FileMaker Pro Database Optimization

For FileMaker Pro developers trying to squeeze in every bit of performance out of your databases, HOnza Koudelka of 24U Software is releasing a set of instructional videos about it. Visit the FM BENCH website (registration required) to view the free videos.

Mac OS X 10.7.1 Out

Apple just released Mac OS X 10.7.1, which addresses the following issues:

• System hangs when playing videos in Safari.
• HDMI or audio out problems.
• Wi-Fi signal dropping.
• Problems with Migration Assistant.
• Missing admin accounts.

Fire up Software Update to download and install it. For those holding out on downloading and installing Lion until the first maintenance fix is released, it's here, so download now.

The installer is around 17MB, so it's a quick download. One thing I noticed is that it didn't prompt for the account name and password, and it continues installing after logging out, so this may be how updates will install in the future.

Can FileMaker Handle Your Database Needs?

Short answer: Yes, 90% of the time.

Here are some items based on FileMaker's Knowledgebase article Technical specifications of FileMaker Pro 11 and FileMaker Pro 11 Advanced:

FileMaker Pro 11.0v4 Updater Out

It's August, and FileMaker Inc. makes good on their promise to address the bugs in FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Advanced 11 with a new updater.

You'll get a prompt to update if you have automatic updates on. If not, you can go to Help > Check For Updates... to go to the updater web page. The update appears to be Mac OS X Lion only, and is around 194MB in size.

Flying MacBook Air

The New MacBook Air: Really Fast

Benchmarks are coming out of the web now that MacBook Air orders are arriving. Apple's website says that the new Airs are up to 2.5x faster than the old ones, and most of the review sites agree. The only edge the older Airs have are over the newer ones are in graphics performance. The difference is not so much though, and newer games seem to erase that performance gap.

For road warriors that want to have the lightest portable around, the 2011 MacBook Airs are definitely a compelling choice. You'll lose the optical drive, Ethernet and Firewire ports, and a lot of weight; you'll even be able to stick it in a Manila envelope!

Here's some links to benchmarks of the new MacBook Airs:
• MacWorld Lab Tests
• Anandtech
• Bare Feats

Mac App Store a Good Deal for Small Businesses

The Mac App Store is a virtual store where you can purchase and download applications for your Mac; it was launched early this year as a software update to Mac OS X 10.6 and is now standard on Mac OS X 10.7. Apple's aim is to duplicate the success of the iOS App Store, with more than 500,000 apps available and 15 billion downloads and counting.

Free FileMaker Solution: FM Starting Point

One of the most comprehensive free solutions you can find is FM Starting Point, now at version 2.1, from Richard Carlton Consulting. Not only is it free for use, but it's also unlocked, so you can look at how everything works and modify the database as you want it.

Free FileMaker Solution: Excelisys Business Tracker 3

Aside from the templates and free solutions offered by FileMaker Inc, there are other companies that offer free solutions that you can use for your business. The Excelisys Business Tracker 3 is the more advanced version of the FileMaker Business tracker that FileMaker Inc offered as a free download several versions before. This newest release now takes advantage of the latest charting features in FileMaker 11 as well.