly tools.
Rgds,
Ric

[David Head]

Hi Ric
I look forward to talking with you and getting FileMaker Pro to do something useful for you and your business.

When I say it is simple, that is not just from my point of view. It comes from the many people I have trained over the last two years. Many many pennies have dropped during courses and I have got used to the sound of that.

I think 'smart' always needs to be in quotes. I once knew a Maths/Physics student getting HDs in every subject who exploded the back tyre of his bike when inflating it. But he is a 'smart' person! I think those 'smart' people could get it but might be bringing preconceived ideas about how it should work. I see the same things with 'smart' Windows people trying to do something simple on a Mac. Anyway, 'smart' is relative to a specific situation.

[Adam Randall]

Originally Posted by David Head

I see the same things with 'smart' Windows people trying to do something simple on a Mac. Anyway, 'smart' is relative to a specific situation.

It only took me 45 mins to work out how to create a shortcut on a Mac! without it going "poof" into electronic thin air.

[David Head]

Originally Posted by Adam Randall

It only took me 45 mins to work out how to create a shortcut on a Mac! without it going "poof" into electronic thin air.

Right-click, Make Alias ???

[LeelaCosgrove]

Or for those of us with native Mac Mice ... File, Make Alias ...

[mike@engagemarketing]

oh no.. its turning into another mac vs pc argument

ill quietly sit here on my macbook pro!

[Adam Randall]

Originally Posted by mike@engagemarketing

oh no.. its turning into another mac vs pc argument

ill quietly sit here on my macbook pro!

Sometimes when I think nobodies I know is looking, I will secretly dive into the mac shop and touch all the pretty things in there.

I have the latest Ipod which in my mind is the single biggest leap in technology and interface since usb.

Its the only piece of technology I own that I am tempted to name....

[Devan]

Ric,

If you are looking for simple contact management - then take a look at Highrise (www.highrisehq.com). It is an online system, but might do what you are looking for, and it has a really easy interface. You can even forward your emails from whatever email client you are using to it, and it will collate all your emails by contact name.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Devan