My Initial Experience with Windows 8

With Windows 8, Microsoft has made a rather dramatic departure from the user interface of prior versions. The general understanding is that Microsoft is trying to create an integrated operating system that will work well for users on newer touch sensitive tablet devices, as well as more traditional desktop environments.

I have yet to use Windows 8 on a tablet device, and so I might not be Microsoft’s idea of an ideal target user, but I think I’m probably very typical of a technically capable Windows 7 user.

My first use of Windows 8 was to install it on a virtual machine on my Mac laptop, using VMWare Fusion. I wanted to test whether or not FileMaker 6 (obsolete for 8 years now) worked under Windows 8. The new operating system installed on the VM without any trouble, and I was then able to install FileMaker 6, which installed fine and in the limited testing I did seemed to work ok. I created a few records and printed a simple layout.

I can’t say that this initial experience with Windows 8 made me a big fan. As an experienced Windows 7 user, I really don’t like having to re-learn where to access features that I’ve known how to use for years. Windows 8 boots up into a new tile based interface (shown in screen capture above) and you have to click a tile to get to the traditional desktop. Once there, you no longer have a ‘Start’ menu, so you have to re-learn how to open applications, access control panel functions, etc… 

My second experience with Windows 8 was significantly worse. I made the seriously incorrect assumption that I could purchase a Windows 8 mini-tower and downgrade it to Windows 7. After several hours of messing with this, I finally decided to give up, get rid of the Windows 8 system, and order a system with Windows 7 pre-installed. Just getting past the ‘secure boot’ feature in Windows 8 in order to boot from the Windows 7 installer DVD took me over an hour. 

I sound like a luddite, even to myself, but I’ll be sticking with Windows 7 for quite some time. 

--John Newhoff

FileMaker 12 Certification

John and I spent the last few months preparing and studying for the FileMaker 12 certification exam, the official exam offered by FileMaker Inc.

The certification exam tests a developer's skill levels and understanding of all things FileMaker - from calculation formulas to server requirements.  This test requires knowledge from across the board. FileMaker provides a comprehensive training series offering in-depth instructions along with demo files. In fact, the training guide can be useful to anyone wanting to learn more about the capabilities of FileMaker Pro 12 and FileMaker Go for the iPhone and iPad. Beyond the training guide, other resources are the product manuals, the FileMaker knowledge base and also white papers on FileMaker TechNet.

Technet memberships are now free. With the membership, you have access to a downloadable version of the training series, along with many other useful resources, such as webinars, video training series, iOS resources, sample files and more. It is a great one-stop hub for help with any FileMaker problem.

After months of studying the FileMaker resources, and sitting for the computerized 2-hour test, I'm pleased to announce that John and I are both FileMaker 12 certified developers.

Nov/Dec Newsletter

Our Nov/Dec newsletter, out now, discusses 4D for the Burke Museum, FM v12 certification (check out the free TechNet membership!), and "Find My iPad," as well as linking to new updates for FileMaker and 4th Dimension.

ExecuteSQL Function in FileMaker

This is a nice writeup of the new (in FileMaker 12) ExectueSQL function in FileMaker. It has a good mix of information: a general tutorial of supported SQL commands as well as specific information about how the ExecuteSQL function works in FileMaker.

http://www.filemakerhacks.com/?p=6406#more-6406

Lost iPad

About six months ago I misplaced my iPad. Not a terribly unusual event, I have an unfortunate tendency to lose things occasionally (ok, some might say frequently). Usually they turn up again pretty quickly. In this case though I could not find it anywhere. I had just returned from a business trip to Eastern Washington, and I thought I must have left it in a hotel or coffee shop (check out Pioneer Coffee in Cle Elum next time you’re there, great coffee shop). 

So, out comes ‘Find My iPad’ which should magically tell me right where the missing device could be found. I’ve used it many times to locate my iPhone around the house. If you have a Mac laptop or an iOS device, I strongly encourage you to get an iCloud account so you can use this feature when needed.

Unfortunately, my iPad appeared to be offline and couldn’t be found. I called the last hotel I stayed at, but they said they couldn’t find it.

I finally decided to send a remote wipe command to it, hoping to prevent any of my data from being available to anyone that might find the iPad (this can also be done through your iCloud account).

I ended up figuring that some tech savvy person had found it and re-initialized it in the week between when I lost it and when I sent the remote wipe command.

Well, I’m embarrassed (and glad) to say that the iPad turned up this week. I had apparently fallen asleep watching Netflix and the battery drained all the way and the iPad slid behind the bed. This was at our family’s vacation place on Whidbey Island (available as a vacation rental), so I’m not there that often and with the battery dead, Find my iPad couldn’t find it.

So, the lesson here… Don’t wait for your iPad’s battery to run all the way down before you decide to lose it.

--John Newhoff

(oh, and a big thank you to my sister, Mary, who outdid iCloud and actually found my iPad).