Learning FileMaker

FileMaker Podcast

2010-01-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday while on the FileMaker Today site I found a link to the FileMaker Sucess Tips Podcast. They are a little corny but really seem to know their stuff. They have been at it a while so I am probably going to go back and listen to some older episodes. They just posted a new podcast give it a listen! They recommend a nice little FileMaker Pro Reference iPhone App. <==iTunes Link)

I also created a quick little FileMaker test that will calculate from one value to another value in a given number of steps. It works from high to low and also low to high. I find that I need this function more often than I you would think. I am not completely happy with it but it wanted to test a looping script that outputs to a text field.

Here's the link:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Save File: seeker.fp7

FileMaker Today

2010-01-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

I am still slogging my way through Chapter 1 of FMP10TMM. I get sidetracked pretty easy. Found another couple of useful tricks in the Chapter 1 sample file. Some cool stuff with using buttons to pass script parameters and some cool formatting tricks using the auto resize.

I was researching an idea I had about storing graphics outside of the database and then using FileMaker to point to a reference of the image. This is pretty straight forward but what happens if the folder the images in is moved or renamed? Short answer is that the links all break. This is not good. There are some interesting workarounds but it's really overkill for what I am doing.

Anyway while looking this up I came upon a website called FileMaker Today boasting over 50,000 members. The forums look prety good and they even had a link on the front page to a FileMaker podcast that I will check out and repot back on.

Local Training and Reference Card

2010-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

I was looking for a training class that I could take locally. The Support Group has locations in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

They also have a free reference card that you can print as a PDF or if you like they will mail you a laminated version of it.

I got both and it's pretty nice. It's Macintosh Shortcuts on one side and Windows Shortcuts on the other. All you have to do is fill out a short survey. They have not spammed me with calls or emails so that's good.
When you fill out the survey they apperently put you in a drawing for a free class. I actually won a seat in one of their drawings and hopefully I will take some free training with them in February. So now I have a cool laminated shortcut card and a free training class.

The User Experience: Field Entry

2010-01-12T07:24:00.000-08:00

Building on the example from FMP10TMM where the fields are highlighted as you type into them I started thinking of other ways to display this information to the user.

Usually I am just trying to get the database to do what I want it to do on a daily bases. Often I forgo making a nice user interface. This is something that needs to be balanced because at some point a clumsy interface will begin to slow you down.

I thought it might be nice to float a window or some other shape containing text while the user was in the field. That sounded a little messy and may get a little cluttered so I thought maybe a status bar might be an idea.

A status bar would allow 1 field to contain the status and then could be scripted to so the status would change based on the field and it contents.

Here is a quick video. If the user clicks the name field and it is empty the status field prompts for an entry. If the name field has data the status field will indicate that the field has been filled. On Object a script is triggered to clear out the status field.

This example uses 2 scripts and 2 script triggers. This is just a quick example but these could be built upon fairly easily I would guess.

Here is an example file.

*Use at your own risk.

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Save File: statusfield.fp7

P.S. I am new to blogger so I am trying out all sorts of links, ads, movies, Amazon links, etc. I will settle down once I get rolling.

--SKW

FileMaker Training Series Quick Peek

2010-01-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

I found myself stranded without my Kindle so I am taking a quick peek at the FileMaker Training Series book. Right off the bat this book seems dense. The first example file you open is a serious database "solution". They are only showing you how to open the file so I guess it's as good as any.

The book is written by Soliant Consulting. They have a 4-day class based exactly on this book. I think once I get more familiar with the other materials I have to study I might look into taking this training.

The Printed version of the FileMaker Training Series book is quite large and is not printed in color. However the CD that comes with the example files also contains a set of full color PDF files that are actually pretty nice to work with. I even turned on the Text-To-Speech and had the computer read to me for a little while.

Chapter 1 is for Babies!

2010-01-08T11:10:00.000-08:00

So the am at the very beginning of FileMaker Pro 10 The Missing Manual. I am reading chapter 1 and it is going over the super painful basics of the program. How to switch modes, how to scroll the page. This is all great information if you have never used FileMaker before. I am almost at the point where I am thinking of skipping ahead a few chapters but I decide to load the example file.

Now I guess that I would hit these ideas later in the book but just looking around at the chapter 1 sample file I was able to pick up 2 great ideas. The first 1 was using script triggers to create a search box and the second was using conditional formatting to highlight entry fields.

I am trying to make my search box clear itself out after the user hits return but I haven't yet figured to a way to do it. Right now I have the cursor enter a non editable field so the user can't accidentally type into a live field.

I will add more to it later but it is set up to perform quick searches that users do over and over. Might be nice to have some intelligent fields and dialogue boxes rather than the crazy button madness that most of my layout turn into. The buttons are great at the beginning but after a while you end up with way to many buttons and the whole thing is confusing again.

Wow that was long! The point is Capter 1 was worth reading and the Chapter 1 example provided some great ideas.

Video Training

2010-01-07T17:36:00.000-08:00

While I work through the books I am also going to be sampling some online video training. There are 2 companies that I have found so far.

VTC seems like a stripped down version of Lynda.com. VTC does however already have FileMaker 10 content.

Lynda.com is a nice video training site. They have less FileMaker 10 Content but their stuff is usually very high quality.

Both sites offer quite a bit of sample content so you can see if the coruses are right for you. You can buy classes complete or sign up for their monthly plans. If you are the type that will stick with it and work through the content the monthly plans could be a great deal.

FileMaker Books

2010-01-07T09:53:00.000-08:00

I am using the FileMaker Training Series Book from FileMaker. It is recommended on the FileMaker site when you click on the certification link. It costs $99 and is available at the FileMaker site.

I also have the FileMaker Pro 10 Missing Manual that I just got for my Kindle. You can see that the Kindle version is much easier to carry around. It's also nice because you can search the text. The pictures are smallish but still usable.

I also have FileMakerPro Design and Scripting For Dummies. I picked it up used for $4.00. It Seems like it might have some useful information in it.

I am planning on working through the Missing Manual first since I have it on my Kindle.

Learning FileMaker Intro

2010-01-07T07:58:00.000-08:00

I have been using FileMaker for many years. I am fairly familiar with it and I have been able to create and deploy several production capable solutions. I love it because I am able to solve my problems fairly quickly with just a small investment of study and time.

This year (actually last year) I decided to go for FileMaker certification and will use this blog to track the progress toward that goal.