Ad Banner rotator

[qhpleasure]

Could someone give me a quick laymans description for using FM Pro to create a database that posts web banners randomly? the backend would be simple (connecting the banner, business name, start and end date for banner, financial information, web link, etc... I just cant envision connecting FM Pro to dynamic web pages to rotate banners within the database from a given set of guidelines.

Anyone able to help me?

[Steve T.]

Howdy. Is this for FileMaker 4-6? If so...

An ad banner is really just a random graphic, right? If you have a db of ads (or ad paths/URLs), there is a -findany action which will (I assume) randomly find any record. If you are doing this in conjuction with other FM-db web stuff, you can use INLINE ACTIONS to show these graphics wherever on the page you want and they will not interfere with your other FM web db. An INLINE ACTION is like a mini-, independent, FileMaker action (-new/-find/-findany, etc.) that resolves immediately before main web page is generated... kinda like putting the main action on hold until all inlines are completed.

Of course, since FileMaker resolves AFTER Web Companion has been accessed, though, you will not be able to use FM CDML to show ads on the first page, but you can use META refresh to auto-redirect someone if you like.

--ST

[qhpleasure]

What you are saying makes sense. I am unfamiliar with the connection to web servers. I can do it easily with PHP... I am assuming I can do it in similar fashion with FM Pro.

I am using FM Pro 7.0 ... Do I need the server or will the pro version work fine?

Thanks again,

Todd

[Steve T.]

Hi, Todd! Unfortunately, CDML was available in FM4-6 but has been dropped in 7, so what I told you will not work in 7. Plus, FileMaker 7 Server Advanced is not yet available so folks are waiting to find out how exactly it will work (it's not cheap). If you publish with FMP7 standard client, you're restricted... I think I heard something about 5 concurrent IP addresses but I could be wrong... the old one (FM5-6) was 10 IP's in floating 12-hour period or somesuch... you needed to get FMP 5-6 Unlimited (or FM4 standard client) to seriously web publish.

You can use FM w/PHP if that will suit you better. Many CDML folks like me have been migrating that direction anyway. CDML was extremely limited but okay for basic stuff. An open source programmer named Chris Hansen wrote an open source php class called FX that works w/FileMaker. It was gaining popularity but I am not sure how it will be affected by FM7.

Good luck!

--ST