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IIUG Insider (Issue #47)
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| Q: | How do you use Informix in your "real" job (DBA, Consultant, Developer, etc.)? |
| A: | We are using Informix as our standard database engine. We've also developed applications with a 4GL tool called MAGIC based on Informix databases. We're using other applications like SAP and Business Objects based on Informix. I am a DBA and administrate all Informix databases and others. |
| Q: | How long have you been using Informix products? |
| A: | We are using Informix products since 1994. We began with Informix Online 5. Now we are using Informix IDS, Informix Universal Server (Version 7.3, 7.31, 9.2, 9.3). |
| Q: | What is your role on the IIUG Board? |
| A: | Now I am in charge of conferences. The conference Czar. A new challenge for me. But with the support of all I'll be able to accomplish my task. |
| Q: | Why did you volunteer to be on the board and what do you want to accomplish this year on the Board? |
| A: | First I'll do my job as conference Czar. The second issue is the future: our LUG in Switzerland support Informix and DB2 for LUW (Note: LUW stands for Linux, Unix and Windows). That's the reason why we've changed our LUG name to IDBUG (IBM Database User Group). As you know there is a project running called DB2 Arrowhead, that's another reason why we will give our members the best choice of database engines (with Informix technology inside) to be prepared for the future. But the main domain is still Informix. Take a look at: http://www.idbug.ch. |
| Q: | Where are you from? |
| A: | I am from Menziken, this is a town in Central Switzerland near Luzern. However there is a lot to tell you about our country and his structure so if you are interested click on the link: http://www.admin.ch. |
| Q: | Best Informix story? |
| A: | We have had a huge disk problem on a 24 hours driven system. Informix was setup with the mirroring feature. So I was able to move all the relevant chunks to another place while the database was still online and used by the application. Informix is great! |
| Q: | Worst Informix nightmare. |
| A: | I sleep very well without any nightmares. |
| Q: | Can you tell us about your family and hobbies outside of the IIUG? |
| A: | I am unmarried and some of my hobbies are my dog and my fishes (freshwater). It is very tranquilizing and it makes fun to work with animals. |
WAIUG Forum Summary
On 21 April 2004, The WAIUG (Washington DC Area Informix Users Group) held its now traditional Forum, a full day of training on hot & new topics for the Informix community.
As usual, it was a real success and about 150 people attended, from all over the world (even if is mainly targeted for US East coast).
On behalf of the IIUG Board, we would like to thank Lester Knutsen, James Edmiston, Nick Nobbe, Warren Donovan, Bob Carts, Byron Galloway, Tom Smith, Peter Wages and all the volunteers of WAIUG. Thanks guys you did a wonderful job, once more...
More info on WAIUG at: http://www.iiug.org/waiug.
IBM Professional Certification Program Update
You can download the 1 page PDF document showing the "IBM Professional Certification Program for DB2 Information Management Software" roadmap. It includes Informix certifications as well.
See: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/software/data/education/certroadmapim.pdf.
Gillani's FourGen® PassportTM Program
Gillani welcomes all FourGen, Endura, HK, and Irista software users to the growing Gillani community. Under Gillani's FourGen Passport program, you can easily and affordably join your fellow users in the Gillani community.
Under the FourGen Passport program, users with lapsed support can renew support by paying a lapsed support fee of 25% of the current license fees plus one year of the annual support fees (18% of current license fees) to receive the current version of the software plus one year of support and maintenance.
The benefits of the FourGen Passport program include:
- A lower lapsed support fee than that charged by most other software vendors
- Upgrades to the latest versions and to currently-supported ports including Linux, and availability of a GUI front-end
- Support and maintenance for your FourGen Business Accounting, FourGen/Endura Enterprise system
- Special provisions granting a basic system configuration to those users which may no longer be able to locate their licensing agreements (or other documentation) or may have acquired their software under questionable circumstances
- Reduced rates on upgrades to the Gillani Global Enterprise Solutions and
- Access to professional services for assistance with installation, customization, implementation and training.
Review more details at: http://www.gillani.com/FourGenPassport.htm.
Contact your Gillani sales representative at +1 (877) 424-8500 or email sales@gillani.com.
Four J's Genero now Available from IBM
On April 13th, 2004, IBM announced the availability of a new product --Genero-- from the Four J's Development Tools Ltd. company.
FourJ's is an IBM Business Partner from Informix-heritage and the new Genero product replaces the Business Development Suite (BDS) product that IBM resold.
Genero provides a sophisticated environment for data-centric business application development and non-J2EE run-time deployment. With this announcement, direct end customers can now purchase new product licenses of FourJ's Genero from IBM. The FourJ's company will perform product maintenance, renewals, and sales through business partners.
For more details, see: http://www.ibm.com/software/data/informix/tools/fourjs-gen/.
Awoma Offers Discount for Workshops
Awoma offers a 50$ coupon to IIUG members wanting to attend their workshops.
"The goal of the workshop is to show how simply developers can adopt a J2EE architecture and have instant access to new technologies such as J2EE, Web, IBM WebSphere, Independent Database code, etc. ThinStructure is the easiest way to leverage your current architecture expertise and gain instant access to modern architectures in an easy way. The workshop is a full day technical event, here is the agenda:
- J2EE architecture introduction
- J2EE for 4GL developers: How does it work?
- Installing and configuring ThinStructure: Showing how to install safely ThinStructure in fresh environment and in an existing environment.
- ThinStructure development environment: Showing the different view and materials available in DevWorkshop.
- My first batch application: Simple hello world in batch mode. To show developer how to create a simple batch application.
- My first web application: Simple hello world web application to show the ThinStructure web capabilities.
| Atlanta | 25 May 2004 | |
| Houston | 10 June 2004 | |
| Washington DC-Baltimore | 23 June 2004 | |
| Cincinnati | 29 June 2004 | |
| Chicago | 8 July 2004" |
For more information visit: http://www.awoma.com.
IBM PartnerWorld Update
ChannelLine publishes an article called "IBM to revamp partner program": "One of the main purposes of this is to simplify access to this program for our business partners... the ease of doing business with IBM. This is a big step forward. The change in program reflects where partners are."
To read more, visit: http://www.integratedmar.com/ecl-usa/story.cfm?item=18207.
Informix and DB2 "Stinger" Coverage
Here are a few links and articles about DB2 Stinger.
InfoWorld: IBM buzzing about Stinger database beta release, 03 May 2004 By Paul Krill
DB2 upgrade has more than 200 new features
http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/05/03/HNdb2stinger_1.html
Excerpt:
"Additionally, high-availability data replication in DB2 marries technology from Informix and DB2, according to IBM."
InformationWeek: IBM Unveils Final Beta Version Of Flagship Database, 03 May 2004 By Rick Whiting http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=19400307
Excerpts:
"IBM on Monday debuted the final beta version of the next major release of its DB2 Universal Database, which sports self-managing capabilities, extended Linux support, and geospatial technology inherited through IBM's 2001 Informix Corp. acquisition."
"Geodetic extender is based on technology from Informix which IBM acquired in 2001. Although IBM vows to continue developing and supporting the Informix database as long as customers demand, Schiff says IBM is slowly but surely morphing Informix's technology into DB2 to the point that one day they will be indistinguishable."
Useful Links
In response to your input, we have created a new page on the IIUG web site containing all the links we used to include. Please find it at: http://www.iiug.org/quicklinks.html
Please visit the IBM Redbooks web site at http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/mail for more details and up-to-the-minute technical information.
Closing and Credits
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 18,000 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. Gillani Awoma |
| Editors: |
Jean Georges Perrin Stuart Litel Fred Hubbard |
| For comments, please send an email to enews@iiug.org. | |