DB2 Magazine E-Newsletter

November 19, 2003

DB2 Magazine Email Newsletter
Volume 4, Issue 15
www.db2mag.com

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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. IBM News: Buzzing about DB2 Stinger; Topping the list of BI vendors
2. Asked and Answered: Can you define DB2 catalog and directory data sets to be under SMS control?
3. New DB2 Magazine eBook Explores On-Demand Strategies
4. DB2 Magazine Trivia Contest: A chance to win $100
5. Skills And Certification News
6. At the Bookstore: Integrated Solutions With DB2
7. Now Playing at the DB2 Developer Domain

1. IBM NEWS
The Buzz About "Stinger"
IBM previewed enhancements to DB2 software that make developing and deploying applications for the Microsoft .Net Framework easier. This preview — the first in a series of new features (codenamed "Stinger") that will be incorporated into future versions of DB2 -- includes an enhanced DB2 .Net Data Provider and delivers tighter integration with Rational development tools. The enhancements are the outcome of a cooperative effort between IBM and Microsoft under the Visual Studio Industry Partner (VSIP) program. IBM is also working on extending its DB2 integration to include the upcoming version of Microsoft Visual Studio .Net, codenamed "Whidbey."

See the Stinger preview at the IBM developerWorks Web site.
http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/downloads/dotnetbeta/
Read the Stinger press release.
http://www-1.ibm.com/press/PressServletForm.wss?MenuChoice= pressreleases&TemplateName=ShowPressReleaseTemplate&SelectString=t1. docunid=6222&TableName=DataheadApplicationClass&SESSIONKEY =any&WindowTitle=Press+Release&STATUS=publish

IBM Tops DM Review Lists
DM Review readers rated IBM the top vendor for the second year in a row. The DM Review 100 list is determined from the results of a product usage and vendor rating survey. The magazine's readers were asked to fill out a questionnaire that examined more than 225 business intelligence vendors in nine product categories.

See the complete DM Review 100 list.
http://www.dmreview.com/awards/top100/2003/2003_reveal.cfm
Find out about other IBM awards
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/awards/

2. ASKED AND ANSWERED
I read your column "Time to Reconsider SMS" (Spring 2000), and I agree with you regarding the advantage of defining DB2 user tablespaces under the control of the Storage Management System (SMS). But what about the DB2 Catalog and directory? Can you also define DB2 catalog and directory data sets to be under SMS control?

Find out what DB2 Magazine columnist Robert Catterall thinks.
http://www.db2mag.com/qanda/031117.shtml
Read "Time to Reconsider SMS."
http://www.db2mag.com/db_area/archives/2000/q1/db2dba.shtml
Read the latest DB2 DBA column.
http://www.db2mag.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=15300097

3. NEW DB2 MAGAZINE EBOOK EXPLORES ON-DEMAND STRATEGIES
The U.S. Tennis Association, National Geographic, The Sesame Workshop and other companies are making the most of their information assets by relying on a flexible, extensible information infrastructure. DB2 Magazine authors Paul Zikopoulos and Craig Mullins show how these and other companies are using an on-demand infrastructure to gain advantage — and how you can, too. Once you've read this special section, fill out the feedback form to let us know what you thought — and for a chance to win a $250 American Express Gift Cheque.
http://www.db2mag.com/ondemand/

The On Demand e-book is sponsored by:
BMC Software
http://www.bmc.com/ Quest Software
http://www.quest.com/

4. DB2 MAGAZINE TRIVIA CONTEST
In 2002, an IBM demo showed how standards-based information integration middleware could optimize access to diverse data sources. What is the official name of the IBM information integration product (released this year) that's based on the technologies shown in the demo? If you know, play the trivia contest online and enter the drawing for a chance to win a $100 American Express Gift Cheque.

Try your hand at the Trivia Contest.
http://www.db2mag.com/
Get a hint from the DB2 Anniversary Poster.
http://www.db2magazine.com/db_area/archives/2003/q1/AnvPostrTimelineSide.pdf
Sponsored by Computer Associates
http://www.ca.com/db/

5. SKILLS AND CERTIFICATION NEWS
DB2 Tools Education
A highly trained technical staff is critical to the long-term success of any company. IBM offers eight DB2 Tools courses, available in private on-site or public-classroom settings, to help boost these important technical skills. Details and a complete list of courses are available online.
http://www-306.ibm.com/services/learning/ites.wss/us/en?pageType=page&contentID=a0000038

Barnes & Noble Stores Now Carry DB2 Titles
DB2 information management books and guides have been available through IBM's online bookstore at Barnes & Noble. Beginning this month, you can also find DB2 information management books and guides in more than 50 North American Barnes & Noble retail stores.

Find a Barnes & Noble retail location near you.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Visit IBM's information management bookstore.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/education/bookstore/

Getting Started With the IBM Scholars Program
The IBM Scholars Program is designed to provide higher-education faculty and researchers worldwide with academic and research resources including learning materials and curriculum, discounts on books and events, technical support, community resources, and more.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/info/university/products/data/

IBM Problem Determination Mastery Self-Study Series
The Problem Determination Mastery Self-Study Series is designed for anyone supporting or developing in a database environment. Through complimentary tutorials and the problem determination mastery exam, candidates learn to identify, isolate, and resolve product issues. These skills can speed problem resolution and reduce dependence on IBM customer support.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/support/pdm/

Education Resources at DB2Mag.com
Visit DB2Mag.com's skills and education overview page for the latest skills news from IBM, plus certification advice from consultant Howard Fosdick, the user view from IDUG president David Buelke, links to reader Q&As with DB2 Magazine authors, a calendar of industry events, and more.
http://www.db2mag.com/education

6. AT THE BOOKSTORE
Integrated Solutions With DB2
by Rob Cutlip and John Medicke
In Integrated Solutions with DB2, IBM solution architects (and DB2 Magazine authors) Rob Cutlip and John Medicke explain how to use DB2 to create flexible infrastructures that simplify the construction of enterprise-class business solutions. The book covers how to integrate DB2, Web servers, development tools, messaging infrastructure, and other crucial technologies and how to use DB2 to improve productivity and customer service, reduce operating costs, and strengthen key trading relationships. Examples in the book cover:

• Using DB2, WebSphere, and related technologies to integrate applications, information, and portals
• Creating automated CRM email systems with trigger-induced DB2 UDFs, JavaMail, and JAF
• Building high-value mobile and pervasive applications with DB2 Everyplace and DB2 Spatial Extender
• Delivering dynamic Web services and e-sourcing solutions with DB2 XML Extender
• Architecting and building highly personalized e-commerce systems with DB2 technologies.

For book details, go to the DB2 Magazine online bookstore.
http://www.db2mag.com/bookstore/

7. NOW PLAYING AT THE DB2 DEVELOPER DOMAIN
Working with Data in DB2 UDB Tables Using C#Builder and ASP.NET
http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/library/techarticle/0310swart/0310swart.html

Implementing Pipes in DB2 Universal Database
http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/library/techarticle/0310mukherjee/0310mukherjee.html

Migrating Siebel 7 e-business Applications from DB2 UDB V7 to V8
http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/library/techarticle/0310huang/0310huang.html

Debugging Options for DB2 UDB Stored Procedures
http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/library/techarticle/0310rader/0310rader.html

Which Edition of DB2 Connect is Right for You? (Updated)
http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/library/ techarticle/0303zikopoulos1/0303zikopoulos1.html

Producing HTML Reports from DB2 Data — the Easy Way
http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/library/ techarticle/0309thakrar/0309thakrar.html?ca=den-db2mag

Tutorials: IBM DB2 Intelligent Miner Tutorials
http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/db2/library/tutorials/iminer/iminer.html?ca=den-db2mag

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