Effect of renaming files on portals?

[jburg1254]

I am converting an dbase system to Filemaker. I've created new .fp5 files from the dbase files by importing records; the resulting file is called "__ converted.fp5". I figured it would take forever to figure out FM but to my surprise (probably not yours) I have already accomplished many interesting reports, layouts, and views that include portals into other "converted.fp5" files.

Now I want to get rid of the "converted" tag and create different (permanent) file names for the converted files (yeah I know, I did it bass-ackwards).

If I do that, what will happen to portals? I assume that each .fp5 file is an island to itself and is not "aware" of file name changes at the OS level.

Assuming Filemaker can't locate a file designated as a portal, will it ASK me to provide a new filename and location? If I do provide a new name will it make the link "permanent"? Or will everything stop working?

Thanks for your help.

[BobWeaver]

It's not a major ordeal unless you have several hundred files to rename. You will have to go into the define relationships dialog and re-select the proper files. Plus, if you have any scripts that refer to external scripts, you will have to rename those too. Better to do it now before the problem gets bigger.

Before you start, back everything up, so you can always go back and refer to the original copy to see how things are related.

[rogermax]

If you have the FMP developer version, renaming through the developer sequence takes care of all the internal scripts and relations.

[Vaughan]

After renaming the files go through each and every script and portal, locating the correct file each time FMP prompts. Make doubly sure to check everything before letting users or clients work on it.

The utility in FM Developer does this renaming very smartly. Pity it's so expensive.

[danjacoby]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Vaughan:

The utility in FM Developer does this renaming very smartly. Pity it's so expensive.

---

FM Developer does so many powerful things, including allowing you to distribute (that is, sell at a profit) your own solutions royalty-free; perhaps that's why it's so expensive.

[Anatoli]

There should be 2 developer versions, cheaper without runtime and the more expensive with runtime.

I never owned developer version in my life and I never produced stand-alone software.

There should be also 2 versions of FileMaker Pro. One with the menus and script editor etc, like now and smaller just network-runtime kind of application.

Also if FileMaker really want's to go to schools, the must be much lower prices by 90%. When Microsoft is selling full SQL server to schools on 1/3 of EDU FM server price, schools are locked to Microsoft products.

Remember this, the history will repeat again like with Macintoshes. Apple had so large share in PC market 10 years ago, that we actually guessed, that Apple Inc. is just neck and neck with Compaq number 1 PC company. Now, 10 years later Apple is much smaller and without genius of Steve Jobs it hardly exists today.

In 10 years time, all kids leaving school will know Microsoft products and full SQL and kids will not know FileMaker and the FM market will shrink.

EDU prices and policy is a joke. It is OK for schools to buy FM for own usage, but very expensive for just teaching.

That is my personal view and I hate those facts. My first PC was Apple IIe.

[Steven H. Blackwell]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Anatoli:

There should be 2 developer versions, cheaper without runtime and the more expensive with runtime.

I never owned developer version in my life and I never produced stand-alone software.

There should be also 2 versions of FileMaker Pro. One with the menus and script editor etc, like now and smaller just network-runtime kind of application.

Also if FileMaker really want's to go to schools, the must be much lower prices by 90%. When Microsoft is selling full SQL server to schools on 1/3 of EDU FM server price, schools are locked to Microsoft products.

Remember this, the history will repeat again like with Macintoshes. Apple had so large share in PC market 10 years ago, that we actually guessed, that Apple Inc. is just neck and neck with Compaq number 1 PC company. Now, 10 years later Apple is much smaller and without genius of Steve Jobs it hardly exists today.

In 10 years time, all kids leaving school will know Microsoft products and full SQL and kids will not know FileMaker and the FM market will shrink.

EDU prices and policy is a joke. It is OK for schools to buy FM for own usage, but very expensive for just teaching.

That is my personal view and I hate those facts. My first PC was Apple IIe.

---

Interesting views, but the market results don't bear out your theories.

Approximately 15 percent of the FileMaker, Inc. market place is from the educational sector. By a huge factor as well, FileMaker Pro products are sold in volume licenses to larger customers. FileMaker, Inc. is one of the most profitable software development companies in the world, and continues to turn a profit quarter after quarter for nearly a decade.

I'll stick with the current strategy.

Old Advance Man

[Anatoli]

I am not disputing that at all.

But let's talk about that in 10 years time. The example with Apple, and FM Inc. is owned by Apple, speaks in favour of my theories. Apple and Compaq where just pennies apart and where they are now.

10 years ago, when I was with Apple Inc. IMC I was telling reasons to everyone, most people just said as argument: not developed here, not Apples way of doing things and similar things. Look at shrinking market share of Apple Computer Inc. everywhere (East Europe, Japan etc.).

But you can have number of educational institutions where Apple is doing quite well. It means nothing in World numbers.

[danjacoby]

Actually, Apple's market share started declining about 15 years ago, and hasn't turned around. But they're profitable, innovative, and much in demand in a "mature" market. Meanwhile, they have the largest profit margins in the business.

Not sure why you brought up Compaq; their current business model stinks (and they're the ones who created the "PC-clone"!).

Regarding FileMaker, Inc., I have to say that the apparent attitude is vastly different from that of the hardware folks. As it should be. After all, hardware and software are two vastly different businesses.

I can understand why you'd like to see more options on FileMaker's products, but since they're a distant number two, way behind Microsoft Access, with little chance of gaining a lot of market share unless MS gets split up, there's really no profit to be seen in a divergent product line. Just because Access is, overall, an inferior product (no, I won't debate it; there are certainly a number of features in Access that are better than FMP's offerings, but overall, FMP is easier both to create and to use database solutions, it's just as powerful, and it's far more flexible) doesn't mean that Access owners will line up to switch to FMP. For proof, I refer you to the (oh so few) owners of Sony's Beta VCRs. Until FileMaker gets an equal opportunity to reach customers that Microsoft has, that's the way the ball bounces.

So keep on wishing for added features, flexible product lines, etc., etc. Perhaps some day your wishes will come true; I certainly hope so. Just don't bet on this one, at least not in the foreseeable future.

[Anatoli]

RE: Actually, Apple's market share started declining about 15 years ago

I don’t seriously think that is the case. When was their largest share achieved? I believe around 1991-93. And Compaq is there just for comparison, nothing else.

But you forget single thing, which all Japanese companies know very well: tune product, features and price to particular market.

Apple and FileMaker are neglecting that basic rule.

Only 1% of users and FM programmers in Central Europe are interested in Full version of FM Pro. 99% from FM potential market are interested just in running the solution. What happens next?

1% (the programmers) bought the product and are developing something what users needs.

From potential of another 99% users 5% are purchasing full-blown FM Pro.

20% are pirating FM. From them around 20% are dedicated pirates which will never pay for software.

The rest are saying "Its expensive with features which users don’t use".

Those people cannot be convinced to pay that inflated price for just running the show on network. They are using in best scenario old networked version or are switching software to something else.

FileMaker is loosing here market share, which was never great. And it is market in 50% size of US.

Last question -- who will get that? 50/50 split between Open Source and Microsoft. Nothing for FM and for Apple. Your conclusion is that FM is 100%correct in sales policy.

Just go and read some Guy Kawasaki's book, maybe you get some ideas.

[danjacoby]

If 99% of the people (and what statistical universe you're using is yet to be defined) only want to run solutions, then they don't have to buy anything from FileMaker -- just the bound solutions we developers create.

I think you mean that 99% of database developers don't need the Developer Kit, in which case, fine. The basic software is pretty inexpensive.

The reason for the high piracy rate has little to do with the cost -- it has to do with the fact that these countries are not economically developed, with either few regulations covering piracy or a lack of resources to enforce the laws. The solution is not to lower the price of the software, but to raise the standard of living (something many Americans who opposed the NAFTA agreement in 1996 didn't understand). Chances are, if the folks at FileMaker (or any software company) think about this problem, they understand the reasons well enough not to worry -- the high piracy rate (of all software -- MS Access, Windows, Office, etc.) leads to higher computer literacy, which leads to better productivity and higher paying jobs, which leads to a higher standard of living ...

Guy Kawasaki is a very bright guy, but don't take his word as gospel; even he has his blind spots.

[Steven H. Blackwell]

Something in slight excess of 50 percent of FMI's revenues come from outside North America. Some 70 percent of the products sales are to the Windows market. There is considerable potential for growth here. The large bulk of sales are to larger volume customers on both platforms.

Eastern Europe is a potential marketplace; however FIleMAker Pro is all over Western Europe, the Aaerica's, Asia, and Oceana.

Be careful what you ask for; you might get it.

Old Advance Man

[Anatoli]

OK, I was not clear enough. The "99% from FM potential market are interested just in running the solution" are larger companies, with networked computers. But only the developer need full version. Another 50-100 users don’t need menus in language, which nobody understands. I can say the solutions are more like kiosk, no menus. FM does not version like that. Just run solution on network.

It is cheaper to hire software company to write custom solution not relying on some kind of engine for work. I am currently moving that direction with HTML/CDML solution.

BTW, I've just got the developer version 5. That is joke! Almost nothing works there with CE languages! No JDBC, no CDML. I must try the XML.