Insider #53: June profiled, new services, specials to enjoy before Christmas, 4GL is now more rational & More...

IIUG Insider (Issue #53) November 2004 Just a few hours left - Don't forget to vote for the next IIUG Board of Directors: http://www.iiug.org/iiug/election/2005ballot.html Highlights: June profiled, new services, specials to enjoy before Christmas, 4GL is now more rational & More... Online at http://www.iiug.org/news/insider.html ================================================================ 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: ================================================================ 1) Editorial 2) IIUG - June Profiled 3) Event - Seattle User Group to meet (Seattle, WA, USA) 4) Event - Summary RBUG (Red Brick) EMEA meeting 5) Product News - Gillani Launches iDistribute Xpress Solution 6) Product News - Awoma offers special deal on DB Studio 7) Service Offerings - DataBase Trends & Integration offers "5Minute Briefing" 8) Service Offerings - Informix Technology with IBM Training Services 9) Service Offerings - Exciting News for Informix Partners 10) DBA Stuff - Event-driven fine-grained auditing with Informix Dynamic Server 11) Developer Corner - IBM Integrates Key Informix 4GL Technology in Strategic Rational Products 12) Developer Corner - IBM Invites Informix 4GL Customers & Business Partners - Rational Atlantic Launch 13) People - New Director of Customer Support 14) Useful Links 15) Closing and Credits ================================================================ 1) Editorial ================================================================ November was a really tough month for me and my family: thanks to the arrival of Nathaniel, who's 6 months now, we moved to a new condominium: larger and more comfortable. However, there is a drawback, you need to move. Despite the help of friends, you still have some work... But there is also some fun in the process! As I was unpacking I found out my old collection of the Byte magazine. I randomly picked the April 1997 issue, which featured "Network computers", "Web Componentware" and "Java 1.1". Despite the fact that a 1.2 Gb disk was listed at 217.15 USD, there were a few interesting articles where Informix really was featured as state-of-the-art. In the first article, by Jay-Louise Weldon, DataBlade technology was discussed and compared to IBM DB2 Extenders, Oracle DataCartridges and Sybase OpenServer technology. At this time, in the early days of Web, the author was thinking about using DataBlades to store complex data like CAD/CAM data, fingerprints or even web pages. No one thought that less than 7 years after that, a company, CopperEye, would create a complete new indexing technology based on that same technology! The second article discusses about "How to improve RDBMSs" and still makes a great deal about Informix and DataBlades. I really miss the Byte magazine, as I also miss Informix technology coverage. In this issue you'll find an interesting reference to Jacques 'the King' Roy's on auditing IDS, not only for DBAs. There are also a few service and product offerings, which even makes sense for partners! Don't miss the special Christmas Insider, last of the year, special content and special coverage! We love to hear from our members and readers. So drop us a few words at enews@iiug.org. I wish you an Xtremly pleasant reading. Jean Georges Perrin Editor ================================================================ 2) IIUG - June Profiled ================================================================ Changes in the IIUG board made June Hunt to come on board. Here is her profile. Q: How do you use Informix in your "real" job (DBA, Consultant, Developer, etc.)? A: I am primarily a developer, but am also considered a backup DBA. Unfortunately, since Informix runs so well, except for the occasional alter, I don't often get a chance to work with the database at that level. Q: How long have you been using Informix products? A: I've worked with Informix products since 1992. I've used SE through IDS 9.x, and I4GL/RDS - and I love each and every Informix product that I've used. (Saw New Era in a demo once, but....) Q: What is your role on the IIUG Board? A: I am currently working on two new offerings that we are about to introduce. One is a service that we will be providing for our members, the other is a sponsorship program. I also monitor comp.databases.informix. Q: Why did you volunteer to be on the board? A: I had expressed an interest in volunteering a short time ago, but this was outside of an election period. This past September (2004) when a position on the board opened up, I was asked if I'd like to fill in for the remainder of the term. I was in the right place at the right time, I guess. Not surprisingly, I jumped at the chance. As Product Manager for a major financial software developer, I've had experience with user groups and found their input to be invaluable. Combining my love for all things Informix and my belief in the value of user groups, working for the IIUG was just a natural step. Q: What do you want to accomplish this year on the Board? A: In addition to seeing the kick-off of the two new offerings that I mentioned, I want to work toward making the presence of the IIUG felt among it's membership, and to represent the interests of our membership to IBM. Q: Where are you from? A: I was born and raised in Wisconsin, but having lived in the Northeast (US) for the past 16 years, I now consider Maine my home. Q: Best Informix story? A: Being able to use Informix *is* a best story. Q: Worst Informix nightmare. A: Having to accommodate SQL Server and Oracle in our code. We were using Four J's, and they made it very easy, but the fact that anyone would consider any database other than one offered by Informix was heartbreaking. Q: Can you tell us about your family and hobbies outside of the IIUG? A: I'm married - we've been together 19 years now - and my husband happens to be a fellow Informix user and IIUG member. I love both my work and continuing to learn about all aspects of any subject that relates to my work. Although that single subject occupies most of my time, I am also a wine enthusiast and enjoy cooking, reading, photography, and spending time exploring the wildlife that calls the old logging roads of Northern Maine home. ================================================================ 3) Event - Seattle User Group to meet (Seattle, WA, USA) ================================================================ Carl Douglas would like to invite you to our Seattle Informix User Group Meeting on December 3. Our featured speaker will be Mark Scranton, talking about IDS 9.4 and IDS vNext. If you attended Mark's prior presentation to our user group, you will remember that he thoroughly understands the internal workings of IDS and knows how to get the best performance from it. Mark will take questions from the audience so this is your chance to ask those esoteric questions you've been dying to get answered. We will also be electing the President of the SIUG. We have a volunteer willing to serve as President but if you would like to give it a try (or act