Commit records after x time

[KirkD]

I have 12 computers using FileMaker to track work flow in a manufacturing plant. Several users use each computer during the day. Users often leave the computer and don't commit the changes. Is there a way to track key and mouse imput and if nothing changes for 5 minutes, commit the records and maybe change the layout?

[Korky2]

After one or two false starts,I think there is a way to do this.

First you have to create a script which contains the command 'Go to records/requests'. Next create a new Filemaker database in which you create only one field - anything you like. In this database you create a script which consists of only two commands 'Perform Script'and 'Close file'. You select 'External'to qualify the 'Perform Script' command then the name of the database/'go to' script you created in the first step above.You now make this new script the Startup script in File Options

Now you have to go to Task Scheduler in XP and set it to open this dummy database every x minutes.This requires two steps in which you first set schedule to run daily then you access 'Advanced' and choose evey x minutes.

What should happen (I hope) is that every x minutes xp task scheduler will open the new dummy database you just created, the startup script will trigger your new 'Go to' script.The dummy database will close.

I confess I didn't work this out on my own. I remember this from an old tip from years ago.

Edited January 4, 2008 by Guest
Brain not in gear

[Søren Dyhr]

Where do you find Commit Record/Request under fm6, Korky2???

--sd

[Korky2]

Oops!

How about 'Go to Record/Request'.

Thanks for the lesson. I'll try to be more vigilant in future.

[KirkD]

I have done something like this for years but I use it to close tables after 11pm and open again at 7am. The problem I have is that I don't want it to interrupt the user if they are entering data. Using the method you suggest will execute no matter what is being done on the computer. I would like to detect idle time. : Maybe I'm wrong?

[KirkD]

I have done similar things for years but if you run a script every ten minutes it will interrupt the user. After I originally asked this question I found an external function from zippscript. This has several features that I am now using but one of them is a timer that does exactly what I want. I found this from an article on filemakermagazine.com

Thanks

Kirk