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Re: FileMaker Archaeology

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In article <0001HW.D2947AB50002A203B01029BF@news.astraweb.com>, Nelson
<nelson@nowhere.com> wrote:
> 
> I have been using FieMaker since before Claris bought it.  I now find 
> I'd like to go back and retrieve data stored in some of those older 
> databases.  My current version (12) refuses to open the older 
> databases, even, to my mind, some relatively recent ones (ca 2009).
> 
> Is anyone aware of a table showing which database versions can be 
> opened by which FileMaker versions and which Mac OS's are required to 
> run those versions?  I know I am probably going to have to go back to 
> at least OS 8.5.
> 
> Better, is there some freeware somewhere which can open these things?

Nope. Only FileMaker and FileMaker Pro can open FileMaker data files.

You'll need to find he old versions to install - probably under
emulation for the really old ones. Or find someone that still has them
who can convert the data files for you. You don't need every version,
but there are a few jump points where older file format support was
dropped, which is why version 12 can't open version 2 data files.

For Mac versions, Macintosh Garden may be of some help.
http://macintoshgarden.org





> I have the same problem with Word and Excel documents, but that's 
> another newsgroup :)

I can't say I've ever come across issues with old Word / Excel
documents being unopenable in newer versions. The other way around can
be a pain in the backside thanks to Microsoft switching to .docx and
xlsx formats.

If Word / Excel can't open it, you could try something else like
AppleWorks or Pages / Numbers. Or again Macintosh Garden may be of some
help via emulation to install old applications.




> What good is digitizing all your data if the technology to read it 
> disappears?  I should have used papyrus.

You should have updated the data files as you upgraded the FileMaker /
Filemaker Pro application. It's possible that FileMaker Pro could be
complete discontinued at some stage, so it's also best to keep a copy
of the data in a more universal format (i.e. CSV or tab-delimited text
file for databases that don't have stored images / sounds / documents).

Same with word processor and spreadsheet document - keep copies in a
more transferrable format. Also print them out so at worst they could
be re-created.

As well as data file formats, you have to also keep updating the
storage media formats. Not only can old floppy disks (for example)
become corrupt, but Macs and many Windows PCs no longer ship with
built-in floppy drives. Even buying an external USB floppy drive may
not solve the problem - for example, nothing but an Amiga can read
Amiga formatted floppy disks (at least not without a lot of expense and
hassle) and old Mac formatted disks can be an issue too.


Helpful Harry   :o)

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Thread

FileMaker Archaeology Nelson <nelson@nowhere.com> - 2015-12-14 13:55 -0500
  Re: FileMaker Archaeology Martin Τrautmann <t-usenet@gmx.net> - 2015-12-14 19:28 +0000
  Re: FileMaker Archaeology Helpful Harry <HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com> - 2015-12-15 09:13 +1300
    Re: FileMaker Archaeology Nelson <nelson@nowhere.com> - 2015-12-15 13:21 -0500
  Re: FileMaker Archaeology dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson) - 2015-12-15 10:38 +1300
    Re: FileMaker Archaeology Nelson <nelson@nowhere.com> - 2015-12-15 13:20 -0500
  Re: FileMaker Archaeology Helpful Harry <HelpfulHarry@BusyWorking.com> - 2015-12-15 13:17 +1300

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