Howto create a Mailing List based on Filemaker

July 5, 200421 yr

Hello,

i'm looking for the way of create several mainling-lists in my server

using CDML to let people fill a addition form and register it on FM databases ... etc .. and more

some one have , know a site were we can find more information

to create the Filemaker Pro based Mailing List ?

i just find "mailing list" talking about different subject but not

how create it .. ( if we nedd to use Perl CGI .. or other methods )

thanks in advance

Mon

July 6, 200421 yr

Hi, Mon! Do you mean you want to run a mailing list via FileMaker or do you just want to take sign-ups for the mailing list with FileMaker? If the latter, all you would need would be FileMaker 4 or FileMaker 5/6 Unlimited, a computer to serve from, and (preferably) a static IP address. FM does not require Perl scripts; it has a built-in cgi called Web Companion that handles interaction between your web form and the FM database. With it, you can perform most of the basic FM functions (create/find/sort/edit records).

To get started w/a simple example using FM5/6 client...

(1) create a db called mailsignups.fp5

(2) define fields... firstname (text), lastname (text), email (text)

(3) under application preferences, make sure Web Companion plugin is active and configured to what you want

(4) make sure the db is open on screen and shared via the Web Companion (Sharing...)

(5) create a web form called index.html and put it in the FileMaker folder in the Web folder

index.html

<HTML>

<BODY>

First Name: <input type="text" name="firstname" value=""> <BR>

Last Name: <input type="text" name="lastname" value=""> <BR>

Email Address: <input type="text" name="email" value=""> <BR>

</FORM>

</BODY>

</HTML>

(6) create a page called thanks.html and put it in the FileMaker folder in the Web folder, too

thanks.html

<HTML>

<BODY>

Thank you, [FMP-field: firstname]. [FMP-field: email] has been added to the list.

</BODY>

</HTML>

(7) Go to your computer's web address (probably http://youripaddress/index.html) and test it out.

This is a minimalistic set up, but you'll get the idea. If pressing the RETURN key does not work for sending the form, you may have to click on the ADD TO LIST button manually. You can force the RETURN to work if you add another hidden input which I cannot recall right now (something with VALUE = " ").

If you are thinking of using FileMaker for as a mailing list package, I would probably not recommend it if this is for any serious purposes. I'd recommend looking at mailing list packages already out there, e.g. http://www.list.org, which handle user adds and deletions for you plus have a whole lot more.

Good luck and have fun!

--ST