IIUG Insider (Issue #82) April 2007 Other Issues

Highlights: Letter from Ambuj Goyal General Manager, Information Management Software, IBM Software Group

Welcome to the International Informix Users Group (IIUG) Insider! Designed for IIUG members and Informix user group leaders, this publication contains timely and relevant information for the IBM Informix community.

Contents:

• Editorial
• Highlights
  • Letter from Ambuj Goyal General Manager, Information Management Software, IBM Software Group
• Conference corner
  • Have you booked your ticket!! For May 6-10, 2007
  • Information Management Technical Conference, Düsseldorf, Germany, May 21-25
  • Save the date for Information On Demand 2007
  • Save June 12th 2007 for a Breath of Fresh Air... In Kansas!!!!!!
• Education
  • Spring 2007 IBM Training eCatalog - Now Available
  • What Would You Do With An Extra $2,000 - $5,000 in IBM Training?
  • Training Conveniently where you need it
  • Building boom in IBM Training classrooms
• Developer corner
  • New SourceForge project: ids-config
  • Informix JDBC driver on Windows Vista
• Informix news
  • Taming the Cheetah
  • Have a look at why Worldwinner uses Informix
  • Peoplesoft supports IDS
  • Informix Redbook announcement - What you need to know about HDR and ER but are too afraid to ask
  • New certification test for Informix Dynamic Server V11
• IIUG Board
  • Fond farewell to board member Paul Watson
• Calendar of events
• Useful links
• Closing and credits

Now. Turn the page. hit the "Pg Dn" key. Click down the page. Whatever rocks your boat but read this issue of the IIUG Insider and then write me a note (david@iiug.org). Do it NOW. :) :) :)

Greetings!

I am not entirely sure of all the murky history of Informix, but I suspect that this is the first "Insider" to be edited south of the equator. Therefore, for all you northern hemisphereites, please print this edition, turn it around and read it upside down. Then it will make sense.

Editing the Insider is a great privilege and responsibility. The privilege comes from being able to bring you the best source of Informix-related information around. The responsibility is in writing this publication and having it published on time, every time. In doing so, I have to fill very big shoes. Gary Ben Israel, the previous editor, did a fantastic job. He was always on time with the publication and created a very readable journal. Thanks Gary.

So what is the point of the Insider?

This magazine is to communicate "all things Informix". Sure, it will tell you about upcoming conferences and user group meetings. It will tell you about Informix training and special events.

But I want this magazine to do much more. I want you to use this magazine to communicate about your discoveries, your "wins", the clever things that you do with this great database. For example, one developer I know figured out how to display polygon and line shapes from the IDS spatial datablade, directly into Google maps using PHP. So what? Simply this. It exposes IDS directly to a mass market in a very groovy way.

So what are you doing that you would like recognition for? Just give us a hint.... send me a link to your blog.... Post your code to the IIUG and let me link to it. Tell us exactly how clever you are.

Anyway, that is the call to action. Participate and make yourself known. With an audience of many many thousands, you and your message will be noticed.

Well... here goes my first issue. :)

David Fraser
IIUG Insider Editor
IIUG Board of Directors
david@iiug.org

President's Note:

Stuart Litel

You need to read this letter from Ambuj to the Informix community. When Ambuj wrote to the community in late 2005 he told of his commitment to Informix. This commitment was followed up with his putting his money where his mouth was. Cheetah was conceived and born. R&D and marketing resources have been increased. IBM has shown some real commitment. And the community has responded by driving up license revenue to make IDS a top performer in the IBM stable. Here is what Ambuj says now:

• When discussing the Informix community - "Seeing the passion and commitment of this community is without parallel in my experience. It also makes me confident that IBM's continuing commitment to the Informix community is a sound investment."
• When discussing Informix's strategic direction - "IBM is fully committed to the Informix platform, and we are backing up that commitment by investing to support and enhance the Informix software portfolio as technology evolves."
• When discussing his commitment to deliver innovation - "I am personally committed to the success of your business, and to delivering the best available technology to support your current IT investment."

I have met Ambuj a number of times. I have found him to be a very personable and friendly man. He listens closely and lets you know, very clearly, that he has heard what you are saying. I know that he is committed to Informix as a product. But I also know that he is committed to the IIUG as representing the Informix users. However, most importantly, I think that he has heard the voice of the Informix community, seen the power of the dollars that Informix generates and is highly committed to the product and us, as a community.

Have a look at the whole text of Ambuj's letter:

http://iiug.org/news/letter/ibm_27mar07.html

David Fraser
IIUG Board of Directors

You need to be here. It's only a few days away, but you really need to be here! This will be a great Informix conference with fantastic Informix content.

We are hosting FOUR full tracks of the latest and greatest INFORMIX-ONLY technical content. These sessions will be given by Informix users, Business Partners, IBM Developers, and IBM Advanced Support.

The big names will be here. Jonathan Leffler, John H Miller III, Art Kagel, David Fraser :), Guy Bowerman and many many more. There will be a lot of talk about Cheetah, not marketing but real discussion about the technology, it's fantastic new features and how to implement them. You just won't want to miss Ajay Gupta talking about HDR. This will blow your socks off.

But it is not just database, database, database. This is a conference for developers who want to get the very best out of their database. For example, Marty Lurie is discussing the interface between Google Maps and Informix, and Sergio Ferreira will talk about integrating 4GL with J2EE.

In addition to the great technical sessions, we will also be offering 6 half-day Educational Seminars given by some of the best Informix technical experts around.

Here are a few examples:

• Introduction to Java Development with IDS, by Jean-Georges Perrin
• Speed and Performance in IDS, by John Miller III of IBM
• Using PERL, CGI and DBI with Databases, by Darryl Priest of Piper Rudnick

Mingle with exhibitors in the exhibit hall. Benefit from extended face-to-face time with conference presenters and developers during the Speaker and IBM Developer Reception. Throughout the week you will be provided with many peer-to-peer networking opportunities. This is the place to meet and talk to the best of the best in the Informix world.

You can still register and get accommodation. Come and join us.

http://conferences.idug.org/na/Registration/tabid/127/Default.aspx

Cindy Lichtenauer
IIUG Board of Directors
IIUG Conference Planning Committee

Can't get to the IIUG/IDUG conference in the US? Then go to Europe and sign up now!

IIUG members are eligible for a special 20% fee discount for the 2007 IBM EMEA Technical Conference, May 21 - 25, 2007 in Dusseldorf, Germany.

You won't want to miss this full week of IDS activities, including technical sessions ranging from new application development options, SOA, performance tuning, security - and everything you ever wanted to know about IDS Cheetah. The local user group in Germany will be hosting a special day of activities on Thursday. IBM Business Partners are also invited to the IDS Cheetah training on Friday, hosted by IBM executives. Other customer activities are also planned for Friday. Spend your week learning how to enter the 'Administration Free Zone' using IDS Cheetah. Get hands on with the software, talk to product experts and network with peers in the Informix community.

Register for the conference at:

http://www.iiug.org/url/IMT_Conf.html

Enter your IIUG member number on the registration form to take advantage of the IIUG discount.

Business partners interested in showcasing their solutions in the Exhibition area can also get sponsorship details at:

http://www.iiug.org/url/IMT_Exhibition.html

See you there!

IBM Information On Demand 2007 is the premier information management event for business and IT executives, managers, IT professionals, DBA's and developers.

Select from over 600 technical and business sessions, receive the best in technical education, free certification testing, extensive networking opportunities and access and exposure to the full breadth of IBM Information Management technologies and experts. In the product Expo Center you can talk to experts about the products, tools, and services you need from IBM and IBM Business Partners to manage your information infrastructure.

Come to the only event with all the IBM Information Management technologies under one roof. Early bird discount registration is available through May 31st.

http://www.ibm.com/events/InformationOnDemand

The Kansas City Informix User Group is sponsoring a Tech Day on June 12th, 2007! Mark your calendar for this exciting event that is linked to the next release of Informix Dynamic Server - Cheetah!!

We have scheduled a meeting for next month at the IBM Lenexa, Kansas Office. Please join us!! Come and meet your local IBM Developers, Support Team and Management to find out what is new and exciting at IBM! The most exciting thing happening this year will be the next release of Informix Dynamic Server, or CHEETAH! There will be a lot to discuss about Cheetah at this meeting.

What will Cheetah offer you? "A Breath of Fresh A.I.R."

A - Agile (Scalability, Extensibility, Web Location Based Services)
I - Invisible (Embed-ability, small footprint, Admin Free)
R - Resilient ( Global Availability, High Availability, Security)

Presentations will be given around the above topics. There will be demos and an "Ask the Experts" session at the end of the day.

TIME AND PLACE

Need IT training? Check out the new Spring 2007 IBM Training eCatalog and find out what's new and what's updated in over 27 subject areas, from application development to Networking to Rational, WebSphere, zSeries and everything in between, not to mention a complete list of 2007 Technical Conferences. It's time to build your training plan. Revitalize your skills by making one simple click that will open the door to the training information you have been seeking.

Learn more:

http://www.iiug.org/url/IBM_Training_eCatalog.html

That's like getting a five-day IBM course for free! Or three two-day classes... or one reserved spot at selected IT Conferences...or use it toward an onsite course and save! If you are going to purchase training this year, purchase the IBM Education Pack - online account, and save big! The IBM Education Pack - online account is a prepaid electronic debit account that can automatically save you up to 10% on your IBM training. And with the precision payment option you get even greater flexibility with your account.

Learn more:

http://www.iiug.org/url/IBM_Education_Pack.html

IBM offers thousands of courses in hundreds of locations - how do you find the training you need, offered in your area, in the timeframe you require? Use IBM's handy Training Finder tool to zero in on your options. Go to Training Finder, select "classroom," select curriculum, select location and select timeframe. In minutes you'll have all the answers you need. Plan your next IBM training experience today, and when you pay with the IBM Education Pack-online account, you've not only saved time - you've saved money as well.

Learn more:

http://www.ibm.com/products/finder/us/finders?pg=trfinder

IBM Authorized Training Providers are expanding their IBM Training operations with new public classroom facilities in Texas and California. Jack Morton Worldwide, with 15 locations, is now opening new IBM Training facilities in Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. M/UX offers IBM Training in Costa Mesa and San Diego, and is meeting rising demand with state-of-the-art training centers in Santa Clara and El Segundo.

Plan your next training experience in one of the many conveniently located IBM Authorized Training Provider classroom facilities and benefit from our extensive portfolio of training offerings, delivered by IBM Certified experts. And best of all, you can pay for it with an IBM Education Pack - online account, which provides a pre-purchase discount on IBM Training opportunities.

Learn more:

http://www.iiug.org/url/IBM_Training_Facilities.html

Work with the best brains in the Informix world and contribute. A team of the top Informix brains has set up a SourceForge project to build a semi-intelligent IDS configuration tool as a user community project. Have a look at:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/ids-config

According to one of the blokes involved, at the moment the developers are deciding what languages, etc. to use and are all learning how to use SourceForge. It may take a while before anything concrete starts to appear. In the meantime, if you want to chat about the project and see if you have anything to contribute, then register at:

http://www.s8.createphpbb.com/idsconfig/index.php?mforum=idsconfig

Seriously. If you have great ideas about how to make IDS configuration even easier and more intuitive then get on-line. This project involves a global team and is open to all serious developers to join. This is your chance to get involved and be recognized for your contribution.

Installing the Informix JDBC driver on Windows Vista? If this is you then follow the tips from someone who has done it already. JGP is our resident expert and has it all worked out. Have a look at:

http://www.jgp.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=27

IBM has announced a schedule of business and technical "Cheetah" training events throughout the world. Look out for the closest event near you and get along over there.

The business forums are one-day events targeted to Sales, CxO, Line of Business and Business Development execs.

The technical forums are three-day events. The first part is optimized for Business Partners who work on server installation tasks. The second part covers implementation and application building. The workshop is approximately 75% lecture and 25% labs.

Now. This is important. Get your Sales execs to the business forums. They need to get a handle on why this technology rocks. You need to tell them that Cheetah is not "business as normal". They need to know how to drive new business with Cheetah. BUT. You also need to get to the technical forums. There is no point selling this technology if you don't know how to make it hum. So. Have a look at this link and book at:

http://www.iiug.org/url/cheetah_workshop.html

The answer is simple. So read up here:

http://www.iiug.org/url/worldwinner.html

IDS is now supported on latest PTools 8.49, on IDS V10 FC4. The platforms supported are Solaris 9, AIX 5.3, HP-UX 11.11 & 11.23, and Solaris 10 on IDS V10 FC5.

Those of you who are PeopleSoft users have yourselves to thank. It was your pressure and your lobbying that forced Oracle's hand into maintaining IDS database support. Well done.

IBM Redbooks publication, "Informix Dynamic Server V10: Superior Data Replication for Availability and Distribution", SG24-7319 is complete and available for download from the ITSO Web Site:

http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg247319.html?Open

The word is that there have already been over 7000 downloads of this book making it one of the most popular on record. This is a must have for all Informix database gurus and developers. It is also essential reading for people using other database technologies. This book will show you one of the reasons why IDS rocks. And... when you see Cheetah... "You gonna have to hold on to your socks baby".

IBM has developed a new certification test for Cheetah (IDS 11) system administrators. The test was written from scratch. Many of the questions are specific to IDS 11 new features. The test will be available along with the release of IDS 11 and shows IBM's commitment not only to development and marketing but to education and certification. Gary Ben Israel is a member of the IDS 11 closed beta program and the IDS system administrators test development team. He makes the point very precisely - "IDS 11 has loads of new features."

Also, please remember, you are invited to participate in the Cheetah open beta, attend the Cheetah sessions at the San Jose IIUG/IDUG conference and at the IOD conference in Las Vegas, take IDS 11 classes and learn how to take advantage of this great product.

Get certified to tame the Cheetah now!

It is with regret that we have accepted the resignation of Paul Watson from the Board. Paul joined the Board in 2005 and was involved in all things European. Paul has been a very enthusiastic contributor to the Informix community for many many years. However, his lasting legacy and the reason why we will remember him is his many British contributions to the American lexicon. One can only express awe at the succinct way he described the 'death of a bad idea'. And, as only he could say, "Harsh... but fair."

Thanks Paul.

In response to your input, we have created a page on the IIUG web site containing all the links we used to include. Please find it at:

http://www.iiug.org/quicklinks.html

The International Informix Users Group (IIUG) is an organization designed to enhance communications between its worldwide user community and IBM. IIUG's membership database now exceeds 25,000 entries and enjoys the support and commitment of IBM's Data Management division. Key programs include local user groups and special interest groups, which we promote and assist from launch through growth.

Sources:		IIUG Board of Directors IBM Corp.
Editors:		David Fraser Gary Ben-Israel Stuart Litel

For comments, ideas, information, more ideas, gossip, lies and general chatter, please send an email to david@iiug.org.