FileMaker Pro 3.0 for Windows 95

Headnote

FileMaker Pro 3.0, the newest version of Claris's popular database, brings relational properties to a previously flat file system. This review describes the features of the new database, examining its strengths and weaknesses. FileMaker is known for its ease of use, its flexibility, and its cross-platform performance, but its weak searching capabilities make it less than ideal for typical library information needs. However, it is an excellent program for projects within the library requiring a database, but without the need for complex searching.

Background

Released in January 1996, Claris's latest version of FileMaker Pro brings relational properties to a database that was previously a flat file system. Claris came out with FileMaker Pro 1.0 for Macintosh in May 1985, and since that time, there have been twelve revisions, including the release in 1992 of version 2.0 for both Macintosh and Windows. FileMaker Pro was the first cross-platform nonprogrammable database software. Since 1992, FileMaker has continued to produce database software that is compatible with both Macintosh and Windows platforms.

Claris Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple Computer, with offices in ten countries and products in over thirty-five languages. Although Claris creates software primarily for the Macintosh, the company is now one of the world's largest software vendors for Windows. Claris's primary products include Claris Works (word processing, database, spreadsheets, drawing, and communications software), FileMaker Pro, ClarisDraw and ClarisImpact (drawing and business graphics), Claris HomePage (software for the creation of home pages), and Claris Organizer (a personal information manager for Macintosh only). Although Claris focuses primarily on software applications for small-business, education, and home uses, there are many applications for uses in libraries. FileMaker Pro is ideal for projects within libraries that require a database but do not need advanced searching capabilities. For example, FileMaker can be used to track copyright permissions for course reserves in an academic library or to organize a collection of psychological tests that are not cataloged with the main collection.

Vendor Profile

Claris Corporation http:ll/www.claris.com/ 5201 Patrick Henry Drive PO. Box 58168

Santa Clara, CA 95052-8168 [phone] [phone] (fax)

Hardware Requirements

FileMaker Pro 3.0 for Windows 95 is a 32-bit application that requires an Intel-compatible PC running either Windows 95 or Windows NT 3.51. It can...