FileMaker 8 @work: Projects and Techniques to Get the Job Done [Paperback]

Jesse Feiler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 6, 2006

Most books on databases approach the reader with descriptions of how to use tools, and make some reference to putting those tools into a real-world context. FileMaker 8 @Work: Projects and Techniques to Get the Job Done turns this approach on its ear by introducing key tools in a single chapter, then moves on to what you really want to know - how to use the product to complete the projects that they face at work. This book provides step-by-step coverage of how to complete a variety of projects that a panel of users has verified as common projects those using the application are asked to complete. Tips, tricks, and notes are provided with the information you need to carry over what you learn on these projects to others you'll undoubtedly be asked to create.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Most books on databases approach the reader with descriptions of how to use tools, and make some reference to putting those tools into a real-world context. FileMaker 8 @Work: Projects and Techniques to Get the Job Done turns this approach on its ear by introducing key tools in a single chapter, then moves on to what you really want to know - how to use the product to complete the projects that they face at work. This book provides step-by-step coverage of how to complete a variety of projects that a panel of users has verified as common projects those using the application are asked to complete. Tips, tricks, and notes are provided with the information you need to carry over what you learn on these projects to others you'll undoubtedly be asked to create.

About the Author

Jesse Feiler is a member of the FileMaker Solutions Alliance. He regularly consults on FileMaker and develops FileMaker solutions for small businesses, non-profits, art, retail point-of-sale, publishing, marketing, and other markets. He has worked as a developer and manager for companies such as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Prodigy, and Apple. He has created a number of video training courses, including one on FileMaker 7. Jesse appears regularly on WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, on that station's Roundtable and Vox Pop shows, and is the author of a number of Mac OS X books as well as books on database driven websites and FileMaker.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Sams; 1 edition (February 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0672328569
• ISBN-13: 978-0672328565
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,866,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Software developer and author specializing in new technologies, Mac OS X, and FileMaker. Consulting through North Country Consulting focuses on small business and non-profits, helping them use new technologies to manage their operations in retail, production, contact management, and planning.

Active in the non-profit world, treasurer of HB Studio and HB Playwrights Foundation, past-president of Mid-Hudson Library System. Interested in non-profit governance, specializing in trustee training seminars.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars More Questions than Answers, July 23, 2006

By 

Holly T. Baxter (LA, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: FileMaker 8 @work: Projects and Techniques to Get the Job Done (Paperback)

This was either the result of an overzealous (non-programmer) editor or a poorly planned outline - but there is more material missing from this book than actually in it. Examples are given in one chapter with a statement that it is relating to something in another chapter, but it isn't there; projects are laid out without real explanation of the nuts and bolts of what you are doing, and the real power of Filemaker (calculations and scripts) are merely glossed over on a "need to know" basis. I am certainly left with more questions that answers.

The book did help me get some basic ideas for how to begin a project that related to one of the author's, but didn't really explain the logic behind the design in a way that I could translate that information to other projects.

So I am back at Amazon, buying another book which, hopefully, will take me a bit further in what I need.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Long on Promise- Short of Delivery, October 23, 2006

By 

Bill J. Harman "BHarman" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: FileMaker 8 @work: Projects and Techniques to Get the Job Done (Paperback)

This is not a book for a novice to FileMaker Pro! It moves way too quickly into advanced stuff. If you do not already know how to search, sort, create form, table and columnar view layouts then do not come to this book for help.

If you already know all the basics, cited above, and know how to create additional tables in a file then this book will walk you through setting up relationships and making productive use of them - sort of.

There is not enough stuff here for the pure beginner to get them up to speed so they can do the relational stuff, scripting, etc with any sense of confidence. For an experience FileMaker Pro user the book is a waste because you will learn very little here that is new.

If you are an Access developer, etc and already understand the world of relational databases then this will give you a quick primer in how to do similar things with FileMaker Pro.

The concept for this series of books is brilliant; however, the execution of the concept in this book sucks!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Missing Download Files, June 2, 2007

By 

Dan Smith (Sacramento) - See all my reviews

This review is from: FileMaker 8 @work: Projects and Techniques to Get the Job Done (Paperback)

Neither the Publisher or Author provide the advertised download files. Have sent over 6 e-mails asking for the location with no response. The support that is touted by the book does not exist. Read it at the bookstore but don't buy!