by Marie P. Folker, <editor@filemakermagazine.com>, http://www.filemakermagazine.com/
Are You Ready For Kiosk Mode?
First of all, if you are new to the FileMaker Developer Edition, formerly packaged as the SDK (Solutions Development Kit), you might be unaware of the ability to create a runtime version of your FileMaker Pro solution.
The Runtime Story
The idea of a runtime isn't new. There have been runtime engines for applications like Macromedia's Director and Adobe's PDF format reader, Acrobat. The principal is to create an engine that can be freely distributed so that people that do not own the creating application can view or use files created with that application. As all of us FileMaker folks have experienced from time to time, everyone we wish to share information with doesn't necessarily have a copy of FileMaker. With the ability to create a runtime version of your solution, you can make it available to anyone with common current computer hardware of the Mac OS or Windows variety.
What the Binder (included in the Developer Edition) does is create a runtime version of the FileMaker application that is capable of running bound solution files without a full version of FileMaker Pro. The runtime engine does not have the ability to define fields, relationships or value lists nor can you access Passwords or ScriptMaker. These areas are only available in the full version of FileMaker. This isn't a draw back though. The engine is designed to run solutions, not build them.
The only daunting things about Binder-created runtime engines is their lack of networking support and physical size. Tipping the scales at around 2 megs, the engine itself is mammoth, making electronic distribution of FileMaker solutions rather cumbersome. That is why the following article's bonus file isn't bound to the engine, distributing the engine would not warrant the bandwidth required to demonstrate the solution.
Kiosk Binding Option
Like the previous version of the Binder, there is a kiosk option that is perfect for specific solutions. What is Kiosk Mode? It is a method of presenting a FileMaker Pro solution without any operating system or application interface elements available. Consider a registration kiosk at a convention. If a FileMaker solution were created to receive data entered by conference attendees, then what would keep them from shutting the solution down or hiding it and messing around with other applications on the computer? And if someone were to shut it down, what would the next person think to do in order to register? Kiosk mode creates the perfect environment for this situation. Without the ability to shut down the solution, you have a better chance at getting everyone registered without mishap. With this feature, however, the designer takes on all interface responsibilities.
Bullet Proof Design Considerations
Because none of the familiar FileMaker menu items are available, including the keyboard shortcuts, you have to build every interaction into the file, including a way to close the solution which is touched upon in the following article titled Kiosk Quit. Basically, you will script the entire solution and attach those scripts to button elements that make up your navigation and entry scheme. Here is a list of important design considerations from the Developer's Guide:
• If your solution will be run with a touch screen, use large buttons and allow space between buttons.
• Try to limit the number of options available on the screen, keep it simple.
• Preview mode disables buttons; make sure you create a script to return to Browse mode by choosing continue or pressing the Enter key. If you have a script that enters Preview mode and the end users won't have access to a keyboard, follow it with a Pause/Resume Script step and specify an amount of time the script should remain in Preview mode. Then have the script return to Browse mode.
In Kiosk mode, it is often desirable to center solution files on the screen. To center your files, create a startup script that zooms the window. Using the Toggle Window script step, with the zoom option will perform two actions in Kiosk mode:
• snap solution file windows to fit layout objects at the right and bottom edges of the layout
• center the window on the screen if the window is smaller than the available screen area
Help Screens
Because the intended installation of most kiosk solutions won't have you standing there answering user questions, be sure to provide simple instructions where applicable. And the single most important thing to do is test, test, test! What is obvious to you may be convoluted to others. Try to develop towards that lowest common denominator. Don't forget that most users will not posses the understanding of computers that you do.
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