Pre-Capturing Data

Creating any type of solution within FileMaker means you're working with structuring data and planning a user interface. They just go hand-n-hand.

However, when dealing with the later, you're often focused on the user interaction portion and not just the pretty look and feel.

It turns out that FileMaker doesn't provide an obvious separation between the UI, the UX and Data Structure. It's all in the same file (or in multiple files).

So, what's a developer to do when they come across a situation like a kiosk solution? Something where you may have playful kiddies just mashing on buttons and tire kickers who start a process but may not finish. Should the data collection process be broken out from the data storage?

Maybe... and that's exactly what this video is all about. It's about pre-capturing your data into a structure which is detached from the ultimate data repository.

Any bit of data is valuable, but not all data is desired. For example, how many times is the kiosk used by people between the hours of x and y versus how many new customers are added in that same time frame. If these are the types of questions you might have in your own solutions, then watch this video to increase your FileMaker know-how on pre-capturing data!

Comments

Matt,

First off: Thanks for a tremendous learning experience.
I've been a professional developer for some time now, but still am wowed by your knowledge and your "Think Different"-attitude.
Again Thanks!

But the main reason for this post is the wondrous "Specify Calculation" Dialog window that appears at 08:58 in your latest video.
How/Where did you get this? I looks so much more practical.
Is it a plugin? Am I missing something basic?
Love to learn a bit more about this.

Have a nice day,

Luc

Posted by: lucroels
Thu, 10/20/2011 - 9:26am

Ooops, it looks like I was in a rush to shoot this video. I typically use a different copy of FileMaker for videos. About all I can say is that Xcode is a free download from the App store and if you're familiar with how applications are coded, you may remember a tool called Interface Builder - which is now integrated into Xcode on Lion. Interface Builder lets you modify nib files.

It's not an easy thing to do and can CERTAINLY cause crashes. I'm likely very much in some sort of violation of something somewhere so that's about all I can say. ;) This does bring back memories of the wonderful days of ResEdit and hacking resource forks (that was an easier time than these days) :(

Matt

-- Matt Petrowsky - ISO FileMaker Magazine Editor

Posted by: Editor
Fri, 10/21/2011 - 2:27pm

Matt
I've been developing for a while, but there's still a lot that escapes me. Any chance for a sample file to show how some of this works? Thanks in advance. Dave

Posted by: dadudley2
Fri, 10/21/2011 - 1:34pm

Hey Dave,

Thanks for asking. This particular file will be released with the Theme Studio. It is a fully functional file with the included UI elements. Yet another reason the Theme Studio is such a great deal. You get more than just the pretty interface. ;)

http://filemakerthemes.com

-- Matt Petrowsky - ISO FileMaker Magazine Editor

Posted by: Editor
Fri, 10/21/2011 - 2:31pm