Learn FileMaker Pro 8.5 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book is personably written and a comprehensive introduction to the complexities of Filmaker. The chapters are well laid out and the example scripts, layout and tables are relevant. There is a great deal of explanation which is relevant, and much better than a reference book as it ties in a lot of ideas together. I prefered it to the Filemaker bible 8.5 which I bought at the same time. The only disadvantage I found is that one had to follow the whole chapeter to understand the examples, and often they drew on the previous chapeters to make sense. Well worth it!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Learn FileMaker Pro 8.5

Learn FileMaker Pro 8.5 presents the fundamentals of the award-winning FileMaker Pro database program and distills the complexity of the program into a logical hands-on approach for both beginners and those who have experience with previous versions of FileMaker Pro. With this version, FileMaker Pro enhances the dramatically new and efficient approach to database management introduced in FileMaker Pro 7, giving the user even greater flexibility.Learn how to:Use the alignment tools to quickly align objects on your layout. Set up fields for auto-complete and create tooltips to assist users. Attach a calendar to a date field to efficiently enter dates. Import tables and their data in a single step. Save and send your reports as PDF or Excel files. Organize information in different layers on a single layout using the Tab Control feature. Export the contents of a field and attach it to an e-mail. Use the Web Viewer to display information from the web inside your database.

Click here for more information about Learn FileMaker Pro 8.5

Read More...

FileMaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Conflict of interest disclosure: O'Reilly Media provided me a free copy of FileMaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual for the purposes of the review.
Last month I tried out Filemaker Pro 11 (the program) and had a two-word summary: way cool. This month's review of Filemaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual has an even more succinct one-word summary: oh, as in "oh, that's how that works" or "oh, that's what that means".
Stuart and Gripman know how to write. And they understand Filemaker and they understand that not every user was born speaking database-ese. Databases think and operate in ways that normal people don't; much as I like Filemaker Pro and much as I like to think I know what I'm doing, it can be a tricky program - and apparently I've learned to do many tasks the hard way. The manual is well-written, in clear, plain English. It's great at explaining what Filemaker is doing under the hood and is even humorous, without being silly. And the authors also commiserate about Filemaker's idosyncracies.
At 891 pages, the manual is huge and heavy and, mercifully, well -organized. The table of contents and index make it easy to navigate. But unlearning bad habits may require reading more than a few chunks of text or several chapters.
The Missing Manual also has a missing CD; instead of including a CD with the book, the authors post practice files online, along with errata and corrections. The authors are updating the site; they've added at least one file since I first downloaded them. But I received an error message when I tried to post a minor error (there's a clunky non-sentence on page 92).
My only other criticism is an oblique reference to file care and maintenance. Prosser and Gripman refer to "appropriate care and maintenance" in order to head off injury. But, although they explain what file recovery entails, they don't offer clear instructions as to what steps users should take for ongoing maintenance. I want to know how to avoid damaging my databases.


Click Here to see more reviews about: FileMaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals)


This hands-on, friendly guide shows you how to harness FileMaker's power to make your information work for you. With a few mouse clicks, the FileMaker Pro 11 database helps you create and print corporate reports, manage a mailing list, or run your entire business. FileMaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual helps you get started, build your database, and produce results, whether you're running a business, pursuing a hobby, or planning your retirement. It's a thorough, accessible guide for new, non-technical users, as well as those with more experience.

Start up: Get your first database up and running in minutes
Catalog your data: Organize contacts, to-do items, and product information with speedy data-entry and sorting tools
Create professional documents: Publish reports, invoices, and more, with ease
Add visual power and clarity: Create colorful charts to illustrate and summarize your data
Harness processing power: Crunch numbers and search text with dozens of built-in formulas
Learn advanced topics: Explore the high-level features of FileMaker Pro Advanced and FileMaker Server

Click here for more information about FileMaker Pro 11: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals)

Read More...