Our main database used 8-inch layouts. It is based on a Filemaker template from 2005. It's ready for a makeover.

I see that the Filemaker 11 templates have a 12-inch width. That extra screen real estate would be nice.

Just wondering what size some of you are making your databases.

Not sure about inches, but all our new solutions will be 1340 pixels wide, if we are updating solutions from existing layouts we keep the old smaller layouts and switch to larger based on a user account setting of monitor size.

Surely it all depends on the screen resolution on your users' workstations. For almost every system I've designed there are at least some users with small monitors running 1024 x 768 screen resolution. Extra screen real estate would be great but of course you have to design your layouts so that users with the lowest screen resolution can see your entire layout without scroll bars appearing. Unless I'm absolutely sure of the screen resolution of every user's workstation, I develop for a 1024 x 768 screen resolution. Whenever I design layouts for 1024 x 768 resolution (which is almost always) I make sure that no objects on my layouts exceed 970 x 520 pixels.

I always develop for the Windows platform. I have no experience with Macintosh. Maybe a different standard size layout would be appropriate for the Mac.

Firstly, build for the client's requirements. For most of mine they use laptops with 12/13 inch screens, so I design the layouts to fit. This is something like 1200x1000.

I'd suggest using a default size that will be cross-platform compatible even if you don't think you need it. My design accommodates the task bar/dock visible and either at the bottom or on the side.