Today, Seedcode released Zulu, a plug-in that turns FileMaker Server into an iCal server. This means that you can now use iCal as a calendar interface to display and edit records in FileMaker that contain dates. This makes it possible to easily visualize information and take it with you on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad as well. It eliminates the need to synchronize calendar entries.

Check out the demo video. Let us know if you like us to help you integrate this new technology with your FileMaker solution.

Often I get the question about the difference between Bento and FileMaker. Most of my consulting comes from doing FileMaker work, but I will recommend Bento when it fits the type of work you need to get completed. Here I’ll outline some of the differences between the products.

I think of Bento as the iTunes of databases. It’s designed for personal productivity. FileMaker is aimed at workgroups and organizations.

Bento is not cross-platform. It only works on the Macintosh running Leopard 10.5.7 or above. FileMaker works on Windows and the Mac OS.

Bento integrates directly with the Apple Address Book for contacts, iCal for calendars, Mail for e-mail, and iPhoto for images. FileMaker can link to these tools but requires more development work via a plug-in or AppleScript. FileMaker has many other options for connecting to Microsoft Office, creating email, accessing internet browsers, adding functionality with plug-ins, utilizing PHP for creating web/internet solutions, and accessing other external SQL databases.

Bento limits the number on shared users to those on a local network with no more than 5 users (since Bento verson 3). FileMaker can handle hundreds of users with FileMaker server across a wide geographic area.

Bento is less customizable and less powerful than FileMaker. Bento’s simplicity allows someone to more easily create a database that looks professional with a lower learning curve. For its powerful features and capabilities, FileMaker is the easiest-to-use database tool in the world. This makes it possible to develop, expand, and customize solutions more quickly.

Bento is much less expensive than FileMaker. Bento $49 for one user or $99 for a family pack. FileMaker is around $299 for one user with many licensing options as you move up to more users.

Since the release of FileMaker Go, both FileMaker and Bento have options for easily running their databases on the iPhone and iPad. The pre-built templates in Bento make this more accessible with less work.

So if you are a do-it-yourself kind of technology person, I’d recommend you start with Bento and see where you can go. If you decide to build something on your own with Bento and run into limitations, it is relatively simple to move your data forward into a FileMaker database.

I’ve created a free tool to migrate your Apple Address Book and iCal information (utilized in Bento) into FileMaker automatically.

If you’re moving out of Bento and into FileMaker, you might also consider utilizing a pre-built FileMaker solution such as fmIgnite to gain access to many features without the necessity of building them all from scratch.

Lately, there have been many developments on the iPad case front. There are now many choices for how you can wrap, protect, accessorize, and make the iPad your own.

It started with Apple’s own Apple standard Black iPad case which does a good job of protecting and making the iPad less slideable on a slippery surface.

Now you have the option of taking you iPad underwater with the TrendyDigital WaterGuard Waterproof Case Scuba anyone?

For some real fun, check out the iPad Bacon case…but please don’t put it on the grill.

If you’re looking for some retro, arcade fun check out the iCade – iPad Arcade Cabinet.

And don’t forget the do-it-yourself duct tape case!

What will they think of next? At least we’re all having fun now.

Question: One of my clients running is having problems with a send mail script from FileMaker 10 to Mail 3.6. The attached PDF is appearing on a black background making it impossible for the recipient to read any text that the client may have included with the attachment. What can I do?

Answer: This bug was introduced by Safari 5. http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3385 Until Apple provides an operating system level fix, I have put together a temporary solution by including the following AppleScript in a Perform AppleScript script step after the Send Mail command.

– Overcome error introduced with Safari 5 that makes the background black
– Change to Plain Text and then back to normal
tell application “System Events” to tell process “Mail”
delay 1
if name of menu item -1 of menu 1 of menu bar item 8 of menu bar 1 contains “Plain Text” then
keystroke “t” using {shift down, command down}
delay 1
keystroke “t” using {shift down, command down}
end if
end tell

Update: This is fixed in the latest Mac OS X update. 7/30/10

Apple released a new Mac OS update today version 10.6.4 (Snow Leopard).

According to release notes the update includes Safari 5 and enhancements to compatibility, security, and stability. Here’s some detailed information from Apple.

As always, I suggest that you WAIT to install this for a few weeks to let early adopters deal with any issues that might arise. In fact, for this reason I always suggest turning off the auto update system preference. Then the OS will not prompt you when a new release is available to avoid tempting you to do so before a release is fully baked.

Here’s how to adjust your system preferences:

1. In the Finder, from the Apple menu on the far left choose System Preferences…

2. Click on Software Update.

3. Uncheck the box that says Check for updates (Weekly)

You can go ahead and manually install updates once every 2 months or so after completing a full system backup onto an external hard disk drive using a tool like SuperDuper!