database

I've been using FileMaker since version 3 -- and this new Version 6 retains its user-friendly interface and commands. But the big improvement is in speed - the speed with which the application launches and the speed at which database files open -- much, much faster than in version 5.0 (in Windows XP and in Windows 98)! Otherwise, I'm still exploring. The only frustration I've come upon is that this version of FileMaker does not include a list of recently opened files in the File Menu (the option to do this is greyed out). Instead you can access a list of recently opened files from an arrow next to the "Open File" icon -- only after you have already opened a document file. V-e-r-r-r-y strange.

I cannot fathom what some other reviewer meant when he refered to FileMaker's "draconian" upgrade policies. Does he expect them to give it away for free? The upgrade price -- especially with the $$ rebate that brings it down to $$-- is quite reasonable for a program of this power and sophistication. It's FileMaker's support policy that disappoints, but then again the entire software industry seems to have moved in this direction (free support for installation and getting started; one free support call thereafter). Fortunately with FileMaker Pro, you rarely need to call technical support, the program is that easy to learn and use. It actually comes with a printed manual!

I loved (5-star) FileMaker Pro (FMP) 5.5 and was keen on updating to the latest 6.0 version. Unfortunately, installation of the update was clunky in that it required that FMP 5.5 remain in place. Reasonable enough for copyright protection, except that my system ended up with two identically named FMP.exe files that thoroughly confused the registry. [Later I found yet another 2+MB FMP.exe in the installation folder that hadn't been cleaned up.] Yes, you can remove FMP 5.5 after installing 6.0, in a different folder, but that's not really good practice. When you plunk down a hefty sum for an upgrade, you shouldn't have to make repeated calls to Tech Help to make it work. Moreover, perhaps because I keep my programs and data in hard drive partitions separate from the operating system (C:\drive) file association (where an .fp5 file shows its identity in an Explorer listing with the FMP icon) never worked -- so that files could not be started by double-clicking their name, but required opening with FMP's File|Open command.

Worse, an update patch (downloaded from FMP website) converting FMP 6.01 to 6.02 crashed repeatedly, 5 calls to Tech Help notwithstanding. I gave up, it still isn't working!

My recommendation is to call Tech before installing the upgrade and insisting that you want to > uninstall FMP 5.x < PRIOR TO installing 6.0. The solution is surprisingly simple. At this writing, it might be least troublesome to install FMP6 in the default program location (C:\Program Files) -- a kludgy solution indicative of hasty release without thorough testing. Too bad, for the program is great -- but I've wasted 2 days and still don't have file association working. Perhaps you ought to hang on to FMP 5.0 or 5.5 (unless you badly need XML) until the mud has settled.

I have had terrible experiences with this company regarding their Draconian upgrade policies. I suggest you avoid this product and this company.