Store only a reference to the file

[Lucky]

Hi

I have this problem:

I have a filemaker solution on a Filemaker Server 8.1 (Mac OS X) with 12 users connecting through out the day. We normally create between 20 - 50 new records daily. What I have done is set up a layout so the users can insert a pdf file into a container field which shows a artwork miniature of the job they are working on.

We have been using this solution since the beginning of November 05 and already it has grown in size to 880MB. I know this is because we are embedding the pdf into the solution so I would like to select the 'Store only a reference to the file' tick box to reduce the size. The problems I have are:

1. Were is the best place to store the folder were the pdf's are kept?

Is this on the Filemaker Server Mac or a File Server?

2. We have introduced Terminal Services to our network so remote users can dial in to access our database, They can insert .gif files and embed them but when they try to store only a reference they can see the image on the solution at there end, but no one else can unless they are sitting on the PC with Terminal Services on.

Peter

[IdealData]

Go for a separate file server and use a web server approach then your PDFs are much more portable and are not tied down to a specific folder structure on a conventional file serving approach.

This might also solve the TS problem.

[Lucky]

Thanks for the reply.

What do you mean by web server approach?

[David Anders]

I have a client that needs a photo management solution that works cross-platform from an OSX Server OSX 10.4.4 and allows Windows and Mac users (local currently, remote maybe). And MAY want to store website elements in a separate copy for tracking.

They bought FMP ver8 server package.

There does not seem to be much (any) documentation from Filemaker on the process.

A two week sporadic search of the internet and bookstores left me with these links to the best info on the net.

I now have it working and will try to write a synopsis of the distillation of the grist of the solution.

The key is GetAsText command for finding the paths necessary to create the calculation fields to make the containers to hold the right pathlinks.

Cross Platfrom Refernce to Files (QuickTime) with calculation

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/141646/

Container Image File Size - format (with example DB in thread)

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/159162/

Getting Data into a Container Field in FileMaker Pro 7

http://complianceadvisor.com/doc/15011

jpeg images in FMP scripting

http://www.issociate.de/board/post/272645/Storing_Big_JPEG_Images_In_a_FileMaker_database.html

Viewing Container Fields over a Network

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/139264/

Container Fields & Multi-user problem

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/170786/

Where to store lots of images?

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/139835/

sharing files and "mounting volumes"

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/166891/

Broken image references - AppleScript to get path?

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/158107/

Re: Getting the path filename from a container field

http://www.talkaboutdatabases.com/group/comp.databases.filemaker/messages/94207.html

Calculation based on container Field

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/170905/

file references not working remotely

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/160815/

Need Help Creating an Image Browser

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/70750/

Linking filename paths to image??

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/152648/

Load Pix into a Large frame for viewing (with multiple example DBs in thread)

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/152241/

clearing a container field

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/117474/

Containers, file size and references

http://www.issociate.de/board/post/264961/Containers,_file_size_and_references.html

Image file link with server ?

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/149044/

Inserting Photos into Container Field

http://www.issociate.de/board/post/286714/Inserting_Photos_into_Container_Field.html

Is beter to insert a picture or only a reference?

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/133900/

Bulk Import of images into Container

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/143381/

What is the best way to change the import path once a picture has been imserted

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Databases/FileMaker/Q_21534116.html

Displaying documents in Container fields

http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0505b&L=fmpro-l&T=0&F=&S=&P=2385

Getting the path filename from a container field

http://www.talkaboutdatabases.com/group/comp.databases.filemaker/messages/94207.html

What is the best way to change the import path once a picture has been imserted

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Databases/FileMaker/Q_21534116.html

Calculation Container Graphic Check

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/169646/

file references to files

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/138930/

How to show the attributes of an image?

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/149162/

Open a File from container (with example file)

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/142743/

open ms word document from a field

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/149910/

Open PDF from Container Field

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/156032/

making images referenced instead of embedded

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/136792/

==========Mac Applescript============

http://macscripter.net/site_map/

Filemaker 8.0 Applescript Dictionary

http://macscripter.net/app_dictionaries/dictionary/287_0_1_60_C/

Filemaker 7.0 Applescript Dictionary

http://macscripter.net/app_dictionaries/dictionary/235_0_1_60_C/

Filemaker 6.0 Applescript Dictionary

http://macscripter.net/app_dictionaries/dictionary/21_0_1_60_C/

Importing the picture info into Filemaker 7

http://bbs.applescript.net/viewtopic.php?id=15005

[IdealData]

For "web server" approach read as

http://www.mydata.com/filename

This means that any file can be stored on a web server using an absolute file path, but without reference to the machine identity.

Even if you move the files to another machine or location you still retain the original file path.

[Lucky]

Many thanks for the reply.

I'll have a look at it asap, and let you know how i get on.