FileMaker debuts Bento personal database
updated 10:05 am EST, Tue November 13, 2007
FileMaker Bento preview
FileMaker has just posted a new "public preview" download of Bento, its latest database application. Unlike software such as FileMaker Pro, Bento is intended to be a personal database, collecting information such as addresses and schedules alongside media like music, movies and photos. Users can also conduct some basic business-like functions, such as cataloging inventories, hours worked or payments due. Tasks created through a database can be prioritized, and Bento links with Address Book and iCal, ensuring up-to-date content as well as options like assigning photos to contacts.
Part of Bento's purpose is to make databases more user-friendly, and as such FileMaker has added an iTunes-like search interface, along with the ability to drag-and-drop items such as forms and lists, or CSV files users want to import from programs like Numbers or Microsoft Excel. The program provides quick appearance customization including 20 templates, and several features of Mac OS X Leopard have been integrated directly. Among these is Media Manager, which allows images to be inserted into Bento fields, and Advanced Find, which has a Bento-specific implementation for better search results.
The program is one of the first to require Leopard, and will ship commercially in January of 2008. The preview download is free for the time being, but users must fill out a registration form to receive a download link.
Fake Links
11/13, 12:12pm reply
The fake links on MacOSRumors caused that once popular site to become banished from people's bookmark lists, and now the site can barely get readers, let alone advertisers. I cannot believe MacNN is going to be stupid enough to repeat that mistake. Respect your readers!
TheSnarkmeister
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Running on Windows server
11/13, 12:15pm reply
Looks interesting, but what the heck... The "bentotrial.com" web site is running on windows server (using ASPX pages). That's kind of depressing!
mitchcohen
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2005
Rumors?
11/13, 12:23pm reply
Not sure what the story on Bento has to do with macosrumors (although I agree the one excellent site has gone completely useless).
mitchcohen
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2005
broken?
11/13, 12:24pm reply
Filled out the form an hour and a half ago, and I still haven't received a download link for the trial.
coolshoes
Baninated
Joined: Nov 2007
email rejected
11/13, 12:30pm reply
Tried to email "preview@bentotrial.com" and my message came back as undeliverable. This preview is not ready for prime-time.
coolshoes
Baninated
Joined: Nov 2007
Really broken
11/13, 01:40pm reply
Yeah, I tried the preview link and the form itself is down, giving a generic Filemaker 404 page. Really not ready for prime-time...
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
Direct Download Link
11/13, 02:10pm reply
I found this link from their PR page: http://www.bentotrial.com/getfile.aspx?typ=BentoPrevi&entry=
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
Direct link
11/13, 02:51pm reply
Works ok, thanks
Peter Bonte
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Hello...
11/13, 03:30pm reply
... From the world of 'desperation', we are Filemaker.
All the problems reported by other folks (their server running on Windows asp c***, registration not working, mail bouncing) are just illustrations of what a first class outfit Filemaker has become, and what equally first class management runs it (hint: you can use the word 'clueless' in abundance when describing either).
In all honesty, it's rather sad to see what's become of a formerly successful and well-run subsidiary, by hiring the wrong management.
ZinkDifferent
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2005
choice
11/13, 03:35pm reply
So does this now make Filemaker a two product company?
How do they stay in business?
coldfusion1970
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2004