ISO FileMaker Magazine: FileMaker Video Tutorials, Templates, Help & More

It looks like we'll have a few more features to dis"cover" in the later part of this year. ThinkSecret.com has released some information about the next version of FileMaker.

At the very latest, I would hope that FileMaker 9 would be out by Devcon 2007 - but who knows - I know I don't. For some reason, FileMaker Inc. seems to overlook me when it comes to testing new versions.

Overall, things like this don't bother me like they used to. When I first started using FileMaker and getting involved in the community, I thought it was the cat's meow to be able to have access to beta versions. It was a "sense of pride" thing when you considered part of your world to be the FileMaker community.

These days, I'm all about simply providing good educational information about using FileMaker to the fullest. It's a great program for a wide variety of solutions - especially the lower end of the database spectrum. Having evolved my own programming skills to include AppleScript, VBScript, Perl, PHP, Shell (of course) and little bits of other languages and environments, I can say that working my way through FileMaker has been the impetus for becoming a programmer in general. Most everything you'll find in FileMaker will translate to some other language or tool - it's all just logic, the rest is syntax and environment.

For myself, the most interesting features coming up are the resizable windows and live SQL connectivity. I've been wanting the window features for years! However, one thing I won't be surprised about is if FileMaker still uses those 1984 pattern palettes. I can understand the need for staying compatible with older databases, but "Please" FileMaker, enter the 21st century. Check boxes aren't black outlines anymore <wink>-and-a-<grin>.

One thing I can say about ThinkSecret is it tends to be pretty accurate with regards to their FileMaker related information - but, not because I gave it to them.

I'm looking forward to a new version and new features!

Well, what can I say, it's been quite a trip trying to release this new site. To be honest, unless you create websites for a living (as a developer or designer), there are all kinds of "details" that need to be addressed. Considering myself both a designer and developer, these details didn't escape me. They hit me smack dab in the face! It's always funny how your brain can develop and release a website within a mere few hours. Doing that in real life is always a TOTALLY different story.

Fortunately, I've really enjoyed getting to know Drupal and how it works. I've had to custom code a number of PHP modules for Drupal to get things working the way I need them to. Alas, we've arrived and the site is functioning. There are still a number of features/areas I need to work on, but the core site is ready to go!

One of the biggest issues for any website is the issue of automation. You want things to be as easy as possible for people and this website is no exception. Making it easy to watch videos is my primary goal. I think I've achieved that with how the videos are linked on this new site.

The few things I need to fix are the video download links for subscribers and fine tuning some of the rough edges. Of course, there's always the urge to keep tweaking the css and how the site looks. Over time the resources found on this site should grow. If you've happened to find this blog post by stumbling upon it (because I didn't put it on the front page) and you'd like to contribute FileMaker content then make sure and start posting. You can request a blogger account or you can simply leave comments about most any article on this site.

I've enjoyed the process, I hope you enjoy the new site!

Sincerely,

Matt Petrowsky

Ah, the day is finally here! It's time for beta testing the new ISO FileMaker Magazine website. It's been a long time coming and I'm excited about the new features. I'm sure many have longed for a smoother experience here on this site. Over the previous year, I've been working on the site whenever I could find the time and this included some coding necessary for customization.

ISO FileMaker Magazine has been running off a battered, quite old, installation of a content management system called Postnuke http://www.postnuke.com . This new site is now running off the popular Drupal http://www.drupal.org CMS. I'm pleased with how things are going and it looks like the user experience will be much more enjoyable.

Some of the additional features for the site includes areas for news, templates and hosted blogs. If you're interested in writing about your own FileMaker experiences then please ask for a blogging account here on this site. It's free to have one and you can write anything you like (so long as it has something to do with FileMaker) whenever you wish - daily, weekly or even monthly.

As we move through this short beta period I'd like you to send your feedback by using the Editor feedback form. I'm always willing to hear what you have to say about this site and our services.

Here's to a great 2007!

Sincerely,

Matt Petrowsky