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(More customer reviews)I am not a programmer, but I am a computer nerd. By profession, I am a lawyer. Databases are a very valuable asset for lawyers. In fact, there are about a dozen companies out there who sell customized database applications for lawyers. I've tried alot of them and even use one of these proprietary databases in my practice.
I am considering eventually making my office all-Mac (stability, virus-free, machines stay current and last longer than PC) so I investigated Filemaker. Filemaker will allow me to track all my data exactly how I want and mix Macs and PC's in my office.
Filemaker Pro 9 ships with alot of "Starter Applications"--these are databases already completely set up for you. You enter or import your data and for probably 80% of people who need a database, this is a great place to start--and you may never need to do anything else. Contacts, asset management, task and project management, there are dozens of starter solutions built right into Filemaker.
For us tinkerers, we want to be able to to make the database track what we want, and in exactly the way we want. You DO NOT have to be a computer programmer to do this or learn some crazy and difficult magic language as another reviewer suggests. It is hands down easier to do this stuff in FMP9 than in any other product out there. That that other reviewer would even suggest that Filemaker Pro and any SQL solution is even in the same ballpark in difficulty is ridiculous. SQL gives professional, full-time programmers nightmares. If you can figure out the train wreck that is SQL queries, you'll feel like you landed in a sunny tropical paradise in FMP9. Understand, this is not a crippled, limited tool. Its a full featured, powerful relational database with tools built into it to make it as easy for new users as possible to use. You can make about as complex a database with powerful automated features as you could ever want. BUT, if you do that, you DO have to LEARN how to do it. Complex databases take some planning and know how. Read a book or watch a training video, and tinker.
If you learn how to use FMP9, I can tell you that you will save on other software costs in the future, because you can throw together whatever you need--no buying multiple other apps to track this or that.
I'd suggest the very readable Filemaker Pro The Missing Manual as a great book. There are videos you can watch on your computer, too. You can pick up Filemaker 8 training for $10 on ebay, and that will teach you 90% of what you need to know bc the basics did not change much between 8 and 9. I also got s cheap copy of Chris Ippolite's "Beyond the Basics" training DVD and it is truly excellent.
If you are the type who might consider customizing a database, then Filemaker is hands down the best option out there. Give it a try--you can download a 30 day evaluation copy at the Filemaker web site. I think you'll be impressed.
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FileMaker Pro - (V. 9.0) - Complete Package - 1 User - CD - Win, Mac - English (30088G) Category: Software SuitesNew! FileMaker Pro 9: Manage People, Projects, Assets and More – The Easy Way! FileMaker Pro is the #1-selling easy-to-use database software that helps you manage people, projects, assets and more – the easy way! Its powerful database and award-winning design help you work faster and securely share information with Windows and Mac users – over a network, across the web, and with popular formats like Microsoft Excel, Adobe PDF and SQL. Convert your Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and other files to FileMaker Pro databases instantly for easier searching, sorting and reporting. Or, choose from any of the 30 ready-to-use StarterCustomize screens with ease: Make your databases look and work the way you want—all without programming. Use the Layout and Report Assistant to guide you through designing custom layouts, labels, and reports. Multi-user support lets you securely share information with Windows and Mac users. And with the advanced security features, you decide who has access to what information and when. The security and sharing features of FileMaker Pro help your team operate at maximum efficiency without sacrificing data security. Integrate with popular programs and formats: Create live connections with External SQL Data Sources, such Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle and MySQL *. FileMaker Pro also comes complete with step-by-step tools that help you create reports and then email them to your colleagues as Adobe PDF or Microsoft Excel files.And with the Instant Web Publishing feature built into FileMaker Pro, you can create web forms for event sign-ups, customer feedback and service requests. Whether you need to integrate your information with External SQL Data Sources, other applications, or the Web, FileMaker Pro 9 connects you with your world of data faster and easier than ever before! * Third-party drivers required.
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