Hi... I am seeking some advice/suggestions on an alternative to FileMaker for a marine application.

I am a long term user of FileMaker Pro 7 and presently on Mac Leopard. It has served me well. But I am now retired and the only significant use I still have for FileMaker is a logging database I have created for use on my boat. I use it for passage planning and making log entries during a passage. Database-wise it is very simple with 4 tables and a few multiple layouts, apart from some complicated calculation fields to derive things like true wind speed and direction from apparent speed and direction and boat speed and direction. And, crucially, I use a series of very simple Apple Scripts to collect navigational data (position, course etc.) from the navigational software (MacENC). It all works fine.

However, I want to upgrade to Lion, and FileMaker 7 cannot come with me as there is no Rosetta support. The cost of buying a new license for the current FileMaker Pro 11 is prohibitive (£263) for this small hobby application. I have tried Bento, but it is totally inadequate. I could compromise some functionality, but not the ability to pick up data via AppleScript.

Does anyone have suggestions about alternative database solutions that I could consider? Any wisdom would be much appreciated.

Tony

PS By the way I have evaluated BoatLogix, a canned FileMaker application, but it does not give me the flexibility I need to create my own fields and layouts.

a new license for the current FileMaker Pro 11 is prohibitive (£263)

Licenses are a lot cheaper from eBay vendors in the USA.

You might try and solicit a developer to take your current solution, update it and bind it into a run time for FM11, not sure if your plugins would work with a run time.

Licenses are a lot cheaper from eBay vendors in the USA.

That's a useful pointer, thank you. It looks like I could buy a FileMaker 10 CD and license and run it under Lion. I could manage without .xls support.

I could buy a FileMaker 10 CD and license and run it under Lion.

Errr, FMP 10 has some incompatibilities that will not be fixed.

http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9710/

IMHO form a features perspective FMP 10 is neither FMP 9 nor FMP 11, it's somewhere in-between. Best go for FMP 11.

A new version is about due soon. I'd get the FMP 11 30 day trial first.

Be very careful when buying on eBay:

http://www.filemaker...gal/piracy.html

http://www.filemaker...ingle-user.html

from the piracy link:

"It's estimated that as much as 90% of software sold over auction sites like eBay is either illegal counterfeit or grey market copies."

By grey market they mean buying outside the country? If so then FMI needs to get their global pricing more consistent, because we here in Australia are tired of paying a premium even when the Aussie dollar is above parity to the $US.