Review: Filemaker Pro 6

Reviewed By: Kirk Hiner

Review Date: September 15, 2002

Genre: Database

Format: CD

Developer: FileMaker, Inc.

Minimum Requirements: PowerMac (G3 for OS X), Mac OS 8.6 or Mac OS X v10.1, 32MB RAM (128MB RAM for OS X), CD-ROM, hard disk drive, TCP/IP for network sharing (TCP/IP or AppleTalk for Classic)

Web Publishing Requirements: A host computer with continuous access to the Internet or intranet via TCP/IP, and Internet service provider for access to Internet (FileMaker does not provide an Internet account). Access to web-published databases is limited to 10 unique IP addresses per 12 hour period.

Mac OS X Compatibility: Carbon

Retail Price: $299.00 (upgrade $149.00)

Availability: Out now

The problem with reviewing software is that...well, you have to review the software. Games, they're easy. Aside from those pesky RPGs that take forever to get through, it's mainly a matter of just inserting the disc, configuring the controls to fit your style of play, and having at it. The game is what it is, you're just along for the ride.

Productivity applications, now they're a different story. Here, there are manuals to read. There are previous versions and competing products against which to compare them. There are uses to find--many uses to find--in an effort to locate the little things that make or break a program. If the reviewer is already familiar the product, great. If not...well, you've got me and FileMaker Pro.

The time line of my database work came to a screeching halt back in 1990, or so, when I enrolled in Introduction to Information Processing for one of my two required math classes at Ohio Northern University. We were taught word processing, spreadsheets, and databases, all on PCs, none of them WYSIWYG. A decade later, I use Microsoft Access at my day job, but my knowledge there extends no further than opening a file, adding my billable hours and to do list, and closing the application before I get the steady General Protection Fault. Quite honestly, with Access, that's frightening enough already. I'd no sooner dig into that program than I'd dig into an Indian burial mound.

So, when FileMaker approached us to review FileMaker Pro 6, I was hesitant, but curious. I'm always up for learning something new, but not if it's an exercise in futility. Not if the time invested would take too much away from my other projects...you know, like the new OK Go CD.

But here's the thing. The very first time I opened FileMaker Pro, I immediately began to build a database of my CDs. I'm still building the database, as there's plenty to add, but I spent no time creating the database file itself. The template was provided by FileMaker, and it was pretty much ready to go straight out of the box. I had to do some tweaking, but between using the manual and just poking around, I was able to alter the file to my purposes. FileMaker has also included instructions specifically for extending and customizing these templates. After going through these and tinkering with the program, I was able to get the set-up I wanted, albeit in a more cumbersome manner than I'd hope. However, the original fields continued to communicate with each other despite my changes, so I didn't need to dig up those previously mentioned bones.

Speaking of bones, FileMaker throws you a couple.

For instance, the included templates are split into three convenient categories: business, education, and home. In these, you'll find easy ways to manage your contacts, organize field trips, bill your work time, etc. In other words, it's very possible you'll be able to get to work right away with FileMaker Pro, using the program as you learn its more advanced features. It won't be long before you're comfortable customizing the templates or even building your own databases from scratch.

So, this is all new to me...a database program that's simple enough to use straight out of the box and to customize soon thereafter. But, how about those familiar with database programs? What does FileMaker offer them? Well, let's say you want to archive all those family photos on your computer or the stock photography your company has purchased. FileMaker Pro 6 now has the ability to import large numbers of images from a folder to a database. Even better, if you're using FileMaker Pro on OS X, you can capture the images directly from your digital camera. Can't get much more convenient than that.

FileMaker has also added integrated XML (Extensible Markup Language) import and export. This means that FileMaker Pro 6 users can easily exchange data with other programs without a lot of mucking around. Microsoft Excel files, for example, are easily converted into FileMaker files that can be modified and used as if created there originally. Of course, when you're competing against Microsoft, such compatibility is very, very important.

Of course, so is power. I've been talking about how easy FileMaker Pro 6 is, but don't get the wrong idea. As your knowledge of the program grows, you're not likely to find FileMaker lagging behind. The program contains full support for many of today's media formats, including MOV and MP3 files. Even e-mails are easily gathered, stored and retrieved in your database.

Once everything's in place, it's simple to share the information as well. Single-user databases are easily converted to multi-user, networkable files. These files are almost as easily published to the web, allowing up to 10 authorized users to access the database via intranet. And speaking of the web, is FileMaker Pro 6 good for creating and maintaining databases accessed dynamically via the web? Well, ask Applelinks publisher Joe Ryan. It's what he uses.

Of course, even an inexperienced user like myself can tell where improvements could be made. Multiple undos would be appreciated, or at least the option to revert to the last saved state. Tighter, more user-friendly appearance controls would be welcomed as well. As it stands, certain options are only available when in certain view modes, and that can get pretty confusing.

But, with FileMaker Pro 6, the pros certainly outweigh the cons in both scope and number. I could go on about more of these pros. I could talk about the global find and replace feature that allows you to replace text in single or multiple records and fields. I could detail the format painter tool that simplifies the process of customizing the appearance of your files, making for more attractive and professional looking forms. Does Access even have this feature, or do all PC users just love the color gray? I could talk about its myriad other features that would most certainly be more important to the experienced database programmer than those which I covered here.

I'm not going to do this, though. I'm not going to do it because, if I were reading this review, I'm not sure I'd believe it. Databases are supposed to be stupid, clumsy programs, and no review would get me to believe otherwise. Actually using FileMaker Pro v6, however, was proof enough. If you've been shying away from managing your projects or business with a database program, there's no longer a reason to. FileMaker has had a powerful program for some time, and now it's also simple. Isn't that what productivity programs are supposed to be?

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

.