Missing Features and Complaints

[mscholtz]

I wish we could dynamically specify a name when using the following steps:

Perform Script, Set Field, Go to Field.

Yes, yes, yes. I don't find that scripts are as big an issue as they used to be, now that we have script params. I just refactor my scripts so that calling one does the trick.

But not having the ability to have a variable target for SetField is a pretty glaring hole.

I think it's somewhat amusing (and painful) that, in this day and age, if you want to variably assign a value to one (or more) of a number of fields, you still have to resort to tricks like putting them all on a layout and tabbing through.

I think it's somewhat crazy that FMP spends time on gizmos like PDF creation, and never gets around to basic scripting stuff like this.

[mr_vodka]

I like the PDF creation feature. It saved my users lots of time as well as error reduction. -)

Also, I agree with you regarding dynamic target set fields.

The feature that would would be nice to have in a future release is printer selection. For example, Ii would be great for end users to be able to click a button and letters for their found records be printed to a color printer and the corresponding evelopes printed to a different B&W printer without them having them change the printer.

Also it would be great to have access to managing accounts without having to give 100% full Access so that layouts etc can not me modified, but accounts can be managed by a person with privileges to addd, change, and delete accounts.

Edited September 12, 2005 by Guest

[FMDuck]

There are a number of problems with the WinExample Plug-in. If you have a 'regular script' that exits the field that the plug-in is associated with, it will start to run in the middle of the other script. Since it's not run with a button, you can't halt the originally running script.

I've also had corruption on EVERY layout that the field was on.

Also, although I didn't take the time to verify it, a customer with FMP 8 reported to me that the plug-in didn't run and didn't appear in the plug-in list. Reviewing the details of the plug-in file in Windows Explorer showed that it actually was opened by FM.

[VFXdbGuy]

In 7 you could select a field and then, using your mouse, scroll through records in Form view. You can no longer do this.

[mr_vodka]

This is, I am assuming, because scroll wheel is now supported for fields with verticle scroll bars.

I think its better this way anyway. Users can still scroll through records with the wheel when not in a field.

[VFXdbGuy]

I tried to use scroll in a portal with scroll bars but it did not work. Is that what you are referring to? Or do you mean edit boxes with scroll bars? I have never used them for those fields seeing how, without them, all text is displayed once you select the field.

[mr_vodka]

If you have a portal with more records than the number of portal rows and you have on the verticle sroll bar, once you select a row the scroll wheel should move the portal.

As for the Edit boxes, it is good to have scroll support when you have large amounts of text in those text fields, such as notes sections, etc.

[lostjockey]

What I'd like to see is more definable short cut keys - at the moment it seems to be stuck on Ctrl-0 to Ctrl-9 to perform the top ten scripts and those scripts have to be displayed. How about being able to set eg. Ctrl-Alt-H to trigger a hidden script? "Define Short-Cuts" anyone?

(Only just got FM8 so sorry filemaker God if this has been implemented and I haven't noticed!)

[Reed]

What I'd like to see is more definable short cut keys - at the moment it seems to be stuck on Ctrl-0 to Ctrl-9 to perform the top ten scripts and those scripts have to be displayed. How about being able to set eg. Ctrl-Alt-H to trigger a hidden script? "Define Short-Cuts" anyone?

(Only just got FM8 so sorry filemaker God if this has been implemented and I haven't noticed!)

This is implemented in FMP8 Advanced as Custom Menus. You can create custom menus that run scripts and they can have any shortcut key you define.

[DG]

Two people mentioned wanting the ability to go straight to a button's script without having to find it in scriptmaker.

This can be done by turning on Debug, clicking the button and then opening scriptmaker from the Debug window. The script you have run will be selected in the list.

[Echo33029]

Two features that would be good:

1) In the portal setup dialog an option to allow or disallow record creation would be great. I realize that this can be turned off in the relationship itself however many times I also need to have the relationship be able to create records (as in when my users clicks the Edit button I provide, other times I want a view only option. I hate having to create a new relationship just for this, creating more clutter in the relationship graph, and also having that automatic new line show up in the portal.

2) As a further extension of the new drop down list feature to not display the first field, it would be great if we had an option that said something like "place field field value in field X" where X would be for example your id field that you are trying to hide. This would allow us to not have to place the ID field on the layout at all, not having to make it invisible etc. As well the user woudl not be able to edit that field and erase the ID number.

[Frink1234]

I am having a serious problem with keyboard response delay in 8 vs 7. I have attached a file to show what I mean or else you can try this: Create a layout and drag the body down so that it is 7 pages long. Create a single text box (not a text field as I said in this post before editing, just a text box) that stretches the entire 7 pages. Then type some text into the field. The delay is unbearable. Now open this same file in 7 and type - NO DELAY! Is it me or is something really wrong here?

KeyDelay.zip

Edited November 23, 2005 by Guest

[Edward Newman]

I agree with the comment that 8 is really 7.5. They did fix some bugs which were quite annoying. Here is my little wishlist...

1. The ability to create views like SQL, where I can show all records from a table that have field=fixed text or number. Right now, I have to create a unstored calculation field for the fixed text and create a relationship. It is cumbersome and slow.

2. Maximize window boxes for the scrips, variable list and define database windows.

3. The ability to import variable lists and layouts (combining 15 files with over 200 layouts was a major PIA without this)

4. The ability for server to manage preferences in client software (i.e. memory allocation, user names, etc.)

5. Heiharchial (sp?) menu lists

6. The ability to disable or remove functions from the main menu on top (not advanced since it can't support multiple users)

[SurferNate]

In 7 you could select a field and then, using your mouse, scroll through records in Form view. You can no longer do this.

OMG,

I threw a party when FM elimitaed this horrible behavior. Users expect their scroll wheel to scroll in the current view, not cause the record they are working on to suddenly change fo no obvious reason!

It's still not perfectly contextual, but it's a vast improvement.

My major wishes/needs:

"live" object/field handling, assign script triggers/hotkeys to specific layout object or field. on click, on doubleclick, on select, on hotkey , on exit.

[lobonacci]

I would like to see improvement of web compatibility such as printing. It is still not an option through web hosted databases other than to "Print Largest Frame."

I would also like to be able to create a new page on the Relationships Graph rather than scrolling all around making a cluttered mess.

And finally, fix the bug of disappearing records. I've seen some others complain about it and it happens on even the simplest solutions. There should also be more intuitive and easy export to other formats including ANSII, NSF-- (or maybe these are best left to third party programmers.)

Insufficient upgrades to qualify as a new version but I have to buy it anyway. Does this mean that a new, legitimate upgrade is far away or just around the corner?

[wad]

Add a Structured Query Language engine?

Otherwise this is just visicalc with another interface.

[ori_wel]

Regarding tab interface ...

Improve the Go to Layout step - Have it become Go to Layout [tab#, tab#, ... ]

Unless I use a Go to Field step, I cannot consistently navigate back to a specific tab.

If I am missing something here, let me know. Thanks.

DSW

[neocode:david]

I agree with ori_wel that the lack of any script step to specifically specify a tab layout is annoying. The tab interface seems tacked on in many ways - it's frustrating to be looking at one tab, go to layout mode and be shown a different one.

My biggest complaint is that variable support is *still* not fully implemented after being promised it since, what, FM5? There's so many script steps where variables still don't work: Perform Find, Set Field (to specify the field) [snip][/snip]. Being able to use variables in place of constants universally is a pretty basic programming concept - get with it Filemaker!

[Edit]

Oh yeah, and OnEvent Script firing a la javascript. It'd be so great to fire a script on entering a field or it's value getting changed

[/Edit]

Edited December 22, 2005 by Guest
duh, I was doin' it wrong