Filemaker Pro 7 is a database management system (DBMS) that boasts a user-friendly interface. The file format has changed in this version, and this will bring unwanted hassle to many existing users.

There are nine new database templates for such tasks as managing contacts and expense reports and for creating libraries of books, music, photos or recipes.

The maximum size for a database is now 8TB, and a new field type called Container lets you store files of any type (pictures, documents, music, PDFs etc) up to 4GB in size. The files can be stored within the database or linked to a Container field.

A new visual tool gives you a graphical representation of the relationships between tables and allows those relationships to be edited.

Filemaker's Instant Web Publishing (IWP) tool for publishing databases to the web is much improved.

Scriptmaker, a scripting tool which is vital for building sophisticated databases has also been improved. Direct editing of script step options is supported, as are steps for applying security measures, while parameters can now be passed to script steps.

Filemaker Pro 7 looks good compared with its competitors, such as Alpha 5 and Intuit Quickbase, and for home and small office listings/catalogues it's the perfect application.

Note: You?ll need to register with FileMaker before you can download the software, as the download link is emailed to you.