FMWebschool

While looking through the API code a few weeks ago, our team realized that the FileMaker API for PHP had a time bomb added into the code. We then immediately checked the code that was released with FileMaker Server 9, and found the same code.

This means that anyone that has downloaded the FileMaker API for PHP (Beta) and used it to develop websites - will have a non-functioning site as of Sunday October 7th, at 2 a.m.

FileMaker’s comments so far have been - We said that it was time restricted software, and you can fix the solution by upgrading to FileMaker Server 9.

Many people are arguing that their code works perfectly with FileMaker Server Advanced 8.04 why purposely time bomb the code so it no longer works? Was their some dramatic change to the API for PHP?

No…hardly anything has changed. As a matter of fact Eric Jacobson the Product Manager of Internet Technologies at FileMaker said that your code should work perfectly on Server 9 without any changes. Wait a minute…if it is the same code, then why the time bomb? Here is his quote -

“A website developed for use with the public beta should require very few, if any, modifications to use with the shipping version of the API.”

What has changed in the code is the fact that it runs a version check to make sure that it is using FileMaker Server 9. Yes, the code would absolutely continue working perfectly on FileMaker 8.04…. except for the little problem…the Time Bomb.

Is there an easy coding fix? You bet, 10 little digits would do the trick, but we are bound legally by FileMaker to -well here is what Eric Jacobson also posted -

I have attached a copy of the EULA for the Public Beta. I want to specifically point out section 1b:

YOU MAY NOT REVERSE ENGINEER, DECOMPILE OR
DISASSEMBLE THE SOFTWARE, EXCEPT AND ONLY TO THE EXTENT
EXPRESSLY PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. YOU MAY NOT MODIFY,
ADAPT, TRANSLATE, RENT, LEASE, LOAN OR CREATE DERIVATIVE WORKS
BASED UPON THE SOFTWARE OR ANY PART THEREOF.

It would have been nice if FileMaker had warned everyone saying - this software will NO longer work on October 7th develop at your own risk… but unfortunately, many individuals certainly thought that their PHP would continue working, and with the new release, they would just have to make a few coding adjustments.

I have written a long letter to FileMaker asking for permission to please let everyone know how to fix their code so their sites will continue working. I am hoping that FileMaker does the right thing.