Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 2:32PM In the second of our series of videos on FileMaker 12, Kate talks about the 40 built-in themes, and discusses the possibilities, as well as a pitfall or two.
John tries out the Nest thermostat, one that doesn't need to be programmed, but learns as it goes. And, as always, we keep you up to date with the latest 4D and FileMaker software updates.
Read all about it in issue 4 of our 2012 news!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 7:38PM As FileMaker developers, we are always interested in learning new tools and tricks to take a database to the next level. Recently we worked with a simple way to generate FedEx shipping labels from within FileMaker.
By using a 3rd party plugin and FedEx web services, this functionality is easily available in any FileMaker solution. We started by using the module for accessing FedEx Web Services that is a part of the ScriptMaster plugin from 360Works.
Designing and implementing this tool is pretty simple.
The screenshot below shows our sample database that generates the shipping label. The interface allows entry of all the required information for FedEx; shipment method, shipment date, weight, origin address and destination address. Once all fields are complete, clicking the "Generate Shipping Label" button will produce the FedEx shipping label and save it to your computer as a PDF.
~ Kate Wheeler
Plugin, ScriptMaster, Web Services in FileMaker, Tech review, Techy Monday, July 9, 2012 at 9:39AM We've been working on a FileMaker project recently where there is a requirement for tracking changes made to the data, so that at any given point in time, you can look at a log of who changed a particular value and when it was changed. In 4th Dimension (and many other database environments) this would be done in database engine level triggers, but FileMaker does not have this feature.
We've encountered three possible solutions: the CNS Audit plugin, a custom function that that uses an auto-enter calculation to capture data changes, and the server side add-on, SyncDek.
Each of these has advantages and disadvantages.
The auto-enter calculation method is free, but will not capture data changes made through imports or scripts, it only captures changes made on layouts. It does work with FileMaker Go, but does not allow data modifications to be rolled back.
CNS Audit is fairly reasonably priced, but we've found that it imposes significant performance penalties given the user interface design we are using (it is slow when there are more than a few portals). In addition, it does not work with FileMaker Go or Instant Web Publishing.
SyncDek looks like a good solution and I really like the fact that it is server based, not client based. It is compatible with FileMaker Go and allows rollbacks. However, SyncDek is a fairly expensive option and at this point is outside the budget for this project.
If any readers out there have suggestions for alternative solutions to this requirement please drop us a note.
--John Newhoff
FileMaker Friday, June 29, 2012 at 4:29PM 
If you’re like me, your key chain has gotten increasingly heavier over the last few years, as more and more retailers offer rewards cards designed to be carried there rather than in your wallet.
Key Ring, a free app that scans in barcoded reward cards for Android, Blackberry, iOS, and Windows phones, has come to our rescue.
Each scanned card has an easily accessed page with Notes, Click to Dial, and Find a Location buttons, along with links to the retailer’s Twitter, Facebook, and website. I’ve used Find a Location when out exploring the area with the dog - is there a QFC somewhere around here where I can pick up an easy dinner? Yes, just a mile away! I’ve also used Notes; do I get that one brand of dog food at PetsMart or Petco? Now I know and don’t have to wander the aisles hoping to find it.
Phone screen protectors can interfere with scanning; you might as well not even try with a flatbed scanner like those at your local grocery store. Between whatever has been grimed on the store’s scanner, and whatever my screen protector has picked up from my pocket or bag, I’ve never succeeded with one. (Back to the old-fashioned way of entering your phone number!)
The only card I had a problem scanning in was my King County Library System card, which may be a function of it being the outside card for a long time and perhaps getting banged around a bit. But I hear other folks have had issues, and it is best done in bright light with a steady hand.
There’s a “Join Programs” option that will bring up rewards offers near you using GPS, but you can’t search for one in particular, which is disappointing. Perhaps in the future.
If you lose your keys frequently, you might want to keep one of the cards on your key ring, so that it can be dropped in a mailbox or returned to a store and maybe get back to you (does that actually ever happen?), but other than that, I don’t really see a reason for carrying them all around anymore. There's a whole lot less jingling when I start the car these days.
For more information, see their website at http://keyringapp.com/get_started
~Alanna Clare
Techy Friday, June 22, 2012 at 5:51PM 
This week, I had the unique experience of riding on the maiden voyage of a new bus line here in Austin, Texas. Megabus, a luxury bus service that has been operating around the country since 2006, launched service in Texas this week. Their introductory offer featured free trips to San Antonio from Austin, with a $.50 service fee. The offer sounded intriguing so my boyfriend and I booked our tickets and left on Tuesday for an evening in San Antonio.
In the first five minutes of the trip we encountered our first hiccup. The engine seemed to stall a few blocks before we entered the freeway. We waited about 10 minutes until it was fixed, not sure if we would make it to San Antonio after all. The double decker bus was brand new and featured free wi-fi. The rest of the ride was smooth sailing, sitting in the front row on the upper deck.
After a splendid dinner at Greens restaurant and a quick visit to the Alamo, we hopped back on the bus headed for home. As the bus began to pass the exit for the Austin bus stop, we became concerned that the driver was not going to stop. After alerting the bus driver, we discovered we were on the non-stop to Dallas. Luckily the driver was nice enough to make a special stop for us.
This short adventure with Megabus is an experience I will never forget. The company seems to have some kinks they still need to work out but overall it was a joy.