General Q's using Filemaker Developer

[fmforme]

Hope this is best forum for my general "newbie" questions.

(sorry if already been asked - but I looked around)...

1A.:

(I don't yet have FM sw installed on my pc - BUT I have a FM book and related CD to help learn FM. On this CD, when opening any .FP5 file

my pc tries to open it with Windows Wordpad and get a lot

of jumbled text/gizmos. (I use Windows98). How do I open these

files correctly? Do I need some special sw like FM already

installed on my pc to see these .FP5 files ?

1B. Now, how would I "market"/trial demo to a potential client

on his pc any kind of pre-made Filemaker files I make back at

home? What is minimum sw on (let's say Windows pc only) that

my target/customer's pc needs so I could show/demo to them some FM files ?

2A. I have figured out - there is a $300 Filemaker 6.0 sw package

and then there is $500 Filemaker 6.0 Developer sw package.

I plan to try developing some customer apps and sell for profit;

which of these two packages should I buy ?

(from reading sounds like $500 "Developer" package is a superset of

the $300 "regular" Filemaker package. Right or wrong?

Will I have to buy both to get the most from FM?

2B. On the FM website - it looks like there is more much more

documentation in the $300 Filemaker package vs. the $500 Developer

package. Such as: a User Guide.

2c. Is it a no-brainer to "always" buy the "latest" version of FM (such as version 6.0) versus finding/getting 5.0 or 5.5 ?

Can I assume I will be getting all the bug-fixes and maybe lotzof

new features and less headaches with the latest/greatest version ?

3. On the FM website - there is a "Trial Copy" can be dwnl'd

and try out for 30 days. Can I actually develop a small FM app

and try and test it out. What happens after 30 days ?

Can I again later re-download another Trial copy from FM's

website and keep working on my test app?

4a. I'm not clear on the FM runtime sw (I'm familar w/other rt sw)...

but specifically if I buy the $500 "Developer" package, write a FM app,

then want to install my FM app on a customer's Windows pc:

How is this done ?

What are the minimum sw and hw required on the target/customer Window pc?

Do you just copy all "my" FM app files plus the 'runtime' piece

of FM sw onto the customer's pc ?

Will "my" FM app just then magically run on the customer's pc ?

4B. How does Filemaker company really make any $$$ off of home-developers like me or you writing FM apps. It looks like the customer/target pc's don't need to buy any extra special FM software.

I've read they (FM) does not expect or demand any royalty payment

from developers like me ? How does this benefit Filemaker?

5. How can I get on the FM "alpha" test/trial Developers program ?

Their website advertises if you answer q's etc they may/will send a

free copy of the sw to ya. Is this true ? How to qualify?

6A. Starting out like myself - how best do you "market" yourself ?

- thru newspaper ads, or website, or bulletin board ripoff/flyers,

word-of-mouth, networking? All of above?

Do you have to be "checked out" (vetted) by FM to get on the FM Solutions Alliance partners program?

6B. I have one customer/friend asked me about doing some sw for his little business - but already he whines/balks at paying much money for anything. He already turned down previous owner who has some custom

pc sw to help his business and offered to sell to him for couple thousand dollars -but he said no of course. He is now looking for

some cheap as possible solution.

How do/did you overcome or win over customers like these :

Did you/would you write them some quick/dirty sample screens/demo/prototype to show them and do on your own time/nickel ?

Would you/did you ask for like any kind down-payment ($50 or 100 or 500)

before you'd begin working ?

Would you ask for installment payments like 50% payment when about

half-way thru and remainder on final delivery ?

TIA

FMforME

[CobaltSky]

Here are some answers to your questions:

1A files with the suffix .fm5 are FileMaker database files and will not open unless FileMaker is installed.

1B With the Developer edition of FileMaker, you can create 'runtime' applications that require no other software to run (aside from windows itself, that is...)

2A Yes the Developer version is a 'superset' - you get all the features that you get with the standard edition plus a few more.

2B Both versions come with documentation. The developer edition has more documentation because it has more features.

2C There is no need to buy version 6 unless you particularly require the additional features it offers. However if you are buying software, in general the later release has the longer shelf-life (in terms of support etc)

3 Yes you can develop an application with the trial software. The trial software expires after 30 days and you'll have to buy a licensed copy if you want to continue.

4A Yes a runtime (if you copy all the files and the runtime applciation itself) will just 'magically' run on a client's pc. They will need Windows 95 or later, plus a bit of ram and disk space, depending on the size of your solution files. 10Mb free ram is typically sufficient.

4B FileMaker make money when you buy a developer license (and every time you upgrade). They also make money when your clients are so impressed that thay want a copy too. - and when you join the alliance.

5. Put your name down and wait to see if they contact you. Like everyone else

6A Word of mouth is undoubtedly the a good way of getting business. Clearly some people must find it profitable to advertise. I daresay it depends on your 'target market'. The alliance 'vetting' only applies to satisfying the requirments for different membership status (partner vs associate etc) The details are published on the FMI website.

6B There are 'clients' everywhere who want something put don't want to pay what it's worth. This is true much more broadly than software development. The thing is you have to make a realistic assessment of what you have to offer and what it's fair to ask - then stick to your guns. If a particular client won't pay your price then they are not the right client for you (or perhaps, for anybody - but that's not your problem...). My advice is don't waste too much time trying to re-educate would-be clients who are not realistic about the value of your services. Most developers ask for some kind of advance payment and then further payments as work progresses and is delivered - but it depends on the client and the size of the job. You need to work out what is comfortable for you in a given situation.

But all this is getting the cart somewhat before the horse, as you've yet to get the product, acquire the skills and develop a product or two.

[fmforme]

Thanks Ray... Great answers and hope they may help others too

contemplating FM Pro.

>> Cart before horse

I just want to learn/know as much as can before I dive in and

may just spin my wheels and meager cash and maybe not get

anywheres. Your point on pricing and spec'ing out customer

is well taken. Having never been in business for myself and never

having to "sell" anything for $$ - I guess my question is pretty

basic and applies to any business and paying customer scenario.

(I guess it comes more from experience than anything)...

I'm a pretty green rookie as might tell from questions...

Thanks bunches!