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WebBase:
A FileMaker Pro Database for Managing URLs

Contents


Introduction

WebBase is an application for managing web page URLs. I started using it in 1996, and it's worked ever since. The key trick was getting DDE to work (so I could drive a browser); the major advantages are its customizability, standard data storage, and ability to store usernames and passwords.

In November of 1999 I realized I could make this app do double duty as a document management tool (see Document Management).

WebBase resembles databases for managing print citations. It is a Macintosh FileMaker Pro 3.x database; it can also be read by a Windows/Windows 95 version of FileMaker Pro. I've included about 3 URLs with the database. It is freeware. It has a crude user interface that works for me. You will need to customize it to suit yourself. I suggest you work on a copy when making revisions.

WebBase works by sending AppleEvents to a Macintosh web browser or DDE messages to a Windows web browser. It is currently set to use Netscape 4.02 or later or IE (see setup!), but it can be adapted to any browser that is AppleEvent/DDE compatible

The database format allows portability of URL data, and great flexibility in using stored information. It can be modified to suit any user. Currently WebBase uses a two dimensional category structure with unlimited key words. URLs can be ranked and date of last visit is recorded. Fields are available for storing passwords and user ids. Again, the key advantages of WebBase over other solutions are portability and extensibility. You can move your data from FileMaker to just about any conceivable future data store or URL manager on any platform.

Setup

Windows

Review the scripts. Edit them as you like. The DDE commands are embedded in the scripts and written as needed to some global fields:

Macintosh

Application

WebBase comes with no additional documentation. You will have to be pretty familiar with FileMaker Pro to use it.  It is stored in zip format. If you click on the following URL your browser should ask you what to do with it. Save it to your disk and open it with your unzipper of choice (WinZip on Windows, StuffIt Expander or ZipIt on the Mac, for example).

Links


Author: John G. Faughnan.  The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author. Pages are updated on an irregular schedule; suggestions/fixes are welcome but they may take weeks to years to be incorporated. Anyone may freely link to anything on this site and print any page; no permission is needed for citing, linking,  printing, or distributing printed copies.