Subscription site using FM database

[bigcaat]

Hi. I'm new here and a complete filemaker neophyte. I have been asked to find out some information for someone.

There is a co-worker of my brother who wants to create a membership site for information he has collected over the past 15 years.

Here is what he tells me:

"...The data base I developed is a relational data base presently using File maker pro 7, it was originally created some years ago in Paradox.

I have over 33,000 entries. the data base is designed to have short answers to questions ... as a quick research guide.

The data base is broken up into 4 fields. It has the ability to be searched via key word in any or all of the fields either singularly or jointly. The data base is over 15 years old and has gone through some revisions...."

Do I need to find a subscription software site that supports a filemaker server? I would love to help him with this, but I'm just not sure where to start.

In summary, I need to find out how -- or software -- to create a site in which people will subscribe to access the content in an online filemaker database.

Any thoughts on where to start? One person suggested converting it all to php/mYSQL, but then how would I handle the updates?

Any input to get me on the right track would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Caat

[IdealData]

There are plenty of FM hosting places available, so you need not worry there.

You can web publish the FM file using many different techniques. Instant Web Publishing, Custom Web Publishing (PHP/XSLT), ODBC and JDBC.

The database sounds fairly simple, so an attempt with IWP might be a good start. CWP requires FM Server/Server Advanced, however you can use ordinary FMP to do IWP so you can test the functionality with it.

FileMaker Server is ultimately limited by the number of concurrent connections - 100.

If your likely audience is greater than that then you'll need to consider an SQL based solution.

Edited September 23, 2009 by Guest