While talking to one of my contractor buddies today about databases vs. spreadsheets like Excel I suddenly recalled that FileMaker Inc. has a special 2 for 1 deal going on for the next three weeks until December 22nd 2010. Here is a link to the web page (email) that was net to me about the deal.

If you’re interested in exploring it you can get a thirty day demo of FileMaker Pro 11 for Mac or Windows to test it out here.

For anyone who wants to get into using databases and needs multiple licenses for a more than one person operation I think this is just a great deal. Even if your not into creating your own databases to track items, tasks etc .the FileMaker Pro application comes with 30 built-in Starter Solutions like Invoices, Contact management, Task Management, Issue Tracking, etc. that are incredibly useful (and there are some pretty kool free and for fee third party solutions out there too) and with FileMaker Go you can put any FileMaker solution on an iPad (or iPod & iPhone) too.

While I’m a pretty seasoned Filemaker developer (I’ve been working with the program since at least 1995 to the best of my recollection) I’ve seen some rank beginners come up with some pretty good looking simple but solid solutions on their own. I mention this because an old dog can still learn some new tricks and any new user can test out this technique playing around with the FileMaker demo too.

I was working on the To Do List that part of my own suite of programs thinking I wanted to add a container field to the individual To Do List records that I could add attachments too. You know, something like I want to attach a Excel list of contacts someone gave me to a To Do List reminder to “Enter new contact list for project x.”

So I get that done and as I’m testing it out I accidentally double click on that Attachment container field and this little “record” window pops up on the top left hand corner of my screen (screenshot) and I suddenly realize FileMaker will record a voice message for me and place it in that container field.

I swear I don’t know books I have on FileMaker and how many training videos and papers I read but I never knew I could do that.

As I mentioned FileMaker comes with it own package of 30 stater solutions and one of them is a To Do List tool. It took all of minute for me to add the Attachment container field and here’s what it look like. I wrote a To Do List note to “Read the Action Tracker Manual” and inserted the Action Tracker Manual PDF into the Attachment container field.

I know Joe Stoddard over in the JLC Business Technology forum once said: (link)

“If I was using a Mac as my main computer, and especially if you’re comfortable rolling your own apps – I’d be all over FileMaker Pro. It’s simply the best rapid development tool on the planet (IMHO) . It’s fantastic. Not cheap but worth it if you need it. http://www.filemaker.com/ “

… and yes if you are on a Mac and want to develop you own solution and tools I think you be crazy to ignore FileMaker but I also think it a great tool for anyone running Windows too.