Backing Up Is Easy to Do

Database backups are just as vital, if not more so, than the design of your custom database application. With the introduction in FileMaker 12 of the new progressive backup feature, we decided to take an in-depth look at backup techniques/best practices, as well as the specific backup features offered by both 4D and FileMaker Server.

See issue 3 of our 2012 newsletter for the full text of our article.

AppleScript / FileMaker Integration

FileMaker is a fully cross platform application, working equally well in a Windows or Macintosh environment. However I've recently been enjoying the challenge of working on a FileMaker solution that utilizes Macintosh specific technologies.   

The application uses AppleScript , the system level scripting language in Mac OS X, to make three separate applications work together: FileMaker Pro, the Mac OS X finder and Quark Xpress.

 The FileMaker application is the hub of the integration, initiating calls to AppleScript as needed to pull in the other two apps. The specific part of the app that I’ve been working on recently takes data from the FileMaker app and inserts it into a Quark Xpress document as a text block, which is then rotated and resized by the script. The script then prints the document as a proof. A high resolution version is then saved to a network share and a separate proof is uploaded to a web directory. Finally, the script emails a report to several people showing which proofs were processed and highlighting any orders where an error was encountered. All of this is initiated by running a single script in FileMaker. 

A key part of the development process for this project has been a program called Script Debugger. I wouldn't want to have to write and debug AppleScripts without it. Script Debugger gives you a couple of tools lacking in the built in Macintosh Script Editor app that I consider essential: a line by line debugger and an object viewer that lets you see the current state of all your variables.

FileMaker and AppleScript can be a powerful combination for automating complex processes.

--John Newhoff

Acorn image editor

Acorn is a simple image editor for Macintosh that I've been using for the last year or so. When my old version of Photoshop stopped working in Mac OS X Lion, I went looking for an alternative to upgrading the expensive and complex Adobe Photoshop.

Acorn fits the bill nicely. Even with my very modest Photoshop skills, I was able to get up to speed quickly. It supports the key features I rely on like layers, filters, masking, and the ability to scale and manipulate images. So far, I haven't found anything I've wanted to do that I couldn't do in Acorn.

At $49, its tough to beat the price.

--John Newhoff

The IT Crowd

“Have you tried turning it on and off again?” 

Each time I hear this famous tagline from the British TV series, the IT crowd, it makes me laugh. The IT Crowd is a witty comedy set in the IT department of a London corporation. Moss and Roy are your “standard nerds”, answering support calls from their office in the basement of the building. They are portrayed as outcasts, shunned by the rest of the company for their nerdiness. Resentful at their lack of recognition but proud of their intellectual skill set, their world is thrown into a tailspin when Jen comes along.  She is hired as the IT manager but knows nothing about computers, not even what IT stands for (See season 3, episode 3)!  The hijinks that follow make this situational comedy where two worlds collide a complete joy to watch.  For a laugh and a look into the life of nerds, check it out streaming on Netflix or here for free.

- Kate Wheeler

Check out this clip from the first episode to see what I mean!

Puttanesca

Nothing remotely technical about this post. Below is my Puttanesca recipe, pretty much my favorite pasta dish, which I just made for dinner. I like it spicy, so cut down on the red pepper if you like things mild. Don't leave out or cut down on the anchovy, you can't really taste it, but it adds a great flavor. If you want some extra entertainment, do a web search on the origins of this dish.

-- John Newhoff

Puttanesca

1 Can Anchovies, mashed
1/4 cup OliveOil
1 Med Onion
1.5  tsp Crushed Chili Pepper
3 cloves garlic, green,crushed
28 oz can of crushed tomato
1/2 cup olives (any kind, but I like a mix of green, greek, kalamata, etc…)
2 tbsp capers
1/2 tsp Oregano
1/8 cup chopped parsley
1/2 tsp dried basil

 Brown onions in olive oil, add garlic and mashed anchovies, stir until dissolved.

 Stir in capers, red pepper, olives, cook 1 minute

 Add basil, oregano, and tomatoes. Bring to slow boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.

 Remove from heat and stir in parsley. Serve with pasta of your choice and parmesan cheese.