I’ve figured a way of fudging a FileMaker database to be searched a la Spotlight. I’m willing to openly discuss it, but it requires an extensive writeup and I’d like to gauge the interest before I do. If you’re interested, drop me an email or leave a comment.
UPDATE
For those looking for the technique, you can see it here:
Having recently uncovered a press release written for the premiere of iCanary 1.0, I realize it’s been just under two years (putting aside updates and fixes) that any major news has been released about the application.
As it stands, iCanary 2.0 is in the works! It is a complete rewrite from the groundup, removing bloat, and adding compatibility for a bevy things including but not limited to FileMaker 7 support, full Panther AND Tiger support, and a slew of new features which have not been locked down enought to warrant posting yet.
If anyone has any thoughts on frequent security tests or issues they lookout for when developing FileMaker solutions, please pass along any suggestions and if I include the feature in the product, I will give you a serial number for a free copy.
FileMaker recentlyposted an article/story detailing an installation and upgrade of a FM 7 system for Cornell University. While I wish they would pass along screenshots of the solution, just out of curiousity, I understand why they don’t.
One of the things that is often under-apreciated and overlooked with regards to FileMaker as a tool, is it’s extraordinary flexibility. It is so flexible that this is also a potential downfall, and often is with regards to the small contingent of mud-slingers on FM bulletin boards and newsgroups who smear it as a database toy that is unconventional and not powerful enough. That aside, Janet Tokerud’s sense of FM design and methodology sync well with my own and are certainly in practice in the iRent and InBloom FileMaker solutions that will be available on the new version of the Secret Weapon Labs site shortly - that “new version” will also include a new face customization of Michael Heileman’s Kubrick template for Wordpress.
In the meantime, take a look at her “Economics of FileMaker scripting” post, as it provides a real world look into the successful implemenation of a FM 7 solution.
FileMakers of all sorts, to the Secret Weapon Labs weblog of design and security issues pertinent to web users in general, FileMaker users & programmers (of any version) and Mac OS X users. This forum is intended as a bridge to the FileMaker community and any readers with pertinent links or ideas are welcome to post comments.
Happy FileMaking!
Denis
SWL