Popular personal Mac database links with Apple Mail; works with Excel, Numbers, and AppleWorks; and adds many spreadsheet style functions
FileMaker, Inc. has announced the immediate availability of Bento 2, the new version of its wildly popular personal database that is as easy to use as the Mac. For the first time, Bento 2 now links Apple Mail messages and RSS feeds to contacts, events, projects, and other information stored in Bento.
With Bento 2, users can export spreadsheet data from Excel and Numbers directly into Bento 2 to view and use that data in beautiful Bento 2 forms, and secondarily import Bento 2 data into the spreadsheet apps. With Bento 2, users get convenient iTunes-style searching, quick sorting, instant summary stats, and much more. AppleWorks data may now also be imported and exported to and from Bento 2 via new support for tab-delimited files.
The new Bento 2 offers exciting new functionality including spreadsheet style “no set-up” data entry with intuitive “fill-downs”; the ability to edit records and modify forms without ever changing modes; view and edit table and detail records in split-view on one screen; and even instantly link to Google Maps and online chat.
“We found that the majority of Bento users were keeping track of their lists in spreadsheets, so we’ve added many new features to Bento that will make spreadsheet users very comfortable, while also accomplishing much more using Bento,” says Ryan Rosenberg, vice president, marketing and services, FileMaker, Inc.
Ten new ready-to-use beautiful themes, ranging from “Bookworm’s” deep leathery browns to the cool tranquil blues and hues of “Swimming Pool” can instantly “wash-over” a record, changing its background and fonts — almost magically — without any need for database design know-how.
Bento 2 users can now tap into a new world of productivity by sharing templates with other Bento 2 users. Users can now export and email their original templates with other Bento users across the aisle or across the world.
Early evaluators praise Bento 2
< !-quote-!>quote:“I expect to start seeing a lively exchange of useful Bento templates among avid Bento 2 users,” says Jim Bradley, Talent, OR.< !-/quote-!>
< !-quote-!>quote:“The ability in Bento 2 to connect to Apple Mail is a major plus for Bento 2 because it allows me to better tie Address Book, iCal, and Apple Mail all together,” comments Mike Dennis, senior pastor, Morocco Church, Tecumseh, MI.< !-/quote-!>
< !-quote-!>quote:“With the Table View in Bento 2, I can include only the fields currently being manipulated,” reports Trish McIntire, owner, McIntire Income Tax Center, Arkansas City, KS.< !-/quote-!>
< !-quote-!>quote:“But sometimes, I need to check or add information that I have not included in the current Table View, and this is where the new Split View comes in handy. Split View lets me efficiently add information, without having to toggle between Table and Form views.”< !-/quote-!>
< !-quote-!>quote:“The ability to print multiple records on one page makes Bento much more useful for the creation of reports; I’m sure the trees will appreciate it,” notes Michel Bintener, teacher, Luxembourg. “Overall, Bento 2 looks like a worthwhile upgrade.”< !-/quote-!>
Pricing and System Requirements
Bento 2 is affordably priced at $49 U.S., or $99 U.S. for a family pack of five licenses, and is available on the FileMaker Web store (http://store.filemaker.com). Bento 2 will also be offered exclusively at the Apple Web store (http://store.apple.com) and Apple retail stores until October 27 and through other online and retail stores after this date.
Bento 2 requires Mac OS X v.10.5.4 Leopard on a Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5 or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor. A minimum of 512MB of RAM and 1GB of hard drive space is recommended. A CD drive is required for installation of boxed software.
