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Slide Library Setup: Configuring FileMaker

To view the slide library test after you have downloaded it, you will have to do a few things first.

1.
  • First, determine which version of FileMaker you will be using to serve this database. Both version 4 and version 5 will work.
  • We have included a copy of the "Slide_Library_Sample.fmp" database for each version of FileMaker.
    • If you are using version 5 or later, drag the database from "Database for FileMaker 5" into the "Slide_library_sample" folder.
    • If you are using version 4, drag the database from "Database for FileMaker 4" into the "Slide_library_sample" folder.
  • Note that FileMaker versions earlier than 4.0 will not serve databases on the web.


2. Make an Alias of the new Web folder
  • Open your FileMaker Pro folder (version 4.0 or later).
  • You will see a folder called "Web." Rename this folder "Old Web Folder."
  • Then, make an alias of the "Brain Library Sample" folder (command-M, or "Make Alias" under the File menu).
  • Rename this alias "Web," and put it into the FileMaker Pro folder, where the "Old Web Folder" is.


3.
  • You have already moved "Slide_Library_Sample.fmp" to the "Slide_library_sample" folder, so find it there and double-click it, or open it with the "open" command from within FileMaker 4 or later.
  • Don't close the database if you want to view it on the web. FileMaker will only share databases as long as they remain open.


4.
  • In the FileMaker application, go to the Edit menu and select "Application" from "Preferences."
  • In the resulting dialog (dialog shown is from FileMaker 4, but 5's is almost the same), set "Network Protocol" to "TCP/IP." You will have to quit and re-launch FileMaker for the change from AppleTalk to TCP/IP to take place, but don't do that until the end of this step.
  • Now, in the same dialog box, select "Plug-Ins." Check "enabled" next to "Web Companion," then push the "configure" button at the bottom of the window.
  • You will see the TCP/IP port listed in the bottom-left corner of the new dialog box. If you don't have any other servers running on your computer, it is probably best to just leave the port set at 80. If you do have a server running on this computer (it probably uses port 80), change the port to "101."
  • If "TCP/IP" wasn't already selected as your network protocol, quit your copy of FileMaker now and re-launch it. Make sure to also re-open the "Slide_Library_Sample.fmp" database that is in the "Slide_library_sample" folder.


5.
  • Finally, select the "Slide_Library_Sample.fmp" database again (make sure it is the active window) and choose "Sharing..." from the File menu.
  • In the "File Sharing for Slide Library Sample.fmp" dialog, click on the "Multi-User" button, and check "shared" next to "Web Companion."
  • Make sure the dialog says that the file is being shared by TCP/IP. If it doesn't, reread step 4. No skimming this time.
Sharing Menu

Keep in mind that FileMaker Pro 5 will only allow 10 different IP addresses to access your database in any 12-hour period. If you expect many visitors to your site, you will want to upgrade to FileMaker 5 Unlimited (which removes this restriction) or buy a copy of FileMaker 5 Server (a completely different program). FileMaker 4 does not have this IP address restriction.


Now that you've done these steps, you should be able to view the "Slide_Library_Sample.fmp" database with any web browser. Try the links below:


Default: Port 80
(normally, you should use this link)

Alternate: Port 101
(use this if you are running a web server on this computer)

Here is the link text for port 80:
http://localhost:80/Slide_library_sample/FMPro?-db=Slide_Library_Sample.fmp&-format=browse.html&-max=5&-findall 		Here is the link text for port 101:
http://localhost:101/Slide_library_sample/FMPro?-db=Slide_Library_Sample.fmp&-format=browse.html&-max=5&-findall


Important: The links above will only work on the same computer that is doing the serving. If you want to be able to access your database from other computers, you will have to change the "localhost" part of the address above to your actual IP address or URL.


If nothing happens, or if you get an error message, double-check the following things:

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©2000 Alex Williams
This document is from www.nervenet.org.