Getting Info Organized--FileMaker Has a Deal For You

http://www.filemakertrial.com/gopromo/

I don't know if getting your info organized is part of your New Year's Resolutions.  If it is, FileMaker has a deal for you.  Buy FileMaker Go for your iPhone/iPod Touch and they will sell you FileMaker 11 at half price.

I have been writing about using FM Go at school.  The more I use Go the better I like it.  It is great to carry around your info in your iPod.

FileMaker is a great data base program for people who want power, but don't have time and resources to invest in a major SQL project.  FM is a great balance between ease of use and the power to get things done.

This deal may really work for the people who are more interested in the iOS side of the equation.  You know, people who are more interested in the iPhone having their data on it, than using their computer to organize their data.  It will be interesting to see how things work out here.  Leveraging iOS to boost sales of the Windows/Mac side of the shop.  Hmmm.

Of course, shop around and run the numbers.  You may be able to find FileMaker cheaper (especially if you qualify for the education price.)  But it is nice to see that the tool you need to make FileMaker Go work discounted.

FileMaker Go and organizing my music room(s).

http://www.filemaker.com/

http://www.fmtouch.com/

I have one of THOSE assignments.  During the week, I have 270 students in five different classes and 10 sections of small group sectionals in 4 different rooms that I share with other teachers.  At the middle school level.

To say organization is important would be an understatement.  You could get run over pretty quick if you are not ready for class and fiddling with paperwork.   I am always looking for tools to help with that.  If those tools fit in my pocket, Great! because I have so many places to be.

I think I have found a versatile little gem called FileMaker Go.  It is an iOS version of FileMaker.  I am currently running it on my iPod Touch (Generation 4.)

FM Go works with your computer-based FileMaker data base.  You create the data base in FileMaker and share it to your iOS device.  The synch feature works with either the cord or over Wi-Fi.  I am using the cord and storing the info on my iPod.  Sometimes, you need the information where you can't get at a wireless connection.

You do need to do the design of the data base in FileMaker, but it is one of the easiest data bases to learn and pretty versatile too.

I now have my class lists, a parent contact phone number, picture of each student, and an advisor name in my pocket for whenever I need it.  Pretty cool.  I did very little data entry with this project as well as most of this information is available from the office on .csv and tab-delimited files, which FileMaker can import.

I have used FMTouch for very similar things.  You do need access to the more expensive FMPro Advanced to do this and it takes more set-up to make it work.  It is a solid solution if those items aren't a problem for you  and you don't have an iOS device that meets system requirements for FM Go.  I think that FM Go runs faster, but I can't be sure because I updated my iPod at the same time and I don't have a fair comparison.  FMTouch is worth a look if it works better with your gear.

Funnest iPod ever

We got our daughter a new iPod Nano for her birthday. It has a video camera built in.

Steve used to say that the iPod Touch was the funnest iPod ever. I think it is now the Nano. The Touch does more things with all the apps. The Nano seems to be more spontaneous.

What about making quick movies of your friends would not be fun. Some quick improv with your friends. Very creative. A laugh a minute!

We weren't ready to give her a Touch just yet. You do have to consider the networking possibilities of the Touch as having two sides. Yes, very useful for e-mail, web browsing, App Store, iTunes. Too useful because you can't exactly lock the browser down and do you really want your 11 year old out there unsupervised?

What iPod are you?

Time's Top Ten Apps for Back to School. Another List!

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1919378_1919377,00.html

I AM a sucker for lists. Here's one from Time Magazine!

Time has put together a nice list of iPhone Apps for back to school. I would personally make it a top 11 and add "Things" or maybe substitute that app for the homework organizer. Why are these lists always 10 items? Do we blame Letterman?

This list makes the Touch/iPhone look like a powerful and adaptive tool for learning. No surprise, it really is.

Got to wonder though, would a kid be allowed to take out his iPhone (iPod Touch) without risking confiscation? How many schools allow these tools to be used? Can they be connected to the school wireless network? Is there a school wireless network?

Hey Time! Need a writing prompt for an article?

Just Back From the Fire Drill

I am REALLY liking the iPod/FileMaker/FMTouch combination.

We just got done with a fire drill.  It was very nice to have all of my class lists in my pocket.  I have literally hundreds of kids in 12 different classes.  This time, no worrying that I had grabbed the wrong clipboard.  

Search for that section, sort alphabetical by last name, take attendance and wait to walkie-talkie  it in.  Pretty cool.