I stopped using Filemaker Pro 7 about 8-9 months ago - but had been using it for about 9 months to develop a database (good thing I remembered the user name and password from my old job!).

I've now been asked to set up a database for a friend using Filemaker Pro.

Given that what I used to use (and know about) is the old version, should I recommend he buy FMP 7 or 8? I guess I need to know just how easy will it be for me to work out the basics for FMP 8 and upgrade/redesign the FMP 7 file I want to base the database on?

There's few major changes in FM8 from FM7. Your friend should buy the latest version, FM8. You can develop the solution in FM7 and it will work (with a few notable issues.) If you wish to utilize the new features of FM8, then you'll need to use FM8 to build it (it's pretty easy to figure out the new features.)