DB2 Magazine E-Newsletter

October 18, 2006

DB2 Magazine Email Newsletter
Volume 7, Issue 10
http://db2mag.com/

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. From the Editor
   * Now online: DB2 Magazine Quarter 4, 2006 (tenth anniversary)
     edition
2. Poll Positions
   * How certifiable are you?
3. IBM News
   * IBM announces threat and fraud initiative
   * FileNet acquisition closes
   * IBM Information Server launches
4. Skills Set
   * Free materials, tutorials, and discounts for IBM
     certification programs
5. In the Zone
   * The latest DB2 and Informix articles from developerWorks

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1. FROM THE EDITOR

* Now Online: DB2 Magazine Quarter 4 (Tenth Anniversary) Edition
Hello from the Information On Demand 2006 conference in Anaheim, Calif. I've spent the last few days talking with DB2 Magazine readers, learning more about new information management technologies, and enjoying the entertainment, including TV personality Wayne Brady's improvised songs "That Data is Corrupted" and "Pimp My Crypto," in the styles of Elvis Presley and Prince, respectively. If you missed Brady's amusing performance (intermixed with a keynote address by IBM Information Management head honcho Ambuj Goyal), you'll just have to take my word that the 5,000 plus attendees here were definitely entertained. If you missed the conference, you can catch up with DB2 Magazine's coverage of many of the new technologies that were announced. Here's my list of issue highlights.--Kim Moutsos

* Tracking The Truth.
--Find out how a flexible, secure information system lets National Geographic researchers share their findings about our collective past.
http://www.db2mag.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193105321

* Finding Answers
--Learn about the new IBM Information Server, which replaces cobbled-together integration solutions with a solid foundation for returning accurate answers to business questions.
http://www.db2mag.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193105325

* Under One Roof
--Discover how DB2 Data Warehouse Edition 9.1 puts a modern enterprise warehouse within reach.
http://www.db2mag.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193105306

* DB2 9 for z/OS
--Get your first look at the mainframe DB2 data server's new hybrid XML/relational engine, security enhancements, SQL upgrades, and performance improvements.
http://www.db2mag.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193105300

* Run, Cheetah, Run
--Read Stuart Litel's early take on the next release of Informix Dynamic Server (IDS), code-named Cheetah.
http://www.db2mag.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193105260

* SOA 101: A Recipe for SOA Success (online only)
--First lesson: It's an architectural style, not a technology. Find out what else you need to know.
http://www.db2mag.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193200616

****SPONSOR: JustSystems****

Dynamic Information. Now for Everyone. xfy Enterprise Solution from JustSystems unlocks the value of information and delivers it dynamically to business users.

http://www.xfy.com/index.html?m=xfyiod1018

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2. POLL POSITIONS

* Have you ever taken an IBM certification exam? How did you do?
--Compare your track record to your peers'.
http://www.db2mag.com/

3. IBM NEWS

* IBM Completes Acquisition Of FileNet Corp.
Last week, IBM completed the acquisition of FileNet Corp. FileNet's operations will be integrated into IBM's Information Management software business. FileNet is a leading provider of business process and content management solutions that help companies simplify decision-making processes. IBM is integrating its business process management and SOA technologies with the FileNet platform to allow customers to access content wherever it resides and use it in the context of business processes.
--Find out more about the acquisition.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/

* IBM Initiative to Detect Threat And Fraud
IBM announced a software and solutions strategy to provide complete identity recognition solutions for uncovering and managing potential threats and fraudulent activity by individuals and groups attempting to mask, hide, or misrepresent their identities. IBM also announced two pre-packaged software and services solution bundles: IBM Threat & Fraud Intelligence Starter Pak and IBM Threat & Fraud Intelligence Law Enforcement Solution.
--Find out more.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/tfi/

* IBM Announces IBM Information Server
IBM announced the IBM Information Server, a new software platform that enables organizations to integrate disparate data and deliver trusted information in context to people, applications, and processes.
--Learn more about the IBM Information Server.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/integration/info_server/

IBM Introduces Master Data Management Software
IBM introduced WebSphere Customer Center 7.0 to help businesses achieve a single version of the truth across all of their business processes. WebSphere Customer Center 7.0 provides advanced capabilities in managing data corruption, eliminating duplicate data, and enhancing semantic-based searches across multiple domains. The new release integrates disparate systems through IBM Information Server.
--Learn more about the product.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/masterdata/

4. SKILLS SETS

* New Certification Roles for DB2 9, DWE 9.1, and IDS 10
IBM introduced several new certification roles and exams, including: --IBM Certified Solution Designer - DB2 Data Warehouse Edition V9.1 role and the DB2 Data Warehouse Edition V9.1 Exam 716
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/dbcsdataware.shtml
--IBM Certified Database Associate - DB2 9 Fundamentals role and the DB2 9 Fundamentals Exam 730
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/dbda9fun.shtml
--IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 9 DBA for Linux, Unix, and Windows role and the DB2 9 DBA for Linux, Unix, and Windows Exam 731
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/dbdadba.shtml
--IBM Certified System Administrator - System Administration certification for IBM Informix Dynamic Server V10 role and System Administration for IBM Informix Dynamic Server V10 Exam 917
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/ixsedyn10.shtml

* New DB2 9 Certification Preparation Tutorial Series
This series of seven tutorials covers each section of the two new DB2 9 professional certification exams: DB2 9 Fundamentals Exam 730 and DB2 9 DBA for Linux, Unix, and Windows Exam 731.
--Take the tutorials online or download a PDF or zip file.
http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/education/selfstudy.html#5

* New Redbook: DB2 Express-C: The Developer Handbook for XML, PHP, C/C++, Java, and .NET
This new Redbook, which has already received a five star rating from readers, explains the fundamentals of DB2 application development with DB2 Express-C.
--Download a PDF, view the book in HTML, or order a hardcopy.
http://publib-b.boulder.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg247301.html?Open

* New Redbook: Preparing for and Tuning the SQL Query Engine on DB2 for i5/OS
This new Redbook is designed to help readers minimize SQL or database performance issues when upgrading to OS/400 V5R2 or V5R3 or to IBM i5/OS V5R4.
--Download a PDF, view in HTML, or order a hardcopy
http://publib-b.boulder.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg246598.html?Open

****Sponsor: NEON Enterprise Software****

Free Statistics HealthCheck for Your DB2 Catalog
When statistics in your DB2 Catalog are bad, DB2 application performance can suffer. NEON Enterprise Software is offering a free download of Statistics HealthCheck, a tool that pinpoints errors in your DB2 on z/OS catalog.

For other powerful DB2 solutions that optimize DB2 performance and reduce CPU usage, visit http://www.neonesoft.com/

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5. IN THE ZONE

* Analyze DB2 deadlocks for DB2 for z/OS Web applications
* Leverage MySQL skills to learn DB2 Express, Part 4: DB2 versus MySQL
* Integrated access to application data
* Push the limits of Java UDRs in Informix Dynamic Server V10
* 15 best practices for pureXML
* Row compression in DB2 9: Analysis of a DSS database environment

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