Hello valued readers! It's been a busy year so far, and I'm happy to report that we aren't done yet. We're looking for your input. I'd like to invite anyone interested in shaping the future of FileMaker Advisor to consider becoming part of our all-new Reader Panel. You'd serve as our "reality check" on what's important to cover, what we could be doing better, and give us more insight into what matters to you.
Now, we know you're busy -- after all, it's a great time to be a FileMaker professional -- so we won't ask too much of you (unless you really do want to get more involved!). Perhaps just an e-mail now and then, with a quick question or two to gauge your interest in certain topics, get your opinion on trends, and help us get plugged into the community. Interested? Let us know! To join the Reader Panel, just fill out the survey at Reader.FileMakerAdvisor.com or stop by the Advisor booth at FileMaker DevCon.
And don't forget, you can always get involved and contribute your ideas in other ways. For example, if you're stuck on a thorny development issue and haven't found an answer yet, consider sending us your question for a future Advisor Answers column. Or have you figured out some clever, unusual, or interesting technique or shortcut? Your discovery could be a great tip, so send it on in for a future Tips column. You'll get your name in lights (well, in print at least!), which is a great way to market yourself. Ask some of the FileMaker Advisor authors how writing and getting published has changed their lives and careers. It's often the first step to becoming recognized as an expert on a particular topic, helping you get new customers or working in your favor when you're applying for a job, and it can also help get you noticed the next time the DevCon planning team is reviewing session proposals.
We'll still focus on in-depth technical articles by industry experts, so if that's what you love about FileMaker Advisor, don't worry -- we won't be changing that! We're just looking to start more of a dialog and get more community involvement. If you've ever said, "I can't believe they aren't covering …" then this is the opportunity for you!
Stay tuned
Rome wasn't built in a day, and it'll also take us some time to put all the changes we'd like to see into place. In fact, many of our changes will be the result of what the Reader Panel tells us, so some improvements are even yet to be determined! But I'll be checking back with you periodically to see what it is you like, don't like, want improved, or want us to make sure we cover. These are exciting times for the entire FileMaker community, and we're looking forward to hearing from all of you.