FileMaker and Lion

[daryl66]

I have a couple of small database files (about 200 items each, Xmas card addresses with a small graphic ), I have been updating annually with FMPro7 (not willing to upgrade to FMP11) which is not compatible with the new cat. Anyone know of an app or solution that may solve this little problem??  I have MS Office, iWork, Avery Graphic design, but I cannot seem to uncover a solution. Cut, Copy, Paste, or creating  a whole new file ranks very low in my "to do list"

Daryl

[Xairbusdriver]

I didn't transfer version 9 to the new machine as I already have 11 (not Advanced, however). You might try finding that version somewhere, assuming it is compatible with Lion (9 is over 4 years old, however). 11 certainly is and I've had it for much longer than Lion. It has a much nicer interface and you can have more than one scripting window open at once. Several other updates, of course, but it's a subjective call on what they're worth. OTOH, I don't know of an easier to use database app (for either OS!).

[kimmer]

How about Bento -- the junior version of FileMaker Pro?

http://www.filemaker.com/products/bento/

[daryl66]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 5 2011, 03:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I didn't transfer version 9 to the new machine as I already have 11 (not Advanced, however). You might try finding that version somewhere, assuming it is compatible with Lion (9 is over 4 years old, however). 11 certainly is and I've had it for much longer than Lion..

No such luck. 9 is not compatible either.  Bento has some possibility.  More homework required.  These 2 files are the only DB files that we use, and then only one time a year, just to print mailing labels. I will probably end up cutting and pasting into Word.

Does Pages have a mailing label option??? If it does I cannot seem to find it.

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

Does Pages have a mailing label option???

Of course! Unfortunately, I'm not at home so I can't point you to anything specific. And if you have Pages, you probably have Numbers. It still amazes me how many people use a spreadsheet as a "database!" But it should be usable for what you need, also. But I think Pages will be easier to set up; basically a series of text boxes aligned on the page to 'hit' the labels. Create one and duplicate it 29 times!

However, instead of copy & paste, I'd suggest dumping the FM info to a text file and use the Merge function of whatever word processor you end up using. Afterall, the computer is supposed to do kind of tedious stuff!

[daryl66]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 6 2011, 09:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE

Does Pages have a mailing label option???

Of course! Unfortunately, I'm not at home so I can't point you to anything specific. And if you have Pages, you probably have Numbers. It still amazes me how many people use a spreadsheet as a "database!" But it should be usable for what you need, also. But I think Pages will be easier to set up; basically a series of text boxes aligned on the page to 'hit' the labels. Create one and duplicate it 29 times!

However, instead of copy & paste, I'd suggest dumping the FM info to a text file and use the Merge function of whatever word processor you end up using. Afterall, the computer is supposed to do kind of tedious stuff!

I was thinking more along the lines of plugging in the Avery Label number and,   wa laaa  up  pops  a nice screen all set up to input the data, not designing  one. Word does this, Avery Design does this, File maker also.  I have also attempted the text file route using 3 or 4 different text formats and while the data can imported to the various label programs  it is never been in a format that the editing process would be more work than cut and paste.

Am up to Plan "c". now.

Daryl

[Xairbusdriver]

Well, I'm trying to get Pages updated for Lion right now, but I may have found other options with apps you already have:

1. Use Address Book. It has various label templates in it when you use its Print function.
B. Download some Avery templates <just for Pages>.
c. Import a label template from word. Just to keep from using Word?!
IV. Download a label template from the web for Word, but use it in Pages.
3.1 How to make mailing labels in Pages from <eHow>.
Additional purchases
Mail Factory <Belight Software>
d. Additional 'how-to' info from <C|Net>.

Also found this at an Apple Forums thread from a Word trainer of many years:

QUOTE

So Word can do labels. If that's an important feature for word processors in your mind then buy Word. If you want a good label maker look at another program.

[daryl66]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 6 2011, 07:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I'm trying to get Pages updated for Lion right now, but I may have found other options with apps you already have:

1. Use Address Book. It has various label templates in it when you use its Print function.
B. Download some Avery templates <just for Pages>.
c. Import a label template from word. Just to keep from using Word?!
IV. Download a label template from the web for Word, but use it in Pages.
3.1 How to make mailing labels in Pages from <eHow>.
Additional purchases
Mail Factory <Belight Software>
d. Additional 'how-to' info from <C|Net>.

Also found this at an Apple Forums thread from a Word trainer of many years:

QUOTE

So Word can do labels. If that's an important feature for word processors in your mind then buy Word. If you want a good label maker look at another program.

OK  Think there is enuff info here to get er done.  I like the Address Book solution, ( did not know it was there)  if for, no other reason than, I won't have t o depend on  anyones apps but Apple's and it should stay around as long as I do.   I will have to create a new "group" but most of the data should already reside there.

Thanks

Daryl  

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

I like the Address Book solution [...] I won't have to depend on anyones apps but Apple's and it should stay around as long as I do.

Well, I hope you are satisfied, you have now uttered/written the words most likely to cause Apple to drop Address Book as an App, probably have an announcement this week!

[daryl66]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 7 2011, 03:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE

I like the Address Book solution [...] I won't have to depend on anyones apps but Apple's and it should stay around as long as I do.

Well, I hope you are satisfied, you have now uttered/written the words most likely to cause Apple to drop Address Book as an App, probably have an announcement this week!

 There may be hope yet. I would not toss your contacts  in Address Book YET.  Am finding out that most all of my contacts have more than just a name and address in them and i am  stumbling around trying to figure out how to solve that problem, the address labels sure do not need the phone numbers,  e mail addresses, kids names etc. There must be a way to avoid creating a whole new "group" from scratch without the exteranious data.  Doing that would create duplicate cards, one with, and one without, which does not make a lot of sense (at least to me),