Suz wrote:
> >or something similar, depending on the db scripting tool you
> use. However,
> >in the planning of your database/template scenario you may find
> times when
> >using the CD item number may be a hindrance to progress. For
> that reason you
> >may want to consider setting up each of the table in your RDBMS using
> >primary keys that are just numbers. That would allow you to use
> fred.jpg and
> >mable.jpg for item # 1105, for example. It would give you more
> flexibility
> >to not have the "real" item ID (sh-1105) be so important.
>
> From an organizational standpoint, the item #s are essential and have
> proved to be more of a help than hindrance.
<snip examples>
> The numbering system has
> worked well for handbuilt HTML pages, because I can take
> sh-1105.html, save
> it as sh-1106.html, then quickly go through and change the item, RA and
> JPEG numbers from 1105 to 1106, paste in new text and voila! new page.
viola!
By using the ID's and sticking to your plan you can actually cut out a great
deal of the data that has to be stored in the db. You won't need to store
any file names at all, just hardcode your template to have: #ID#.jpg,
#ID#.ra, etc. Easier than #photo1#.jpg, #ra1#.ra, etc. Less fields. For more
complex things, like lists of ra files for the album, you could just setup
another table indexed on the ID# containing the list of tracks and do a
joined query to get the data for your template.
> >Sounds OK. I have not used the Filemaker/Homepage combination, though.
> >Actually, I don't know why you'd need Homepage, unless Filemaker
> uses part
> >of it for generating the necessary templates.
> One thing to consider, and
> >this is just a guess...it sounds like Filemaker requires some
> kind of server
> >addon of its own to read the templates it produces, so it can shimmy data
> >back and forth from the db. You may be locking yourself into some
> >proprietary solution...Mac only, dependant on Claris and the
> progress they
> >make on their product. Check it out. Let me know. I'm curious.
>
> Both Filemaker and Homepage are cross-platform.
Actually, I knew that, just forgot. Won't work on Unix, but what the hey.
> Since ColdFusion
> isn't,
Well, no Mac version, but there is a Solaris version. I've heard other OS
versions are in the works, but don't know the facts.
> and
> Shrapnel already lives on a Mac server, it makes sense.
right!
The ISP is a
> friend, client, and readily available by phone, so he's a great asset. He
> even helped us move, God bless him!
Whoo hoo!
> According to the Homepage box, you "With powerful FileMaker Pro 4.0
> database connectivity, it's now a simple matter to publish data
> dynamically
> over your organization's intranet or the Internet by linking your
> web pages
> to FM Pro databases....
I'm interested in hearing about your experience with FileMaker Pro. I
recently talked with someone about developing a cross-platform (Mac/Win)
database for their personnel department and we discussed FileMaker as an
option. An article I read said the Win version was not as
functional/flexible as MS Access. I don't remember what they were comparing,
though. :(
Use the Filemaker Connection Assistant to easily
> link your web pages to FMPro 4.0 databases... Collect info from
> interactive
> web-page forms and provide custom info to visitors... Build interactive
> forms easily...
I am eager to hear about the implementation of these tools. What do they use
to tie it all together? Their own scripting language and a server add-on is
my guess. As long as your hosting service is amenable to setting up the
server add-on, sounds like you've got a solution.
> Immediately went to
> the computer store to by FM and Homepage plus ordered Flash and
> Dreamweaver. COOL new toys. Yeah!!!!!
Whoo hoo! Have you taken a look at Flash Generator yet? Looks rather spiffy,
but I haven't installed the demo yet. Saw a demo of Flash at the Web98
conference earlier this week...it has some rather intuitive drawing tools.
Haven't dl'd a demo of that yet. Still waiting for it to be included in
browsers, but have been dying to implement it since I first saw it. Friggin
browser companies. Arf.
Jack
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