Strengths: This has been shown to be a fully implemented, relational data base with an easy to use programming interface. I am very impressed with the capabilities and the nice addition of graphs.

Weaknesses: Too bad it wasn't included with Microsoft Office for Mac like Access. Obviously this isn't possible until Microsoft buys Filemaker. Version 11 won't run on an OS9 compatible machine. Have to use version 10 for that.

Comments: Software Media was easy to order from and quickly processed and shipped my order for a copy of Filemaker Pro 10 which I am running on a OS9 compatible, OS 10.4 machine. I am about to upgrade to Filemaker Pro 11 on my other computers.

Strengths: I've been using FileMaker Pro for years, and although I've occassionally checked into other solutions, overall it's the best database application available. Although it includes dozens of built-in templates for tracking personal and business data, its real power comes as a rapid development platform for desktop database systems. I've used REALbasic and Microsoft Access, but neither come close to the time-saving features FileMaker has. Not only can it be used as a back-end database for the web, but can also work as the front end to numerous SQL based systems, which is handy when developing web sites and you need a simple interface into the MySQL database. Creating layouts to view data for the screen or reports is a snap, and FileMaker's layout wizard will even make them attractive by default. Having looked at other database systems over the years, I still use FileMaker for 90% of my database needs primarily because of the features that continue to be added with each version. Scripting has become much easier since the introduction of script variables and return values, custom functions allow common calculation code to be saved in a single location, and built-in portal filtering, added with version 11, makes it much easier to provide dynamic views into related data. Custom menus allow me to completely control the menu interface for the end user, and the fact that all of this is cross-platform, working on Mac OS X and Windows, solidifies the choice.

Weaknesses: FileMaker isn't the perfect solution for every scenario, however. If you're running a database for a massive web site, you should probably take a look at MySQL, but FileMaker is useful even then to provide an easy interface into the MySQL database, and if you need your desktop application to look native for the target OS, it's possible but tedious with FileMaker, and REALbasic with MySQL as the back-end would be a better choice. If you're confined to running Windows, Access is an option, but I don't find it nearly as easy to use. When I need to build a large-scale web site that can handle hundreds of simultaneous users, I go with MySQL as the back end database system with either PHP or REALbasic providing the front end to users.

Strengths: Simple relational database with flexibility and power. It is like an Excel spreadsheet, with the addition of simple yet powerful query capabilities. Does the job for me.

Weaknesses: None that I know of. Haven't tried it on huge databases, however.

Comments: User-friendly interface, ideal for small business.