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1. New Videos Released

   Operation Cleanup Part 1,
   Operation Cleanup Part 2
   &
   Operation Cleanup Part 3

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#1. NEW VIDEOS:
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   Operation Cleanup Part 1

   --------------------------------------------------

   I guess simply use of the wording "Cleanup" implies that
   something needs to be - well - cleaned up. Such is the
   case with anything that may become outdated.

   Styles and trends change and so should your FileMaker
   database. Sure, you can get away with running on a
   FileMaker 5 file and keep it operational as long as you
   never update the operating system or anything else
   required to run the antiquated system.

   The trade off to not updating are all the gains and
   features you get in newer versions of FileMaker.

   So, while working on one of my most recent themes, I
   decided to document the types of changes I'd make to one
   of the default starter files provided by FileMaker
   itself.

   Hence this short three part series and these first three
   tips of removing labels, implied operations and making
   the important part stand out.

   If those suggestions alone don't make any sense then try
   giving the video a once over.

http://fmgo.to/uiMj6a

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   Operation Cleanup Part 2

   --------------------------------------------------

   In this part two of our short three part series, we take
   a look at the topic of what it means when "Everything on
   screen is seen". It may sound obvious, but you may not
   recognize the impact it has on the users of your
   solutions.

   The next tip I cover is one of my all-time favorites -
   tab panels. In database after database, I constantly see
   the default tab panels which seem to look just fine.
   However, for those few times when you really want to
   trick things out, you simply need to know what can and
   can't be done with these powerful UI tools.

   The third tip in this second video directs you towards
   creating visible distinctions in your layouts. The goal
   is to create distinctions which are subtle in nature and
   not to obvious - unless they need to be - which is the
   exception, not the rule.

   For the more aesthetic aspects to your design, this
   video will guide you in the right direction!

http://fmgo.to/sTtFiN

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   Operation Cleanup Part 3

   --------------------------------------------------

   If videos one and two of this three part series were the
   "pretty & shiny" parts, then this last part of the
   series is Vvrooom vroom of the engine - the stuff that
   backs up the pretty stuff. There are three elegant
   techniques added into the revised file.

   The first of the three is a straight-forward
   implementation of user preferences. While it's simple to
   put into any FileMaker solution, it's not often the
   first thought to provide each login account with unique
   preferences to how they use your FileMaker solution.
   This one tip will hopefully present the simple elegance
   in which you can add into many areas of your solution.

   The second technique is a simplified version of my
   article titled "Attractive Sorting Indicators". I
   showcase what the old way was in the starter solution
   and how you might improve upon this using the newer
   features in the current release of FileMaker. It's
   another easy add-on with limited overall cost.

   The final technique in this three part series is one I
   called "Easy List Filtering". It capitalizes on
   FileMaker's new Quick Find feature and provides an easy
   way for users to filter any list view based on the
   record they currently have selected. The implementation
   is pretty simple and can easily be extended quickly to
   any fields desired.

http://fmgo.to/s12EZV

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Enjoy the article!

Matt Petrowsky
Editor - ISO FileMaker Magazine