Any suggestions for classroom training?

[jackinva]

Folks,

I'm looking for some suggestions for classroom training in FMPro. I'm a programmer with over 10 years of database programming varying from mainframe to PC. I'm looking for a class that really involves learning more about FMPro "under the hood" itself more so than database design/theory. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jack

[Vaughan]

I teach FMP, and develop too.

For you I'd suggest firstly getting yourself a project to do in FMP. Then start doing it. Pay a consultant to come in and sit by you and talk you through your issues, offer suggestions and alternatives, but don't let them touch the keyboard or mouse!

Do it like a music lesson, once a week. Or maybe once every couple of days, depending on your time frame. But you've gotta be constantly working on it.

[jackinva]

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately I don't plan on developing in FMPro. (Although, I may have to modify an existing application.) I work with PHP/MySQL, Perl and AppleScript. My supervisor offered to pay for FMPro training to give me a better understanding of the database application we have acquired that's written in FMPro so that I can automate extraction of information for use in our digital repository. (I've been identifying quirks here and there as I work with FMPro to get data out. It would be nice to sort of know those quirks up front.)

Anybody else got a suggestion for a class?

[Mariano Peterson]

I don't think there are any classes at all out there that will teach you the quirks. I think all the organized classes just brush over the top level view of FileMaker, and some go as far as giving you a starting point for taking it further. Like Vaughan recommended, I'd hire a consultant to teach you one on one. If you pay them $100 - $150 per hour, for an 8 hour day, you'd get much better value than if you paid $1000 for a regular class. Just be sure to get a good consultant

[Anatoli]

If they didn't designed database properly, you will have hell lot of time. For example if the previous FM designer didn't used stored values, but calculated summaries across many records, it will be slow as snail on the web -- regardless of your technologies.

[CobaltSky]

Hi Jack,

Another option that you might put to your boss would be to establish a support account with a specialist FM developer or consultant so that you have someone 'on call' to answer your questions and make suggestions - via email, phone or in person, as the case may warrant.

For the price of a seat in a class, as Mariano has said, you'd likely get a number of hours of support - and every minute of it will be targetted at specific problems with the files you have to deal with, and specific questions you have about things that don't at first seem clear to you. It can still be billed as 'training' time, but it will be focussed and practical in a way that is hard to find in the one-size-fits-all classroom variety.

If you put it as a business case to your supervisor, he/she may well see it as equivalent or better value for money.