December 2007
Volume 8, Issue 12

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. From the Blogs
  * DB2 9 DBA certification sample questions
  * Tuning for better I/O write times
2. Must Read
  * DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows: DBA Guide, Reference, and Exam Prep
3. Poll Positions
  * Your priorities for 2008
  * Best-loved "undead" technology revealed
4. IBM News
  * DB2 Warehouse Performance Management Suite
  * Cognos acquisition news roundup
5. Informix Update
  * New Informix Dynamic Server wiki
  * IIUG news
  * IDS 11 application development tips and webinar
6. Skills Set
  * News and information about IBM education.
7. In the Zone
  * The latest developerWorks articles on DB2, Informix, and more.

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FROM THE BLOGS

* DB2 9 DBA Certification Sample Questions

Roger E. Sanders, author of a series of popular certification study guides, shares sample test questions from his latest, the DB2 9 for Linux, Unix, and Windows Database Administration Study Guide. Sanders provides detailed explanations along with the answers.

--Try your hand at the questions in these recent posts:
    Switch settings and the import utility
    Disabling the Task Center and understanding CREATE TABLESPACE options

* Tuning for Better I/O Write Times

Performance expert Scott Hayes continues his performance series with tips for improving I/O write times.

--Browse Scott's previous posts on:
    I/O read times
    DB2 9 autonomic tuning
    NUMBLOCKPAGES and APPR
    Index Cardinality

MUST READ

DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows: DBA Guide, Reference, and Exam Prep
By George Baklarz and Paul C. Zikopoulos

The new edition of this popular book offers complete coverage of DB2 9 for Linux, Unix, and Windows administration and development. Written for DBAs and developers, the book covers DB2 database design and development, day-to-day administration and backup, deployment of networked, Internet-centered, and SOA-based applications, and more. Expert tips and best practices help readers optimize performance, availability, and value.

--Learn more at the DB2 Magazine bookstore.

--Browse more books by DB2 Magazine authors.


IBM NEWS

* DB2 Warehouse Performance Management Suite

IBM introduced a new DB2 Warehouse Performance Management Suite, which provides advanced capabilities for reporting and analyzing data and system utilization. The new offering makes takes advantage of the extreme workload management features in DB2 Warehouse 9.5.

* Cognos Acquisition News Roundup

On November 12, IBM announced that it signed an agreement to acquire Cognos. Cognos is one of the largest providers of business intelligence and performance management solutions with more than 25,000 customers and over 3,000 partners. Additional sources of information on the announcement are available in the DB2 Magazine Wiki.


POLL POSITIONS

* 2008 Priorities

What are your priorities for next year?

* Your favorite "undead" technology revealed.


INFORMIX UPDATE

* New Informix Dynamic Server Wiki

Informix enthusiast Eric Herber has added a wiki to his Informix Zone Web site. Herber started the wiki to provide information about the free IDS Developer Edition. You can browse the wiki content or become a contributor by sending Eric an email.

* International Informix User Group News

The IIUG is offering the IDS 11 Developer Edition download in its members' area. While on the site, you might want to register for the Informix conference next April. There's been a lot of Informix activity this year  who better to learn new features from than Informix developers and gurus. You can learn more about the conference lineup in this recent article.

* IDS 11 Application Development Tips and Webinar

IBM's Grant Hutchison (the IBM Data Studio product manager) posted tips on using Data Studio with IDS 11. Grant will join Guy Bowerman to present a webinar on "Fastrack for Application Development" this week.


SKILLS SET

* Redeeming Information Management Certification Vouchers

Anyone who attended select classes between June 5 and October 31, 2007 was eligible to receive a certification discount voucher. These vouchers, for 50 percent off the cost of an eligible Information Management certification exam, must be used by December 31, 2007.

* IBM Information Management Training Paths

IBM Information Management training paths help you plan skills development in order to minimize training time and dollars.

* Information Management Certification Resources

IBM offers exam preparation documents to help certification candidates prepare for all Information Management certification exams. Use the complimentary certification preparation tutorials and then test yourself with online assessment exams for only $10 USD.

* IBM Optim Training

IBM Optim Training offers classes in Optim solutions for Managing Data Growth, Protecting Data Privacy, and Test Data Management. Learn how Optim capabilities can provide effective data management and measurable benefits to your organization.

* IBM Quick Start and Upgrade Services for Informix Dynamic Server 11

IBM is offering a new Quick Start Service to get IDS customers up and running quickly. A new Upgrade Service moves clients to the newer version of IDS.

* IBM Software Services for Migrations

IBM Information Management Software Services help reduce downtime and keep production environments up and running when migrating a database environment.


IN THE ZONE

* Data Web Services: Build Web Services the New Way

* Create and Use Functional Indexes in Informix Dynamic Server

* Using the GUI Features of EGL for Migrated Informix 4GL Applications

* Overview of IBM Data Server Provider for .NET and IBM Database Add-ins for Visual Studio for UniVerse and UniData

* Overview of DB2 .NET XML Tool Offerings in DB2 9.5

* DB2 for Linux, Unix, and Windows 9.5 Application Porting Guide