Newbie - autoclose doc scripting conundrum

[RichardK2012]

First off Hi! This is my first post here.

I'm new to database creation and have been working with FM8 pro on a venerable G4 mirror door Mac running Tiger to develop an estimating and works order solution for our small print business.

It took me a while but I found most of the logic quite straightforward and to be fair it still is a work in progress.

The estimator is reasonably versatile and seems to run really well, but occasionally when I'm out of the office there is a need for the document to run on another Mac via file sharing.

All well and good but really I'd like a script to autoclose the file when it's been idle for say 15mins thus allowing it to be opened on another Mac elsewhere in the building and equally when the file has been idle on the second machine for the same amount of time then it too should autoclose.

Bearing in mind I'm as green as they come when it comes to scripts any pointers would be gratefully received.

In return if anyone wants pointers in producing high quality Litho print just ask ;-))

[Lee Smith]

Hi Richard, and welcome to the forum,

Automatic message

This topic has been moved from "FileMaker Product Family → FileMaker Legacy → FileMaker 8 and 8.5" to "Database Schema & Business Logic → Managing Scripts"

The General topic areas are intended for the discussion of the functions, features and tools that were new with the particular version mentioned.

All how-to question should be posted to a topic area that best matches the sprit of the problem. Many questions can fit into more then one area, but you only need to pick one, and go with it.

If you have any questions about this action, please contact me through a private message.

Lee

[Fitch]

I'm tempted to move this topic again, but I'll leave that to Lee. It's not so much about your version of FileMaker, or about scripts. The issue is how you are sharing the file, which comes up every now and then, for example here.

If you really want to pursue closing the file after a set time interval, previous to version 10, you'd need a FileMaker plugin, for example: http://www.myfmbutler.com/index.lasso?p=416

[RichardK2012]

Thanks, Fitch, I'll take that advice on board.

A further thought on the requirement to be able to use the file on more than one Mac..do later versions of FM allow simultaneous access or would that have to be a server edition?

[RichardK2012]

OK I've had a brief look at DoScript and my brain's going into melt down - I reckon it'll only take me a month or so to crack it...meantime any shortcuts gratefully received (this roughly translates as 'some kind soul write me a script that does the task of autoclosing an idle document')

[Vaughan]

Please please please update to the latest version. FMP 8 is ancient.

FMP is multi-user, there is no need to close the file so somebody else can use it. Learn how to share FMP files correctly using "peer to peer" networking.

If it's set up correctly FMP database are robust and reliable. If it's not set up correctly then it can be a world of pain.

[comment]

FMP is multi-user

Even version 8.

[RichardK2012]

Thanks for the advice, I guess I'll have to spring some $$ for a later version but since FM 11 is Intel only and I'm still on last century technology maybe I'll have to track down a couple of second user copies of FM10.

Thanks again.

[Aussie John]

Peer to peer sharing can be a pain as one computer needs to be a dedicated host. That is, the file would run and reside on one machine as opening across an OS network is considered a good way to get corruption. Two or more people with the same file open at the same time is also a recipe for disaster. This might require leaving your computer on when you go way from the office. Alternatively if you run a file server it would be possible to install FM on it and use that as the host.

Unfortunately there is no default way to prevent others from trying to open the database directly via an OS network although the file could be placed on a drive or a partition for which others are not granted sharing access.

I think it should be possible to run a startup script which checks if the file is using peer to peer or a direct connection and closes a direct connection but I have never tried it.

[Vaughan]

If using peer-to-peer the database file should be on the host computer's local hard disk -- NOT on a shared volume.

[Aussie John]

If using peer-to-peer the database file should be on the host computer's local hard disk -- NOT on a shared volume.

Absolutely. I think I tried to say that but was a bit roundabout.