Filemaker Technical Network, Worth It?

[jstaphse]

I was thinking of joining the Filemaker Technical Network and I'm looking for opinions.

If you are a member, what are the benefits?

[gdurniak]

It is fairly cheap, and possibly your best source for Tech Support ( Tech Talk )

I have found FileMaker's own Tech Support to be hit or miss

and, FileMaker's Knowledge Base is very poorly maintained

greg

[mr_vodka]

Hi jstaphse,

TechNet replaced the old FSA program. It has its benefits as certain items can only be accessed witha membership such as White Papers, Tech Briefs, Sample files, etc. (some of these used to be open to the general public on the FM website... but who is grumbling... )

Anyway, the biggest things IMO that you get for being a member are the following:

- A Restricted Development copy of FileMaker Server Advanced (limted in connections).

- Beta Pre-release copy of FileMaker Pro Advanced if a new release is coming out.

- Access to Techtalk forums.

These are the main benefits. Its not a bad deal for $99 but if you dont need the aforementioned stuff then its a moot point.

[grumbachr]

I let my Technet subscription expire some time ago and would like to renew. Is anyone aware of any current promotion to get it at better price than the $99 a year?

[bcooney]

No discounts, same price.

[Ted S]

- Beta Pre-release copy of FileMaker Pro Advanced if a new release is coming out.

This is interesting. As a member you a supposed to get a sneak-peek at the new version before the public does. I've been a member for a number of years now and I remember this happening at least once, maybe twice, but I don't remember this happening with the release of version 11 and maybe 10. I could be wrong but I think getting pre-release software is a benefit that died a lonely death some years back.

I think Filemaker Devcon is where you get the real inside story. I've never been to one before but I think all attendees are treated to some of FMI's upcoming product plans under the strict knowledge that any developers who reveal anything at all will be terminated with extreme prejudice! ;)

[bruceR]

" I could be wrong but I think getting pre-release software is a benefit that died a lonely death some years back."

Not the way I remember it.

Always got a copy.

[iMarcW]

Yep, pre-release software is still a benefit. Also: frequent webinars (live, then archived) and 50% off FileMaker Training Series materials.

[Vaughan]

It used to be that FSA members got a free full license of FMP Advanced. I think this ended with 8.5. After that, we "only" get a time-limited pre-release version of FMPA. It usually expires a month or so after the release of the retail version.

[Ted S]

Yep, pre-release software is still a benefit.

Hmmm, I've been a member for a long time and in fact I'm still a member today and yet I can't recall seeing that benefit since v9 maybe.

[pixi]

I was thinking of joining the Filemaker Technical Network and I'm looking for opinions.

If you are a member, what are the benefits?

in addition to the things people mentioned above you also get the FileMaker Training Series for FileMaker 11 as software download if you are a "FileMaker Developer Subscriber" (the successor of the "FileMaker TechTalk" membership). otherwise you can buy the FTS for 9,99 until January 31, 2012

pixi

[Fitch]

This is an old thread, and TechNet has changed as of Nov. 2011.

http://www.filemaker.com/technet/

You can now join for free and have access to to the developer forums (looks like this has replaced TechTalk), and the whitepapers, webinars, Technical Resource Library (i.e. example files) etc. that were formerly part of the $99 subscription.

You can upgrade to the "FileMaker Developer Subscription" as pixi noted above.

For $99 / year you get:

• FileMaker Server Advanced Development License.
  
• A download of the latest official FileMaker Training Series (this used to cost $50 for TechNet members)
  
• Early view of unreleased FileMaker software
  

I had let my TechNet lapse, but just now signed up again. Why would I not?

If you don't opt for the $99 subscription, and don't yet have the FileMaker Training Series (FTS), it's a no-brainer to grab the $10 sale price.

Side note: the forums are now based on Jive software, which looks like it will be much better than their old webcrossing system -- it couldn't be any worse!

[Lee Smith]

Hi Tom,

I had let my TechNet lapse, but just now signed up again. Why would I not?

I did the same.

Lee

[ryangrg]

No.

[imoree]

I dont see any benefit of joining either. i have joined a few months ago and you get access to OLD docs and very limited information. It is best to just do your project, ask questions on this forum, tear apart sample files scattered all over the internet and learn by doing.

Now with FM12, it will be easier as writing sql eliminates Context, which has been a problem for me and countless other newbies, however programming in sql takes time to master as well.

again, that is my 5ç..

[Fitch]

Some Technet docs apply to old versions. Some are old but still apply to current versions. As of today, I see four old tech briefs already updated with FM12 info. And a new FMGo12 guide. It's a safe bet that we'll see more FM12 white papers and webinars in the coming months. For that alone, joining seems like a no-brainer to me. It's free!

Plus the forums there have some excellent contributors, some of whom rarely or never participate in FMForums. I find both worthwhile.

As for the $99 membership, the early release software is nice, and the FM Training Series is useful, assuming they continue that offer. But the huge value is the server development license. If you don't' already have your own server license that is a great deal.

[LaRetta]

i have joined a few months ago and you get access to OLD docs and very limited information.

I'm with Tom here ... some of the 'old information' is the most valuable. It is access to the posts, and those who have replied that I can trust to provide accurate responses, that makes TechNet worthwhile.

But the huge value is the server development license. If you don't' already have your own server license that is a great deal.

But this isn't a real server license that you can use to serve your solutions. It is for testing and development only. You must still buy server license to server your data, isn't that correct, Tom? It seems I signed up for TechNet expecting the real thing only to be surprised - but that was several years ago now so I might be wrong. :^)

Edited April 9, 2012 by LaRetta

[Lee Smith]

I'm with Tom here ... some of the 'old information' is the most valuable. It is access to the posts, and those who have replied that I can trust to provide accurate responses, that makes TechNet worthwhile.

:goodpost:

[Fitch]

But this isn't a real server license that you can use to serve your solutions. It is for testing and development only.

It's limited to 3 desktop clients and 3 web clients. (I presume Go counts as a desktop client.) Those are the only limitations. Yes, it's meant to be for testing and development only. (Although I suppose a small office could find it very useful.)

Given that a full copy of FMSA lists for $3000 I'd still call that a heck of a deal.

http://www.filemaker.com/technet/dev_license.html