FileMaker, Inc. has renamed the Professional Foundation Training Series to the FileMaker Training Series. In its fourth edition, this isn't just a name change with a few updates for FileMaker Pro 9. FileMaker, Inc. completely revamped the courseware to focus on the development aspects of FileMaker Pro. There is more emphasis on data modeling, relational design, scripting, calculations, reporting, and security than ever before. In fact, it's easier to locate your areas of interest with chapters that focus solely on these areas rather than having them scattered throughout the book. In other words, you can use it as you would a good reference source.
The courseware still covers FileMaker Server, Connectivity, and Web Publishing, but not Citrix and Terminal Services. Although the chapters on FileMaker Server and Connectivity have remained mostly unchanged with the exception of new FileMaker Pro 9 capabilities, the Web Publishing sections are now a single chapter, focusing on Instant Web Publishing and the PHP Site Assistant. FileMaker, Inc. even added an introductory chapter for those students just beginning to work with FileMaker Pro.
In addition, the FileMaker Training Series is now self-paced as well as instructor-led. Although you could purchase the previous incarnation of the courseware at filemaker.com, it truly has been reincarnated as a self-paced workbook. This change also assists with instructor-led courses so students can study outside of class after gaining insight from the teacher. And, yes, the dreaded slides are gone, and there are more in-class exercises, so it feels much more like a hands-on course rather than a presentation.
All in all, the Professional Foundation Training Series courseware is a well-designed instructional aid to help in-house FileMaker Pro developers improve their skills or commercial developers prepare for the certification test. Visit the FileMaker Training Series Web site where you can purchase the self-paced workbook and CD ROM for US$99 or locate a trainer authorized by FileMaker, Inc. to teach the hands-on course. You won't regret it!