Developer Time Savers

When you’re in the “zone” while developing, it feels really good to get stuff done. You feel like you’re “flow”-ing through the problems and simply knocking them out one by one.

That feeling which comes from achieving “flow” is often hard to have when you hit situations where you feel like you’re being hindered by the environment or a lack of knowledge. Having to stop for research or fumbling through the development environment is one of those necessary evils. It’s the learning part that takes the time and being super familiar with the environment is when the “flow” arrives - ultimately, it’s a great feeling.

This week’s video is all about finding that “flow” much quicker within FileMaker. Having worked within the environment for a couple of decades, I can say you really only have to focus on the new stuff as it comes out. You’re not overwhelmed by all the other stuff you know you don’t know. This degree of leverage really affords a great sense of developmental confidence.

If learning how to “flow” within FileMaker is one of your own objectives, then allow me to show you some of my personal tips and tricks when it comes to getting stuff done quickly within FileMaker Pro.

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Comments

Ok, granted, this is the first video I watch as a subscriber, but am I seeing a dark UI on FM itself in this video?
Is this Mac only?
How can I get this on Windows?
Thanks,
Alfred

I actually don't know. There's nothing I have custom within FileMaker itself. My version of Mac OS is set to dark mode. I wouldn't know about windows. :(

-- Matt Petrowsky - ISO FileMaker Magazine Editor

I too started with FMP 2 or 3.

This video, like so many others, seem to come just as I need them. I too am a Command-D user looking for what's new that can save me time.

Matt, thanks!

Hey Matt,

I have been enjoying the video's immensely and thought I might have a time saver for you to check out.

Its called quadro in the app store or the website is quadro.me.

What it does is use your iPad, or iPhone as a palette that you can program the tiles to do what you need.
So for example if you like to zoom in %400 on your layout and than back to %100 you can program the steps within 2 tiles. Click the tile and it performs the step. If you want to trigger your hot keys, no problem set them up as tiles. If you want to use applescript it can be integrated in. It would appear that whatever sequence of steps you would normally use to do a task, you can program that to your quadro app.

Plus it works with most apps on your mac, so it has palettes already built for email, safari etc etc. I think you might like it.

Ps I do not work there, just wanted to share something back for the great site you have created for us.

Nate