I have not found answers to these questions in FileMaker documentation. I am hosting on a Mac, but I am assuming the answers would apply to both PC and Mac versions of FileMaker. I am hosting the database through the web and also tcp:

1. On a computer that is sharing the database does anything bad happen to the host database if the application freezes or the computer crashes.

2. If the host database is in the layout mode or Define Fields is open or the ScriptMaker is open, will the database still be accessible through the web? I know it is not if it is shared by tcp.

3. When I open the shared database on another computer, it always opens at a particular record, not the most recent one. Why does it do that and is there a way of making it open to the most recent record created?

4. I have small thumbnail photos on each record for my clients. I insert them by dragging and dropping them from PhotoShop to the thumbnail container field. When I have done the above on a shared database, the images get distorted and will crash the hosted database. Why is it doing that and is there away to prevent it? Saving a small jpg and linking it to the database is not an option, too many steps and too many photos involved. I can live with the process now, but was just wondering if there might be another option.

These are my experiences.

1. Crashes: On the very rare occassion a database may become "locked" and hence unusable.

2. Not sure. Give it a try!

3. Use a Script to "Goto" the Last Record. Have this Script run when the database/Document is opened.

4. Check that the FM Cache is at least 8192KB (more is better). Check the Layouts for correct size. Also check the screen resolutions on the computers which are distorting the images. Are you using FM6; it, supposedly, has better image handling capabilities.

Are you using OS X? It is quite strong.

All the best.

Garry

Gary

Thanks for your help on these questions. Yes I am up to date on both FileMaker (v6) and Mac OS X (10.2). So far so good.

On your answer to the last question I posted, I may not have stated correctly what is happening:

"4. I have small thumbnail photos on each record for my clients. I insert them by dragging and dropping them from PhotoShop to the thumbnail container field. When I have done the above on a shared database, the images get distorted and will crash the hosted database. Why is it doing that and is there away to prevent it? Saving a small jpg and linking it to the database is not an option, too many steps and too many photos involved. I can live with the process now, but was just wondering if there might be another option. "

What I mean here is I have the database running from one Mac and share it to another Mac. On the shared database when I have dragged and dropped the photo into the container field, it tends to cause problems with the database and it crashes. When I drop the photo into the container field on the main database everything works fine.

Does this make sense?

Thanks again in advance for your help

Sam,

I only thing I can think of, other than bug, is to check the allocated memory cache (Perferences-Application-Memory) on the shared database. Make this quite large to see if it has any affect.

Good Luck.

Garry