Here are 5 top tips for successfully implementing Instant Web Publishing (IWP) using FileMaker. This is part II of a two-part series. Part I introduced IWP as an alternative to the traditional client-server deployment (FileMaker Server to FileMaker Pro). We noted that it is very easy to get started with IWP, and also very easy to get hung up on its limitations. But you can use IWP successfully if you learn to work within its constraints.

For situations where web deployment is well suited, Instant Web Publishing is often touted as the “plug-and-go” option of publishing. While IWP is indeed easy, the full truth is that your layouts and scripts will need some considerable tweaking to achieve the polish and ease of use you might be looking for. Be sure you’re aware of the following considerations and tips before committing to an IWP deployment.

We just made available Inspector Pro 3.0v2, a new version of our tool for analyzing and debugging FileMaker databases. The new functionality in 3.0v2 includes support for FileMaker Server and FileMaker Go. This update also fixes a few known issues, like digesting large FileMaker Database Design Reports (DDRs).

Here are details about the update

Notes from Vincenzo Menanno's session at PauseOnError on FileMaker User Experience (UX) for Developers", brainstorming how to improve the tools that FileMaker developers themselves use.

"I tried to frame the FileMaker UX discussion with this notion of little things make a big difference. Two key aspect to any UI -- for end users or developers -- are the notions of finesse and refinement. These links to UX/UI resources and examples were provided to get people inspired [and] there were a number of great requests and suggestions which I captured..."

In February, four of the Beez went to New York for PauseOnError, the annual winter "Unconference" gathering of FileMaker developers.

Here's an overview of our experience at the event.

A user places their cursor in a field, runs a script, and Presto! A chart appears summarizing the found set of data from the selected field. This technique allows the user to point a chart toward a field of their choosing, so the developer needn't anticipate every field that the user might want to chart.

Use sub-summarized parts and AppleScripted sorting to allow disclosure behavior in FileMaker Pro.