Sharing to the web with Server (not Advanced)

[joestern]

I have a network with about 8 users, and FileMaker Server on a Mac Mini. I'd like to get a small portion of this data to the web, but I seem to be out of luck. I can't share the data through a client, and I have Server, but not Advanced, so I can't do that either, right? If I were smaller or larger, I'd be all set, but I'm in the middle.

I tried making a shell database with calculation fields just equalling the data in the shared files, but the calc fields show blank on the web.

Any ideas? Do I have to either spend $700 or go back to a client running as server?

[Steven H. Blackwell]

You need FileMaker Server 8 Advanced.

Also, I strongly recommend that you get a real server instead of that mini Mac.

Steven

[joestern]

Actually, the Mac Mini has been great. We had a powerful Dell server with a RAID setup, and it was a constant nuisance. One day I ran over to CompUSA and grabbed a Mini as a stopgap, and I've been happy ever since. The performance isn't quite as good as with the Dell (due to the RAID and some configuration issues) but the stability and admin are much, much better. Also, the ability to schedule backups of backups via cron jobs is excellent.

As far as the web question: does this change with the announcement of FMP 9? It sounds like the non-Advanced server version will enable PHP, so should that do the trick?

[LelandLong]

I'm thrilled to hear more praise on the Mac mini. I also have a Mac Mini at home running FMP Server, a mail server, and a web server and it works great. No maintenance, no headaches, just love it.

Would also invite some more detail as to why Old Advance Man "... strongly recommends a real server". Eight users, come on! Hardly a reason to spend more money.

I'm interested in your problem and wondering . . . Server 7?

You mentioned PHP as a solution . . . why? Do you know about FX.php?

My only experience with Server is 8 Advanced . . . is Server 7 not IWP capable?

[joestern]

It's Server 8 - I had to go to 8.04 when I got the Mini since it's Intel.

I mention PHP only because of the announcements this morning. It just seems like the only way to get the data to HTML without going down to a client version or up to an advanced version.

[LelandLong]

Is server 8 not IWP capable? I'm not clear on this option...

Do you want to run a web server on the mini Mac (easy enough as I'm sure you already know) and make your own HTML pages?

[joestern]

I'm happy to build the HTML, but as far as I can see, the Client or the Advanced Server are both IWP capable, but not the regular server, nor the clients of the regular server. Standalone clients can, but only with local databases.

[JesseSFR]

FileMaker 9 Server allows you to have XSLT access to FileMaker data which is HUGE. It's not trumpeted a lot among the typical FileMaker community because not a whole lot of users venture much farther into the realm of web development then IWP.

If you know how to program using PHP or even better ruby using rFM you can make much richer and more interactive interfaces for your FileMaker data.

IWP is definitely not worth the 1000+ dollars extra for server advanced if you access to anyone who can use this technology. At that price you cn probably hire developers to do it for you even if you don't.

The end result will be a much more useful and quite frankly, better looking system them if you used IWP.

[Genx]

OHHHH, that's awesome!!

It's possibly actually worth it now... they're trying to get around the fact that you can use MySQL as an external source -- lol yay.

[JesseSFR]

Yea it's ridiculously cool. The ESS thing is fantastic because now you can custom from ends for a sql database in now time using FileMaker 9. You also have 'shadow tables' which are basically extensions of the sql table so you can put calculations and summary fields and whatever you want on top of the existing sql data. It's really quite impressive when you think about. I am pretty sure I posted pretty much that exact same comment somewhere else today so you'll have to forgive me for my repetition.

[LelandLong]

Then I guess my next question is can Server 8 (non-advanced) handle XML output?

Side note: anyone know of a page/site that shows & compares features of FMP products, so I can stop asking all the time which version/product provides what content/features.

[JesseSFR]

Si senor, FileMaker 9 Server (non advanced) does handle xml output. You can use PHP and Ruby (using rFM) to access this data. Saves you a TON of cash.

As far as comparison charts, FileMaker has a bunch on their site that you can look at.

[LelandLong]

Then assuming Server 8 also allows XML communication then you can use Dreamweaver/GoLive/etc to make yourself some HTML/php pages that present FileMaker data any way you wish, using FX.php. Store the pages on your mini Mac and turn on the web server. No extra cash; use everything you already have.

I'll be glad to help you step by step if you wish since it was an interesting learning curve for me. I even use my home server now as a temporary server as I develop for my current employer. I can demo the solution to anyone at work with an internet connection while they work through the red-tape hassle to get their server ready for my solution.

[LelandLong]

I'm more interested in FMP v3 through v9 comparisons, not just the current product offerings. Any suggestions there?

[Ender]

I'm more interested in FMP v3 through v9 comparisons, not just the current product offerings.

Check out the version comparison PDF:

http://www.filemaker.com/products/index.html

[LelandLong]

Thank you! That will help tremendously :(