24 of 24 customers found the following review helpful:
 Not perfect, but FM7 offers many long-awaited features, 2004-11-06
FileMaker 7 is a very fast and reliable rapid-application-development package for both Windows and Macintosh. With it, you can create single- and multi-user databases quickly and easily without programming or advanced training. You can start with a single-user system, and if your needs grow, you can then scale up effortlessly to a server-based platform with up to 250 users.
FileMaker is "high level", meaning you don't need a deep understanding of underlying data structures and theory to do useful work. This makes it ideal for smaller organizations who can't afford the expense of a full-time administrator/programmer, but still need a reliable, powerful, multi-user database.
If your ideal database environment includes Oracle or Crystal Reports, FileMaker is probably not for you. FileMaker simplifies things. There are only a handful of data types, only a few types of controls. In fact, experienced DBAs are often baffled by FileMaker's simplicity. But FileMaker can do very complex tasks with its streamlined approach.
Experienced FileMaker developers will find most (but not all) of their pet peeves have been eliminated with this version. Many long-standing limitations are now gone.
Despite some absurd claims to the contrary, Version 7 continues the long FileMaker tradition of importing and exporting a variety of data file formats.
The once-pathetic ODBC drivers are dramatically improved, and are now actually useful. JDBC is also available this time around, though emphasis appears to be on XML for the future. The Web Publishing feature is now XML-based, a welcome change for integration with other database platforms.
Additional FM7 advancements:
- Multi-table files and improved relationship management with multi-field keys.
- Elimination of restrictive file and field size limits.
- Editable finding and sorting in scripts
- Linguistic indexing has been expanded from the old 20 characters-per-word limit to 110 characters per word.
- User definable functions with recursion (my favorite)
- Encryption support for both native and web-based networking
- Script parameter passing
- True user-based security replaces old inadequate model
FM7 is not ideal. There's still no full-text editing of scripts, and the new multi-table file format does not allow for simple duplication of a table structure. There are some other annoyances, but overall, it's a huge improvement. Existing FileMaker users will appreciate finally getting some of the things they've been asking for for so long. And if you care more about getting your database up and running quickly than you do about esoteric database ideology, FileMaker 7 may be the right choice for your next project.
8 of 22 customers found the following review helpful:
 NOT a Professional Database Package, 2004-09-08
I agree with the gentleman who suggested that it was not a normalised database, and also with his view of the layout structure inadequacies.
I am a professional developer and system integrator who has developed systems from small applications to global software solutions used across almost any platform.
Filemaker is not a professional tool for the following reasons.
1. The concept of having to have multiple layouts which have to be changed individually is frankly ludicrous.
2. The security of the application is virtually non-existent.
3. The indexing only goes up to 22(or so) characters, so if you have two strings which have the first n characters the same, basically forget it..
4. The printing control is non-existent, particularly if you wish to take control away from the user.
5. The method of opening each related database is frankly ridiculous, and anything complex can very quickly get you to exceed the maximum number of windows open.
6. Almost no logic can be enabled on a print layout, forcing huge numbers of print layouts to be defined, again all which need to be changed manually.
7. Importing and exporting data capability is non-existent.
8. Relationship management and capability is inept and insufficient for serious databases.
9. Encryption is either non-existent or pathetic (sorry cannot remember, but do know that I had to write my own encryption methods as Filemaker could not handle it.)
This is far form a complete list of the real issues I experienced, but is a list of those issues which could have scuppered the entire project if long-winded work-arounds could not have been found and then developed.
In short the application is woefully inadequate, is not professional, and the only thing going for it is that it can create a cross platform solution.
6 of 16 customers found the following review helpful:
 It may be easy to use but ..., 2004-08-03
This may be an easy to use database and I have used if for many years, including when it all started in its DOS roots. Since Claris took over (again, many years ago), it has become a typically Mac-influenced, crippled piece of software (using Mac people's peculiar logic). Again, while it is mostly easy to use, it is not for serious users. It is so destructive to data: once a change is made, it is done deal, with no practical "undo" options. The last couple "improvements" have added "security" features but forget a password (or do not even set one) and you are SOL. ALWAYS keep an exported (in another format other than Filemaker, preferably a TXT format) backup of you data using this database. Its major limitation is interoperability with other software. Yeah, yeah, it can import and export Excel files, but when I want to seamlessly merge data from WordPerfect or other programs from Filemaker, I first gotta export the data because of Filemaker's proprietary format (generally this is an unintended good practice because I usually use my backup TXT exported backup database for merges). All in all, this program has some major annoyances and inconveniences that cause it to be more consternating than anything Microsoft could come up with. If you want a really easy and versatile database, pick up Approach, now sold by IBM after Lotus bought it from the original developer. It is, essentially, a front end to ANY database (it can import and use anyone's data into its own forms, tables, etc). This is generally sold as part of the Lotus SmartSuite that can be picked almost anywhere for just a few bucks.
16 of 17 customers found the following review helpful:
 Great Database Application, 2004-04-09
Now that you've read the previous 0 star rating, (tab buttons - give me a break), realize that FileMaker 7 is a great database development platform. Just a few of the upgrade's improvements: No File Size Limit (that's a heck of a lot of recipies Bob). The days of needing to migrate when a file hits the 2 Gig file size wall are OVER. Your database can grow to fill the largest hard drive a computer can support. Multiple data tables per file. Improved browser support of buttons and scripts through instant web publishing feature. Improved security. And if one is really worried about lining up their "tab buttons" on layouts, FileMaker offers a free 30 day evaluation for download from their website. In fact, the only negative comment I can make is that the Server version won't be available until this summer.
10 of 11 customers found the following review helpful:
Easy to Use, 2004-04-07
I've been using FileMaker Pro for many years. I used to use Microsoft Access, but FileMaker is much easier to setup and share your data. I highly recommend this software for both Mac and Windows users.
|
