IIUG Insider (Issue #105) March 2009 Other Issues

Highlights: IIUG Conference in less than a month
IBM announces the Informix Warehouse Feature on March 5th

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
  • IIUG Conference in less than a month
  • IBM announces the Informix Warehouse Feature on March 5th
• Conference corner
  • IIUG 2009 Informix Conference Keynotes
  • IBM Activities at the IIUG Conference
  • Top 5 Reasons for Business Partners to attend the IIUG Conference
  • Experience Information On Demand at the IOD EMEA Conference 2009
• Education
  • Special Discounts from MC Press for IIUG Members
  • Advanced DataTools announces instructor led remote Informix training!
  • Assess and Save: Keep more money in your pocket
  • Instructor-Led Online Courses - now more versatile!
  • Build your SQL Skills!
  • Take the next step in Training
• Developer corner
  • New in DeveloperWorks
• IBM corner
  • Innovating with Informix
  • IBM Academic Initiative
• Informix Events and Collateral from IBM
• Informix news
• Informix resources
  • Informix blogs and things
• Calendar of events
• Useful links
• Closing and credits

The next two editorials will be dedicated to the IIUG conference in Kansas. This one talks about what is going to be and the next will be a recap of the best Informix conference ever.

You have heard so much about the value of conferences that it seems there is nothing new to be said. Yet this conference, like the one we had last year, is unlike any other Informix conference. It's much more than the number and quality of sessions and speakers - it is a gathering of the Informix family. It is this unique combination of size and atmosphere that makes it possible to really meet and get to know developers, executives and colleagues.

If you still have doubts, I have one more reason for you to come. Everyone who registers makes a difference. If you want to help the IIUG to have a bigger and better conference next year, come to this one. Help build the momentum. If you are not sure about coming this year or next year, or to this conference or another, come to the IIUG conference in Kansas. This is the place to be in April 2009.

Be sure to read the conference corner. Learn about our conference and tell evryone you know. I would personally like to meet you all.

See you soon!

Gary Ben-Israel
IIUG Insider Editor
gary@iiug.org

Save $100 on your conference registration

Dear Insider readers,

I am delighted to offer the Insider readers a $100 discount when registering to the 2009 IIUG Informix Conference. This is in addition to saving $50 as IIUG members.

This discount is valid only to the first 50 registrations and is valid thru April 20, so hurry and register if you don't want to lose this opportunity. To receive the discount just type INSIDER (case sensitive) in the registration code box on the conference registration page.

Register now: http://www.iiug.org/conf/2009/iiug/register.php

You probably ran out to register. I can only hope you continue reading when you are back.

I am looking forward to meeting you all at the conference. Please look me up.

Cheers,

Gary

http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/26840.wss

The announcement of the Informix Warehouse feature on March 5th generated press activity around the world. If you didn't have a chance to read about it, here's a recap of articles. Get more details at http://www.ibm.com/informix/warehouse

InformationWeek: Informix Gets Optional Data Warehousing Feature From IBM
In effect, Informix customers don't have to turn to DB2 in order to get the same capabilities.
http://www.iiug.org/url/news1.html

Intelligent Enterprise: Informix Gets Optional Data Warehousing Feature From IBM
http://www.iiug.org/url/news2.html

Byte and Switch: IBM Adds Warehousing to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news3.html

Computing (UK): IBM launches data warehousing tools for Informix
Warehousing capabilities added to database products
http://www.iiug.org/url/news4.html

VNunet.com(UK): IBM launches data warehousing tools for Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news5.html

What PC? (UK): IBM launches data warehousing tools for Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news6.html

ITBusiness Edge: IBM Offers New Data Warehousing Software
http://www.iiug.org/url/news7.html

Computer Technology Review: IBM unveils database software to help clients access critical information faster
http://www.iiug.org/url/news8.html

IDG News Service: IBM adds data-warehousing tools to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news9.html

eWeek: IBM Adds Informix Data Warehouse Feature to Bolster Database Software
http://www.iiug.org/url/news10.html

Byte and Switch: IBM Adds Data Warehouse to Informix Database
http://www.iiug.org/url/news11.html

CXOToday.com (India): IBM to Make Critical Information Access Faster
http://www.iiug.org/url/news12.html

ComputerWeekly (UK): IBM updates Informix database with warehousing feature
http://www.iiug.org/url/news13.html

Silicon.de (Germany): IBM launches new feature for Informix warehouse
http://www.iiug.org/url/news14.html

CyberSecurity (Russia): IBM has released a new feature for Informix server
http://www.iiug.org/url/news15.html

B-EYE Network: IBM Unveils New Database Software
http://www.iiug.org/url/news16.html

The Industry Standard: IBM adds data-warehousing tools to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news17.html

CIO (India): IBM adds data-warehousing tools to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news18.html

Reseller News (New Zealand): IBM adds data-warehousing tools to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news19.html

Linux World (Australia): IBM adds data-warehousing tools to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news20.html

ComputerWorld (Australia): IBM adds data-warehousing tools to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news21.html

TechWorld (Australia): IBM adds data-warehousing tools to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news22.html

ARNnet.com: (Australia): IBM adds data-warehousing tools to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news23.html

CIO.com: IBM adds data-warehousing tools to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news24.html

PC World: IBM adds data-warehousing tools to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news25.html

Network World: IBM adds data-warehousing tools to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news26.html

InfoWorld: IBM adds data-warehousing tools to Informix
http://www.iiug.org/url/news27.html

The IIUG Conference Planning Committee is excited to announce three great keynotes from two IBM Executives who are helping to mold the future of Informix!

Opening Keynote - Monday April 27, 2009 by Dr. Arvind Krishna

Dr. Arvind Krishna is the vice president for data management and has responsibility for WW development for Information Management Software within IBM Software Group. Dr. Krishna defines the business & technical strategy, and is responsible for the development, delivery, sales, and ecosystem of the data management segment, a multibillion dollar market for IBM. Previously, Arvind was the VP, Strategy for IBM Software Group. Arvind has been in many other key roles within both IBM Software and IBM Research, e.g. defining and leading the security software segment. Arvind has an undergraduate degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is the recipient of a distinguished alumni award from the University of Illinois, and is the co-author of 15 patents.

Day Two Keynote - Tuesday April 28, 2009 by Dr. Anant Jhingran
Cloud Computing, Databases and the Role of Informix Dynamic Server (IDS)

Dr. Anant Jhingran is a Distinguished Engineer, VP and CTO for IBM's Information Management Division. He is responsible for the technical strategy of products and solutions in databases, content management, business intelligence and information integration. Prior to this job, Dr. Jhingran lead the IBM team designing and building solutions to meet the requirements of business analytics on structured and unstructured data. He has also been the director of Computer Science at the IBM Almaden Research Center and before that, senior manager for e-Commerce and data management at IBM's T. J. Watson Research Center. He received his Ph.D. from UC at Berkeley in 1990. Anant has received several patents and awards for DB2, and is also a member of IBM Academy of Technology.

Day Three Keynote - Wednesday April 29, 2009
Special Q & A with the Informix Marketing and Sales Vice Presidents

Alyse Passarelli, IBM WorldWide Database Vice President of Sales and Inhi Cho, IBM WorldWide Vice President of Database Marketing, will discuss the marketing and sales efforts that revolve around Informix and answer questions from the conference attendees and open the floor to Question and Answers from all attendees!

Join the Informix community for 3 information-packed days in 5 content rich tracks!

http://www.iiug.org/conf/2009/iiug/sessions.php

Also, take advantage of the remaining two conference discounts that are still available as detailed above.

To register visit http://www.iiug.org/conf/2009/iiug/register.php

IBM is excited to be a sponsor of the 2009 IIUG conference. The IIUG conference team has developed an excellent program, with a wide variety of technical content from well-known experts in the Informix community. In addition, IBM has a number of not-to-be missed activities at the conference. Here's what we think are the top 5 reasons you shouldn't miss the conference:

"The value you receive during and after the IIUG Conference exceeds the cost"..."Learn something and have fun!" -direct quotes from Business Partners who attended last years IIUG Conference.

The Information On Demand EMEA Conference 2009, 2-5 June Berlin, Germany will be the premier event of 2009 demonstrating how you can access trusted business information today.

Whatever your role, industry sector or technology interest, there will be an unparalleled choice of sessions covering both business and technology subject matters across a wide array of industries. Whether you want to sit down for an in-depth conversation with IBM executives, industry or technical experts; watch a live demo and flash presentations from IBM's Research Labs; embark on an Information On Demand journey through participation in one of the industry roundtables; improve your proficiency skills or simply share your experiences with a peer, there will be plenty of opportunities to gain a better understanding of how to transform your business information into a strategic asset.

Join us and learn how to leverage IBM's Information on Demand to deliver real value for your business.

For more information about registration please visit: http://www-01.ibm.com/software/uk/data/conf

Follow us on twitter http://twitter.com/iod2009

Administering Informix Dynamic Server: Building the Foundation
By Carlton Doe

In this book, author Carlton Doe describes and explains the functionality of the IDS data server and the procedures required to administer and maintain database systems. It takes a "what do I need to know and do to make this work?" point of view, covering all of the major functional areas of the database server including designing, installing, initializing, and monitoring the data server; creating instance objects; protecting against failure; and managing day-to-day activities. If you're dealing with IDS and have better things to do than read the 1,600-plus pages of documentation included with the server, then this is exactly the book you need!

Special Price from MC Press: $39.95
»» lowest price on the web (over 25% off)

Business Partners: buy 10 or more copies for $29.98
»» 50% off. Use coupon code BP-5074-50

Buy online at: http://www.mc-store.com/5074.html

Advanced DataTools is now offering web-based Informix Dynamic Server training classes. Everyone's budgets are tight this year. Save on travel costs and other expenses associated with training. Classes will be taught over the internet using VOIP and hands on labs.

The first class offered will be the "Advanced Informix IDS Performance Tuning and Optimization class" - May 18-21, 2009 9:00 AM EST - 4:00 PM with a 2 hour break in the middle of the day.

This live virtual class offers the following benefits:

• Instructor-led training, taught by Lester Knutsen — well known Informix expert
• Utilization of the same lecture, exercises and lab computers as if you were on site.
• -Interactive Q & A
• Zero travel costs

This course is priced at only $1000 per student!

More information on the class can be found at:
http://www.advancedatatools.com/Training/OutlineInformixIDSPerfTuningOpt.html

To register or for more information on Advanced DataTools Training call (703) 256-0267 x101
http://www.advancedatatools.com

Sign up today!

Advanced DataTools is your number one source for Informix Training. Customized/on site training also available.

IBM Professional Certification is the way for skilled IT professionals to demonstrate their expertise to the world. In this challenging economic climate, we are introducing a new way for you to become an IBM Certified Professional and keep more money in your pocket, Assess and Save!

IBM offers online self assessment exams for each Information Management Professional Certification exam. These "practice tests" enable you to test your readiness for an exam for a minimal fee, helping you to be successful when you take the actual exam. With the Assess and Save Offer, candidates who purchase and PASS any Information Management Online Assessment Exam through Prometric Testing from February 1, 2009 to April 30, 2009 will receive a 50% off voucher good toward the purchase of the corresponding exam at the IBM Authorized Testing Provider, Prometric. That's $100 right back in your pocket!

http://www.ibm.com/software/data/education/voucher.html?ca=FebAssess

Experience the new trend in training with Instructor-Led Online (ILO). ILO is now available in more scheduling options to fit in your calendar. Need to update your skills on a certain topic but faced with time and budget constraints? ILO Select provides targeted information in a packed lecture of three hours or less, at a much lower price than full training courses. ILO Flex Time offerings enable you to experience the full scope of ILO from anywhere in the world over several days so that you can balance both work and education. These two new ILO options give you the ability to enhance your skills when and where it is convenient for you.

Sign up today!
http://www.ibm.com/software/data/education/ilo.html?ca=FebILO

The IBM SQL Workshop (3E120) course provides an introduction to the SQL language and applies to both Informix and DB2. It is appropriate for students working in all Informix and DB2 environments, including z/OS, VM/VSE, iSeries, Linux, UNIX, and Windows. This basic course is ideal for anyone needing to write, support, or understand SQL queries, including end-users, programmers, application designers, database administrators, and system administrators.

As a prerequisite, students should have basic computer literacy and editing skills. Database proficiency is not required!

Upon completion, students will gain vital skills such as understanding the use of SQL arithmetic operations and scalar and column functions, coding SQL statements to retrieve data from a DB2 table, including the select, from, where, group by, having and order by clauses, and coding simple create table and create view statements.

Enroll today!
http://www.iiug.org/url/ibm_3e120.html

...with Information Management Curriculum Guides

The Information Management Training Curriculum Guides have been created to help provide you with a comprehensive listing of the training courses currently available in each product line of Information Management Software. These guides break courses down by job role, skill level, delivery method and duration.

IBM Training courses will develop and broaden your expertise. Whether your skill level is beginner, intermediate, or advanced, you will accelerate your learning as experts take you through essential concepts and fundamentals.

Download one or more of the guides and take the next step down the path to building and acquiring your Information Management Skills!
http://www.ibm.com/software/data/education/curriculumdocs.html?ca=FebCurric

Who doesn't love a bargain?
Never pay full price for training

The IBM Education Pack-online account, a prepaid electronic debit account, automatically saves you up to 12% on most U.S. public classes, on-site training, e-Learning and technical conferences. That's a 20% increase in savings compared to last year's Ed Pack discount levels. You can track your account online, so you'll always know how much you have to spend. Plus, we'll automatically notify you when your account is low, so you can always train for less. These new discount levels go into effect on March 3, 2009.

Get all the details!
http://www.ibm.com/services/learning/ites.wss/us/en?pageType=page&c=a0000155

Plan your 2009 Training
Check out the Spring e-catalog!

In today's market, knowledge and time have become the two most valuable business assets. With IBM Training's Spring 2009 e-catalog, you'll spend less time browsing and more time planning your education. You can find the type of training you need that is relevant to you — fast! With this comprehensive new e-catalog, get all the details you need to plan your training, including class schedules and locations. You'll find the latest information on professional certification programs, IBM technical conferences, class history, hands-on labs, money saving offers, and much more.

Become an expert!
http://www.ibm.com/services/learning/us/pdfs/catalog/fall_ecatalog.pdf

Expand transaction capabilities with savepoints in Informix Dynamic Server (IDS)
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/data/library/techarticle/dm-0903idssavepoints/index.html
This article describes how to use savepoints within transactions on IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS). It also explains how you can manage savepoints with various clients, such as ESQL/C and JDBC, and in different environments, such as stored procedures.

Embedding Informix Dynamic Server: An Introduction
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg247666.html?Open
We discuss and describe the capabilities for embedding IDS into applications and software. We introduce the technological architecture, and describe several of the functions and features that support IDS as a robust and powerful embeddable DBMS. Many of these features are unique in the industry today, enabling clients to create a business advantage.

Data modeling with InfoSphere Data Architect and Informix Dynamic Server
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/data/tutorials/dm-0903datamodel/index.html
This tutorial shows you how to use IBM InfoSphere Data Architect (IDA) (formerly IBM Rational Data Architect) as a modeling tool for Informix Dynamic Server (IDS), and has been updated to include information about the 7.5.1 release of IDA. Learn about the various features of IDA, including how models can be used to represent business entities, database entities, and domain entities. Follow along with scenarios and examples that reveal the benefits IDA provides.

Configure Linux shared disks for Informix Dynamic Server MACH 11
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/data/library/techarticle/dm-0903breitfeld/index.html
Find out how to configure true shared disks for IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) Version 11.50. This article contains instructions on how to get an IDS Shared Disk (SD) secondary server up and running on Ubuntu Linux. You can also easily adapt the instructions for other Linux distributions.

For more information go to DeveloperWorks — Informix:

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

How are you innovating with Informix? Would you like to share your story with others? IBM would like to hear from you and discuss opportunities to be included in upcoming marketing campaigns and events. Even if your company wants to remain anonymous, we need your stories! Contact Cathy Elliott at cathyell@us.ibm.com for more information.

Ever wondered about what resources are available to academic community who wants to use Informix for education or research? A plethora of resources are available via IBM academic initiative. The IBM Academic Initiative is a program to partner with academic institutions worldwide and give them access to our software, hardware and learning resources. To see details of the program, visit
http://www-304.ibm.com/jct01005c/university/scholars/products/data/index.html

Participation in the academic program is open to faculty and research professionals at accredited institutions of higher education. Membership is granted on an individual basis and is free. There are a variety of resources available including software, course material and certification discount vouchers.

Tutorials
http://www-304.ibm.com/jct01005c/university/scholars/products/data/tutorials.html#informix

Informix courses
http://www-304.ibm.com/jct01005c/university/scholars/products/data/education.html#informix

Certification discount vouchers
idsoc@us.ibm.com

Bootcamps
The latest workshop information, including the workshop agenda, dates, and locations is available at:
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/wikis/display/im/Informix+Dynamic+Server+11.5+Bootcamp

New Informix Redbook: Embedding Informix Dynamic Server: An Introduction
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg247666.html

Which version of Informix are you using?
Save money now with the Informix Trade-Up Promotion: http://tinyurl.com/avrtwy
For more information about how you can plan your upgrade, visit http://www.ibm.com/informix/upgrade or try out the IDS Rev Up tool to get a summary of all the latest features and value you can get with the latest version of IDS 11.5.
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/informix/tools/ids-rev-tool.html

If you missed the following recent events, you can still listen to the replays:

DMRadio: Saving Green by Going Green
Highlights interview with Jacques Roy
Going green makes total sense when companies can save money in the process. For IT, going green means saving on energy costs, but also infrastructure and other maintenance fees. But what, exactly, does "going green" entail in the industry of information management?
http://www.information-management.com/dmradio/10015010-1.html

How to Survive and Succeed in Tough Economic Times in the Retail Industry (replay)
Presented by Patience Hering, WW Retail Sales Leader and Cathy Elliott, Informix Marketing Manager http://www.iiug.org/url/survive.html

Developing Web-based Open Source Applications with Informix (replay)
Jacques Roy
https://www.ibm.com/services/forms/preLogin.do?lang=en_US&source=dw-c-wcsdp&S_PKG=031209

IBM "Data In Action" Virtual Event
The site is still available for you to explore - be sure to create a fun avatar and explore the Informix materials available in the booths.
http://event.on24.com/event/13/19/53/rt/register.html

IBM Unveils New Database Software to Help Clients Access Critical Information 50% Faster

"...With new Informix database software, global companies, for the first time, can both warehouse their data and conduct ultra fast online transactions with a simplified software platform. The combination of the two capabilities in one offering can help deliver new results and insights to grow businesses and lower costs by making it easier to use existing Informix infrastructure to help clients work as much as 50% more efficiently...

http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/26840.wss

Novell delivers SUSE Linux Enterprise 11

Novell is collaborating with IBM to deliver SUSE Linux Enterprise 11-based virtual instances of IBM DB2, Informix Dynamic Server, WebSphere sMash, IBM Lotus Web Content Management and IBM WebSphere Portal instances for cloud environments

http://blogs.zdnet.com/open-source/?p=3783

IBM's Half-Baked Cloud Strategy

With years of experience, hundreds of customers, partnerships with Google and Amazon, and growing portfolio of on-demand services, why doesn't IBM get more respect as a leader in the cloud computing market? Because IBM isn't a player in the hottest areas of the market: platforms as a service, infrastructure as a service, and Amazon S3-style storage as a service. Customers looking to deploy virtualized IBM software stacks (DB2, Informix, WebSphere Portal) in the cloud, must turn to Amazon, which offers it, not IBM, which doesn't.

http://www.informationweek.com/cloud-computing/blog/archives/2009/03/ibms_halfbaked.html

• The IIUG forums at http://www.iiug.org/forums/technical.php **** these are very good****
• Blogs, Videos, News and more at http://planetids.com
• IDS Experts at http://www-03.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/idsteam
• Guy Bowerman at http://www-03.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/gbowerman
• Madison Pruitt at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/roundrep
• Jacques Roy at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/jacquesroy
• Informix blogs at http://www.ibmdatabasemag.com/blog/main/archives/informix/index.html
• Kate Dawson at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/blogs/page/katedawson
• Fernando Nunes at http://informix-technology.blogspot.com/
• Virtual Worlds, MMOGs, Serious data - Informix Technology for Persistent Worlds http://informix4virtual.wordpress.com/
• IBM DATABASE MAGAZINE at http://www.ibmdatabasemag.com
• The Informix Zone at http://www.informix-zone.com
• The Informix mag at http://www.informixmag.com/
• IIUG developers Desktop http://www.iiug.org/devnews/Vol_1_Iss_4/Home.html
• There is now an Informix group on LinkedIn. The group is called "Informix Supporter", so anyone loving Informix can join, from current IBM employees, former Informix employees to users can join. It will also be a good occasion to get in touch with others or long-time-no-seen friends. If you fancy showing the Informix logo on your profile, join. To join, simply go to: http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/25049/5E4B2048E558

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. The 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.

For comments, please send an email to gary@iiug.org.