May 2008
Volume 9, Issue 10

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. Now Online: All About Performance
* How to get the best performance from XML, SOA, DB2, Informix, your career, and more
2. From the Blogs
* The Informix High Performance Loader
* DB2 Certification Sample Questions: Restoring a database
* The "It's not DB2's fault" checklist
3. Poll Positions
* Sound off on the state of certification
4. Skills Set
* News and information about IBM education
5. In the Zone
* The latest developerWorks articles on DB2, Informix, and more

**** Sponsored by Business Innovations *****

Business Intelligence: Integrating the Data
Today's corporate performance initiatives require greater visibility into all corners of the enterprise. Business intelligence has become a central element to every part of the business.

Download and view this informative e-book to learn more.

*************************************

1. Now Online: IBM Database Magazine Issue 2

* Performance Art
The latest articles at IBMDatabaseMag.com offer performance tips on just about everything, including:

--XML: How performance became its ace in the hole

--SOA: Great performance is possible if you leave old school ideas behind

--DB2: Designing to avoid performance pitfalls

--Informix: IDS 11.5 enhancements push Informix's motto "It just works" even further

--Your career: DBA and blogger Andrew Ford shows how skills translate into perks

* Online Only Exclusives

--DB2 Database Programming for Grownups

-- XML and DB2 for z/OS

-- DB2 for i DBA: Protecting and Managing DB2 Identity Columns

--Whitepaper: Using Altova Tools with DB2 9 pureXML: Online Brokerage Application Scenario

2. From the Blogs

* The Informix High Performance Loader
Learn how to use the command line utility onpladm to create High Performance Loader (HPL) jobs and you'll be rewarded with the awesome ability to make HPL do your bidding.

* DB2 Certification Sample Questions: Restoring a database from the recovery history log file
Brush up for your certification or just test your knowledge with the latest round of questions from Roger Sanders.

* The "It's not DB2's fault" checklist
When something goes wrong, fingers tend to point at the database and DBA first. This checklist from performance guru Scott Hayes will help you make the case that blame belongs elsewhere.

3. Poll Positions

* The State of Certification
Are you certified in your field? Are you working toward it? Speak out in the online poll and find out what your colleagues' plans are.

* Conference Planning
Which conference this year is not-to-be-missed in the eyes of fellow readers?

4. Skills Set

* The Road to DB2 Certification
All DB2 certification credentials start with the fundamentals. Howard Fosdick explains what to do next.

--Want to learn more? Read Fosdick's developerWorks article on DB2 9 certification.

* IBM Certification Discounts
IBM is offering a $75 discount off the price of DB2 9 certification exams with the purchase of the associated certification study guide until June 30, 2008.

--Browse the list of certification guides at the IBM Database Magazine bookstore.

* Online Certification Assessment Exams
Online certification assessment exams help certification candidates prepare by identifying areas in need of study. Tests are available through Prometric for a nominal fee of $10 USD.

* New Book: IBM DB2 9 for LUW Advanced Database Administration: Certification Study Guide
The highly anticipated certification study guide for DB2 9 for LUW Advanced Database Administration (Exam 734) by Roger Sanders and Dwaine Snow is now available for pre-order at a significant discount.

* New Book: Enterprise Master Data Management
Enterprise Data Management: An SOA Approach to Managing Core Information, now available for preorder, explains how to solve common IT challenges such as information complexity, redundancy, and silos.

* IOD Certification Options and Benefits
IBM invites certification candidates to study now and relax in style later at the members' only Certification Lounge at Information on Demand this October in Las Vegas. The show offers three opportunities to become certified. Check online for free online tutorials, certification guides, and online assessment exams.

5. In the Zone

* Basic text indexing with DB2 index extensions

* Get started using IBM Data Studio Developer with IDS

* XForms and DB2 pureXML

* Enable transport-level security using IBM Data Studio

* Universal Services for pureXML using Data Web Services

* Update: Migrate DB2 applications to a partitioned database

* New options for analyzing lock timeouts in DB2 9.5

* Updated for DB2 9.5: Installing DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows transparently with your application

* Get the most out of IDS optimizer through UPDATE STATISTICS