digital.forest is proud to announce support and hosting packages for FileMaker Pro 8.
In addition to a variety of useful new features and enhancements, FileMaker 8 offers
improved performance and reliability.
All shared hosting accounts use FileMaker Server 8 Advanced on Power Macintosh G4 and G5 servers running Mac OS X. FileMaker Server 8 Advanced is an enhanced version of FileMaker Server 8 that includes powerful web publishing and connectivity options to efficiently manage shared database solutions from desktop to the web.
For more information on FileMaker Pro 8 and FileMaker Server 8 Advanced, please visit
www.filemaker.com.
All accounts also include full featured domain, web and e-mail hosting services with optional Postini spam and virus protection. Lasso, PHP, Perl, and NetCloak are available for use on selected servers.
New ways to share your data
Our FileMaker Pro 8 hosting packages provide several new exciting ways to share your data, both internally and to the web.
Publish your data to the web using Lasso Professional, XML/XSLT technology, or Instant Web Publishing.
You can also access your databases remotely from any FileMaker Pro 8 client using the "Open Remote" command.
Alder3 Database Manager
digital.forest gives you the tools to control and maintain Web sites and databases on your schedule,
not ours. With our updated Alder Database Manager for FileMaker Pro, you can open, close,
and back up your database remotely. So you can make changes any time you like without waiting
for us to give you access to your data. Alder's browser-based interface makes it easy to
use - even when you're on the road - and its built-in security prevents unauthorized access
to your database.
New levels of control
and flexibility
If you'd like to use Lasso to talk to your FileMaker databases, our Lasso Professional hosting services have been designed to provide you with as much control
over your hosting environment as possible, providing you with many features previously only available on dedicated servers.
Our Lasso Manager provides you with the power and flexibility you need to create, manage, and configure all aspects of security
for your database. You can create and manage Lasso users and groups, activate new FileMaker databases, configure security, and control access
to the file tags.
I'm a current customer -- how do I upgrade?
Please contact your account manager or
sales@forest.net for details.
Why should I upgrade?
FileMaker Server 8 advanced is the first "server grade" solution for publishing FileMaker databases to the web. Previous versions
have been limited to handling one request at a time, which could adversely affect performance. FileMaker Server 8 Advanced can handle multiple
simultaneous database requests, increasing performance and reliability. In addition, Server 8 Advanced makes it even easier to share
your data, both internally and with the web.
Can I still use CDML to publish my database to the web?
FileMaker 8 no longer supports CDML, but you do have options.
FileMaker Server 8 Advanced includes a CDML conversion utility to help you convert your CDML pages to FileMaker's new XSLT format for publishing. At
this time, we are not sure if we will be able to provide this tool to our customers.
Lasso Professional 8, which is compatible with FileMaker 8, uses a language very similar
to CDML and provides a variety of powerful features. OmniPilot Software offers a free CDML to LDML converter for Dreamweaver and GoLive at here.
You might also want to consider Lasso Studio 8 . Plus, Lasso Studio 8 provides a powerful and easy to use environment to help you create dynamic web sites from within Dreamweaver MX or GoLive CS.
If you're using FileMaker's "Instant Web Publishing" feature, you'll find the Instant Web Publishing features in FileMaker 8 to be better than ever.
In all cases, we have development staff available to help for an added fee if you need help making the transition or adding new features. Our
development staff can also help you choose the right upgrade path for your needs.
Is there documentation about the new Custom Web Publishing Features available ?
Yes. Please see http://www.filemaker.com/support/product_documentation.html for a variety of useful online user guides. The Custom Web Publishing Guide is a great
place to start.
My site currently uses Lasso 3 or Lasso 6. Can I use FileMaker 8 with my current site?
Unfortunately, FileMaker 8 is not compatible with Lasso 3 or Lasso 6. Lasso Professional 8 is again your best bet - much of the syntax is similar or identical,
and a converter is also available as part of Lasso Studio 8. The new features and enhanced speed and reliability are definitely worth the upgrade.
If you need help making the transition or adding new features, we have development staff available to help for an added fee.
Can I open my database from your server using the "Open Remote" function in FileMaker Pro?
Yes. For more data intensive uses, it might make more sense to download and work with your database locally. Our updated Alder database manager
makes it easy to download a backup copy of your current live database to your local machine.
Can I use ODBC or JDBC to query my database?
Yes.
Can I also use a MySQL database with my account?
Yes, you can add MySQL databases to your account for an added fee. Contact your account manager or sales@forest.net for details.
