DB2 Magazine E-Newsletter

March 15 , 2006

DB2 Magazine Email Newsletter
Volume 7, Issue 3
www.db2mag.com

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IN THIS ISSUE:

1. From the Editor
   * DB2's prizewinning blogs
2. Asked and Answered
   * Reducing planned outages with DB2 data sharing
3. Poll Positions
   * Which version of DB2 are you using?
4. IBM Webcasts
   * Getting maximum value from mainframe data, SOA architectures for
     regulatory compliance
5. Skill Sets
   * No-charge certification and tutorials, book discounts, and more
6. Must Reads
   * An Introduction to IMS: Your Complete Guide to IBM's Information
     Management System
7. In the Zone
   * The latest DB2 and Informix articles from developerWorks

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1. FROM THE EDITOR

*DB2's Prizewinning Blogs
In the recent IT Toolbox Community Choice Awards, readers picked DB2 blogs written by IBMers as the top selections in two categories. Chris Eaton's blog (An Expert's Guide to DB2 Technology) topped the Best New Blog category, and Willie Favero (Getting the Most out of DB2 for z/OS)dominated the Best Technical Blog category. ITtoolbox boasts more than 157,000 subscribers and offers more than 175 blogs, so kudos to these authors on standing out from the crowd. Both blogs made my list of the best DB2 blogs earlier this year. In case you missed it, here's a link to a DB2 Magazine article Willie wrote on multi-row processing in DB2 for z/OS.

Obviously, there's a vibrant DB2 community out there searching for information (they're in luck today with the collection of links and resources in this newsletter). I hope you'll take the time to let me know which blogs you're reading and which authors you might like to hear from in the pages of DB2 Magazine. And while you're jotting that note, you might want to weigh in on some of the debates playing out in the magazine's Message Queue section. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
--Weigh in on the issues that matter to you today.
mailto:Db2mag@cmp.com
--Visit the ITtoolbox Community Choice Awards page.
--Read Chris Eaton's blog
--Read Willie Favero's blog

2. ASKED AND ANSWERED

* Considerations in Using Data Sharing to Reduce Planned Outages The question: We're considering going to DB2 data sharing to reduce planned outages. In your DB2 Magazine article, "Staying Power,"you write that "an SQL statement executed in our data sharing group will consume about 7.3 percent more in-DB2 CPU time than it would if it were executed in a stand-alone DB2 for z/OS subsystem." What SMF and/or TMON fields should I apply the 7.3 percent to in order to estimate my increase in CPU utilization?
--Read Robert Catterall's answer

3. POLL POSITIONS

* What version are you on?
Early adopter or happy where you are? Let us know which version of DB2 is in production in your company.
--Answer the poll question.

* Who's afraid of SOA?
Find out how many of your peers are already forging ahead with service-oriented architecture explorations.
--Browse last month's poll results.

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4. IBM WEBCASTS

* Get Maximum Value from Your Mainframe Data
Integrating critical mainframe information from sources such as DB2, VSAM, IMS, CA-IDMS, CA-Datacom, and so on can be time-consuming and expensive. This Webcast shows how leading companies are seamlessly integrating mainframe data in real time, without unnecessary data movement and replication, and without custom programming.
--Watch the replay.

* Designing an Architecture for Regulatory Compliance with SOA
Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of making consistent information available as a service within their service-oriented architectures (SOAs). This Webcast provides insight into how companies are creating consistent, reusable services around their information. Participants will learn how to achieve corporate financial transparency and hear from their peers.
--Watch the replay.

* Data Readiness Strategies for Growing Organizations with SAP
IBM and Capgemini provide an in-depth analysis of the "Data Factory" approach to data readiness and ERP, developed by Capgemini and leveraging IBM Information Integration Solutions technology. A case study of the "Data Factory" in action highlights a global systems integration and consolidation initiative for Schneider Electric, a large multinational manufacturer.
--Watch the replay.

5. SKILL SETS

* Complimentary Certification at Upcoming Conferences
Anyone attending the IDUG North America conference (May 7 to 11 in Tampa, Fla.) or the Information On Demand 2006 conference (Oct. 15 to 20 in Anaheim, Calif.) can take up to three certification exams on site at no charge. Free tutorials are available for several certification exams.
--Learn more about the offer or the events.
--Find a tutorial.

* Test Your Certification Readiness
IBM offers a series of low-cost online certification assessment exams that assess candidates' certification readiness and identify areas in need of additional study. The assessments are offered through Prime/Prometric for $10 USD. The test fee applies worldwide to each time a test is taken, even if the same test is retaken.
--Find out more about the available exams.

* New Redbook: E-mail Archiving and Records Management Integrated Solution Using DB2 CommonStore and DB2 Records Manager
This book discusses the basic concepts behind e-mail archiving and e-mail records enabling in addition to each product's role in the integration solution.
--Download the book or learn more.

* Tutorial: Solving Business Problems with IBM DB2 Intelligent Miner This tutorial shows you how to generate explanations for business problems by applying Intelligent Miner Modeling to corporate data and how to display the results with Intelligent Miner Visualization.
--Find out more or download the tutorial.

* Become a Certified Solutions Expert for U2
IBM offers five U2 certification roles and exams:  Exam 710, U2 UniData V5.2 for Unix and Windows Administration; Exam 711, U2 UniData V6.1 for Unix and Windows Administration; Exam 712, IBM Certified Solutions Expert-U2 UniVerse V9.6 Administrator; Exam 713, U2 Family Application Development; and Exam 714, U2 UniVerse V10.1 for Unix and Windows Administration.
--Learn more about the exams and preparation resources.

* New Redbook: IBM DB2 Recovery Expert for Multiplatforms V2 Usage Guide
This IBM Redbook shows you how to install and implement DB Recovery Expert and its Fast Backup and Grouper components and explains, through detailed examples, point-in-time recovery and cloning of tables, table spaces, databases, and more.
--Find out more or download the Redbook.

* Save on Select DB2 Books
For a limited time, IBM is offering a 40 percent discount plus free US shipping on three DB2 books: DB2 for z/OS Version 8 DBA Certification Guide; DB2 SQL PL: Essential Guide for DB2 UDB on Linux, Unix, and< Windows, i5/OS, and z/OS, 2nd Edition; The Official Introduction to DB2 for z/OS, 2nd Edition. Enter case-sensitive coupon code: IBMDB2 during checkout.
--Find out more about the discounts.

6. MUST READS

* An Introduction to IMS: Your Complete Guide to IBM's Information Management System
This recently released book is the only guide to IMS Version 9. Straight from IBM IMS experts, the book covers key IMS functions from security to Java support for both new and experienced IMS administrators, programmers, architects, and managers. It's required reading for IBM IMS Mastery Certification Program.
--Order the book or learn more.

7. IN THE ZONE

* Kick-Start Your Java Apps: Free software, fast development

* Google Maps API, DB2/Informix, and PHP on Linux

* Fast Start With DB2 Viper

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