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From: David Empson on 13 Jan 2010 19:44
Jo <nietgebruiken@*nietgebruiken*.com> wrote:

> Michael Vilain <vilain(a)NOspamcop.net> wrote:
>
> > In article <1jca3aj.ftmdrk8ari6sN%nietgebruiken@*nietgebruiken*.com>,
> > nietgebruiken@*nietgebruiken*.com (Jo) wrote:
> >
> > > hi
> > > my name is Jo, and I live in the Netherlands.
> > >
> > > I'm looking for intel on the use of databases on mac *and* iphone. what
> > > I want is to set up is a system for advanced real estate management in
> > > terms of lifespan and maintenance-costs, amongst other functions.
> > > I am tempted to look at Bento, because of its looks, but find it hard to
> > > get into it.
> > > Filemaker is more structured in that respect. I do have some experience,
> > > but for what I want, it is not enough.

I assume you meant your experience is not enough, rather than FileMaker
not being sufficient for the task.

> > > I am looking to set up a business in the area of rel-estate maintenance.
> > >
> > > what I hope to find here is some help and/or directions to people who
> > > actually can help in this, possible a joined venture as a future option
> > > ( the idea of what I want to set up is potentiolly very big and
> > > commercially interesting. but this is not for now...)
> > >
> > > thanks
> >
> > You had me interested in helping you until you went into the joint
> > venture yada yada yada bullcrap. How far have you investigated this
> > beyond looking for a database that can download stuff to the iphone?
> sorry to hear that, because it is quit open on how to go about it ... I
> am researching the possibilities. a construction of joint venture is one
> of the options to get the job done and is a realistic thought, for what
> I have in mind is not something that ends with hobby. So I can
> understand the 'bull'-bit, but it is not intended to get at a final way
> to get at it.
>
> >
> > Someone posted here that the iphone notes feature limits the size you
> > can have for notes. You might be better to use an application running
> > on a web-server that you login to from the Mac and iphone. That way you
> > can customize what you see based on css. There are any number of
> > web-based CMS out there that could do this. You might even find
> > developers who have a maintenance ticketing system or something already
> > they can sell you.
> that would mean a seperate iphone app that has to be developed?

Assuming everywhere you want to use the iPhone has cellular coverage,
the solution could be entirely based on a web server, with no software
needing to be written on the iPhone - just use its web browser, or you
can set up an "application" on the iPhone which is just a link to a web
site.

The server side could be done with FileMaker Server Advanced, or any
other database for which a web-based front end can be written.

The only reasons to write an iPhone application would be if you wanted
faster user interface or to allow for unreliable Internet access.

> I was kinda hoping to do this with a filemaker-like sollution, where you
> collect data on the road and sync it to the server. I know filemaker can
> do this.
> Also, for what I want , there is no standard sollution. It is a new idea
> (does not yet exist anywhere ...)

There is an iPhone application called FMtouch (not written by FileMaker
Inc) which can synchronize to a FileMaker database. I've never tried it
as it is quite expensive (for an iPhone app) and doesn't have a
free/cheap demo version.

I think it requires separate development of the user interface for the
database running on the iPhone - it just shares the data with FileMaker
Pro. No idea how well it copes with multi-user or a distributed user
base.

By comparison, Bento on the iPhone has a very simple form-based user
interface with no control over the appearance or layout. It is
sufficient for looking up or entering data. I use it to keep track of
vehicle trips for my self employed work.

--
David Empson
dempson(a)actrix.gen.nz
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