01/05/2009, 12:15pm, EST
Monday, January 5th
FileMaker Pro 10 brings new interface, triggers
FileMaker says it has begun shipping FileMaker Pro 10, the latest version of its professional database software. The upgrade makes a number of important changes, most noticeably to the interface, which has been overhauled with features such as a new Status Toolbar. The bar is said to resemble that in a web browser, and make features from the main menu more readily accessible. Users also have access to an improved Quick Start screen, which teaches the FileMaker interface, and can create a database from new sources such as Bento 2 or XLSX files.
Underneath its exterior the software has been updated with Script Triggers, which execute multiple functions automatically when inputting data or clicking a particular button. Some 12 different triggers are included by default, but these can be combined in various ways to form more complex actions. A similar feature comes in the form of Saved Finds, which let users search using pre-established criteria.
Pro 10 additionally introduces SMTP e-mailing from within the app, and expanded SQL support, which now includes MySQL 5.1, Oracle 11g and Microsoft SQL Server 2008. The standard version of Pro 10 costs $300 new, or $180 as an upgrade; Pro 10 Advanced, which adds features such as a Script Debugger, is $500 new or $300 as an update. The companion Server 10 and Server 10 Advanced applications are $1,000 and $3,000 new, or $600 and $1,800 as upgrades.
Filed under: software, enterprise
Other story tags: FileMaker, database
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demo delayed
I filled out the form hours ago to receive a demo download link by email. Nothing yet. Database problems, Filemaker? Unimpressive.
Upgrade Price Ridiculous
Filemaker's upgrade price is always way too high--especially for an upgrade with such meager features. For the 1st time, I think I will sit this one out.
Misleading
I read the headline and went to FileMaker's site today to look for the new interface. While it's clear there's a new UI in FileMaker itself, there are no updates to the UI tools to make databases with. As it stands, databases made in FileMaker still have UI widgets that look like they're from System 6.
While I can appreciate the Script Triggers, SMTP sending, and other new features, I still want to be able to develop a database solution that looks and acts like a native MacOS X application.
skip it, just like...
4.1, 5.5, 7.0, 8.5, 9.0
I'll sit tight with 8.0v3 for my clients. Triggers are nice, but we developers have been asking for them and working around their absence for so long...now that they're here it's "who cares?"
Also, their marketing department is so reaching. Hey! Did you know that in version 10 you can now activate a script with...A BUTTON!!!! Groundbreaking!?!?
This one is little more than toolbar candy. Certainly not worthy of a full-point-upgrade.
But having said all that...overall it's a great product.
concur
everybody is right. filemaker's pattern of every single feature being a new version and having to pay out the ying yang for it is old. and i'm sure this will follow previous releases: none of these features will be accessible in your current server, so everybody will have to buy the new server to use them. remove current server, install new server, configure new server, hope everything works.
and...
How long before people find out that one or more versions don't work correctly on varying OS's, and how long before Filemaker releases an update to fix it?
Hell, how long did it take to get Filemaker 9 to be fully supported on 10.5 and 10.5 server?
not keen
I'm not keen on having to re-engineer every solution I have made for the last five years or so because Filemaker now has a giant honking toolbar across the top of the screen. This sounds like a great metaphor for Windows users (I have none), and/or those who like to use FileMaker like Bento. for those of us with thousands of hours invested in custom solutions that will now all look like ass, this is not great news.
download link
direct download link, bypassing their broken email notification system: http://www.filemakertrial.com/nskto/download_land/default.aspx