From where do I start ?

[Laetitia]

My wish is to create our Web Site with a list of our products at first, then to go into a Online Store.

I have File Maker 5.5.

Can I use CDML with it ?

I have no experience in Web design, and little in FM. What software to use for design and how do I publish my db on the Web.

Can I have only some part of it online ?

Very large question I guess, but I don't know from where to start.

Thank you.

[Anatoli]

You can start with FM for working on the project and small hosting -- up to 10 IP in 12 hours time.

You can use the CDML.

It will take you 1 month to get small grip on HTML. Then 2 years to learn some browsers quirks.

You need to improve your FM skills. Then you can start with CDML.

IMHO -- it will be cheaper to hire someone experienced.

[Laetitia]

Thank you Anatoli.

Well, I was afraid of such an answer.

Now, apart from experience, what kind of "material" is needed if we want to go up the small hosting limits you defined?

I knew HTML was quick to learn. Is CDML as quick when we know how FM works ?

[EddyB]

Hi,

If you want to up the limit, you will need to invest in FileMaker Unlimited. It is the same as FileMaker Pro in most resepcts but allows you to host your files over the Web without restrictions i.e. any number of users.

You will also need a PC/Mac which has an "always on" connection to the internet

The above is of course if you are hosting the databases yourself, you could always find an Internet Hosting company who will host FM Databases for you...

The main part of learning CDML, as with HTML really is learning to use the Tags correctly and when to use different Tags. But CDML is much more involved.

I agree with Antoli, if you are in any kind of rush for this solution, i.e the next 6 months - 12 months you are best employing someone experienced to do this for you while you are learning.

Ed.

[EddyB]

BTW

You could always learn the basics of FileMaker then use Instant Web Publishing (a feature on FM) to put your product list up on the Web - no CDML or HTML is required for this. Then learn more or employ someone for the online store project.

Ed

[Anatoli]

For HTML you can use Adobe's GoLive or Macromedia Dreamweaver.

CDML is similar to HTML, but the FM logic is gone. It is different cup of tea.

Although you cannot travel far with Instant WP, EddyB is right to suggest that. At minimum you will gain some experience with FM and Web. Maybe it will be OK for first step.

[Unable]

To help with the learning curve you can find working examples of CWP in the Sample Files forum. These offer the opportunity to see how CDML is embedded into HTML and some of the interactions with the db files. And they are FREE. There are other files which deal more specifically with peer-to-peer solutions as well. Lots of learning help in that forum.

Have fun.

[Laetitia]

Thank you Eddy,

"use Instant Web Publishing (a feature on FM) to put your product list up on the Web - no CDML or HTML is required for this"

I really have no idea about how it works. Does the manual explain it all ?

Would this list be browsed as if the user was in File Maker, or is it a fixed "HTML" page.

Sorry if this is a stupid question ..

As for the Online project, it is a project. No deadline.

Thanks again.

[Laetitia]

Anatoli,

I think I would follow Ed advise and go for the Instant WP. I think it's a reasonable way to start with it.

About dreamweaver, is it working on Macs ?

Thank you

[Laetitia]

Thank you Unable,

I'll have a look.

Thank you all. I just like this place...

[Anatoli]

Laetitia, GoLive and DW are both crossplatform.

If you are familiar with Adobe products, go for GL and if you used something from Macromedia go for DW.

Instant: go to preferences and look into WebCompanion plugin. In there are both, Instant and Custom.