Is it possible to allow two simultaneous users access to a FMP7 Database
file using just FMP7 or would FMP7 server be needed?
It will be a two computer local area network. The project involves a
Xmas photo shoot where the first computer records the customer names and
items ordered and the second computer will be recalling orders when the
customer comes to pick up. Of course, being xmas, these two things are
usually going on at the same time

Dave

On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 16:21:14 GMT, David southwick wrote :

Hi Dave,

this is something you can easily do with 'regular' FMP7, no Server
required, although you will need two licenses of FMP7 of course. The setup
is as follows : one pc needs to physically host the database files, i.e.
have them on its local hard drive. The files need to be opened by the first
pc. Then on the second pc, the user starts his or her copy of FMP7 and
chooses Open from the file Menu. This will bring up a file selection
dialog, with a button called "Remote". Click on this and Filemaker will
scan the network for available hosts. Normally after a few seconds, it will
show the name of the first PC and on the right a list of the files that
first pc currently has open. You can simply double click on a file to open
it. A few things you need to keep in mind for this to work :

1. Make sure the files you wish to share are set to be shared over the
network (go to Edit/Sharing/Filemaker Network and turn on sharing for all
users)

2. Do NOT open the files from the second PC using Windows file sharing
(i.e. browsing to the first pc's hard drive and simply double clicking the
file). Although this will work, it is generally agreed that this will lead
to file corruption and bad performance. It would be advisable to turn off
file sharing for the folder containing the filemaker files.

3. The a.m. procedure can be tempting, since the Open/Remote dialog only
lets you open one file at a time which can get irritating if the number of
files to opened is high. To solve this, we normally make what is called an
opener file : a single file, residing on the second pc. It does not need to
contain any fields, just a single script, which opens the files on the
first pc and then closes itself. In this script, you add a "Open file"
script step for each file you need to open. Make sure, when specifying the
file, that you also do this using the "Remote" button.

4. Make sure no actual copies of the files exist on the second pc as well,
but keep them all on the first. Filemaker has a way of opening the "wrong"
one, which will give you some unexpected - and unwanted - results.

5. If the files are open on both pc's, no modifications can be made to the
field definitions. You can modify layouts though.

I'm sure others will come up with some additional advice, but this should
get you started.

Regards,

Peter

Hey Peter

I wasn't clear at all in my query but you sort of hit it a glancing
blow.
I should have asked "What is needed for two simultaneous users accessing
one file?" and the answer would be another $280.00 of course.

Thanks also for the tips on opening procedures.

Dave

On 21/7/05 3:03 AM, in article oqgi3qyd84s7$.f7u5hbqnmu08.dlg (AT) 40tude (DOT) net,
"Peter" <nomail (AT) homeorwork (DOT) tnx> wrote:

Froogle a search for "Filemaker 7 OEM". You'll only get the CD, no box or
anything, but you can get it for under $100.

"David southwick" <southwickjd (AT) yahoo (DOT) ca> wrote

Eide <news (AT) TAKEOUToldbranch (DOT) com> wrote:

And Filemaker Inc has stated categorically that this OEM software IS
PIRATED, and IS ILLEGAL. Filemaker does not sell such software without
documentation or registration cards.

On occasion, they give such software out as freebies at the DevCon or to
FSA members, but the sellers who put out hundreds of such items are not
distributing repurposed developer copies.

http://www.filemaker.com/company/leg...re_piracy.html

You will get no support on these pirated editions, nor on any files you
may develop with them.

Lynn Allen
--
Allen & Allen Semiotics www.semiotics.com
FSA Associate Filemaker Design & Consulting

In article <1h05rlw.3rf57e8yth0gN%lynn (AT) NOT-semiotics (DOT) com>, lynn@NOT-
semiotics.com says...
Where did they state that?

Ok, it doesn't say that there. It merely says that OEM stuff is
something to be 'wary' of, along with previously registered software, no
refund policy, etc.

Even:
http://www.filemaker.com/company/leg..._software.html
only suggests that its 'probably' illegal.

Buying previously registered software isn't illegal. But it *is*
something to be 'wary' of. Just as buying software cheaply, from
anonymous sources, used, or without a refund policy is something to be
'wary' of but of course hardly makes it categorically illegal.

OEM disks, ***if*** that's what they truly are, are generally legal. It
is however usually 'grey market', as the person selling them directly
is undoubtably not distributing them they way Filemaker would have
liked. However, that is a long way from being categorically illegal.

Of course, if they're pirated and being passed off as OEMs then of
course they're illegal... but we'd have to look at each disk/retailer on
a case by case. The page you linked doesn't categorically say FM doesn't
ever release OEM disks.

FWIW I beleive you Lynn, even without a cite. I wouldn't be surprised if
they DID categorically make that statement. Of course, even then that
doesn't make it true. After all Microsoft has stated that the GPL
violates the US constitution. Nintendo said it was illegal to use a game
genie. Once upon a time Hollywood said it was illegal to record tv shows
& movies with a VCR...

Generally OEM software is bundled with a complete system or piece of
hardware like a video card or scanner... its never supposed to be sold
as-is to end users... although its usually not outright illegal to do
so. Hence the term 'grey market'.

In summary, its probably counterfeit, so its probably illegal. But if
its actually OEM software, then its legal, but grey market at best.

It would be safer and more "honest" to find a used copy of FM7 than to
buy an OEM one without absolute assurance from FM that it was all good.

-regards,
Dave

42 <nospam (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote:

FMI has stated that all software sold without a box and documentation is
counterfeit. However, they've done it on the FSA members mailing list
and that's covered by an NDA so I can't quote it directly here.

As far as I know, FM is never sold "packaged" with any other hardware or
software package.

Lynn Allen
--
Allen & Allen Semiotics www.semiotics.com
FSA Associate Filemaker Design & Consulting

In article <1h062x8.yi6dyy15rqhdsN%lynn (AT) NOT-semiotics (DOT) com>, lynn@NOT-
semiotics.com says...
Seem an odd thing to NDA

Im sure its one of those things that get mentioned in an NDA channel,
but which they don't really want kept out of the 'publics' hands. Of
course I respect that your honoring the NDA.

I agree entirely. Its not the sort of thing that I really can even
really envision having a hardware product tie-in, which is why I agree
that its likely counterfeit.

I've also never personally seen a legit OEM FMPro but that doesn't mean
it can't exist; and we've already acknowledged there are have been some
CDs handed out at devcon... so who knows what FM has done in Europe or
Africa or Asia and not told anyone here about... you just never know.

"David southwick" <southwickjd (AT) yahoo (DOT) ca> wrote

To answer the original question ...

Normal FileMaker Pro does have the ability to act as a limited server
for database files allowing users on another computer (also with it's
own LEGAL copy of the FileMaker Pro application) to access them over
the network. With only two users you should be fine, as long as the
database only consists of a few files / tables.

One thing to remember though:
Do *NOT* open the files via your computer's normal networking
filesharing abilities - you have to use FileMaker's own
in-built networking.

You have to set-up the Preferences of both copies of FileMaker Pro to
use the same networking protocol. You then open the files on the first
computer (the one they're stored on!) and this becomes the Host. The
other computer can then open up the FileMaker Pro application and
access the hosted / server files using the appropriate Open command in
the File menu (Open Remote / Open Hosts).

Obviously the computer acting as the Host / server can't shut down
until the 'guest' computer quits from the database.


You can also use normal FileMaker to act as a limited web server for
people without a copy of FileMaker to access the database via a web
browser.


Helpful Harry
Hopefully helping harassed humans happily handle handiwork hardships ;o)

Martin Trautmann <t-use (AT) gmx (DOT) net> wrote:

Okay, let's quell this right now.

The "OEM" versions that are sold at fire-sale prices have NEITHER a
registration card NOR a box NOR paper documentation.
Standard delivery of software copies that are part of the FSA membership
is in a large white folder containing unsealed CDs for FM Pro,
Developer, Mobile, and a testing copy of FM Server with limited
connections. Also in the folder is a specific license sheet, listing the
FSA member's name, company & address, and a list of install codes for
the included software. There are other documentation papers as well,
most of which I throw out as redundant, but they are included.

THIS IS NOT WHAT'S BEING SOLD AS OEM.

Delivery of software at DevCon, as part of the $1,100 US price, is in
shrinkwrapped CDs. with a folding cover. The cover contains the words
"NOT FOR RESALE. FULL VERSION OF FILEMAKER PRO*." Opening the CD cover,
you find the install code, and the words ""*SOFTWARE IDENTIFIED AS NOT
FOR RESALE MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED FOR VALUE AND IS INTENDED FOR
DEMONSTRATION, TESTING AND EVALUATION PURPOSES ONLY."

This was my own copy from last DevCon. Do some developers sell these to
clients or other developers? Undoubtedly. But the maximum that's given
out this way is 1,500, and somehow I doubt the "OEM" guys somehow got
unlimited numbers of developers to give them their leftover Devcon CDs.

THIS IS NOT WHAT'S BEING SOLD AS OEM.
I believe that's part of the list here, in their "how to spot illegal
software"

1. "Too good to be true" pricing
2. "CD-ROM only" sales without the box and printed documentation
3. Previously registered software
4. Restricted-use software
5. Anonymous sellers
6. No refund policy
7. Multi-license packs

See #2. CD-ROM only sales. Registration cards are only sold in boxes.

Filemaker has stated that they do not SELL any CD-only versions of
Filemaker Pro. Period. They may give them out at DevCon, as part of the
value-added encouragement to make attendees think they are getting their
$1100 worth, but they DO NOT SELL THEM. To anyone. Period.

Most VLAs are sold with maintenance, and once again, these are delivered
in a large white folder similar to the FSA delivery, with a full license
sheet containing the Licensee's information, the install codes for Pro &
Server, and the maintenance term. There are other included information
sheets. No volume license agreement sales are CD-Only.
You get a free installation support call with every legal copy. In the
box (get it, in the BOX?) is a card with a code that will get you a free
support call if you're having trouble installing the software.

In addition, if you were to contact Filemaker later with problems
generated in files developed using illegal software, and wanted to PAY
for support, Filemaker wouldn't accept. They won't support files created
with illegal software, for obvious reasons.
It's not only CD and password, it's the folder, with license sheet and
other accompanying documentation. It does not come with printed manuals,
since Filemaker assumes developers already have those. Developers may
resell their FSA copies, if unregistered. However, those CDs do not
come with the install key printed on them, it's on the separate license
sheet. The CDs in the folder are not shrink-wrapped. FSA members only
get copies of the software once per year, and they only get one copy.

FSA COPIES ARE NOT WHAT'S BEING SOLD AS OEM.

Not sure how much plainer I can make it. If you find a CD-Only sale of
Filemaker Pro, it's illegal. No quibbles. No "no documentation, or no
registration card?" logic chopping.

Those copies are illegal. Filemaker doesn't sell CD-Only.

Lynn Allen
--
Allen & Allen Semiotics www.semiotics.com
FSA Associate Filemaker Design & Consulting