Filemaker 5.5 Instant Web Publishing Problems

I've read the posts on Instant Web Publishing limitations; I'd still like to try it, at least as a prototype to justify further development.

I'm testing with V 5.5 trial; compared to V5.0, IWP has most of the features I want, but I find problems which I hope someone can give me some advice on.

I'm testing at home on an iMac, OS 9.0.4, for later use on a PC network at work. The alternatives offered to me include exporting/replacing the our FM databases - using Access or Lotus Notes.

1. I want to replace the Web Companion frame with our department header and own navigation controls. I can remove the frame with the startup script "Toggle status area (hide)" and navigate layouts with scripted buttons, but is it possible With FM functions only (no CDML or Javascript), to control the number of records found, and display next/previous 25 or whatever possible? If not, any examples available to speed my learning curve?

2. FM 5.5 Web Companion appears to have a logical design fault. In FM 5.0, WC Search returns the Table view which uses the fields and column widths set up in the layout defined for the Web Companion TABLE view (and it has automatic row height- no truncation of data; all it needed was grid borders)

In FM 5.5 trial, WC Search result displays the Table view of the WC SEARCH page, with fixed row height - (still a FM limitation)- here, simulating the FM layout exactly is definitely a retrograde step. I want to use radio buttons in the search layout, and return fields not on the search layout.- but at least choosing Form view or row click after this will display the WC setup Form view.

If I use a scripted FIND button to force the display layout to switch to the TABLE layout, I'm stuck with the apparent logical error that WC frame "Form View" button (and click on table row) causes display of the Form view of the FM layout currently showing in the Find results (the WC Table view), not the FORM view defined for WC, as did FM 5.0, and would seem logical.

This means I have to use the table version of the Form view layout for the display of Find results. Since this layout has many more fields than I want in the table view, the only workaround I've found so far is the rather clumsy one of reducing the width of the unneccessary columns to a messy "barcode" on the right end of the table.

If I do this, then Form View displays correctly; then selecting Table view displays the correct WC TABLE layout.

3. Installation of FM5.5 trial appears to have interfered with WC in FM 5.0. WIith FM 5.0 (only) open, The navigation buttons in the WC frame highlight, but do not function. Opening the same files in FM 5.5 trial works !?.

Any solutions available to my problems?

1. How to use Filemaker buttons only to navigate/ find more records?

2. WC form view odd logic - Form View does not reliably display the Form view defined in the WC setup

2a. No row autoheight on WC table view

3. FM 5.5 disabling WC in concurrent install of FM 5.0?

4. Any way of suppressing the annoying popup of search options in the Search field?

FMP

IWP

wysiwyg.

Kinda rhymes doesn't it?

Keith,

I know what you think about IWP.

Anybody else gt any HELPFUL comments?

It is not what I think about IWP that matters. What matters (to you) is that it is wysiwyg.

Try not to shoot the messenger.

[ February 27, 2002, 06:34 AM: Message edited by: Keith M. Davie ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Keith M. Davie:

Try not to shoot the messenger.

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Keith, history is very clear on this subject

Thanks Anatoli. I know that those who ignore history must repeat it. Guess that means I'm shot.

Hopefully not! It will be loss for this community!