FileMaker ships Universal binaries

I manage the IT department at a company that uses FileMaker 6 (and FM Server 5.5, both on Windows) for its core bespoke systems, and while I can see that it's fantastic for small, non-developer-types to get to grips with databases and build light "pseudo-applications" (and as a competitor to Access, there's just no comparison), it's simply not a competitor for a "proper" database and development platform.

We run about 15Gb of data and 75 users on one server - but that machine has had to be extremely carefully tuned to run even remotely well. FileMaker 8 will hopefully sort out some of our issues - notably, it's now genuinely relational, but overall, we're still aiming all new development an SQL Server/.NET platform, simply because it can do so much more, and development is so much quicker and more scaleable.

I've used filemaker quite a bit, and I was pleasantly surprised by their improvements in 8 -- so you're not calling me out on anything Peter, I thought before I posted:). This is a difference of opinion -- Filemaker is a developer lite program, is what I'm noting, and while you've had success with it and most users can, I'll agree (just as if they would via frontpage and/or dreamweaver over hand coding, or laid out a logo design in Corel Draw over illustrator), I would recommend, again 'for those of you looking to improve your web skills to direct your attention to learning coding practices from any of the...' as I noted. It is archaic to those of us accustomed to developing professional sites, driven by tableless, standards designs for the modern internet.

Brady, hate to call you out but you've not used Filemaker obvioously, so please think before you post. It's a fabulous program, and absolutely embodies the spirit of the Mac, e.g. simple and just works. I am no programmer, nor do I play one on TV, but I was able to build a very successful business with Filemaker and a Dummies book (and Macs, of course). And yet, it's so advanced I still don't know all that I need to know yet.

I've always disliked Filemaker -- it's the GoLive of database design, and for most of us in the web design/development industry, the program feels archaic. For those of you looking to improve your web skills, direct your attention to learning coding practices from any of the greats: php 5+, python, ruby, etc - it'll be better for your career in the long run, and your programs will be more engauging.

Excellent! I have lots of clients using FileMaker Pro.
Everyone loves a speed boost.

birdDog digital