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IIUG Insider (Issue #12)
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| Q: | How do you use Informix in your "real" job (DBA, Consultant, Developer, etc.)? |
|
After a number of years as a DBA, from Adabas through DB2 to Informix, I am
now a director of a UK consultancy. Although we focus on IBM Data Management
products, we have other specialties too - storage management, for example -
so my main use of Informix is either as a straight DBA (when it's my turn on
the support rota), or, in doing more innovative consultancy, providing
integration with storage area networks to improve back-up and restore times.
| |
| Q: | What is your role on the IIUG Board? |
|
I am one of the directors, and so share the collective responsibility the
Board of Directors has for the management of the IIUG. I have the specific
responsibility, along with Nancy Balsbaugh, for managing the IIUG's efforts
at conferences, both its own, and at other IBM events where an IIUG presence
is needed.
The IIUG has made strenuous and successful efforts in the past year to broaden the international element of its work, and the membership figures - whereby the USA for the first time represents less than 50% of the total IIUG membership - reflect this. I am one of two "international" (i.e. non-American) Board members. This sometimes helps me encourage a more global view. | |
| Q: | Why did you volunteer to be on the board? |
|
I care a great deal about the future of Informix products. I have
administered a number of databases, including Oracle, and although SQL
Server is improving rapidly, none in my view touches IDS for quality. I am
very concerned to see that IBM uses its valuable acquisition wisely, and
that the interests of users - both large and small - are fought for.
I have substantial experience in volunteer organizations, and really believe I can add some value. | |
| Q: | What do you want to accomplish this year on the Board? |
| I want to ensure that the IIUG keeps a constant and, if necessary, critical watch over IBM's actions in the key areas of marketing, advertising and selling of Informix products. | |
The complete interview is posted at http://www.iiug.org/iiug/bio_ntruby.html. Don't miss Neil's best Informix story and worst Informix nightmare, as well as more on his whereabouts, family and hobbies.
Informix User Conference Presentations Now at IIUG Member Area
The 2002 Informix User Conference presentations (including U2) are now available, for your downloading pleasure, in our cozy membership corner at http://www.iiug.org/members. Among the featured offerings:
- IIUG Annual General Meeting, by the IIUG Board of Directors
- SQL/OLAP in Red Brick, by David Wilhite
- DBA Tools: Make yourself more effect by scripting IDS Alarms, by
Thomas Horner
- Managing IDS with Informix Server Administrator, by Reiner Kappenberger
- Customizing Informix Server Administrator, by Joe Lumbley
- What is IBM XPS, by Jack Parker
- An Introduction to WebSphere Studio Workbench, by Mitch Faulkner
- Modelling your Business Cases with Geodatabases, by Jonathan Lowe
- IBM U2 Product Family Update: Exploring New Opportunities, by Susie
Siegesmund
- Eliminating I/O Bottlenecks in UniVerse, by Roy Dreyfuss
Also available to IIUG members for download are:
- IBM White Paper Ver. 3, Released by IBM on 31 May 2002
- Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) 9.3 For Linux and Windows 2000
- Informix Standard Engine For Linux and Windows 2000
- Office Connect for Windows
- Four Js Full Development 90 Day Evaluation Version
- IBM Informix CSDK Version 2.60 for Various Platforms
New Search Engine Goes Live at www.IIUG.org
Thanks to the installation of a powerful new search engine on IIUG's web site, you can now quickly and reliably search for not only web pages, but MS-Word, MS-PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat files as well. Furthermore, the search engine deftly examines the contents of compressed files, including ...tar, .gz and .zip file types.
Currently included in the IIUG.org search are the web site, software archives and the CDI newsgroup archive. Coming soon: expansion of search capability to include external web sites.
Go ahead and give it a try at http://www.iiug.org/search.html.
E-Mail Update from IBM, Take Two
To reconnect with Informix users and partners, IBM recently sent out the following e-mail message, the second in a series of three, to over 30,000 individuals in North America. This ongoing effort to communicate more frequently with the international Informix community will go worldwide before the end of the year.
Dear Data Management Customer:
Welcome to the latest e-mail update from IBM, part of our continuing effort to keep you informed about the progress of our plans for promoting, maintaining and enhancing the Informix product line, including IDS, XPS, Redbrick, U2 and others.
At IBM, we realize how important your data management solution is to your business. That's why we're committed to supporting and building upon the Informix products you rely on with IBM innovations. As stated by Janet Perna, our General Manager for Data Management Products, "Upgrades will continue on Informix products for as long as customers demand them, whether a couple of years or 10 years."
We're equally committed to Informix customers like you and want to make sure you get the resources and help you need. The new "IBM Informix Product Line and Strategy Update," is a 47-page roadmap which describes our latest product plans and our plans for the future in detail. It includes extensive, in-depth information about product enhancements such as:
- Improved information integration capabilities
- New DataBlade modules
- Support for additional types of files within content management
- Additional development tools, APIs, gateways and specialty tools
- Native Informix connectivity being built into all future IBM Data
management products
- Our plans to improve scalability, availability and performance in
order to grow the entire Data Management product line into the
database platform of choice for e-business.
Visit http://www-3.ibm.com/software/data/informix/pubs/portfolindex.phpto register to download the "IBM Informix Product Line and Strategy Update." You can download plans and strategies for specific products or the entire Informix line.
Our latest product plan is just one of the exciting initiatives we're creating for you. If you haven't registered already, get a complimentary subscription to "InformixToday," our monthly e-mail newsletter with information about our latest offers, downloads, upcoming events, Webinars and products. Simply register at http://www.ibm.com/software/data/informix/informixtoday/
It's an exciting time for IBM Data Management and Informix customers. As we continue to bring our innovation, expertise, and resources to the reliable products and services you've come to know, we look forward to meeting your data management needs now and far into the future. We're committed to continually upgrading our Informix technology and providing ongoing value to you, our loyal customers.
Carlton Doe: Enhancements in Informix Dynamic Server, Version 9.30
Carlton Doe, Technical Sales Manager, IBM Data Management, and one of this year's IIUG Directors Award recipients, has published a 34-page white paper containing a detailed summary of the features and benefits of IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) 9.30, specifically as compared to IDS 7. To help the satisfied IDS 7 customer determine whether or not they should move to this exciting new technology, it addresses important technical details as well as overall benefits of IDS 9.30. The paper is available in PDF Format only and can be obtained at http://www.iiug.org/resources/whitepapers/IDSOLTP_wp.pdf.
Need Help with an IBM Informix Issue? Write to ibmifmx@us.ibm.com
One of the first tools that IBM made available to support the Informix acquisition and transition was an e-mail address: ibmifmx@us.ibm.com. To provide the best resource for information, the id supports all types of internal and external IBM data management questions worldwide.
Ron Flannery, IIUG Board member and Informix author, relates his experience with this e-mail alias:
"My company specializes in Informix services and we need to provide our customers with the most accurate information. The transition of Informix products to IBM has changed quite a few things that might take a lot of time to research. I know I can count on the ibmifmx email alias to provide me with timely, accurate answers to any questions I have. If they don't know the answer, they'll know where to find it and will respond in a very expeditious manner. I strongly recommend you use it when you need answers about Informix products!"
The Present and Future of Informix in the SAP World
SAP Info Magazine's August issue carried an interview with Janet Perna, General Manager Data Management Solutions for the IBM Software Group, and Karl Heinz Hess, Member of the Extended Executive Board at SAP, which emphasizes and expounds on the commitment of both parties to support SAP/IDS implementations.
The interview includes the following salient points:
- All existing IDS versions on SAP 4.6C will be supported until 2006
- IDS 9.3x on SAP WAS 6.20 (2002) will be fully supported, except for
the inclusion of Unicode Support for IDS on SAP WAS 6.30(2003) + SAP
WAS 6.40(2004)
- Limitation: no support for Java-written SAP applications on IDS. This
limitation has no effects on ABAP-based components
- Limitation: no Unicode Support
To view the complete interview, please visit http://www-3.ibm.com/software/data/informix/partners/sap/, where English, Spanish and German versions are posted.
All Five of the "IIUG Directors Award" Recipients at WAIUG Forum 2002
For the first time, all five of the "IIUG Directors Award" recipients will be at the same place, the Washington Area Informix Users Group Forum 2002:
- Art Kagel, 2002 IIUG Directors Award recipient, will present:
IDS Internals and Disk Structures - Everything You Never Knew!
(extended 2 hr session)
- Carlton Doe, 2002 IIUG Directors Award recipient, will present:
Upgrade to 9.3 (1/2 day tutorial)
- Walt Hultgren, 2001 IIUG Directors Award recipient, is a member of the
Forum 2002 coordination committee
- Jonathan Leffler, 2001 IIUG Directors Award recipient, will present:
Informix 9.4 (1 hr session)
- Lester Knutsen, 2001 IIUG Directors Award recipient, will present:
Managing and Tuning Your IDS Server Using the Sysmaster
(1/2 day tutorial)
If they are going to be at Forum 2002, shouldn't you be there?
Washington Area Informix Users Group - Forum 2002
A two-day User Group Technical Conference
Friday and Saturday, November 8-9, 2002
The two-day agenda will include:
*** Keynote Presentations by key IBM Informix and IIUG executives
*** Technical Sessions - 12 one-hour technical sessions on Friday
*** Tutorials - 7 half-day tutorials on Saturday
*** Exhibitors showing products for Informix users
*** Forum CD - a CD with software from the IIUG archives and presentations
Pre-Registration: $100 - must be received by November 1, 2002
Onsite Registration: $120 - all registrations after November 1, 2002
For the complete list of sessions, more information and registration, visit http://www.iiug.org/waiug.
Useful Links
Closing and Credits
The International Informix Users Group (IIUG) is an organization designed to enhance communications between IBM and its worldwide user community. IIUG now exceeds 15,000 members 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 |
| Editors: | David Smith, IIUG Board of Directors Fred Hubbard, IIUG Managing Director Paul Etcheverry, IIUG Editor |
| For comments, please send an email to ug@iiug.org. | |