>Hi All,
>
>Right now we're using ebase 1.0 on Filemaker 4.1 and Win98. We have a
>volunteer who's willing to add some additional tables for us.
>
>Scenario: I mail this volunteer a complete copy of our ebase.100
>database on a Zip disk. We keep on using our original ebase.100 here at
>our main office. The volunteer adds some additional related tables and
>the navigation scripts. The volunteer then mails the modified database
>back to us. Question: Can we "overlay" the new structure on top of our
>original structure?
The short answer is, no. The structure and data of a FileMaker file
are both embedded in the file.
>Or will this mess up the data and revert us back to
>the data set when we mailed him the Zip disk? My goal is for the
>volunteer to work at his home AND for us to keep working on ebase while
>the volunteer does his work This possible?
I have done this four ways, with different ways to manage the current
version file set.
- Work onsite or over the net, making changes to the live database.
Back up religiously, test as you go. The only limitation is that if
attempt to change field definitions, you'll need to kick everyone
else off. Current version remains at the work site.
- Take a copy away to revise, make the live copy read-only until you
return the modified copy. Install the modified copy and pick up from
there. Current version becomes the custody of the person doing the
revisions.
- Take a copy away for revision, modify it, then bring it back and
import all the data into the new, modified, file set. Current version
remains at the work site.
- Take a copy away for revision. Make changes, test it, demo it, what
ever. Then write yourself a script, so you can repeat the changes
quickly, correctly and efficiently. Shut down the main site for an
afternoon or evening to re-construct the modifications in the current
version onsite. Current version remains on site.
>When is ebase 2.0 coming out? Will ebase 2.0 allow a structure to be
>overlaid without messing up the data?
That's a limitation of FileMaker. The file structure is embedded in
the file with the data. Any changes you make now will need to be
repeated in version 2, if they haven't been addressed in the
revisions which make up version 2).
--
--
Dave Shaw H4 Consulting
tel: 206-954-7526 fax: 206-625-1338
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