by Filemaker Inc.
Platform:
Mac
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FileMaker Pro 6.0 makes data management for individuals and small groups engaging and almost fun. Installation and setup are both surprisingly quick and easy, and the templates and wizards will have most users frolicking with their new or imported databases in just a couple of hours. The interface and design tools are comfortable for Windows users of all levels of experience. The software is not designed for the lowest common denominator, though--advanced users will find FileMaker Pro's scripting language for queries and other tasks handy, if not all-powerful.
Data entry couldn't be easier. For some formats, it's as simple as dragging and dropping folder contents, so multimedia management, for example, becomes almost trivial. FileMaker Pro's data manipulation tools are more powerful than before, which means administrators would do well to limit users or train them carefully. Searches, the meat of the package, are simple enough for beginners but offer enough complexity to keep power users happy. One new timesaving search feature is the extend/constrain function: if a search returns too few or too many results, it takes just one step to expand or contract search parameters.
Web-style integration in FileMaker Pro 6.0 has taken a huge step forward from version 5.5; the look and feel of the desktop is almost seamlessly translated to intranet application. However, those with more than 10 potential FileMaker users should pick up the unlimited-use version of the software. FileMaker can import and export XML, so data can be manipulated and then easily shared with non-users via a Web browser.
While there might be more powerful data management packages available, for a wide range of uses and users, FileMaker Pro 6.0 is tough to beat. --Rob Lightner
Note: This review refers to the Windows version.
FileMaker Pro 6 lets you easily manage all types of information, includes powerful new ways to import and integrate digital images and other media into your FileMaker solutions, and offers a virtually limitless ability to exchange data with other applications. Complete with enhanced productivity and formatting tools as well as a host of new and updated productivity templates, FileMaker Pro 6 is an efficient tool for quickly managing and sharing information.
A robust alternative to tracking information with spreadsheets, FileMaker Pro 6 lets users efficiently exchange data and integrate with other applications via support for XML. Users can also import any file folder (containing text, sound, images, QuickTime movies, etc.) into a FileMaker database in a single timesaving step, or develop customized layouts and forms that can then be applied to other objects and text.
With this latest version, Mac users can now import images, along with metadata from any USB-supported digital camera, into a FileMaker database. They can also batch import digital images, text files, sound files, and more from a directory by using the Import Records menu item. FileMaker Pro 6 includes 21 business-ready "instant productivity" templates to help users get started.