Low-cost online FileMaker deals/4.1 to 6 or 7

[ICKaren]

Hi,

I'm brand new here - first post.

First question: There are some ads on this forum that offer FileMaker 6 for as low as $70 (such as from Hard Core Mac and eDirect). They claim to be perfectly legal, fully functioning copies. Are these legitimate? Any downside to purchasing from these places? Sounds a LOT better than $200+ for retail.

Also, I was fairly proficient in FM Pro 4 in its heydey, but really don't use it much in my current job. However, I've been charged with helping some other users upgrade from 4.1. Is it a bad idea to just upgrade to version 6? Or would they be better off going to 7? If it matters, these aren't particularly sophisticated users.

Thanks for any advice.

Karen

[transpower]

1. --

2. Version 7 is vastly more powerful than 6 or 5 or 4. Using Let in functions to define variables is extremely handy. Comments can be placed in calculation fields. Version 7 Developer allows custom functions with recursion to be constructed. A file can have multiple tables. Non-equijoin relationships can be made. The Relationships Graph visually displays all the table relationships. Etc.

[LiveOak]

Having said all of that, If they aren't developing and are just using FM as a flat file database with no scripts, etc. , FM6 is much easier for the casual user to understand. If they are using pre OS X Macs, FM7 won't run on operating systems prior to OS X. This could require an upgrad of computers, as OS X isn't practical on pre G3 Blue & White Macs. Bigger, faster, stronger isn't always right for every user. It really depends upon their use and platform.

-bd