Hi, I have a massive relational database that needs to be updated daily. Problem is it takes about 45 min, even through ODBC. I was looking to see if there is some script I can run or schedual to where it can run at like 3 am or something so it is not such a pain for me. There has to something I figure, just haven't found it yet.

Couple of ways to do this. If the machine is dedicated to this function only, you can run a script with a loop that checks the time and then pauses for a short time. At the correct time it would run the update script. Another approach is to use a plugin to schedule the script to be run at a specified time, check out plugins. Yet another is to use AppleScript to run the script at the specified time, let me know if you want this approach for a simple AS example.

thank for your help. I will look into these and see... Really I think the applescript would work fine. That is certianly not a strongpoint yet for me though. Still learning UNIX first. Would it be tough to do? Any help is appreciated.

is events 4.0 any good? Its by waves in motion and looks like it would do this and more?

Another application you might look at is CronniX. It's a nice GUI to Unix cron.

http://h5197.serverkompetenz.net/cronnix/

You can let it set the timer, then target an AppleScript to tell FileMaker what to do. I've only played around with it, but it seems to work fine; many people use it I think, 'cause I hear it mentioned.

Doesn't iCal provide the same functionality (Event Alarm = Open file)?