ComputerUser On Databases For Rookies 
ComputerUser On Databases For Rookies
FileMaker Pro 4.0
Apple recently announced that its Claris subsidiary was restructuring to focus exclusively on the FileMaker Pro line of database software. This restructuring includes changing the company name to FileMaker, Inc., divesting of products other than FileMaker Pro, and laying off 300 Claris employees. Cynics--myself included--will see this as Steve Jobs' continued immolation of Apple. FileMaker has been through similar changes of ownership in the past, however, and has survived.
The biggest joy of FileMaker Pro 4.0 is that, with just a few minutes of instruction, even the novice can create a usable database. The latest version includes 48 templates for home, education and SOHO applications, including three new ones for the Internet. All of the templates look great and are ready to use right out of the box. More experienced FM Pro users will not notice many cosmetic changes, but there are plenty of new features in 4.0. FM Pro's scripting capability lets more advanced users speed up the process of creating a new database. You can then exchange data with other FM Pro users -on the same platform or not. FileMaker Pro is the only database offering seamless cross-platform capability between Mac OS and Windows users.
Some database managers are relational, while others use a flat- file format. In a relational database, data is stored in a series of grids or matrices in which the rows contain the information and the columns hold the name of the data fields. What sets relational database managers apart from their flat file kin-where all of the data is found on a single, "flat" grid-is that they have the ability to "relate" data found on all of these matrices to each other. Relational databases can handle complex relationships between data better than flat-field database programs. Since version 3.0, FM Pro has been relational.
More big news in version 4.0 is the comprehensive Web-publishing features. You don't have to know what HTML means to convert your database and publish it on the Internet. Yet, webmeisters can use the program's advanced features to integrate FileMaker Pro databases into their sites. This works for images and conventional data. The user doesn't have to manually convert images to Web graphics formats. When a GIF or JPEG image is imported into FM Pro, a GIF or JPEG image is stored in the database. If the "Store Compatible Graphics" option is checked, a PICT version of the image is also saved. When FileMaker Pro 4.0 sends an image to a Web browser, it sends a GIF or JPEG image. If one is not available, the stored format is converted to JPEG for display. New external functions allow Web users to convert field value or text value for HTML insertion in a Web site.
The FileMaker Pro Web companion lets users share databases on the Web. To do this, choose Preferences from the Edit menu, select Application and choose Plug-Ins. Make sure the Web companion box is selected. In most cases, you will not need to change the default configuration settings. This option lets authorized users access selected databases using their favorite browser. Web Companion displays a splash page listing databases residing on the CPU. The companion provides an easy-to-use interface, complete with Java-based applets, that allows browsers to navigate, browse, edit, delete and even create records in FileMaker Pro 4.0 databases. Naturally, there are security features to limit access privileges.
FileMaker Pro continues to undergo the incremental changes that have kept it a fresh, viable product for many years. No matter whose name is on the product, this remains the best damn database program available for the average computer user.
ComputerUser Contributing Editor Joe Farace is author of 19 books including "The Photographer's Internet Handbook." Copyright 1999 by ComputerUser.com Inc.; used with permission.
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