5 comments about FileMaker® Pro 4 Bible.

1. This review is being written by an entry level FileMaker Pro 4 user who is a small business owner. FMP-4 was purchased with the intent of using it to manage inventory and sales for a very small (5,000 customers) mail order business. A novice requires straightforward well organized explanations with an abundance of examples. Descriptions of features and their implementation in much better presented in "FileMaker Pro 4 Bible" than in the poorly organized and confusing User's Guide. However, there are just too few examples in the "Bible" and on the companion CD that are beyond the elementary level. The CD is, for the most part, utilities and a collection of locked templates for sale. The book and CD could benefit greatly with more templates whose layouts and fields could be accessed and analyzed for learning purposes. "FileMaker Pro 4 Bible" is much better and friendlier than the FMP User's Guide but not the "only book I'll ever need" to learn about FileMaker Pro 4. Perhaps it could be packaged with a book on Scripting.



2. I have used FileMaker for many years and found the FileMaker Pro Bible to be an excellent reference and learning tool. Although I consider myself a more advanced user, this book could certainly be used by any user with a good grasp of computer basics.



3. I found this book too sophmoric with few answers to tough questions. Nothing on scripting and few examples of anything but mundane projects. Of all the aftermarket resources I have purchases for high-end software, this is one of the worst. It should be retitled "FM Pro for idiots".



4. I would'nt be here looking for other Filemaker manuals if I could recommend this one. Tedious, didactic and always fails to answer the question you're looking for.



5. I've owned FileMaker from version 2.0 and never really got into it. I kept upgrading just to stay current but didn't feel ready to go beyond the basic address book in the manual. When I upgraded to Filemaker Pro 4.0 I decided I needed help and bought the FileMaker Pro 4 Bible. Boy, am I glad I did!

   Through reading and working through the step-by-step examples I've actually learned to use FileMaker Pro 4 to create everything from simple to complex databases that have greatly simplified the day-to-day operations of my business and even my personal data.

   Now I find myself overwhelmed with ideas for new databases but don't have the time to create them all, but I *do* have the skills. I'm very pleased with my investment in this book. It has paid off handsomely. Highly recommended!

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3 comments about Filemaker Pro 4: A Developer's Guide.

1. The book has twenty-three chapters and 478 pages. The book includes a CD ROM with trial versions of FMP 4.1, FMP Server and Home Page 3.0 along with some sample programs.

   The contents is divided into two parts. Part 1 is "Database Systems: Design and Management" and Part 2 is "FileMaker Pro 4.1 Examined."

   Part one has five chapters (61 pages) that discuss some database history and theory. This information is interesting, but really does not help learning, developing with or using FileMaker Pro. For those who have read other third party FileMaker Pro books, the Part 1 may be of value filling in some information holes. However, for those people wanting detailed information on database theory, there are whole books devoted just to that. Part 1 contains an overview rather than detailed explanations.

   Part 2 is where discussion of FileMaker Pro starts. While most of the information found in other books is included, there are a couple of chapters with information I have not seen elsewhere. Chapter 14 is "Object Linking and Embedding." for those wishing to know more about OLE. This is a good review for those using Macintosh computer who wish to port their programs to Windows. Chapter 16 is "FileMaker Pro and AppleScript" and provides a good overview of AppleScript. This chapter is good for those who develop on the Windows platform and want to port to the Macintosh platform. For the Macintosh (and Windows) people who want to know more about FileMaker Pro for Windows, Chapter 17 is devoted to FileMaker Pro and Windows 95/98. Want to know about the Window 95 Registry? Several pages discuss this.

   While Chapter 21 is titled "Binding FileMaker Pro Files," there is really little information on the Developer Edition program. In fact, it is not even mentioned although the screen shots are from the binder of the Developer Edition. One is left with the impression that binding is a part of regular FileMaker Pro 4.1, which is not. There are also many tricks with the Developer Edition that could have been covered, such as creating a kiosk mode program with the binder and then using it with regular FileMaker Pro.

   Chapter 22 briefly discusses external functions and APIs and Chapter 23 briefly discusses FileMaker Pro and Java. Plug ins provide a very powerful addition to FileMaker Pro, however, developing these in C/C++ is well beyond the average database developer. There is a point where a developer may wish to use a plug in developed by someone else. This is in the realm of the doable for the average developer, however it is still much harder development than other areas FileMaker Pro. The same goes for Java. To effectively develop Java programs for use with FileMaker Pro, one needs to be proficient with Java. While a bit easier than C/C++, Java is still beyond most database developers.

   My overall impression of this book is that it is definitely not a "Dummies" book and is aimed at someone who is competent with FileMaker Pro basics and wants to learn more. There are also many important issues and features concerning FileMaker Pro 4.1 and the Developer Edition that are not discussed in the book. With the title being "A Developer's Guide," one would expect much more information on the Developer Edition. Since I have not seen any third party books that discuss the Developer Edition in any detail, I think this could have been an excellent chance to fill a void with information.

   Should you purchase the book? If you have at least one other FileMaker after market book, then you may find this book provides information not found elsewhere.




2. This book tries too hard to be everything for everyone. It assumes that you have already worked with previous versions of FileMaker.

   If you find sentences like, "When creating the label layout the format is the same as before but wehn the dialog box 'Specify Label Contents' appears it will be noted that this is very much different from what had previously been used." to be clear, crisp prose, then this is the book for you.

   This text is merely marginally better than the actual software manuals ... lacking important index entries like "printing", "reports", etc.

   My suggestion ... find a better text.




3. The included disc is of limited use to readers who already own File Maker Pro. Aside from the demo version of the application, the only other substantive content is a set of example files. These files are pre-fabbed databases for inventory, employee information, etc. They are servicable, but the key problem is that they all locked out. You cannot open their layouts or view their scripts to see how they were made. As a result, the instructional potential of the book is severely limited. Further, the book is so preoccupied with promoting FMP that it never discusses FMPs limitations-an important consideration when creating real world solutions.

   There really isn't a great advanced FMP programming book out there. O'Reilly, are you listening?

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1 comments about Filemaker Pro 3 for Macs for Dummies.

1. Filemaker Pro 3 for Macs for Dummies has helped me immensely in my business. I can't imagine an easier, less threatening way of preseting the material, yet nearly all important features are covered. Very highly recommended.

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