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# Strongback Consulting

The Mainframe DevOps Experts

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.strongback.us/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [STRONGblog](https://www.strongback.us/strongblog) - STRONGblog: twenty years of z/OS field notes — Endevor to Git migrations, DBB builds, IDz performance tuning, and mainframe CI/CD. Read the latest posts.
- [A Unix Survival Guide for the ISPF Veteran Moving Off Endevor (Part 1: Concepts)](https://www.strongback.us/2026/08/a-unix-survival-guide-for-the-ispf-veteran-moving-off-endevor-part-1-concepts) - If you've spent your career in ISPF, you already have the instincts that matter for DevOps — you just need to remap them. You know how to manage change through a controlled process, you know why naming conventions matter, and you know that a job either runs clean or it doesn't. Unix and Git-based DevOps
- [Writing User Stories within IBM Rational Team Concert](https://www.strongback.us/2016/03/writing-user-stories-within-ibm-rational-team-concert) - First Rule: Write Good User Stories If you are just getting started with writing user stories, I highly recommend Mike Cohn's book User Stories Applied: For Agile Software Development. Perhaps you're coming from a background of writing large use cases. Perhaps you're fresh out of school and not familiar with requirements management. If you're already
- [Book Reviews on Continuous Integration & Delivery](https://www.strongback.us/2012/10/book-reviews-on-continuous-integration-delivery) - Continuous Integration I've recently read a couple of great books on the agile discipline of continuous integration. For those not familiar, this is the concept of using automation to build source code on a very frequent interval, and report defects or failures in the build to the team. The initial movement began after JUnit started
- [Lotus Notes immune to "Here you have" virus](https://www.strongback.us/2010/09/lotus-notes-immune-to-here-you-have-virus) - Yet another $h17#3@0 virus maker has spawned his evil on the world with this recent "Here you have" virus. This is a version of the old Anna Kournikova virus from 2001, which in turn was a similar variant of the "Love Bug" virus in 2000. I was working at marchFIRST (USWeb ) when the love
- [Free training site for IBM D series storage](https://www.strongback.us/2010/05/free-training-site-for-ibm-d-series-storage) - I rarely work with storage systems - I'm a software guy. But on occasion I need to manipulate storage arrays for either performance tuning, or new installations. IBM has a new product group of storage called their "D-series", which is geared toward mid-sized businesses and they've put out a training site to help customers get
- [Regular Expressions explained](https://www.strongback.us/2010/05/regular-expressions-explained) - I've tried to explain this topic in a couple of classes that I teach, but I can do no better than Andrei Zmievski's post on SlideShare. This guy's post is so excellent - it is THE best education source on Regular Expressions that I think I've ever seen. [slideshare id=3932758&doc=regexclinicforslideshare-100501144735-phpapp02] That said, sometimes as a
- [Creating & running software analysis in Rational Software Architect (Software Analyzer)](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/creating-running-software-analysis-in-rational-software-architect-software-analyzer) - Rational Software Architect has a much underutilized feature called Software Analyzer built into the product. It is separately available as its own product. It allows the developer/architect to scan and identify build patterns and anti-patterns in a workspace, working set, or specific project in the developer workspace.These are very helpful to identify potential performance issues.
- [Case Study: Enterprise Architecture](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/case-study-enterprise-architecture) - I'd like to announce that one of my customers has added some more client's of their own. Their business is growing well in this down economy. Its another example of how entrepreneurs can thrive in a recession.They are an Internet startup focused on the green movement. I've listed them as one of our case studies
- [Blackberry Desktop for the Mac now available](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/blackberry-desktop-for-the-mac-now-available) - Blackberry desktop has long been awaited for those Mac users, including my wife who runs on an iMac (and is very happy with it).I would one day like a Mac myself, but there are still so much software that I need from day to day that is restricted (chained) to Windows.For those using Lotus Connections,
- [UPDATE: My presentation at the Rational Conference](https://www.strongback.us/2009/05/update-my-presentation-at-the-rational-conference) - As I blogged earlier, I have am giving a presentation at this year's Rational conference in Orlando. Due to some scheduling shifts, my presentation has been renumbered and moved. I will be presenting on Wednesday June 3rd at 11:15am. Mine will be for generic audiences, but will have some technical details for the geeks like
- [Lotus Notes 8.5 client version-to-version comparison](https://www.strongback.us/2009/02/lotus-notes-8-5-client-version-to-version-comparison) - Lotus Notes 8.5 version to version comparisonView more presentations from Ed Brill. (tags: ibm notes)©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [IBM Announces Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5 is now available!](https://www.strongback.us/2009/01/ibm-announces-lotus-notes-and-domino-8-5-is-now-available) - Yep, you heard it right... here's the scoop.Introducing IBM Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: ibm lotus)©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Moving to Firefox as a corporate policy... a soapbox rant](https://www.strongback.us/2008/09/moving-to-firefox-as-a-corporate-policy-a-soapbox-rant) - I have recently had the great displeasure of using a time and expense application that works only in Internet Explorer 6. The company is Infinite Computer Solutions, and I don't mind using their name because of the frustrations this application has given me and the time its taken from me. The application is so bad
- [Using templates in Eclipse to create micro formats](https://www.strongback.us/2008/08/using-templates-in-eclipse-to-create-micro-formats) - I'm currently reading Transcending CSS: The Fine Art of Web Design. In it I'm finding lots of good design tips, and learning many new HTML elements I've never heard of. The guy is really an excellent writer. This book is right up there with my other favorite The Zen of CSS Design: Visual Enlightenment for
- [Deploying HATS Rich Client Applications](https://www.strongback.us/2007/12/deploying-hats-rich-client-applications) - Saw this come across the IBM support wire. Great information if you are considering using the Rich Client Platform for your HATS applications.For those of you not familiar with Java Web Start (or JWS), it is a Java feature that allows users to install an application dynamically with one click from within their browser. JWS
- [VIM for ISPF Veterans: A Survival Guide](https://www.strongback.us/2026/07/vim-for-ispf-veterans-a-survival-guide) - If you've spent your career in ISPF, the idea of editing a file at a bare shell prompt probably sounds like a step backward. No split screens, no PF keys taped to your muscle memory, no line commands. Just a blinking cursor. Here's the good news: vim isn't a downgrade, it's a different keyboard for
- [z/OS Dataset Considerations for Migrating from Endevor to Git](https://www.strongback.us/2023/10/z-os-dataset-considerations-for-migrating-from-endevor-to-git) - Moving from Endevor to Git with IBM DBB is the right time to reevaluate your z/OS dataset locations and naming conventions. Here is what to consider.
- [How to automate the licensing of IDz with a P2 installation](https://www.strongback.us/2023/03/how-to-automate-the-licensing-of-idz-with-a-p2-installation) - Automate IDz license configuration in a P2 installation so developer rollout stays hands-off — the follow-up to our P2 install guide for IDz 15 and 16.
- [4 immediate actions you need to take in any new Jazz environment.](https://www.strongback.us/2023/03/4-immediate-actions-you-need-to-take-in-any-new-jazz-environment) - Standing up a new IBM ELM (Jazz) environment? Four actions to take immediately across the suite — from Workflow Management to Rhapsody Model Management.
- [What's the difference between IDz, IDzEE and ADFz?](https://www.strongback.us/2023/10/whats-the-difference-between-idz-idzee-and-adfz) - IDz, IDzEE, and ADFz overlap — but they aren't the same product. A Venn-diagram tour of IBM's developer bundles, so you know what your company actually bought.
- [What is the amount of memory I need to run IDz?](https://www.strongback.us/2023/10/what-is-the-amount-of-memory-i-need-to-run-idz) - How much memory does IBM Developer for z/OS really need? Why the default 8 GB desktop or VM lags, and what to assign so IDz and the OS both have room.
- [Three tricks to drastically improve the performance of IBM Developer for z/OS](https://www.strongback.us/2024/07/three-tricks-to-drastically-improve-the-performance-of-ibm-developer-for-z-os) - Three fixes that drastically improve IBM Developer for z/OS performance on resource-constrained machines — from someone who's spent too long waiting on hangs.
- [Why does my z/OS code look like gibberish with git?](https://www.strongback.us/2024/11/why-does-my-z-os-code-look-like-gibberish-with-git) - If your z/OS code looks like gibberish in Git, you migrated with the wrong code page or forgot .gitattributes. How EBCDIC-to-UTF-8 conversion actually works.
- [Get better performance with a 2 stage COBOL compile process in a DevOps model](https://www.strongback.us/2025/06/get-better-performance-with-a-2-stage-cobol-compile-process-in-a-devops-model) - Migrating from a legacy mainframe SCM to Git and DBB? Revisit your COBOL compile parameters — a two-stage compile process can win back real build time.
- [How not to screw up your z/OS Unix File System structure](https://www.strongback.us/2026/06/how-not-to-screw-up-your-z-os-unix-file-system-structure) - A field guide to sane z/OS Unix System Services file systems: mount points, directory conventions, and the mistakes that make USS painful a decade later.
- [Why do I have these README.md files? What's a .md file?](https://www.strongback.us/2026/07/why-do-i-have-these-readme-md-files-whats-a-md-file) - What are these README.md files in your new Git repository? A mainframer's introduction to Markdown, and why it replaced scattered Word documents.
- [Use Eclipse P2 director to silently and rapidly install IBM Developer Tools](https://www.strongback.us/2023/01/use-eclipse-p2-director-to-silently-and-rapidly-install-ibm-developer-tools) - IBM Installation Manager has been the workhorse for managing the installation of many IBM desktop tools including IBM Developer for z/OS, WebSphere Application Server, and others as well as manage desktop authorized user licenses. IBM has recently been supporting Eclipse P2 style installs, which allow you to use the Eclipse Help > Install New Software
- [Accelerate FTP uploads to zD&T](https://www.strongback.us/2022/11/accelerate-ftp-uploads-to-zdt) - When uploadding to an IBM zD&T system, you may experience painfully slow upload times. I've had 5MB files take 30 minutes to upload. After much digging, I discovered a quick fix. Run the following command on the Linux host. In my case it was Ubuntu: ethtool -K eno1 gro off Ethtool is used for querying
- [IDz Hidden Gems – LPEX Line Mod Annotations](https://www.strongback.us/2022/05/idz-hidden-gems-lpex-line-mod-annotations) - When you make code changes to files – typically COBOL, JCL, or PL/I program source, IDz marks the changed line(s) with light-gray rectangles in the left Annotations/frame area of your editor pane (See Figure 1). This Annotations area is a white vertical bar immediately to the left of the Prefix Area. Note also that the
- [IDz Hidden Gems – the Benefits of Bookmarks](https://www.strongback.us/2022/05/idz-hidden-gems-the-benefits-of-bookmarks) - Not everyone pounds code 8, 10, 12 hours/day – at least not all the time. And when you’re not typing you’re thinking/analyzing – and when you’re studying COBOL or PL/I (or Assembler) applications there will be occasions aplenty where you’re on the hunt for something – and need (momentarily) to go somewhere else -be it
- [Setup for IDz Rollout Success](https://www.strongback.us/2022/05/setup-for-idz-rollout-success) - High level steps The stages in a successful IBM Developer for z/OS Rollout traditionally consist of the following steps: Product work (both server and client):InstallationCustomization and integration:ServerClient tooling:WorkspaceConnectionsPreferencesProperty Groupsz/OS File MappingMenu ManagerSnippets/TemplatesCode ReviewTestingFunctionPerformance (stress testing)SCM integration:ProductsProcessesTraining – if migratingDeveloper environment transition:Critical CLIST and REXX access from IDzTraining based on customizationClient toolingMenu Manager (shop specific CLIST
- [How do I import a GoDaddy SSL Cert into an IBM HTTP Server keystore?](https://www.strongback.us/2021/11/how-do-i-import-a-godaddy-ssl-cert-into-an-ibm-http-server-keystore) - When you get a new SSL certificate from GoDaddy, you likely will a zip file that includes multiple CRT files and a PEM file. These are the raw Certificate Request, GoDaddy root CA and intermediate CA certs, as well as the private key for the actual certificate. WHen using Apache, you typically would use the
- [How healthy is your z/OS on zD&T? (How to monitor z/OS Health)](https://www.strongback.us/2021/04/how-healthy-is-your-z-os-on-zdt-how-to-monitor-z-os-health) - A good systems programmer should generally know how to monitor the health of his or her z/OS system. However, if you're using z/OS Development and Test (ZD&T), you're likely a developer with only the basic skills. Fortunately, the product comes with Health Checker for z/OS, and it should be configured to run out of the
- [How to enable licensing in IBM Developer for z/OS and ADFz](https://www.strongback.us/2021/04/how-to-enable-licensing-in-ibm-developer-for-z-os-and-adfz) - Overview IDz is offered in three different packaging options. Overall, its the exact same client, but the licensing differs considerably. First, let's discuss how these packages flesh out: IBM Developer for z/OS This is the "base" edition, and is common for smaller companies (well, smaller compared to say a global bank). It includes editing, analysis
- [Make z/OS debugging easier with the IBM Debugger Profile Service](https://www.strongback.us/2021/03/make-z-os-debugging-easier-with-the-ibm-debugger-profile-service) - A debugger profile is a type of configuration that allows a developer to debug a program under certain conditions. There are two debugger profiles types: non-CICS, and CICS. For CICS, it is a DTCN profile. Many developers have used the DTCN transaction for years to setup a debugging session between IDz, and the debugger once
- [Make Your z/OS Deployments Failproof With Urbancode Agent Pools](https://www.strongback.us/2020/12/make-your-z-os-deployments-failproof-with-urbancode-agent-pools) - If you're using UCD in a large z/OS mainframe environment, and want to take advantage of agent pools, there are some "gotchas" you need to be aware of. What are agent pools? An agent pool is a group of Urbancode started tasks (BUZAGNT) running on more than one z/OS LPAR. These agents respond to deployment
- [Copy an application process in UCD quickly from one project to another](https://www.strongback.us/2020/09/copy-an-application-process-in-ucd-quickly-from-one-project-to-another) - Here's the scenario: You've got an application process in one project area for IBM Urbancode Deploy. Its taken time to develop, and you've spent many hours debugging it. Then you realize you don't have a "copy" feature for an application process. Ooops. Now you're worried you've got to hand build the process in other project
- [Get Productive! Enable Filter Pools in IDz to Organize Your Datasets Better](https://www.strongback.us/2020/09/use-filter-pools-in-idz-to-organize-your-filters) - If you've been using IDz for a while, you're surely familiar with filters when browsing your MVS, JES, or Unix subsystems. If you've gotten to the point that you have to scroll up and down to view all your filters, you're likely in need of turning on Filter Pools. A z/OS system can have hundreds,
- [Time to upgrade your IBM Jazz environment to 7.0!](https://www.strongback.us/2020/03/time-to-upgrade-your-ibm-jazz-environment-to-7-0) - IBM has released its updated Jazz platforms, and in the process rebranded most of the tools. As of this writing you can now download the updated parts from Passport Advantage, but Jazz.net will be available for download shortly. The products have been rebranded as follows: The brand changes were announced last year, and detailed here:
- [Managing Websphere Plugin Config Files](https://www.strongback.us/2019/10/managing-websphere-plugin-config-files) - In some recent customers we've had to install various IBM CLM components on different servers to balance workload for a large user base. When doing this, you need to route traffic through a proxy HTTP server. We've touched on why you need to use an HTTP server before, and remain adamant about it. IBM also
- [Understanding how GitHub fits in a mainframe DevOps toolchain.](https://www.strongback.us/2019/09/understanding-how-github-fits-in-a-mainframe-devops-toolchain) - If you work on a mainframe, you've almost certainly heard of CA Endeavor, Serena Changeman, IBM SCLM, or Panvalet Librarian. All of which are legacy source code management systems that have been used for decades. Those SCM's simply cannot compete with the features of modern SCM's as we detailed previously. Perhaps your distributed development teams
- [Setting up IBM Jazz based tools for Token Licensing](https://www.strongback.us/2019/08/setting-up-ibm-jazz-based-tools-for-token-licensing) - I've recently worked with a customer who could not find good documentation on how to apply token licenses to his Rational Team Concert server. Here are some concise instructions on how to handle this as the Knowledge center is rather sparse on this topic. This topic applies to several products including: Rational Team Concert (soon
- [Installing IBM HTTP Server from an Archive](https://www.strongback.us/2019/05/new-installing-ibm-http-server-from-an-archive) - IBM now offers a new and much easier way to install IBM HTTP Server. You can now download IHS as an archive from IBM's fix central. This is available for 9.0.0.6 and above, and is a super fast way to install/setup an HTTP server that properly front ends a WebSphere environment.Installing is as simple as:
- [Cheap ways to secure your server](https://www.strongback.us/2019/04/cheap-ways-to-secure-your-server) - Before you read too far, this article is for the average small to medium sized business. Most large organizations have dedicated security staff that likely already knows these tactics, but that's not to say they may not learn something here or there. Everyone seems to have a silver bullet for securing your infrastructure. The truth
- [Launching a Debug Session for an Existing Module on z/OS](https://www.strongback.us/2019/03/launching-a-debug-session-for-an-existing-module-on-z-os) - Using IBM Developer for z Systems you can debug any language on the mainframe. For those who have taken Jon Sayle's classes before, you know you can use IDz to generate JCL that will compile, link, and debug your code. The JCL is generated from a property group. However, what do you do if you
- [How to poison a blockchain, and how to prevent it.](https://www.strongback.us/2019/02/how-to-poison-a-blockchain-and-how-to-prevent-it) - This week, the Gizmodo reported that child porn images were uploadedto the Bitcoin Satoshi Vision (BSV) core ledger through the payment processing app Money Button. https://gizmodo.com/someone-uploaded-child-pornography-to-a-blockchain-ledg-1832398480 Blockchain is the underlying technology behind Bitcoin, but can be used for far more than just currency trading. The Hyperledger project is an open source project sponsored by several
- [Setting up auto start and stop for IBM CLM tools on Windows](https://www.strongback.us/2019/01/setting-up-auto-start-and-stop-for-ibm-clm-tools-on-windows) - We've blogged before about starting the CLM components on Linux/Unix. Now let's talk about staring it (and stopping it) on Windows platforms. The vast majority of the servers we deploy to are Linux. It's just plain easy to install and configure everything via command line (certainly after many years of experience). However, Windows is (are?)
- [Using Filter Pools in IBM Developer for z Systems (IDz)](https://www.strongback.us/2018/12/using-filter-pools-in-ibm-developer-for-z-systems-idz) - What are Filters? Filters are used to display groups or subsets of data sets in the MVS subsystem. Filters can be setup to show all or a portion of datasets within a high level qualifier. They can also be configured to have multiple filter strings such that they can display datasets or portions of datasets
- [Saving code to an HTML file in IBM Developer for z or IBM i](https://www.strongback.us/2018/10/saving-code-to-an-html-file-in-ibm-developer-for-z-or-ibm-i) - During some courseware authoring I discovered a poorly known (but sufficiently documented) feature in Rational Developer for IBM i (and also available in IBM Developer for System z). Both tools use the LPEX editor as the default editor for source (although IDz has dedicated editors for COBOL, JCL, PL/I, and C/C++). The LPEX editor has
- [7 Reasons why your Mainframe needs a modern source code management system](https://www.strongback.us/2018/09/7-reasons-why-your-mainframe-needs-a-modern-source-code-management-system) - Break down the silos Mainframe development does not and should not be that much different from distributed development. There is a strong desire to modernize the development and operations of mainframe systems (zDevOps), to increase business agility, improve customer satisfaction, accelerate business value delivery, and to improve developer job satisfaction. One of the areas to
- [Automating RTC Source Promotions from Urbancode Deploy](https://www.strongback.us/2018/08/automating-rtc-source-promotions-from-urbancode-deploy) - In a recent project for a z/OS customer, we had to create some custom scripts to kick off a Rational Team Concert Promotion definition. This is a special type of build definition found in the RTC Enterprise Extensions, and is used for promoting change sets from one stream to another, by their attachments to work
- [Updating the SSL/TSL Security Certificates for WebSphere Liberty Under IBM CLM Tools](https://www.strongback.us/2018/07/updating-the-ssl-tsl-security-certificates-for-websphere-liberty-under-ibm-clm-tools) - Why you should change the default certificates? If you are a user of IBM Rational Team Concert, DOORs Next Generation, Quality Manager, Design Manger, or Engineering Lifecycle Manager, you likely have seen the issue with the browser stating "Your connection is not private", and red error showing in the browser URL as 'Not Secure'. If
- [How to Fix the Mysterious Global Configuration Management Error in jts.log or ccm.log](https://www.strongback.us/2018/06/how-to-fix-the-mysterious-global-configuration-management-error-in-jts-log-or-ccm-log) - I recently ran across an issue, one that was low priority, but nagging like a gnat on a hot summer day. I kept seeing these entries in the log files: ERROR ervice.internal.GlobalConfigurationCacheUpdateTask - [operationId=976] com.ibm.team.jfs.app.http.HttpServiceUnavailableException: Unable to discover the GC service, which might indicate that Global Configuration Management is not set up in JTS. Please
- [Securing SSL communication between Rational Team Concert and Urbancode Deploy](https://www.strongback.us/2018/06/securing-ssl-communication-between-rational-team-concert-and-urbancode-deploy) - The Business Scenario We recently had a challenge where a customer needed full end-to-end SSL/TLS encryption for communcation between IBM Team Concert, and Urbancode Deploy. They are a z/OS Mainframe customer implementing these tools for continuous Integration / continuous deployment operations. Team Concert in this case, handles dependency build (compilation) of z/OS source code (COBOL,
- [11 Team Concert Behaviors You Should Use for Enterprise Extension (z/OS) Projects](https://www.strongback.us/2018/05/11-team-concert-behaviors-you-should-use-for-enterprise-extension-z-os-projects) - We have worked with several customers in the past few years, and have come to a general consensus on the minimum operation behaviors that should be enabled in your Team Concert project. These that we have listed are in additional to any you may already have (rather than a replacement of them). These also do
- [Adding Compiler Feedback Information to Team Concert z/OS Dependency Builds](https://www.strongback.us/2018/04/adding-compiler-feedback-information-to-team-concert-z-os-dependency-builds) - In Rational Team Concert's build functionality, there is capability to show the build compilation report. This is available by a simple checkbox for Java type builds, but in z/OS dependency builds, it requires some additional configuration to get it working property. A compilaton report can show errors and warnings that occured durring the compile. It
- [Systemd Unit file for Rational CLM and Team Concert](https://www.strongback.us/2018/03/systemd-unit-file-for-rational-clm-and-team-concert) - Linux is a very popular platform to run the IBM CLM tools on (i.e. Quality Manger, Team Concert, DOORs NG, etc). However, out of the box, there is not a built in autostart feature for the platform. Naturally, you want this to autostart in a production environment. Here is a handy systemd unit file. First,
- [FAQs for Runnnng Rational Team Concert on DB2 for z/OS Database](https://www.strongback.us/2018/02/rtc-on-db2z) - Strongback works with many large mainframe customers, in the financial services, government, insurance, and manufacturing sectors. We've been involved in quite a few migrations from various SCM systems to Rational Team Concert. Most of these customers choose to run Team Concert with a DB2 backend running on z/OS (DB2z). As such, we often run into the
- [Powershell script to create folders based on week ending date](https://www.strongback.us/2018/01/powershell-script-to-create-folders-based-on-week-ending-date) - We are frequently on projects subcontracted by IBM. As such, we have to submit our time and expenses for each week which ends on Friday's in IBM's time tracking system. Sometimes we have multiple projects going on at the same time and every Friday afternoon (or Sunday evening depending upon travel and general motivation), I
- [Sharing and exporting IBM Developer for z Systems settings and preferences](https://www.strongback.us/2018/01/sharing-and-exporting-ibm-developer-for-z-systems-settings-and-preferences) - IDz, being based on Eclipse, shares much of the same capabilities to share, export, and import user preferences. There are several ways to share user based data, and in this post, we cover the most common options that can or should be shared among multiple developers using IDz. We recommend using a Wiki (or Connections,
- [Why you need to front end your CLM servers with an HTTP Server](https://www.strongback.us/2017/12/why-you-need-to-front-end-your-clm-servers-with-an-http-server) - Don't run your CLM Servers without an HTTP Server All too often I run into organizations who have started with IBM Rational Team Concert and some other consultant has setup their servers without an HTTP server. Invariably they run into the same issues over and over again. Its a simple step to setup this up.
- [What do I need to install on my z/OS for IDz and RTC to work?](https://www.strongback.us/2017/09/what-do-i-need-to-install-on-my-zos-for-idz-and-rtc-to-work) - We were asked by a customer on what components need to be installed on their z/OS LPAR for their deployment IBM Developer for z Systems (IDz). They are also integrating with Rational Team Concert, which as a result, has some additional z/OS pieces to be installed. These are all SMP/e based installs. I get this
- [Keep your IBM WebSphere and Rational products updated with this easy command line](https://www.strongback.us/2017/08/keep-your-ibm-websphere-and-rational-products-updated-with-this-easy-command-line) - Need to keep your IBM IDE's updated consistently? You can easily do this through automating the IBM Installation Manger's command line interface. You can put this into a Window's task Update All via Command Line This is stupid simple to do. First, make sure you have all instances of the IBM or Rational IDE products
- [Supporting the Boy Scouts of America](https://www.strongback.us/2017/08/supporting-the-boy-scouts-of-america) - This is a change in previous types of content, and this post is about one of our favorite charities and youth groups: the BSA. This fall as your children are starting back to school, you might have some extra curricular activities in mind for them to peruse. Sure, there is little league football, basketball, baseball
- [The success of Agile's concept of self-organizing teams can be traced back to Austrian economics](https://www.strongback.us/2017/08/agile-and-self-organizing-teams-are-a-derivative-austrian-economics) - The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams. This is one of the twelve principles behind the Agile Manifesto, and is a key step in changing the culture in an organization as it moves to Agile development and other DevOps principles. This is not a new concept however. Although it has been studied on
- [Understanding SAFe Work In Progress Limits](https://www.strongback.us/2017/07/understanding-safe-work-in-progress-limits) - What is WIP? WIP stands for Work In Progress. Limiting your work in progress is a concept of Scaled Agile Framework or SAFe. By limiting your WIP, you force your team to focus on completing existing tasks before starting new tasks or requirements in the project. Let's start with an analogy: the "honey-do list". Its
- [WebSphere App Server 7 support ends in April 2018](https://www.strongback.us/2017/07/websphere-app-server-7-support-ends-in-april-2018) - If you are currently running IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) on version 7, you have until April of 2018 to upgrade. After that, IBM will no longer offer you support (other than to tell you to upgrade). However there hundreds of custom ISV solutions that have not yet been certified for new versions of the
- [Team Concert 6.0.4: New Horizontal Clustering Features](https://www.strongback.us/2017/06/team-concert-6-0-4-new-horizontal-clustering-features) - CLM Clustering is Dead! Anyone who has worked on WebSphere App server certainly should be familiar with the deployment manager and cluster typologies. One would have thought that since RTC is a Java application, that the native WAS clustering would be a perfect fit. Unfortunately, it was not. Team concert ended support for horizontal clustering
- [Impediments to Agile Adoption](https://www.strongback.us/2017/05/impediments-to-agile-adoption) - We help our customers implement software using Agile methods and a DevOps approach. These notes have been growing as we've worked with more and more customers. I expect to have more in the future as well, but these several items are recurring issues I see time and time again. Hopefully, even if you are not one
- [Implementing Push-to-Client for IBM Developer for z](https://www.strongback.us/2017/04/implementing-rdz-push-to-client) - At a recent customer, we had the opportunity to implement RDz' Push-to-Client (P2C) functionality. Discussions were had with the customer on the best way to distribute common settings and customizations for RDz among the user community and P2C was the winner. P2C functionality involves creating a customized workspace, exporting that workspace to USS on
- [Performance Testing the Rational Build Agent](https://www.strongback.us/2017/03/performance-testing-the-rational-build-agent) - On a recent project where we were implementing Rational Team Concert for a large z/OS shop, we were requested for performance metrics for the Rational Build Agent (BLZBFA). The amount of data on existing metics is sparse, but there is some information in the Jazz Deployment Wiki. I found a great article on setting up
- [A Rosetta Stone for IBM's Jargon and Acronyms](https://www.strongback.us/2016/08/a-rosetta-stone-for-ibms-jargon-and-acronyms) - This list is by no means complete (that would take weeks to compile). This list is constructed based on our past several months experience on IBM engagements and customers implementing IBM DevOps software. We will likely update this list well into the future. CCM = The Change and Configuration Management application running on WebSphere
- [5 Tips to Accelerate Adoption of Rational Developer for System z](https://www.strongback.us/2016/07/5-tips-to-accelerate-adoption-of-rational-developer-for-system-z) - Reasoning We've been involved in several large scale deployments of Rational Developer for System z. The product is an incredible piece of software that can drastically improve software development productivity. It also will drastically change your development organization's culture (usually for the better). However to have the best culture change, you need to be prepared
- [Easy way to manage a developer's prioritized daily backlog](https://www.strongback.us/2016/06/easy-way-to-manage-a-developers-prioritized-daily-backlog) - The central tenant of any good Agile methodology is a prioritized daily task list. Even if you are not a developer, you'll see this concept in business, such as in the Franklin-Covey time management series, or David Allen's GTD. Its all about breaking up large tasks into achievable chunks, and timeboxing your work in progress
- [What do the various link types in Rational Team Concert mean?](https://www.strongback.us/2016/06/what-do-the-various-link-types-in-rational-team-concert-mean) - In an RTC work item, on the links tab, you'll notice several types of links you can create. When getting started with RTC, its difficult to know what link type to create. If the project area you are using is a LifeCycle project linked to an RQM and DNG project, you'll find even more link
- [Stop manual deployment or scripting deployments to WebSphere App Server - there is a better way](https://www.strongback.us/2016/05/stop-manual-deployment-or-scripting-deployments-to-websphere-app-server-there-is-a-better-way) - Manual deployments suckLets face it, we've all had the "deployment weekend" nightmare. You plan for a half day of deployment, but it ends up turning into a day and half of wasted time because you've either missed something, deployed the wrong version, set the wrong environment parameter, or a late defect showed up that QA
- [Easy peasy cross project linking and traceability in IBM CLM (RTC, DOORs, and RQM)](https://www.strongback.us/2016/04/easy-peasy-cross-project-linking-and-traceability-in-ibm-clm-rtc-doors-and-rqm) - For years, you've probably heard about "traceability", that mysterious shangri-la that are read about in case studies. Well, obtaining traceability is not rocket science in IBM's CLM tools. This video below shows you how to set it up at an atomic level, meaning, between specific artifacts between the three CLM applications. In a nutshell, you
- [Configuring Release Numbers in Rational Team Concert](https://www.strongback.us/2016/04/configuring-release-numbers-in-rational-team-concert) - The defect work item in Team Concert has a attribute labeled "Found In". This field is not populated by default, and often causes confusion for new users. The intention for this field is to tell the development which release the defect was found in. Thus it's important to understand, that RTC will certainly not know
- [Strongback Website Update: new Devops solutions](https://www.strongback.us/2016/04/strongback-website-update-new-devops-solutions) - We have finally updated our website to address the services we've actually been doing over the past few years. For so long, we've neglected the content on the website, frankly, because we were too busy. Now, after a couple of weeks of intensive work, we finally have content that reflects what we really do and
- [InterConnect 2016: Tips for Developing and Testing IBM HATS Applications](https://www.strongback.us/2016/03/interconnect-2016-tips-for-developing-and-testing-ibm-hats-applications) - This is from our presentation at the InterConnect 2016 conference in Las Vegas, February 2016.IBM Rational Host Access Transformation Services (HATS) can dynamically transform your terminal-based applications into rich web pages. It is highly customizable and built on Java EE technology. We discussed some lessons learned from a very (very) complex HATS engagement. We also
- [Creating and Sharing Work Item Queries in Rational Team Concert](https://www.strongback.us/2016/03/creating-and-sharing-work-item-queries-in-rational-team-concert) - Rational Team Concert uses work items as the "glue" to bind various artifacts together. It links source code change sets to tasks, tasks to user stories, defects to test plans, stories to requirements. Work item queries allow you to easily create repeatable searches into the RTC system for just about any work item type and
- [Video: Creating and using personal dashboards in IBM Team Concert](https://www.strongback.us/2016/03/video-creating-and-using-personal-dashboards-in-ibm-team-concert) - This video was requested by a customer to show their employees how to create a personal dashboard from a project area. These videos are in the public domain by intention, and thus our ability to share it with you. In this situation, we created a custom dashboard template in the project area's configuration. Widgets were
- [Lessons in how NOT to implement IBM DevOps tools (Antipatterns)](https://www.strongback.us/2016/02/lessons-in-how-not-to-implement-ibm-devops-tools-antipatterns) - This week we presented at the IBM InterConnect conference in Vegas. This was information compiled from multiple customer engagements over the past few years. Patterns and Antipatterns for Adopting IBM DevOps Ttools from Strongback Consulting If you are looking to implement the IBM platform as your Application Lifecycle Management platform of choice, and need help
- [What does it mean to "Shift Left"?](https://www.strongback.us/2016/02/what-does-it-mean-to-shift-left) - If you are at IBM InterConnect, you'll frequently hear the phrase "shift left". Its meaning may go over your head at first, but here is what it means.Everyone has heard this before, but the latter in the development cycle a defect is caught, the more expensive it is to fix. In the chart above, as
- [Our sessions at IBM InterConnect 2016](https://www.strongback.us/2016/02/our-sessions-at-ibm-interconnect-2016) - For those of you going to IBM InterConnect next week, we will be presenting the following sessions. Session ScheduleNumberTitleWhereWhen2365APatterns and Antipatterns for Adopting IBM DevOps ToolsMandalay Bay SOUTH - Surf Ballroom AWed, 24-Feb 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM2381ATips for Developing and Testing IBM Host Access Transformation Services ApplicationsMandalay Bay SOUTH - Surf Ballroom AMon, 22-Feb 10:30
- [Anti-pattern: Using the IBM Rational Jazz Tools in Place of a Help Desk Suite](https://www.strongback.us/2015/10/anti-pattern-using-the-ibm-rational-jazz-tools-in-place-of-a-help-desk-suite) - A common anti-pattern for the Jazz tools (RTC, RQM, and DNG) is using them in place of a true help desk application. Help desk apps are designed to handle the recording of calls to the desk, categorizing the problems, and assisting the call agent with remediating those problems. In some cases a help desk system
- [How to Install IBM DevOps tools with IBM Packaging Utility and Installation Manager](https://www.strongback.us/2015/08/how-to-install-ibm-devops-tools-with-ibm-packaging-utility-and-installation-manager) - IBM has an extensive catalog of desktop products, especially for application and database development. Some of those tools offer features and functions that can only be realized when combined with another product. In such cases, the products need to be installed into the same Eclipse package. This presentation shows you how to combine, deploy, and
- [Unpacking IBM Software from Passport Advantage the easy way](https://www.strongback.us/2015/08/unpacking-ibm-software-from-passport-advantage-the-easy-way) - Some of the IBM software can include multiple multi-gigabyte files, all of which are required for installation. IBM Rational Application Developer is good example. Using the normal windows unzip functionality can make for a bit of a tangled mess of a download directory if you're not careful. I've been working with this software for over
- [Using JUnit to unit test IBM Rational HATS applications](https://www.strongback.us/2015/07/using-junit-to-unit-test-ibm-rational-hats-applications) - Why unit testing?Any developer worth their salt, uses unit tests to validate that their code satisfies the task or tasks the code is supposed to do. Unit testing encourages modular development. Junit for Java was one the first and certainly the most well known. Other frameworks for other languages have popped up all over the
- [Strongback Presentations at IBM InterConnect 2015](https://www.strongback.us/2015/02/strongback-presentations-at-ibm-interconnect-2015) - Strongback will be hosting two presentations this year. These are in the DevOps tracks, and in the Mandalay Bay side of the conference. DAX-5162 : C-ing is Believing: Being Smart about C/C++ Development on AIX and Linux Session Type : Meet the ExpertsDate/Time : Tuesday Feb 24, 12 -12:50 PM (Pacific Time)Venue : Mandalay Bay Expo HallRoom : Dev Ops & CE
- [Making IBM Rational HATS A Strategic Investment](https://www.strongback.us/2014/10/making-ibm-rational-hats-a-strategic-investment) - Here is another presentation we did a the IBM Innovate conference in June 2014. Using HATS to create web services from 5250 or 3270 terminal applications is a common use case for HATS. You can also consume services either in the interface (i.e. RESTful or JSON), or through HATS macros or Business Logic (i.e. custom HATS
- [13 steps you need to take to improve your web site performance](https://www.strongback.us/2014/10/13-steps-you-need-to-take-to-improve-your-web-site-performance) - Consolidate your CSSThere is no reason to have more than 3 stylesheets in your application (with a few notable exceptions). In most cases, 1 will suffice. If you have a CSS for every page, you are doing it very very wrong. CSS should be reused across multiple pages. If the page is supposed to have
- [Fighting spam and hackers with FIRE(walls): How to reduce contact form SPAM.](https://www.strongback.us/2014/09/fighting-spam-and-hackers-with-firewalls-how-to-reduce-contact-form-spam) - We've been having a hell of a time with Salesforce contact form spam as of late. Its been littered with junk about cheap Air Jordans, Louis Vitton bags, and other assorted hijack links. In the course of a week, we could have as many as 300 new "leads", all of which were spam, and that
- [IBM Innovate 2014: How to become a Rational Developer for IBM i Power User](https://www.strongback.us/2014/06/ibm-innovate-2014-how-to-become-a-rational-developer-for-ibm-i-power-user) - Moving from SEU/PDM to Rational Developer for i?This month we presented at the annual IBM Innovate Conference in Orlando several topics on the various IBM Rational tools. Rational Developer for i (RDi) is the IDE of choice for editing, verifying, analyzing, and managing RPG, COBOL, and C/C++ on the IBM i (i.e the AS/400). If
- [The Caffeinated Mainframer: Using Java on IBM z/OS to build enterprise Java apps](https://www.strongback.us/2014/05/the-caffeinated-mainframer-using-java-on-ibm-zos-to-build-enterprise-java-apps) - At last year's IBM Innovate Conference (formerly the Rational Software Developer's Conference), we presented this deck about using Java on the z/OS mainframe. Since that time there have been a couple of major releases of the IBM Rational Developer for Enterprise product and at this year's conference there will be extensive coverage of version 9.1
- [CFO's: Do you bear criminal negligence in not updating your developer workstations?](https://www.strongback.us/2014/02/cfos-do-you-bear-criminal-negligence-in-not-updating-your-developer-workstations) - Why is your company dragging its feet to update the corporate desktops or laptops? If you are a CFO, or CIO, you are not getting the most out of your application developers, software engineers, and systems administrators. In fact, you're paying your staff to watch progress bars. You are also more likely to lose the
- [Using rectangle selection style in Rational Developer for System z](https://www.strongback.us/2014/01/using-rectangle-selection-style-in-rational-developer-for-system-z) - I came across this almost by accident when teaching RDz to a customer recently. He wanted to know if RDz can do "column editing" like another text editor he uses, to which I replied "what's that?". After he described it it sound like the rectangle selection within the tool, which I knew could change a
- [Innovate 2013: Software Archaeology on the Mainframe with IBM Rational Tools](https://www.strongback.us/2013/12/innovate-2013-software-archaeology-on-the-mainframe-with-ibm-rational-tools) - Another posting of ours from this past year's IBM Innovate Conference, and mentioned on the Mainframe Insights blog. Software Archaeology with RDz and RAA from Strongback Consulting ©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [New JES features in Rational Developer for System z 9.0.1](https://www.strongback.us/2013/12/new-jes-features-in-rational-developer-for-system-z-9-0-1) - Job Entry SystemThe JES now shows the return code of completed jobs. This saves you significant time in tracking down which job completed, which abended, and which had other issues. You will see this in the JES filters.Also for JES, you can now resubmit directly from the context menu.Ordinarily you would just open the JCL,
- [Best practices in rolling out Rational Developer for i, and Rational Developer for AIX and Linux](https://www.strongback.us/2013/10/best-practices-in-rolling-out-rational-developer-for-i-and-rational-developer-for-aix-and-linux) - In june we presented on these best practices based on our expertise and experience in deployment to our clients. This is by no means a complete picture, and will certainly vary by client. However, once you read the presentation, you should have a better understanding about how best to roll out the clients. IBM i
- [Deploying Time Sheet Tracking to SCRUM Projects in Rational TeamConcert](https://www.strongback.us/2013/09/deploying-time-sheet-tracking-to-scrum-projects-in-rational-teamconcert) - Rational Team Concert gets more and more traction in the industry. It is a collaborative application lifecycle management product that allows a team of developers, project managers, designers, testers, analysts, executives, and stakeholders to work in unison. It works in harmony with other DevOps concepts such as:Continuous Release and DeploymentContinuous TestingApplication Monitoring and OptimizationIt is
- [Helpful commands to manage RD&T z/OS instance from the linux command line](https://www.strongback.us/2013/08/helpful-commands-to-manage-rdt-zos-instance-from-the-linux-command-line) - If you are using the Rational Development and Test product, you are likely in one of two camps: 1) you are a systems programmer with minimal linux expertise, or 2), you are a linux admin with nominal z/OS experience. Certainly there are people who are gurus at both, but those are rare birds indeed.You can
- [Making IBM Rational HATS a Strategic Investment](https://www.strongback.us/2013/06/making-ibm-rational-hats-a-strategic-investment-2) - This year at the IBM Innovate conference we presented several topics. One of which was on HATS web services and RDBMS integration points with the product. In the presentation we cover details on creating a web service from a System i 5250 application using nothing but the HATS macro and web service wizards. [slideshare id=22924090&doc=makinghatsastrategicinvestment-pwr1212-130613094949-phpapp02]As
- [The 2013 Newbies Guide to Attending IBM Innovate Conference in Orlando](https://www.strongback.us/2013/05/the-2013-newbies-guide-to-attending-ibm-innovate-conference-in-orlando) - In preparation for the IBM Innovate conference starting this June, I've put together some helpful advice to newcomers who've not been to one of the conferences before. By no means is this a complete list, nor is it an official list. Its MY list. Enjoy:What to bringCLOTHING: Well, first off, this is Florida. I live here and
- [A basic-no-frills Linux Survival Guide](https://www.strongback.us/2013/02/a-basic-no-frills-linux-survival-guide) - So you decide to take a stroll into the cool winds of the data center, only to find yourself surrounded by these towering, blinking, Linux machines. You realize you need to placate these hot breathing daemons, if only you had some shell script mojo. Well, here is a little guide to help you survive until
- [Rational Development and Test boot process and helpful tips](https://www.strongback.us/2013/02/rational-development-and-test-boot-process-and-helpful-tips) - Rational Development and Test (or RD&T for short), is a virtualized instance of a z/OS mainframe operating system running on a Linux host, on a normal Intel based CPU. We're assuming that you might already be familiarized with it with this article.When starting the RD&T box, you should be using a linux startup script to
- [Using the Problem Determination Tools Lookup View in RDz](https://www.strongback.us/2012/12/using-the-problem-determination-tools-lookup-view-in-rdz) - This is a view that does not get mentioned enough in the training exercises we do, so we're mentioning it here for posterity's sake. If you're working with a job and trying to understand where your batch job has failed, or if you're trying to understand an ABEND, there is a built in lookup tool
- [Refactoring COBOL with RDz](https://www.strongback.us/2012/09/refactoring-cobol-with-rdz) - What is refactoring?Refactoring has long been a discipline of the agile development world. Wikipedia defines refactoring as:"A disciplined technique for restructuring an existing body of code, altering its internal structure without changing its external behavior.... [and its] advantages include improved code readability and reduced complexity to improve the maintainability of the source code, as well
- [Mapping the CTRL key in the Host Connection Emulator of RDz](https://www.strongback.us/2012/09/mapping-the-ctrl-key-in-the-host-connection-emulator-of-rdz) - I get this question often. Yes, you can map your control (CTRL) key on your keyboard to a specific function such as ENTER or RESET in the HCE of RDz.Open your workbench preferences (Window - Preferences). Go to General > Keys > Host Connection Control Keys. You can then map the keys to specific keyboard
- [Getting started with Rational Team Concert's Enterprise Extensions for System z and i](https://www.strongback.us/2012/09/getting-started-with-rational-team-concerts-enterprise-extensions-for-system-z-and-i) - Rational Team Concert (RTC) is gaining in popularity these days, and we are certainly seeing more and more of it in our business. RTC provides several benefits and features that span development silos. Traditionally, an IT shop would have a different SCM and build system for distributed systems, more for .NET, and yet something completely
- [Fun times: Software Archaeology with Rational Developer for System Z 8.5](https://www.strongback.us/2012/08/fun-times-software-archaeology-with-rational-developer-for-system-z-8-5) - They guys on the RDz product team have done an excellent job of getting new features into the product in the latest release of RDz. Already, the product had great support for viewing performance hierarchies, and showing dependencies of copy books. Version 8.5 really builds on the program analysis capabilities of the product with the new program control
- [Developing on the IBM i POWER7, time to change your IDE!](https://www.strongback.us/2012/07/developing-on-the-ibm-i-power7-time-to-change-your-ide) - The traditional tool for development of applications on the IBM i is the SEU green screen interface. Many developers still use this for editing source members, and shrug the thought of moving to a rich IDE. What they may not know is that SEU/PDM have been "stabilized", which is an IBM euphemism that means "We ain't doing
- [Enabling Code Coverage in Rational Application Developer](https://www.strongback.us/2012/07/enabling-code-coverage-in-rational-application-developer) - RAD 8 Source Code Coverage ConfigurationCode coverage is the method of analyzing your source code to see what lines of code are covered by unit tests. In the case of Java, JUnit is the unit test toolset of choice. Code coverage tools came available in RAD 8, and have been improved in 8.5. Its very
- [10 Business Intelligence Metrics Your Application Development Teams Should Have](https://www.strongback.us/2012/07/10-business-intelligence-metrics-your-application-development-teams-should-have) - Business Intelligence for Application DevelopmentMany companies are looking what kind of business intelligence they can derive to help them make better decision around application development. If you are managing an application development team, there are several metric you should be collecting and reporting on. This helps you understand how effective your team is, and how well
- [Taking your terminal applications to the john (on your smartphone).](https://www.strongback.us/2012/07/taking-your-terminal-applications-to-the-john-on-your-smartphone) - This deck was presented at the IBM Innovate 2012 conference in Orlando. More customers are asking how they can enable their tablet toting and smartphone wielding executives with access to their terminal applications. Three different approaches are discussed. Strongback demonstrates how to use the IBM Rational Host Access Transformation Services (HATS) toolkit to modernize applications
- [Build Smarter User Interfaces for Legacy Applications](https://www.strongback.us/2012/06/build-smarter-user-interfaces-for-legacy-applications) - Last month we presented three sessions at the IBM Innovate Conference in Orlando. This presentation below was focused on solutions for the IBM POWER platform (AIX, Linux, and IBM i). This is geared towards those who are new to the concept of modernizing 5250 and VT100 terminal applications and shows what is available using Rational
- [Rational CLM 4.0 is released! So what does it do?](https://www.strongback.us/2012/06/rational-clm-4-0-is-released-so-what-does-it-do) - As promised from the IBM Innovate conference last week, the Rational Solution for CLM 4.0 is now live. There are several new features to be aware of.First for larger deployments, RTC now supports clustering using WebSphere App Server Network Deployment. Note, that RTC does not include WAS ND, and you will have to buy a
- [Creating an ANT file from an existing Java project](https://www.strongback.us/2012/05/creating-an-ant-file-from-an-existing-java-project) - Sometimes we need to more tightly control the build process within our projects. When using Eclipse or Rational Application Developer, the IDE controls how the project is compiled through the properties screens (which ultimately are written back to property files).However, what if you need to use the same build steps you use in Eclipse in
- [Diagnosing potential Linux drive failures](https://www.strongback.us/2012/05/diagnosing-potential-linux-drive-failures) - While working on server today I came across some odd issues in some applications. While checking the logs, I found some drive errors in the warn log file (Failed SMART usage Attribute: 7 Seek_Error_Rate). In searching for the cause of this error, I think discovered a nifty little tool that will tell you the health
- [Using IBM Passport Advantage, a helpful guide for newbies](https://www.strongback.us/2012/04/using-ibm-passport-advantage-a-helpful-guide-for-newbies) - If you are a new IBM Software customer, you will find that you obtain your software via download from the IBM Passport Advantage (PPA) web site. After your purchase has been processed, you'll receive verification from IBM in the form of a "Proof of Entitlement" document. Use this document to access PPA. This YouTube video
- [Sharepoint vs. IBM Connections](https://www.strongback.us/2012/03/sharepoint-vs-ibm-connections) - I get this often, that Sharepoint does more than "Notes". Well, no kidding, its like comparing a car to a front end loader. The actual competing product is not Lotus Notes, but rather, IBM Connections. I came across this from a friend, and it is an excellent 30 minute introduction to Connection and comparing its
- [Are your Java devs killing your business with data type issues?](https://www.strongback.us/2012/02/are-your-java-devs-killing-your-business-with-data-type-issues) - So you thought you would outsource your Java development overseas and save a buck or two? Now you find out you cannot account for thousands of dollars in your general ledger and your customers are complaining that they are getting ripped off (or they are thanking you for unexpected discounts). If this sounds familiar, read
- [Getting better tracing and debugging for Rational HATS macros.](https://www.strongback.us/2012/02/getting-better-tracing-and-debugging-for-rational-hats-macros) - Question: How can I tell what is happening in my macro when it runs on the server?Sometimes, when working with Rational HATS macros, you need more information when debugging. When it runs on the server, you really don't see much in the SystemOut.log (the WAS console file). I've got some suggestions for you that will
- [AIX COBOL Overview with Rational Developer for Power](https://www.strongback.us/2012/02/aix-cobol-overview-with-rational-developer-for-power) - For an environment long thought a dead end, IBM has revitalized the platform with its new COBOL tools for AIX in RDp. The UI is a wonderful replacement for vi or other text based editors, yet allows developers to build upon their vi expertise by allowing common vi commands in the LPEX editor. The COBOL Development Tools
- [Increasing the JVM heap for RSA, RAD, and other Rational or Eclipse products](https://www.strongback.us/2012/01/increasing-the-jvm-heap-for-rsa-rad-and-other-rational-or-eclipse-products) - I ran into an issue this past week where several times my Eclipse workspace ran into out of memory errors. I'm running Rational Software Architect (RSA), with several additional plugins, plus run one instance of WAS, and another instance of WebSphere Portal. Yes, I know. Yikes! That said, I have the horsepower for all these systems with
- [Deploying connection information to RDz users in an enterprise](https://www.strongback.us/2011/11/deploying-connection-information-to-rdz-users-in-an-enterprise) - When rolling out Rational Developer for System Z to a mass number of users, I've found there is an easy way to do this that avoids mass confusion, and frantic help desk calls.Export RDz Connection InformationUsually the connection to mainframe will have many settings and parameters, that are unique to that environment, and even giving
- [Now available: Rational Developer for System z Training](https://www.strongback.us/2011/10/now-available-rational-developer-for-system-z-training) - We've been pretty silent on the blog over the past three months, but for good reason. We've been heads down working hard over the summer to build a curriculum based on our partnership with Island Training Solutions. We've now perfected and delivered our course to over 1000 developers worldwide.The training is delivered remotely. Your developers
- [An introduction to Collaborative Quality Management](https://www.strongback.us/2011/08/an-introduction-to-collaborative-quality-management) - Collaborative Quality Management View more presentations from Strongback Consulting ©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [IBM Releases Rational HATS 8](https://www.strongback.us/2011/08/ibm-releases-rational-hats-8) - Dojo, REST, iPads, oh my!So, the release many of us at Strongback (as well as a few customers) have been waiting for was released. HATS version 8 brings a whole bunch of new features. Some of which we've had direct input on (thank us for getting proper screen shots of VT100 screens). We were even
- [IBM Rational enterprise modernization acronyms](https://www.strongback.us/2011/07/ibm-rational-enterprise-modernization-acronyms) - I frequently get asked what all the acronyms mean with the products under the Rational EM umbrella. They are confusing, and in some cases there may be one acronym that refers to two or more products (RSA for example). So.. to help alleviate the confusion, I've compiled a simple list of common acronyms. This relates
- [Lotus Quickr Connector 8.5 64bit support NOW available!](https://www.strongback.us/2011/07/lotus-quickr-connector-8-5-64bit-support-now-available) - This is one we've been waiting on for quite a while! If you have 64bit Windows, you'll now be able to use the explorer again to navigate your Quickr sites!Pull down the latest from Fix Central. Its labeled HF7. If you already have an IBM login ID for PPA, just click the link below. http://www-933.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/swg/selectFixes?parent=ibm~Lotus&product=ibm/Lotus/Lotus+Quickr+Connectors&release=8.5&platform=Windows&function=allThis
- [Requirements Management in a CLM World](https://www.strongback.us/2011/06/requirements-management-in-a-clm-world) - From our recent webinar series, this video discusses the importance of proper requirements management, and leveraging agile methods in a collaborative lifecycle managment solution.Requirements Management in a CLM World.If you are challenged with managing requirements in your IT organization, we can help. Give us a call.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Firefox 5 - fly in the ointment for Rational Requirements Composer](https://www.strongback.us/2011/06/firefox-5-fly-in-the-ointment-for-rational-requirements-composer) - I was recently editing some requirements, and this was the day that FF 5 rolled out, which was only 2 months after Firefox 4 rolled out. For those unaware of the controversy, Mozilla has announced that they will be rolling out new releases every 2 months. Yes, 2 months. Those in software development can appreciate
- [MS Sharepoint vs. IBM Lotus Connections](https://www.strongback.us/2011/06/ms-sharepoint-vs-ibm-lotus-connections) - So you think Microsoft Sharepoint will do everything you need to do? Think that Lotus is behind the curve? Spend a few minutes comparing the two. IBM does collaboration better. Period.So. Microsoft still has great marketing, right?©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Collaborative lifecycle management introduction series](https://www.strongback.us/2011/06/collaborative-lifecycle-management-introduction-series) - For those that missed last Wednesday's webinar, we are providing it here on the blog below.This coming Wednesday, June 22, we'll continue our series talking about requirements management in collaborative lifecycle management environment.Define and deliver the right solution by modeling yourbusiness processes, development, and management of use of cases and thegathering and prioritizing of enhancement
- [What every System i Developer Needs to Know (IBM Innovate 2011)](https://www.strongback.us/2011/06/what-every-system-i-developer-needs-to-know-ibm-innovate-2011) - This was our presentation last week at the IBM Innovate conference. In this we talk about the recent advances in System i (aka iSeries, as400), and the tools that support this operating system including Rational Developer for Power systems. There are some interesting points on the new compiler features. We also cover some new features
- [Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabiltiy in WebSphere App Server 7.0.0.11 and 7.0.0.13](https://www.strongback.us/2011/06/cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerabiltiy-in-websphere-app-server-7-0-0-11-and-7-0-0-13) - If you are running WAS 7, be sure and check your fix packs today. We recommend you patch them to the latest of 7.0.0.17 or 7.0.0.15 at the latest. There is a cross-site scripting vulnerability you need to be aware of, as reported by Core Security TechnologiesCore Security Technologies Advisory - The administrative console of
- [IBM Innovate - Enterprise Modernization Keynote](https://www.strongback.us/2011/06/ibm-innovate-enterprise-modernization-keynote) - For those that are looking for strategies to modernize your legacy systems, this keynote sums up the strategies available rather nicely. That said, these are not one size fits all solutions, and they are not monolithic ones by any means. A well tailored plan, based on your environment, and business needs is best.Watch live streaming
- [Themes at IBMInnovate: Methodologies](https://www.strongback.us/2011/06/themes-at-ibminnovate-methodologies) - So we are ready to embark on day 3 of the conference and several themes are emerging. Some are the direct themes that IBM intentionally pushes. Others are those that are present by either lack of action or lack of attention.MethodologyMost notably, I am hearing nothing about Rational Unified Process. Even after IBM pushed the
- [A Newbie's Guide to attending IBM Innovate](https://www.strongback.us/2011/06/a-newbies-guide-to-attending-ibm-innovate) - In preparation for the IBM Innovate conference starting this June, I've put together some helpful advice to newcomers who've not been to one of the conferences before. By no means is this a complete list, nor is it an official list. Its MY list. Enjoy:What to bringCLOTHING: Well, first off, this is Florida. I live
- [Cathy the PM meets Ted the Developer](https://www.strongback.us/2011/06/cathy-the-pm-meets-ted-the-developer) - Just saw this on Facebook, and thought I would share. Maybe I'm corny, but I like this.Speaking of POWER systems and Rational Software....Join Us at Innovate!Why Every IBMSystem i Developer Should Use IBM Rational Developer for Power SystemsMonday, June 6, 20114:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.Location: Oceanic 4 - DolphinSpeaker(s): Kenny Smith, Strongback Consulting;Matthew Hardin, Strongback
- [Announcing the next version of LotusLive!](https://www.strongback.us/2011/05/announcing-the-next-version-of-lotuslive) - IBM is announcing the latest version of LotusLive services. These services are scheduled to go live the weekend of May 7-8. Here is what's new: LotusLive Engage & LotusLive Connections Communities Like before, you can create Communities which include only members of your organization or you can invite guests from outside of your organization. However, with our newest
- [What to do when ANT SCP task hangs unexpectedly & automating Javadoc](https://www.strongback.us/2011/04/what-to-do-when-ant-scp-task-hangs-unexpectedly-automating-javadoc) - I had this issue with a project earlier within an ANT build script I have for Team Concert. In this project I generate JavaDoc with the ANT task and then I use to move the generated HTML, CSS, and other artifacts over to the target documentation server.The scp task is a secure copy
- [Rational Developer for i for SOA Construction 8 now available](https://www.strongback.us/2011/04/rational-developer-for-i-for-soa-construction-8-now-available) - This last week IBM announced that RDiSOA 8 is now available. Current customers have already been able to download the individual parts for some time. Now, they should see the full package available from Passport Advantage.RDiSOA Combines RPG and COBOL Development Tools for i with Rational Business Developer. It also combines the value propositions of
- [Talk about cool! Dunk your server rack in a pot... and save 95% in cooling costs.](https://www.strongback.us/2011/04/talk-about-cool-dunk-your-server-rack-in-a-pot-and-save-95-in-cooling-costs) - These videos blow me away. As expensive as it is to maintain air cooled server racks in large data centers, everyone is looking for a solution. Well just as air cooled Volkswagon beetles gave way to water cooled, so now (similarly) is the data center.These guys use a non-electrically conducting mineral oil to cool the
- [Resolving installation error with RDP into existing package groups.](https://www.strongback.us/2011/04/resolving-installation-error-with-rdp-into-existing-package-groups) - This little gem of an error came up today. While installing Rational Developer for Power, I got a message that the the product was not compatible with the package group I was installing into. In this case I tried installing into multiple existing package groups including one with Rational Business Developer, and another with Rational
- [Using Rational Team Concert on the mainframe to promote dependency builds](https://www.strongback.us/2011/03/using-rational-team-concert-on-the-mainframe-to-promote-dependency-builds) - Team Concert can handle complex dependency builds on the IBM mainframe. If you have a long deployment tasks that are highly manual, and error prone, using the RTC build agents on z/OS could save you bookoos of time and money. This video from Thom Haynes at IBM's user experience team shows you how:Setting up Dependency
- [Jazz based CLM Beta 3 products now are available](https://www.strongback.us/2011/03/jazz-based-clm-beta-3-products-now-are-available) - For those interested, the Jazz team announced Beta 3 for all three Rational CLM products including:Team ConcertQuality ManagerRequirements Composer While each of these three are worthy in their own spotlight, when put together, the whole is worth more than the sum of its parts. Its interesting to note that the Jazz team REALLY eats their own
- [Agile Sketching with Rational Software Architect](https://www.strongback.us/2011/03/agile-sketching-with-rational-software-architect) - Rational Application Developer's bigger brother is Software Architect. I've been using it for years for all sorts of development and modeling. In v8 of the product, Rational is introducing a new agile sketching feature. This demo shows how the product can help you flesh out general architecture in a non-intimidating, simple format, yet be able
- [Deploying to WAS or Tomcat using the RTC build engine](https://www.strongback.us/2011/03/deploying-to-was-or-tomcat-using-the-rtc-build-engine) - The build engine capability of Rational Team Concert is capable of doing anything you want to do with Apache ANT, Maven, or even a shell script via the command line option. On top of that it adds its own calls to so that you can get instrumentation on the status and history of your builds
- [LotusSphere 2011 Opening General Session Replay](https://www.strongback.us/2011/02/lotussphere-2011-opening-general-session-replay) - Normally, I skip out on the opening general session of any conference, as well I did for LotusSphere this year (as well as the rest of the conference for that matter). Usually, they are filled with ooey-gooey marketing speak, and this technophile just does not care for such drivel. I want to see results and
- [COBOL or C++ on IBM POWER?  Still coding by hand?](https://www.strongback.us/2011/02/cobol-or-c-on-ibm-power-still-coding-by-hand) - If you have COBOL applications on AIX and are not taking advantage of Rational's compilers and the new Developer for POWER, you are not taking full advantage of the system, and could be compromising the performance of your application. Here is a great over view of the new C++ and COBOL features in Rational Developer
- [A customer case study on Rational HATS](https://www.strongback.us/2011/01/a-customer-case-study-on-rational-hats) - IBM just released a nice video customer case study for one of our customers. This was filmed at the Innovate conference back in June. They are a System Z shop, and are using HATS to transform some of their legacy applications. [slideshare id=23576926&doc=hats-overview-2013-130627093914-phpapp02] Their mainframe background is great testimonial to the everlasting power of the
- [Common Apache CXF Error with WebSphere App server 6.1 and WSFP](https://www.strongback.us/2011/01/common-apache-cxf-error-with-websphere-app-server-6-1-and-wsfp) - Symptom :After you have installed the web services feature pack for WAS 6.1, you try to install an application running Apache CXF. While the application compiles fine, it simply will not start, and the SystemOut.log (or console) shows the following error message:[1/10/11 14:45:31:410 EEST] 00000019 WASAxis2Compo E WSWS7007E: The xxxxx.war application module cannot be loaded
- [Happy New Year!  .. . . . . . . where did everyone go?](https://www.strongback.us/2011/01/happy-new-year-where-did-everyone-go) - Ok, so I'm a bit late saying this, but Happy New Year to all. Guess I missed the party. Yes, its been almost 2 months since our last posting. We've neglected you, and we feel like bad hosts. Last month and the beginning of this month was very hectic for us. Nonetheless, we'll start backup
- [Reducing RAD 8 memory footprint](https://www.strongback.us/2010/11/reducing-rad-8-memory-footprint) - Rational Application Developer has always been a bit of a hog on memory. I noticed this neat little feature today. This is available in RAD version 8. It essentially does an immediate garbage collection and reduces the memory footprint of RAD. If your system starts thrashing to your hard drive and you don't want to
- [Setting up the Jazz build engine: Resolving issue with getNextRequest](https://www.strongback.us/2010/11/setting-up-the-jazz-build-engine-resolving-issue-with-getnextrequest) - I received this error while setting up the engine.[Jazz build engine] CRRTC3527E: Operation blocked by process: 'Control The Build Lifecycle' failed. Permission denied. You don't have permission to perform the following actions: Retrieve the Next Build Request (getNextRequest) The solution is to add the Jazz user ID to your project. Open the UI and navigate to
- [Webcast: A better way to develop Enterprise Applications - Nov 4th](https://www.strongback.us/2010/11/webcast-a-better-way-to-develop-enterprise-applications-nov-4th) - Imagine if your mainframe and distributed development environments were seamlessly integrated, platform choice was removed from the development stage and you could develop across platforms at the same time. No more project delays due to synchronization problems. Increased flexibility. All skill sets could be leveraged without additional training. Planning and reporting would be much easier.
- [Comparing Rational Team Concert to Subversion](https://www.strongback.us/2010/10/comparing-rational-team-concert-to-subversion) - I get lots of questions about why RTC over subversion. If you are only interested in source code management, and none of the other features, you still have a compelling reason to use RTC over SVN. Here are few examples (courtesy of jazz.net). Storing source code changes: Rational Team Concert v. Subversion Sharing work: Rational
- [Choosing secure passwords](https://www.strongback.us/2010/10/choosing-secure-passwords) - Do you have secure passwords? (from lifehacker)
- [5 ..no.. 6 Steps for Avoiding SPAM break outs in your environment](https://www.strongback.us/2010/10/5-no-6-steps-for-avoiding-spam-break-outs-in-your-environment) - In light of a recent issue I had at a client site, I want to share some simple tips that will greatly help you reduce both the amount of SPAM your receive as well as the amount of SPAM you send through your Lotus Domino systems. Yes, I said SEND. One of the largest culprits
- [WebSphere Technical Journal available for the Kindle](https://www.strongback.us/2010/09/websphere-technical-journal-available-for-the-kindle) - I have a Kindle and am quite fond of it. I find it easy to devour books and my reading has certainly picked up since I got it for my birthday this summer. I've put several IBM Redbooks on it for reference whenever I go to a client site. Its nice to be able to
- [Scanning Web Services with IBM Rational AppScan Standard](https://www.strongback.us/2010/09/scanning-web-services-with-ibm-rational-appscan-standard) - Web services can be hacked and information exploited against your company. If your organization has made the move towards a services oriented architecture, then security testing of your web services should be part of your repertoire. This YouTube video shows how AppScan can do exactly that with customizable reporting. ©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Installing Lotus Quickr 8.5 on OpenSuse 11.3 Linux under VMWare](https://www.strongback.us/2010/09/installing-lotus-quickr-8-5-on-opensuse-11-3-linux-under-vmware) - This will be a bit of a long blog entry, but this is a demonstration of getting Lotus Quickr 8.5 for Domino up and running on Linux. Lotus recently released this version, and those of us in the community have long awaited a Linux version. Many of our customers who use Quickr are small companies
- [Have you played with the free Lotus Domino Designer?](https://www.strongback.us/2010/09/have-you-played-with-the-free-lotus-domino-designer) - Earlier this year IBM announced that their development environment for Lotus Notes, the Lotus Domino Designer is now free for download. Although it does require a fee to connect to a Domino server, it costs nothing to run local homemade applications. The rapid application development ability of Lotus Notes (yes, it is a development platform),
- [Lotus Domino 8.5.2 SMTP Issue causes spike in CPU utilization](https://www.strongback.us/2010/08/lotus-domino-8-5-2-smtp-issue-causes-spike-in-cpu-utilization) - Lotus Domino 8.5.2 was released after much development and testing. IBM appears to be going very slowly through the iteration numbers since 8.5.0. Many thanks to all the early adopters who install it at first download!As such, those early adopters are also the first to discover bugs that can really only be captured in a
- [7 Lucky  tips you should know about Rational Functional Tester (RFT)](https://www.strongback.us/2010/08/7-lucky-tips-you-should-know-about-rational-functional-tester-rft) - 1 - Get all the latest fix packs after you installYou should be prepared to update RFT at least once per quarter. Web browsers are always being patched, and RFT integrates tightly into the browsers. For example, if you download the latest edition of RFT and you have Firefox 3.6, you will not be able
- [Setting up an SSL Reverse Proxy in Apache on Linux](https://www.strongback.us/2010/08/setting-up-an-ssl-reverse-proxy-in-apache-on-linux) - This one I'm writing so I don't forget it. It is highly valuable info and spent a few hours wrangling with Linux to figure it out. This is a great way to proxy an Ajax web service so you avoid any cross domain scripting issues. Note, that if you also have WebSphere App Server, you
- [Solving the dreaded winmail.dat issue in Lotus Notes](https://www.strongback.us/2010/08/solving-the-dreaded-winmail-dat-issue-in-lotus-notes) - So your users are getting these "winmail.dat" attachments in Lotus Notes and can't open them, nor can they see any special formatting that the sender had added (and the sender is ALWAYS from Outlook). Quick solution: Make sure you are on the latest fix pack of Lotus Domino. That should be 6.5.6, 7.0.3, 8.0.2, or
- [IBM Rational Cafe's have moved!](https://www.strongback.us/2010/08/ibm-rational-cafes-have-moved) - If you (like me) used the Cafe's (such as the HATS Hotspot), you should be aware that IBM has moved those over to Developerworks. Its is fitting, as that is where the forums are for all the other products. If you work on System z or i, these are great forums to visit to post
- [IBM Rational Demo hosts iSeriesD and ZServeros now require SSL](https://www.strongback.us/2010/07/ibm-rational-demo-hosts-iseriesd-and-zserveros-now-require-ssl) - For anyone who has taken a HATS class (including those offered by our company), you may find problems accessing the demo servers if you run back through your lab exercises.The reason is that IBM now requires SSL on these connections. I found this on the main site: 28 Jul 2010: If you are using a
- [Redirecting your IHS root context to your WebSphere app Server app](https://www.strongback.us/2010/07/redirecting-your-ihs-root-context-to-your-websphere-app-server-app) - When you install WAS, you'll probably also be installing IBM HTTP Server (you should if you use web apps). However, you may want that HTTP server to automagically navigate to your preferred WAS java app. Otherwise, if your users navigate to the default hostname (http://www.myhostname.com), they'll see the ugly IBM HTTP Server welcome page with
- [DB2 CommonStore - Some sage advice for eDiscovery and email archving](https://www.strongback.us/2010/07/db2-commonstore-some-sage-advice-for-ediscovery-and-email-archving) - I have a customer who is archiving data using IBM DB2 CommonStore for Lotus Domino, and have recently upgraded their environment. There are some things to know as you may not easily be able to glean advice from the IBM support portal.Analysis and PlanningSetting up a corporate email archiving solution can be a much larger
- [Blogging is akin to asynchronous mentorship](https://www.strongback.us/2010/07/blogging-is-akin-to-asynchronous-mentorship) - What sparked this blog entry was a couple of blog entries by Ivar Jacobson. For those who do not know, he is one of the three amigos that founded Rational Software, along with Jim Rumbaugh and Grady Booch. He had a couple of posts on Rational Unified Process and how it came about, and what
- [Hangup installing Rational HOD on Microsoft IIS - missing MIME types](https://www.strongback.us/2010/07/hangup-installing-rational-hod-on-microsoft-iis-missing-mime-types) - I was installing the latest round of Host On Demand (HOD), and could not for the life of me figure out why the emulators would not load. I'm installing it for a customer and while, it works perfect on Linux with Apache, it craps out on Windows with IIS. Turns out that IF you use
- [IBM Rational HATS with Dojo: How to spice up your green screens](https://www.strongback.us/2010/07/ibm-rational-hats-with-dojo-how-to-spice-up-your-green-screens) - Some have contacted me that they have been unable to find my presentation on the conference web site. I would have sworn I posted it (more than once), but the conference organizer website was considerably different than last year, and not necessarily better.That said, for those who would like to view all the ooey gooey
- [WebSphere App Server CL start/stop script for System i](https://www.strongback.us/2010/06/websphere-app-server-cl-startstop-script-for-system-i) - WebSphere App Server on the i/OS does not come with a feature to automatically start and stop, and sometimes its best to use a CL command to stop it. I frequently see users doing an ENDSBS(WAS7), which wreaks havoc with the JVM. Please don't just end the subsystem. When you do this, the JVM drops
- [10 reasons to patch your Lotus Domino 8.5.1 Server to Fix Pack 3](https://www.strongback.us/2010/06/10-reasons-to-patch-your-lotus-domino-8-5-1-server-to-fix-pack-3) - Lotus Domino and Notes fix pack 3 for 8.5.1 was released 3 days ago and already you should be considering patching your environment for these 10 reasons. Here are 8 fixes that apply to the server, followed by two that apply to the clients that you should not miss out on. The server fix pack
- [What's New in Rational HATS 7.5.1?](https://www.strongback.us/2010/05/whats-new-in-rational-hats-7-5-1) - Now that the latest is out in the wild, I'd like to show off some of the new features. This release includes a few new very high priority features that customers and business partners have been asking for. There are more features in the works (which I am well aware of but cannot disclose due
- [First year's batch of Linux distro's released](https://www.strongback.us/2010/05/first-years-batch-of-linux-distros-released) - Just a few weeks ago Ubuntu launched Ubuntu 10.4 codenamed Lucid Lynx. Now, the Fedora team has launched Fedora 13. If you run and experiment with Red Hat type software, Fedora a is a good platform to play around with. It is the experimental playground of Red Hat and most of the guts of Red
- [Rational Team Concert for Visual Studio 2010 - Coming Soon.](https://www.strongback.us/2010/05/rational-team-concert-for-visual-studio-2010-coming-soon) - The Jazz team announced that RTC will support VS2010 in RTC version 2.0.0.2 iFix3, which is currently at milestone 1 build. This includes full client support on Windows 7. This build is primarily for developers that work with VS - if you don't work with VS, then you can/should ignore the build. The interim fixes
- [IE 6 Falls even lower in the market share - IE 6 Shame List grows](https://www.strongback.us/2010/05/ie-6-falls-even-lower-in-the-market-share-ie-6-shame-list-grows) - Netmarketshare, a site that analyzes Internet technology trends, posts that IE6 is down to 17.58% in April. Firefox 3.6 nearly matches that, and Firefox 3.5 adds another 5.8%. If you are not building your Internet or Intranet sites to match the features of modern browsers, you are missing out. If your development shop is STILL
- [Licensing model changes for Rational POWER7 Products](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/licensing-model-changes-for-rational-power7-products) - If you have any of the following products, when you move to the next release, you will experience a change in how you obtain your licenses.Rational Developer for System i 7.5 (now re-branded as Developer for POWER systems)Rational Developer for System z 7.6Previously the license file as a java .jar file obtained via IBM Passport
- [Rational Team Concert gives you a lucky number 7](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/rational-team-concert-gives-you-a-lucky-number-7) - IBM is offering a special this month on Rational Team Concert, whereby you can get 7 additional free developer client access licenses for free. They have also dropped the server prices by about half for Express, Standard, and Enterprise. This means, that with the Express edition server, you an enable your entire team for under
- [What's new in Rational Software for POWER Systems presentation](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/whats-new-in-rational-software-for-power-systems-presentation) - For those who missed our webinar last week on the updated tools from Rational, I'm posting the presentation here (thanks to Slideshare). If you want the audio... well.. .you'll just have to give one of us a call here at the office and we'll reenact it. O.K.?What's New in Rational Software for POWER SystemsView more
- [10 HTML tags you've probably forgotten or don't know](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/10-html-tags-youve-probably-forgotten-or-dont-know) - We all do it. We get into a funk when designing applications, or we just take what we are given by our wizardy-like design interfaces. As such we get stuck in the same rut of using the same old design elements and styles and forget that there are a plethora of HTML/XHTML tags that we
- [LotusLive: Wicked cool integration with SalesForce.com,  Skype, eSignature](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/lotuslive-wicked-cool-integration-with-salesforce-com-skype-esignature) - I picked up on this from a twitter post. LotusLive, which is IBM's cloud email and collaboration offering, just got some new integrations with Salesforce.com, Skype, and Silanis e-Sign. ©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [#LotusKnows Lotus Domino 6.5 support ends in two weeks (April 30)](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/lotusknows-lotus-domino-6-5-support-ends-in-two-weeks-april-30) - As a reminder, Lotus Notes and Domino support for version 6.5 will end on April 30th, which is two weeks from today. If you have a product issue and need support, you should enter your PMR now before time runs out.After that you will have to upgrade your environment to a supported version in order
- [IBM Rational  Releases HATS 7.5.1, Developer for POWER 7.6, and new AIX Compilers](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/ibm-rational-releases-hats-7-5-1-developer-for-power-7-6-and-new-aix-compilers) - Today, IBM has released several products geared towards development on IBM POWER systems (notably, the POWER7). IBM is targetting customers running on Sun hardware and especially Oracle applications. Now customer will be able to migrate from Solaris/SPARC to POWER/AIX with new compilers and development tools for C/C++ and COBOL. New compilers (priced separatly or packacked
- [GoToWebinar  gets school in Lotus and iCalendar](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/gotowebinar-gets-school-in-lotus-and-icalendar) - I've been using GoToMeeting for a few months, and started using GoToWebinar for, you guessed it, some webinars for Strongback Consulting. Well, in the process of setting up my latest webinar, I've come across some institutional bigotry with the company. No, I'm not talking about black or white, catholic or protestant, muslim or jew or
- [What does Rational software offer for POWER customers?](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/what-does-rational-software-offer-for-power-customers) - We'll be answering this question and more on April 16th at 11AM. This is webinar that is geared towards those participating the POWER7 launch events. We'll cover:Leverage graphical tools to increase quality and time to market within smaller teamsTeam collaboration features to improve your development process workflowExpose host business processes as Web ServicesNew features in
- [Starting a Jazz based server on boot in linux with init.d](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/starting-a-jazz-based-server-on-boot-in-linux-with-init-d) - There are several Jazz based products that run on Linux, namely Rational Team Concert, Quality Manager, and Requirements Composer. When you install these products, either through extracting a zip file, or using the Installation Manager approach, you do not get the option to start on boot. You will have to manually configure this.IBM released a
- [Featuring the feature pack for Web 2.0](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/featuring-the-feature-pack-for-web-2-0) - If you have not used the Web 2.0 feature pack for WebSphere App Server, you might be missing out on a free and valuable tool. This feature pack is for WebSphere App Server 6.1 and 7.0. Web 2.0 Feature Pack OverviewIn RAD / RSA, there you have built in support for the Dojo toolkit, which
- [Rational On-Demand Support](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/rational-on-demand-support) - This helpful 14 minute video discusses:Rational or Telelogic Downloads & License KeysWhere do you go to download software?Who do you call when you can't find downloads or upgrades?Where do you go for license keys?Who do call when you can't find license keys?Order and Site ManagementHow to move entitlements or orders from one site to another?How
- [New track at Rational Conference on Power Systems](https://www.strongback.us/2010/04/new-track-at-rational-conference-on-power-systems) - This year, IBM has launched the “Power Your Innovation” track at Innovate 2010 (t.c.f.k.a Rational Software Conference). This all-new track will feature:a program of skill-building sessionscustomers presentationshands-on technical workshopsan impressive lineup of speakers and panel participants (especially that Kenny Smith guy).Mark your calendars and make plans to be part of this track. Come and learn
- [What is the status of IBM product XYZ?](https://www.strongback.us/2010/03/what-is-the-status-of-ibm-product-xyz) - If you like me, often want to know what the current status is of a particular product, check out this link and bookmark it for later. It gives you the product lifecycle dates of various Rational products and associated versions of those products. The site answers the questions:When did a product version get released?What is
- [Migrating from Rational ClearCase LT to Rational Team Concert](https://www.strongback.us/2010/03/migrating-from-rational-clearcase-lt-to-rational-team-concert) - Last year, IBM announced it was withdrawing Rational ClearCase LT from marketing , meaning end of the road for the product. For a few years, IBM had positioned CCLT (with disappointing results) as a competitor to Subversion (which it really wasn't). To be fair, CCLT does thinks Subversion does not - such as distributed storage,
- [Important HOT fix for Lotus Domino error ("The collection has become invalid.")](https://www.strongback.us/2010/03/important-hot-fix-for-lotus-domino-error-the-collection-has-become-invalid) - Several bloggers had posted issues with an error message in their logs on Domino 7.0.4, 7.0.4.1, 8.0.2.2, 8.0.2.3, 8.0.2.4, 8.5.0.1, 8.5.1, and 8.5.1 FP1. This error will show in your log file as "The collection has become invalid." It is caused by a fix to another SPR where in your LotusScript or Java code, you
- [Linking defects to related defects and tasks in RTC](https://www.strongback.us/2010/03/linking-defects-to-related-defects-and-tasks-in-rtc) - As you begin working with RTC and work items, you'll find you have similar work items - they have similar titles, or affect the same artifact, etc. You can link work items to others so that as you or the assignee start to work on these items, the owner is aware that whatever he/she does
- [Using VI or VIM for Linux - making your editor a much richer experience](https://www.strongback.us/2010/03/using-vi-or-vim-for-linux-making-your-editor-a-much-richer-experience) - Vi is to the Linux/Unix world as 'edit' is to MS-DOS. If you use Vi, you are probably aware of vim, which a more robust tool, but very similar. I won't dive into the whole history - goto Wikipedia for that.Unless you have specifically installed Vim on Ubuntu or modified the .vimrc file on OpenSuse,
- [Planning and tracking work items in Rational Team Concert](https://www.strongback.us/2010/03/planning-and-tracking-work-items-in-rational-team-concert) - Team Concert is such a cool flexible tool, and there are so many features that its easy to miss, yet its easy to get started with. It just 'grows' as your environment needs. I learned a few things from this video and and just have to share. I really like that you can edit code
- [Common installation issues/fixes with Rational Team Concert for Power Systems](https://www.strongback.us/2010/03/common-installation-issuesfixes-with-rational-team-concert-for-power-systems) - If you are installing the new Rational Team Concert for Power Systems (RTCp), which is the follow on to RTCi, there are a few common installation issues you might run into.First, be sure and check all the system requirements for the product. RTCp server can be installed on i/OS, AIX, and Windows. I highly recommend
- [I've got a golden ticket...to IBM Innovate in June](https://www.strongback.us/2010/02/ive-got-a-golden-ticket-to-ibm-innovate-in-june) - Now, I am excited. I just got confirmed as a speaker at the Rational conference this June, now dubbed "IBM Innovate". This makes my fourth straight year of this conference, and my second year presenting. I submitted 3 abstracts, but this is the one that got accepted. Here is my session abstract: Session: PWR-1068A: Spicing
- [Looking for a few good men (or women as the case may be)](https://www.strongback.us/2010/02/looking-for-a-few-good-men-or-women-as-the-case-may-be) - No, I'm not in the dating marking. Actually we are looking for some help as Strongback is growing these days. I'm posting here since I get much more traffic than the web site. Eventually, we'll have a careers section. Here are the positions we are considering:Account ExecutiveExperienced sales executive skilled in the ways and means
- [POWER7 PVU licensing changes (or lack thereof)](https://www.strongback.us/2010/02/power7-pvu-licensing-changes-or-lack-thereof) - Last week, IBM announced the new POWER7 architecture chip. I won't get into the details about the processor technology, but suffice it to say, its packs a punch. The real question, is how does it affect software licensing? These processors come in 4, 6, and 8 core versions, meaning that on an 8 way system,
- [HATS Webinar on Feb 19th](https://www.strongback.us/2010/02/hats-webinar-on-feb-19th) - Strongback is offering a webinar on Rational Host Access Transformation Services on Friday February 19th at 11AM. If you have been considering or have used the product in the past, please join us on this webcast.CLICK HERE TO REGISTER©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Lotus Symphony 3.0 beta now available](https://www.strongback.us/2010/02/lotus-symphony-3-0-beta-now-available) - This posted on EdBrill.com just moments ago:Key new features in Symphony 3.0: VB Macros support ODF 1.2 support for improved file interoperability embedded audio/video allows users to add media directly to slides, documents and sheets autotext support to create "chunks" of text that are used frequently and quickly inserted digital signatures redline support --- shows
- [Crazy Error: VMware Infrastructure Web Service at "http://localhost:8222/sdk" is not responding](https://www.strongback.us/2010/02/crazy-error-vmware-infrastructure-web-service-at-httplocalhost8222sdk-is-not-responding) - This morning, I had to add some patches to my VMWare server (yes, I need to move over to ESX), and needed to reboot. Upon bootup, when trying to get into the Virtual Infrastructure management console, I was presented with the ominus error message "The VMware Infrastructure Web Service at "http://localhost:8222/sdk" is not responding (Connection
- [Error in HATS toolkit after applying RAD 7.5.5 fix pack](https://www.strongback.us/2010/01/error-in-hats-toolkit-after-applying-rad-7-5-5-fix-pack) - This blog entry popped up on my radar tonight. If you have a HATS project and are suddenly getting and extra 'Web Content" folder. This, fix will correct the problem.http://www-949.ibm.com/software/rational/cafe/blogs/hats-tricks/2010/01/28/creating-projects-with-hats-v75-after-applying-rad-v755-fix-pack-may-cause-problemsThanks to Gerald Mitchell for the post.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [So, what is the 'Facebook for the Enterprise'?](https://www.strongback.us/2010/01/so-what-is-the-facebook-for-the-enterprise) - Its also the fastest growing product in IBM's history. Hmm...Watch to find out.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Domino 8.5 fixpack 1 Heap Overflow via DOS attack](https://www.strongback.us/2010/01/domino-8-5-fixpack-1-heap-overflow-via-dos-attack) - Just saw this issue pop up on my crawlers.http://intevydis.blogspot.com/2010/01/lotus-domino-7-probably-8-ldap-heap.htmlNo indication if this is specific to a particular operating system. Secunia, vulnerability intelligence provider, rates this as a moderately critical issue. It is currently unpatched.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Beta 3 of WebSphere Portal 7 Now Available](https://www.strongback.us/2010/01/beta-3-of-websphere-portal-7-now-available) - I just saw that IBM released beta 3 of Portal 7 this week. I didn't see it on my #ls10 radar on twitter, so I guess I'm not following enough Portal geeks out there.New features in Beta 3 include:Tagging allows users (and entire user communities) to classify, organize and structure content autonomously. It can add
- [IBM Rational Products and WIndows 7 Support: UPDATED](https://www.strongback.us/2010/01/ibm-rational-products-and-windows-7-support-updated) - *** UPDATED 4/2/2010*** new support for Rational Functional Tester, Rational Performance Tester, Rational Service Tester, Rational Quality Manager, ClearCase and ClearQuestThe following is from the IBM Support site. For those preparing to deploy or run the SDP on Windows 7. Note that some products are also supported on a linux desktop environment. Microsoft Windows 7
- [LotusSphere 2010 - Blogging from the sidelines](https://www.strongback.us/2010/01/lotussphere-2010-blogging-from-the-sidelines) - This year, I am sadly missing LotusSphere, IBM's annual collaboration conference due to some prior commitments. Sigh. I am, however, very intently, watching the blogosphere and the twittersphere for updates, and it appears Lotus is making a LOT of new strides and releasing a dizzying array of new features for their software portfolio. Among those,
- [Making the installation of SNAPPS Templates much Quickr](https://www.strongback.us/2010/01/making-the-installation-of-snapps-templates-much-quickr) - For anyone using Lotus Quickr (formerly Quickplace), the guys at SNAPPS have created some freely available templates for use. Whenever I install Quickr for a customer I often install these templates with the base installation as a bonus.After you've installed something repeatedly, you often think 'hey.. I could script that!'. And so I did. You
- [IBM announces a new support portal](https://www.strongback.us/2010/01/ibm-announces-a-new-support-portal) - For those (like me) tired of digging through dozens of different URL's to find the right product support site for the right IBM product, fear no more. IBM has announced the new support portal open for business as of yesterday.As part of the IBM CIO transformation initiative, IBM has developed a best in class online
- [Java EE 6 released](https://www.strongback.us/2010/01/java-ee-6-released) - After several years of development and LOTS of community involvement, Sun has announced the release of Java Enterprise Edition 6 or Java EE 6 for short. Please, please don't call it J2EE anymore!There is a good article on the Sun Developer site on the new features of Glassfish v3 and JEE6. Another good presentation based
- [Properties based configuration in WebSphere App Server 7](https://www.strongback.us/2010/01/properties-based-configuration-in-websphere-app-server-7) - One of the new features WebSphere Application Server 7 is its properties file based configuration. Since version 5 WAS has had a scripting interface called wsadmin (it was an xml interface in prior versions), which is accessed from the WAS_HOME/bin directory as wsadmin.bat or wsadmin.sh. This scripting interface allows live interaction with the server, or
- [147% ROI upgrading to Lotus Domino 8.5.1](https://www.strongback.us/2009/12/147-roi-upgrading-to-lotus-domino-8-5-1) - Ed Brill posted this earlier todayhttp://www.edbrill.com/ebrill/edbrill.nsf/dx/147-roi-for-upgrading-to-notesdomino-8.5-forrester-webcastForrester Research's Ted Schadler and Jon Erickson spoke with numerous Lotus customers who had completed the upgrade, and calculated the economic benefits in aggregate. The result: An astounding 147% ROI for upgrading to Notes/Domino 8.5, with a payback period of only one year. This is a fantastic point here. The
- [WebSphere Portal 7 - Open Beta](https://www.strongback.us/2009/12/websphere-portal-7-open-beta) - IBM is working on the next release of WebSphere Portal and is gathering information from the community on how to improve the overall experience. If you have Portal or are considering using Portal, you might be interested in seeing what is coming in the new year with Portal :Enhanced theme support enables addition of blogs,
- [Spring Framework 3.0 Released](https://www.strongback.us/2009/12/spring-framework-3-0-released) - Spring Framework is a Java API framework that has captured the hearts of many developers. The latest release from SpringSource, the company who sponsors the project announced the latest release. Key features include: Spring expression language (SpEL), Extended support for annotation-based components, standardized dependency injection annotations, declaration model validation based on constraint annotations, comprehensive REST
- [Rational Team Concert 2.0.0.2 released](https://www.strongback.us/2009/12/rational-team-concert-2-0-0-2-released) - The most recent milestone for RTC snuck out the door last night. Most notable is support for the Eclipse 3.5 client.Another new feature is work item templates. These can be created from an existing set of work items, and then be used to create new work items. template creation wizard also lets you to define
- [RSC =  Innovate](https://www.strongback.us/2009/12/rsc-innovate) - I guess it was just a matter of time before it happened, but I like the change. IBM has rebranded their Rational Software Conference to the 'Innovate Conference". After having merged the WebSphere Technical Exchange and SOA conference into "Impact", it only makes sense to rebrand the Rational Conference. Tivoli is the "Pulse" conference. This
- [Microsoft Snake Oil](https://www.strongback.us/2009/12/microsoft-snake-oil) - Ed Brill once mentioned this guy on his blog and I go back and check it every once in a while. He's been blogging about his company's move from Notes to Exchange and the effects its had. There are some real eye-opening comments for both IBM and Microsoft fans. His last post was back in
- [IBM Moving to a Closed Software Distribution Model](https://www.strongback.us/2009/12/ibm-moving-to-a-closed-software-distribution-model) - For all IBM customers:I'd like to be sure you are aware that there are some pending changes to IBM's partnering strategy that will affect you moving forward. In February 2009, IBM Software Group announced to its Business Partners the next step in its channel strategy. This announcement was in response to requests from IBM's valued
- [A comment about craftsmanship](https://www.strongback.us/2009/12/a-comment-about-craftsmanship) - In today's world we often measure the worth of an item by its retail price or discounted status at a store while rarely contemplating the quality of the work, how long it may last, or even how much pleasure will obtain from the object. Certainly we have our budgets to maintain, but there are times
- [HATS Fixpack 7.5.0.2 Released](https://www.strongback.us/2009/12/hats-fixpack-7-5-0-2-released) - Another fixpack released. To update, use the IBM Installation Manger to upgrade. You no longer are required to use the old Eclipse style of update. Installation Manager is much faster and cleaner.http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=203&context=SSXKAY&dc=D400&uid=swg24024964&loc=en_US&cs=UTF-8〈=enCheck out the release notes here.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Domino 8.5.1 service not starting on Windows](https://www.strongback.us/2009/12/domino-8-5-1-service-not-starting-on-windows) - I had a recent event where after a fix pack, the Domino server would not start using Windows service. I could start it using the Domino console, but that would not work as the server would shut down as soon as logged out. I kept getting a cryptic error 2351 (0x92). The simple solution was
- [Team Concert Build Engine init script](https://www.strongback.us/2009/12/team-concert-build-engine-init-script) - Currently the Rational Team Concert build engine does not include an init.d script for those running build engines on Linux. This is analogous to Windows services and allow the jbe to run automagically at startup. Instead, you must rely on system administrators having the knowledge of how to write these from scratch. Currently there is
- [Ubuntu 9.10 Available](https://www.strongback.us/2009/11/ubuntu-9-10-available) - It really amazes me just how simple it is to upgrade Ubuntu Linux. Can you imagine if Windows was really this simple. Everything worked fine after my upgrade BTW. Granted, I am not using this particular installation as much as my other machines. Still. Very nice.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Upgrading Lotus Domino R5 to R8.5.1](https://www.strongback.us/2009/11/upgrading-lotus-domino-r5-to-r8-5-1) - I've just recently completed a server upgrade for a customer where they had a single R5 server and were ready to upgrade. Yes, R5. That version has been out of maintenance now since September 2005. The upgrade was a success, but I'd like to throw out a gotcha or two.In this case we added two
- [Security flaw in IBM HTTP Server](https://www.strongback.us/2009/10/security-flaw-in-ibm-http-server) - If you are running IHS, there is a much needed fixpack you should install. Several vulnerabilities have been found that allow an attacker to exploit the system or cause a denial of service attack.These vulnerabilities affect the following versions:IBM HTTP Server version 6.0.2IBM HTTP Server version 6.1IBM HTTP Server version 7.0To correct the vulnerabilities, apply
- [Monitoring the status of builds in Team Concert](https://www.strongback.us/2009/10/monitoring-the-status-of-builds-in-team-concert) - No matter what version of Team Concert you are using, the following tips will apply. You can monitor the status of each step in your automated build using the following two ANT elements:startBuildActivity, and completeBuildActivity.These two should be treated like bookmarks to an atomic grouping of ANT tasks. For example, in your build file, you
- [The trouble with hosted solutions](https://www.strongback.us/2009/10/the-trouble-with-hosted-solutions) - If you prefer a hosted, cloud based messaging (email) solution for convenience, you need to be aware of the dangers of some of the offerings out there:"Yesterday, it was revealed that 10,000+ Hotmail accounts were compromised and all of the usernames and passwords of these accounts were posted online. It was a major security and
- [IBM Announces the launch of Lotus Notes/Domino 8.5.1](https://www.strongback.us/2009/10/ibm-announces-the-launch-of-lotus-notesdomino-8-5-1) - I am listening to the webcast on the release of Lotus Notes/Domino 8.5.1. Lots of new features in the release. For one, it has 4 times the fixes of any standard maintenance release. IBM has today announced the launch of long awaited Notes 8.5.1.One of the major themes for this point release is on application
- [Rational Team Concert 2.0.0.1 Released](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/rational-team-concert-2-0-0-1-released) - Yes, I know, its hard to get excited about a point release, however, there are some features worth mentioning. In particular is the change in the licensing model for RTC Express-C. It now includes not 3 but 10 (ten) free developer/contributor licenses. It is now also supported on all the databases that are supported by
- [RTCi Webinar Material](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/rtci-webinar-material) - For those who missed the webinar this morning, I have posted a couple of presentations on SlideShare.Rational Team Concert For IBM System i - Executive Overview V2View more documents from Strongback Consulting.Since we did not have an available connection to the Sandbox, here is also a scenario demonstrating the usage of RTCi.RTCi Demo ScenarioView more
- [DAOS Technical Overview](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/daos-technical-overview) - Lotus Domino 8.5 introduced a new feature call DAOS. This tool is designed to reduce attachment duplication by externalizing the attachment and leaving a pointer in the Notes application or mail file. This presentation is courtesy of the NELotus user group . Its yet another reason to upgrade to the latest version!Daos Technical Overview Ne
- [Rational Team Concert for System i Webinar - September 23 11am](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/rational-team-concert-for-system-i-webinar-september-23-11am) - Project Management with IBM Rational Team Concert for System i Join us for a Webinar on September 23 Space is limited.Reserve your Webinar seat now at:https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/730096923 Looking to have your software developer teams to more effectively collaborate in developing and delivering quality software on time & on budget? Join us on Wednesday Sept 23, 2009
- [Blog update](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/blog-update) - For those who have not updated their links, this blog is now located at http://blog.strongbackconsulting.com. If you are used to getting it via RSS/ATOM feed, then you can use my the FeedBurner address http://feeds.feedburner.com/StrongbackConsulting. The old URL of "thejavablues.blogspot.com" should be redirecting you.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [EGL Community Edition now availalble](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/egl-community-edition-now-availalble) - IBM has released a community edition of its EGL language. This edition is geared for entry level learning such as for colleges and universities. This is a great language that is a natural successor to COBOL. Applications can be created and deployed to mainframes as batch applications, or to Java web applications servers running on
- [RTCi webinar coming September 23rd.](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/rtci-webinar-coming-september-23rd) - We will be doing a webinar on Rational Team Concert for System i coming up September 23rd at 11am. In the meantime, here is a video that gives a nice high level over view of RTC. ©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [WebSphere XD Virtual Enterprise 6.1.1 Announced](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/websphere-xd-virtual-enterprise-6-1-1-announced) - IBM Announced XD 6.1.1 last week. This is a refresh pack rather than a fix pack (note the 3rd digit change). You need to be at WAS 6.1.0.25 or 7.0.0.5 before upgrading. The FTP site for the refresh pack CIM is here.New features include:AIX Micro-partitioning uncapped shared processor support enables Virtual Enterprise to operate in
- [Lotus Notes dev tip: Open or Copy Hidden Views](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/lotus-notes-dev-tip-open-or-copy-hidden-views) - A very old trick that us old-hats know. If you want to see the contents of a view that is hidden in Lotus Notes, hold down CTRL+SHIFT and select "View - Go To". The list of available views will show all the hidden ones (denoted by parentheses). You can also do this with creating views.Rather
- [Enterprise Collaboration](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/enterprise-collaboration) - This is a funny video on collaboration. I swear the guy is channeling some of my past experiences.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Licensing changes to WebSphere Development Studio Client (WDSC)](https://www.strongback.us/2009/09/licensing-changes-to-websphere-development-studio-client-wdsc) - In April of last year, IBM ceased marketing and selling of the WDSC product. The strategy was to separate out the compilers from the development environment. If you are currently running WDSC and are looking to move forward with it, here is what you need to know:If you purchased WDSC Advanced, you will be entitiled
- [ALERT! Changes coming to this blog!](https://www.strongback.us/2009/08/alert-changes-coming-to-this-blog) - Just so you are not caught off guard, I'll be making some changes to this blog in the coming days. The Feed URL will be changing over to FeedBurner, and the primary URL will change from a BlogSpot domain to http://blog.strongbackconsulting.com. The new address currently acts as a redirect to http://thejavablues.blogspot.com.The reason for the changes
- [Rational Team Concert for System z has a new home](https://www.strongback.us/2009/08/rational-team-concert-for-system-z-has-a-new-home) - It has previously been difficult to find information specific to the mainframe for Team Concert. Now, the jazz team has moved Team Concert for System z to its own project page. For those looking for information on the product specific to System z, here is the link: https://jazz.net/projects/rational-team-concert-z/The product is at version 1.0.1.1 status and
- [SpringSource gets acquired by VMWare](https://www.strongback.us/2009/08/springsource-gets-acquired-by-vmware) - Wow.. I did not see this one coming. Spring Framework has been the golden child of the Java community, often favoring their simple Inversion of Control (IoC) in favor of the more complex Java EE frameworks such as EJB.http://www.infoq.com/news/2009/08/vmware-springsourceVMWare is the top dog in virtualization (Strongback is partner), so it looks like the path to
- [An stunning presentation on social media.](https://www.strongback.us/2009/08/an-stunning-presentation-on-social-media) - I love this. This is a follow on to last year's SlideShare best presentation winner. This is wickedly cool. Yes, there are a few f-bombs in there, but some great statistics on social media. This should make you wonder how you can take advantage of social media/social software from within your enterprise.What the F**K is
- [Central Florida WebSphere Users Group](https://www.strongback.us/2009/08/central-florida-websphere-users-group) - This week I went to the first meeting of the rebirth of the Central Florida WebSphere Users Group in Orlando. There were mostly IBM'ers there and only 3 people (including myself) not from IBM. Nonetheless they had some great content. Nii-Boi Koi did a great presentation on WebSphere MQ File Transfer Edition (FTE), which appears
- [Resurrecting the abominable About Us page](https://www.strongback.us/2009/08/resurrecting-the-abominable-about-us-page) - The About Us page is on nearly every website, and usually contains the typical corporate drivel. It is the most overlooked page, yet one of the most common page that is viewed on a web site.I was listening to BoagWorld podcast #173 and mentioned a site that has taken on the About Us page in
- [Odd popup behavior in HATS](https://www.strongback.us/2009/08/odd-popup-behavior-in-hats) - Here is an issue that has cropped up on the 7.x release of HATS. Its very very minor one, but can eat up a bunch of hours to troubleshoot.Lets say you have a popup selection widget, and specify you want it to display with the image rather than a button or link.Let's also say that
- [Upgrading to RTC 2.0 - Lessons Learned](https://www.strongback.us/2009/07/upgrading-to-rtc-2-0-lessons-learned) - I have recently been upgrading my Jazz/Team Concert environment to version 2.0 from 1.0. I'm using the Express-C version which is based on Apache Tomcat and Derby. These versions come in a zip file format and can easily be extracted out on a Linux server and started with minimal configuration. Upgrading from one to the
- [The power of social networking: a charity case](https://www.strongback.us/2009/07/the-power-of-social-networking-a-charity-case) - Today, a friend and business colleague of mine sent out this notice via LinkedInLinkedInMike Ostrowski has sent you a message.Date: 7/13/2009Subject: Help for my friendHello All, I normally would not use linkedin for this...but...I have a dear friend who is battling cancer and has had to travel to Houston for treatment. I am trying to
- [Transforming HATS inhibited input screens](https://www.strongback.us/2009/07/transforming-hats-inhibited-input-screens) - This is one I've been meaning to post for sometime, but always forget. Let's say you have a HATS screen transformation that you've worked for hours to get pixel perfect. It looks gorgeous. You deploy it and then your users come back to you and say they that when they get into an error condition,
- [Beta no more](https://www.strongback.us/2009/07/beta-no-more) - The ruler of the known universe, Google, has announced that they are taking the Beta label off of Gmail after many years of being in this program. Gmail is probably the most famous beta software of all! While most of us had expected the beta program to go on forever, there are some good lessons
- [Rational Team Concert 2.0 Released](https://www.strongback.us/2009/07/rational-team-concert-2-0-released) - The Jazz team has released RTC 2.0. I've just updated my server and migrated the database repository.Here is an overview of what's new in RTC 2.0:For those that are not familiar with Team Concert, this is the coolest thing since sliced bread. It is THE tool for software development project planning, management, source code management
- [IBM Dropping support for Domino Access for Microsoft Outlook (DAMO)](https://www.strongback.us/2009/06/ibm-dropping-support-for-domino-access-for-microsoft-outlook-damo) - Ed Brill noted today that IBM has chosen to drop plans for future support of DAMO from the Lotus Domino roadmap. Its an interesting position that IBM is taking. As a consultant, I've always had some various compatibility issues with DAMO, particularly in the corner cases that Ed mentions. Now that the Notes client has
- [Getting started with version control and Jazz](https://www.strongback.us/2009/06/getting-started-with-version-control-and-jazz) - If your organization has no real version control system or your idea of version control is making a copy of your rpgle source code in your library (you AS/400 folks know who you are), well, check out Team Concert Express C. Its a free version of Team Concert and runs on Windows or Linux. We've
- [Another post on HATS and CSS](https://www.strongback.us/2009/06/another-post-on-hats-and-css) - I am posting one of my presentations from my HATS curriculum online from SlideShare.net. While I won't post my entire curriculum (which would be giving away my business product), I will post some information which is badly needed out there, yet is so readily available if you only knew where to go. If you or
- [Understanding Rational HATS style sheets](https://www.strongback.us/2009/06/understanding-rational-hats-style-sheets) - For many who are just getting started with Rational HATS, understanding the widgets and components are the easy part. They often come from an RPG or COBOL background (i.e. green screen development). What is greek to them is usually the web page customization and especially the cascading style sheets. I thought I would write today
- [WebSphere App Server and Struts2 don't mix](https://www.strongback.us/2009/05/websphere-app-server-and-struts2-dont-mix) - As I have recently found out by the school of hard knocks, these two do not mix when Java EE web container security is enabled.Background:Struts2 is the follow on to the very popular and ubiquitous framework Apache Struts. Struts2 is actually a combination of Struts and WebWorks and is a really slick framework. The more
- [Security Certificate expiration in Lotus Domino on May 18th 2009](https://www.strongback.us/2009/05/security-certificate-expiration-in-lotus-domino-on-may-18th-2009) - What is happeningThe certificate for some Java applets in Lotus Domino 6.5.x, Domino 7.0.x, Domino 8.0.x, and Domino 8.5 have an expiration date of May 18, 2009. Starting May 19th, Web users will see a dialog with a message similar to one of the following when loading a Web page that contains a Java applet
- [New Lotus channel on YouTube](https://www.strongback.us/2009/05/new-lotus-channel-on-youtube) - Lotus has launched its own channel on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/collaboration4youThere are 25 short videos that describe how Lotus solutions address actual business needs. Here's a great sample:If any of these technologies sound of interest, give us a buzz to find out more.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Corporate Survey of Browsers](https://www.strongback.us/2009/05/corporate-survey-of-browsers) - Lifehacker.com had an article on a Forrester Research survey of companies asking them what their default internet browser standard is. I was shocked...yes...shocked to see that IE6 still accounts for 60% of the corporate install base.Does anyone reading this have a justifyable reason why this is so? What is it that keeps your organization from
- [End of service for AIX 5.2 and i/OS 5.3](https://www.strongback.us/2009/04/end-of-service-for-aix-5-2-and-ios-5-3) - For those customers who have not seen this, its time to upgrade. If you don't upgrade you will find you won't get the software support you need for applications running on these OS versions. Calling IBM support and getting PMR is hard enough, don't let this become an obstacle in the future.IBM Global Technology Services
- [A History of WebSphere](https://www.strongback.us/2009/03/a-history-of-websphere) - A little hokey, but has some interesting tidbits.http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/maxpress/websphererevolution/©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [WebSphere App Server fix pack 7.0.0.3 is out](https://www.strongback.us/2009/03/websphere-app-server-fix-pack-7-0-0-3-is-out) - For those who are running WAS 7, IBM released the latest fixpack yeserday (March 24th). This is a highly recommended fix.You can get the fix from IBM's FTP site. This is the easiest way as you don't have to rat through their support web site.For Windows 32 bit (about half of you out there), here
- [I am speaking at the Rational Conference in June!](https://www.strongback.us/2009/03/i-am-speaking-at-the-rational-conference-in-june) - IBM just confirmed my speaking role. I'm speaking with Alisa Morse, Product Manager for IBM Rational HATS, SCLM AE, and HACP. We'll be presenting an introduction and case study for HATS for one of my large customers. Here is the synopsis below (subject to change). The Rational Conference has typically been more technical that some
- [Calculating the Absolute Cursor Position in HATS](https://www.strongback.us/2009/02/calculating-the-absolute-cursor-position-in-hats) - In IBM Rational's HATS product, you will often see reference to the cursor position, or absolute cursor position. The simple cursor position is simply the row (comma) column number: i.e. 4,67. The absolute cursor position is a single number that is a calculation of the row and position.The formula is as follows: [(actual rows-1) *
- [Auto starting WebSphere App Server or Domino on Linux](https://www.strongback.us/2009/02/auto-starting-websphere-app-server-or-domino-on-linux) - This post is really for the Linux newbies. Most sys admins are already familiar with Windows services to automagically start and stop an application. Frequent readers know that I am a Linux advocate, so here is a tip for those who may be interested in moving to a Linux platform for their WebSphere or Lotus
- [VMWare Server 2.0 .... very nice](https://www.strongback.us/2009/01/vmware-server-2-0-very-nice) - I've been running VMware on my openSuse box for several months now. It has been rock solid and reasonably easy to use. This week, I took the liberty of upgrading to VMWare server 2.0. WOW! What a difference! The new console is SOOOO much better. I was able to move my old WinXP laptop to
- [WebSphere App Server 7 and openDNS Don't Mix](https://www.strongback.us/2009/01/websphere-app-server-7-and-opendns-dont-mix) - I just figured out a problem that has been bugging the bejeezus out of me. I could not for the life of me start of WAS7 in my RAD 7.5 dev environment. The startServer.log file always showed a port conflict, but I could not find the cause of it anywhere. I had shut down all
- [Penguins, Tigers, and Leopards, oh my!](https://www.strongback.us/2009/01/penguins-tigers-and-leopards-oh-my) - I've taken notice of the number of Macs at this year's LotusSphere conference. Lots of IBM'ers now have them as well as customers and partners. Several presenters were switching between their Mac desktop and their Windoze virtual machines. Another nicety is the strong presence of Canonical and Ubuntu here. There is such an irony in
- [LotusSphere Opening General Session ...Taking Notes](https://www.strongback.us/2009/01/lotussphere-opening-general-session-taking-notes) - I'm blogging from LotusSphere today in the Opening Session. Here are some of the key highlights.Lotus Notes celebrates 20 years this week.IBM announced that Bluehouse is now LotusLive, a SaaS solution for Lotus Notes and Domino.RIM announced new Blackberry Application. The new app for Lotus Connections features access to all of Connections' features. Domino Designer
- [LotusSphere 2009... Here I Come](https://www.strongback.us/2009/01/lotussphere-2009-here-i-come) - Tomorrow begins the first day of IBM's LotusSphere at Disney's Swan and Dolphin resort in Orlando. Looks like I'll be driving it each day. Its about 55 miles one way. I'm not looking forward to the drive, but its good to know that with gas prices coming down it won't be that expensive. There's just
- [8 Reasons You'll Love Using IBM Lotus Notes 8](https://www.strongback.us/2008/12/8-reasons-youll-love-using-ibm-lotus-notes-8) - I wish I could present this to every customer I meet who has Exchange simply because of the features of Outlook (even though you can run Outlook with a Domino back end).8 Reasons You'll Love Using IBM Lotus Notes 8View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: ibm lotus)©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Understanding IBM's "PVU" terminology](https://www.strongback.us/2008/12/understanding-ibms-pvu-terminology) - If you have ever purchased software from IBM, you know they license processors based on the concept of a PVU. A processor may have a different PVU based on its type. I found a good link that helps explain how many PVU's you need based on the system you will be running the key solution
- [WebSphere App Server  7 Learning Resources](https://www.strongback.us/2008/12/websphere-app-server-7-learning-resources) - For those getting started with WebSphere App Server, I thought I'd refer you to some various sites for general information. All of these sites are also bookmarked at http://del.icio.us/klenny/was7WAS 7 Infocenterhttp://www-01.ibm.com/software/webservers/appserv/was/library/What's New with WAS 7 (Tom Alcott is a great writer and a guru on WAS)http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0809_alcott/0809_alcott.htmlWAS fixpack 7.0.0.1 (a must have install)http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=0&q1=WebSphere+portal+solaris&q2=install&uid=swg27014463&loc=en_US&cs=utf-8&cc=us&lang=enAn overview of administrative
- [Portal 6.1.0.1 on WAS 7 beta available](https://www.strongback.us/2008/12/portal-6-1-0-1-on-was-7-beta-available) - If you are interested in taking advantage of the new features of WebSphere Application Server 7 with WebSphere Portal, an open beta is available. Cheers.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Creating a Thread Dump in WAS](https://www.strongback.us/2008/12/creating-a-thread-dump-in-was) - A thread dump in Websphere App Server is a log file that contains information about the currently running threads and processes within the JVM. A thread dump log is created if a process on an application server spontaneously closes. Thread dumps can also be triggered on command (forced). This is helpful when you have an
- [Scripted WAS Installations 101](https://www.strongback.us/2008/12/scripted-was-installations-101) - So, to get started with your first script, let's start with a common one. That is installing an application, and removing an application. I recommend that you start writing your script as verbose as you can. Don't worry about 'hard coded' values, you can take care of those later. Let's say you want to install
- [Rational HATS 7.5 Released](https://www.strongback.us/2008/11/rational-hats-7-5-released) - As I had mentioned in one of my previous posts, Host Access Transformation Services is now available. This is NOT just a upgrade. You will need one of the products from the 7.5 codestream of Rational Software developer products:Rational Application DeveloperRational Business developerRational Software ArchitectRDiRDzThese are based on Eclipse 3.4, and so is HATS 7.5.
- [Portal Install: Part Number hell](https://www.strongback.us/2008/11/portal-install-part-number-hell) - For those that install Portal and often download the sources from IBM Partnerworld or Passport Advantage, you know that after you download the whole source, you know its a PITA to decipher what is what in all those part number zip files. I pulled down the IBM Context Accelerator Package. The zip files alone were
- [WAS 6.1 Scripting Overview](https://www.strongback.us/2008/11/was-6-1-scripting-overview) - While doodling around on YouTube, I found a few videos on WebSphere App Server. Of those, one was completely about their marketing packaging. This one, however, seemed relatively useful. It covers WAS scripting interface (a.k.a. wsadmin).If you have never bothered before, here are a few things you can do:Repeatable application installationPrecise setup between test and
- [Responses to Frequently Asked Questions about IBM Lotus Notes & Domino for November 2008](https://www.strongback.us/2008/11/responses-to-frequently-asked-questions-about-ibm-lotus-notes-domino-for-november-2008) - This note contains links (URLs) to technical support documents regardingIBM Lotus Notes & Domino, as well as links to key information helping youderive the most value from your software licenses, and helping you be thebest possible system administrator. This month's mailing has six sections: Announcements Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Open Mics/Webcasts & devWorks articles
- [Domino update tests to retire December 31st](https://www.strongback.us/2008/11/domino-update-tests-to-retire-december-31st) - For my fellow consultants out there who have not taken the time to get your Lotus Domino 7 update exams out of the way (that would include me), your time is limited. IBM has announced that these update exams will be retired on December 31st. Really, the only reason to get them at this point
- [Ubuntu Linux 8.10 due out tomorrow.](https://www.strongback.us/2008/10/ubuntu-linux-8-10-due-out-tomorrow) - Ubuntu Linux, easily the number one distribution of GNU Linux operating system is due out tomorrow, October 30.If you have never heard of Linux...well... you've probably been living under a rock. If you have but never Ubuntu, well it is a pretty compelling replacement for a Windows desktop. IBM has recently added support for Notes/Domino
- [HATS: Doing different things with the same screen at different times](https://www.strongback.us/2008/10/hats-doing-different-things-with-the-same-screen-at-different-times) - This is something I get asked about often regarding Rational HATS. Usually the person wants to run a macro on a screen under one circumstance, and display it with a transformation on another circumstance. For example, let's say you want to combine two disparate screens of read only data. The first time you get to
- [HATS 7.5 Announcement](https://www.strongback.us/2008/10/hats-7-5-announcement) - IBM has announced that HATS 7.5 will become available on November 26 of this year. While there are no major new features, the largest benefit will be support for the new 7.5 code stream of the development platforms (RSA, RAD, RBD, RDi, RDz, etc), which runs on top of Eclipse 3.4. There is a word
- [NOW AVAILABLE: IBM Rational Architecture Management and Construction solutions v7.5](https://www.strongback.us/2008/10/now-available-ibm-rational-architecture-management-and-construction-solutions-v7-5) - IBM has released the next version of their software development platform. These are based on Eclipse 3.4 and include the new WebSphere Application Server 7.0 with full Java EE 5.0 support. This includes EJB 3.0 support, JPA support, and the newest web services extensions.http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&appname=iSource&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS208-305#h2-chargexStarting pricing levels are as follows:Rational Software Architect for WebSphere Software: $5,840.00Rational
- [And then came Chrome](https://www.strongback.us/2008/09/and-then-came-chrome) - So, I have a long diatrabe about standardizing on Firefox and then another open source browser gets released. I'm currently writing this blog post on Google's new browser Chrome. It is a different experience for sure, but some of the same familiar features that I like such as tabbed browsing, and formatted code when you 'view
- [Domino & Notes 8.0.2 Update released](https://www.strongback.us/2008/09/domino-notes-8-0-2-update-released) - For those that missed it, IBM release 8.0.2 to Notes on Friday of last week. This release is highly focused on performance. IBM's goals were to reduce the startup time of the Notes client and improve the overall performance of the Domino server. For some real world measurements, Darren Duke has posted some of his
- [New Vista vulnerability released](https://www.strongback.us/2008/08/new-vista-vulnerability-released) - As mentioned on Slashdot this morning, a new vulnerability has been released which shreds all the security built into Vista. Yes, Windows Vista is considered to be much more secure than XP. I was actually starting to use and like Vista on a new hard drive I recently purchased. This newly discovered type of attack
- [Resources for Freelancers](https://www.strongback.us/2008/08/resources-for-freelancers) - Yes, Strongback Consulting is a full fledged company, but I started as basically a freelancer. In getting my business started I've learned a few things about the tools that are really necessary for the business. I've learned some hard lessons in the process. Some like to say that experience is the best teacher. That's not
- [HATS on YouTube](https://www.strongback.us/2008/07/hats-on-youtube) - Saw this yesterday. IBM is getting smart about putting out information like this. Creating HATS Macros part ICreating HATS Macros part II©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Why should a 52 year old midrange/mainframe programmer write a blog?](https://www.strongback.us/2008/07/why-should-a-52-year-old-midrangemainframe-programmer-write-a-blog) - You know the guy. Mid 50's, slightly balding. Never wears his reading glasses when he needs them. Always has his signature stained coffee cup with him that reads "Home is where my tools are". There are pictures on his desk of him fishing with his grandkids. He's a malcontent, and loves to complain about office
- [What's Next for RAD 7.5?](https://www.strongback.us/2008/06/whats-next-for-rad-7-5) - I'm participating in Portal 6.1 training today. Good stuff. Here's a screen cap from one of the presentations which shows what's going to be new in Rational Application Developer 7.5 and WebSphere Portlet Factory 6.1.The biggie is support for JSR 286, the new Portlet API.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [William Shatner at RSDC](https://www.strongback.us/2008/06/william-shatner-at-rsdc) - Gotta love YouTube. Someone managed to get a bootleg video of his monologue.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Rational App Scan Developer Edition 7.1 Open Beta](https://www.strongback.us/2008/06/rational-app-scan-developer-edition-7-1-open-beta) - AppScan is one of IBM's new acquisitions from WatchFire software. Since the bluewash (IBM's term for converting the marketing, logos and colors within an application to that of IBM's), they have now released a developer edition with does static code analysis, dynamic analysis, and runtime analysis of an application to detect security vulnerabilities such as
- [WebSphere 7 Due in September!](https://www.strongback.us/2008/06/websphere-7-due-in-september) - So its already in Beta, and can be downloaded with Rational Application Developer 7.5 public beta. I'm previewing it now to check out the features and to see how it compares to my previous list of 'must haves'. When I was talking with the devs at RSDC, they said that it should go gold in
- [i+p=POWER](https://www.strongback.us/2008/06/ippower) - At the Rational Conference last week, I found out that IBM is once again rebranding the iSeries. Actually, they are merging the hardware branding with System p. It only makes sense as the hardware has mostly been identical coming off the assembly line.Now you have one hardware line, but many choices as to what operating
- [Pimp my z10 - the ultimate gaming rig](https://www.strongback.us/2008/06/pimp-my-z10-the-ultimate-gaming-rig) - Ever seen pictures of these home computers decked out with LEDs and plexiglass? Well, I have all the pc gamers beat now. This is IBM's new Z10 mainframe taken this week at the Rational Software Developer's Conference in Orlando. This is a lower end unit and only has one CPU card in it. That is
- [Domino 8.5 Beta 1 available now](https://www.strongback.us/2008/05/domino-8-5-beta-1-available-now) - As Ed Brill pointed out on his blog. the beta 1 of Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5 is now available. Of not is that Designer is now delivered on the Eclipse platform. I have not looked yet, but I hope that this will also be delivered on the Linux platform. I'm also hoping that it
- [Good upcoming webcast: WAS and Jython](https://www.strongback.us/2008/05/good-upcoming-webcast-was-and-jython) - Have you ever wanted to deploy an application with certain parameters without having to click through all the web pages in the Integrated Console? Think redeploying an application after debugging. If you have miss one of the settings, you'll have to redeploy it all over again.Ever wanted to set up multiple WAS machines identically? Think
- [The price and size of storage](https://www.strongback.us/2008/05/the-price-and-size-of-storage) - I got a spam email from NewEgg the other day offering a 2GB SD card for under $10. It really amazes me just how cheap storage is these days, and how small it is getting. My first computer in 1994 cost me a little over $2000 (on an 18% interest credit card - thank you
- [Blackberry Lust](https://www.strongback.us/2008/05/blackberry-lust) - Figures... I buy my Curve (and had to pay full price since I;m a year away from my renewal), and RIM announced the new Blackberry Bold. On top of it all, their building a tool to pull in music from iTunes onto the Blackberry. Just damn.The new tool would be very handy for those times
- [Goodbye 1998. Hello 2008](https://www.strongback.us/2008/05/goodbye-1998-hello-2008) - I got my Blackberry Curve yesterday, and spent much time last night playing around with it. I finally feel like I've got a PDA that I can depend on rather than archaic brick that only syncs when I manually copy data over. Verizon finally got their version this month, I ordered mine the first day
- [Can't wait - the Curve comes to Verizon](https://www.strongback.us/2008/04/cant-wait-the-curve-comes-to-verizon) - Ever since going out on my own and starting my own business, I've been on the Palm Treo, with the Palm OS. Once upon a time, a Palm was a dandy gadget. It was top of the pack in productivity and features. Have had a handful over the years (pun intended).However, this is 2008, and
- [Generating Atom feeds for Mainframes](https://www.strongback.us/2008/04/generating-atom-feeds-for-mainframes) - Very cool article on developerworks. Its HATS related, of course.http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/xml/library/x-atommainframe/?S_TACT=105AGX01&S_CMP=HP©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [IBM Federal Contract Eligibility Reinstated](https://www.strongback.us/2008/04/ibm-federal-contract-eligibility-reinstated) - Fortunately for IBM.....http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/23814.wssI can hear a collective 'whhheeewww'....©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [IBM suspended from federal contracts.... WHHAATT?!?!?!?!](https://www.strongback.us/2008/04/ibm-suspended-from-federal-contracts-whhaatt) - I saw this on Slashdot and nearly fell out of my chair. This is HUGE. For IBM, this is a major blow to their brand, as well as their balance sheets. US contracts contribute a significant amount to their bottom line.For the Federal Government, I see no way that other agencies are just going to
- [WebSphere ....er...Rational HATS 7.1 to launch tomorrow](https://www.strongback.us/2008/04/websphere-er-rational-hats-7-1-to-launch-tomorrow) - You heard it right kiddos. HATS version 7.1 should be officially released tomorrow. The official release announcement will be here. You can download a trial version of it here. Of course the trial is identical to the fully licensed version minus the actual license which is just a java jar file.New features include:Visual Macro Editor
- [Lotus Notes 8 - What's Up.](https://www.strongback.us/2008/03/lotus-notes-8-whats-up) - IBM is doing very well with their YouTube marketing. This video shows the latest features of Lotus Notes/Domino version 8, but frankly, it doesn't even scratch the surface of what's its really capable of. ©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [WAS Next for WebSphere 7](https://www.strongback.us/2008/03/was-next-for-websphere-7) - The question still remains for IBM: When is WebSphere App Server 7 coming out? The response is still the same: deer-caught-in-the-headlight stare from the IBM software reps.Some inside information tells me a few clues about what to expect. First off, from my conversation with a certain Distinguished Engineer last year, was that WAS 7 was
- [V6R1 for System i Released](https://www.strongback.us/2008/02/v6r1-for-system-i-released) - This is probably old news for some of you, but I just caught it. I think this was announced on January 29th. I had just got to the point to where I thought users were finally going to V5R4, when this comes out. Geesh.Anyhow.Looks likes this gives you the added features you need to take
- [Friday Fun](https://www.strongback.us/2008/02/friday-fun) - Those who know me, know I play harmonica and guitar (more harmonica since it travels a bit easier). My niece forwarded this to me, and I am in awe. Enjoy. ©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Why don't smaller companies version their software?](https://www.strongback.us/2008/02/why-dont-smaller-companies-version-their-software) - This befuddles me. Over the past couple of years I have run across so many companies that do custom development but have zero version control in place. In particular are companies that do a lot of RPG or Cobol development work, and are just getting into doing Java. Usually they keep their source code in
- [Quick tip for WPF SQL Call builder](https://www.strongback.us/2008/02/quick-tip-for-wpf-sql-call-builder) - When using the SQL call builder in WebSphere Portlet Factory, you can either enter the SQL directly into the SQL field, or select an existing script.I recommend that you do your SQL in separate text files, and then import them. That way can more easily test the SQL using the Data perspective in RAD. If
- [Notes Domino 8.01 announcement](https://www.strongback.us/2008/02/notes-domino-8-01-announcement) - Looks like tomorrow (Feb 20th) is going to be a busy day for Passport Advantage and Partnerworld download sites.http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/index.wss?DocURL=http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/rep_ca/4/897/ENUS208-024/index.html&InfoType=AN&InfoSubType%C3%8A&InfoDesc=Announcement+Letters&panelurl=index.wss%3F&paneltext=Announcement%20letter%20search©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Huge Ubuntu News from IBM Lotus](https://www.strongback.us/2008/01/huge-ubuntu-news-from-ibm-lotus) - IBM Announced in the opening session of Lotusphere today that they will begin supporting Lotus Notes on Ubuntu Linux. The official press release from CNN Money. From the article: "IBM's plans to deliver the IBM Open Collaboration Client Solution with Lotus Notes on the Ubuntu platform is a win for customers everywhere," said Mark Murphy,
- [Top HATS tricks you can't live without (pun intended)](https://www.strongback.us/2008/01/top-hats-tricks-you-cant-live-without-pun-intended) - For those who have just discovered HATS and are getting started with it, I thought I'd share some tips. These are my top 10 rules of thumb with HATS, and in no way is this all the tips I have.Be a lazy developer. Don't try to transform every screen. Rather, use global rules and default
- [Faking out a field exit (redux)](https://www.strongback.us/2008/01/faking-out-a-field-exit-redux) - This is a post I had made on the HATS newsgroups a couple of years ago. I've had to go back and search for it a couple of time recently, so I though I'd put it where I can most easily find it... on my own blog. HATS 7 does the field exit for you
- [IBM Lets us all hear the Jazz!](https://www.strongback.us/2008/01/ibm-lets-us-all-hear-the-jazz) - Great news from IBM. They are opening up the Jazz.net site to all, whereas it was only available to IBMers and key partners. I've seen this at the JavaOne conference the past two years, and both times I saw it, I was awed.Jazz is a project invented by IBM Rational that is similar to Eclipse.
- [Remember the Milk ROCKS!](https://www.strongback.us/2008/01/remember-the-milk-rocks) - I've just set up an account with Remember The Milk. This is a free web site that helps you organize your to-do list, share with friends and family, and integrate with other services. RTM publishes your to-do list in an iCalendar format, which means you can integrate with Google Calendar, Outlook, and yes Lotus Notes.Now,
- [HATS 7.0.0.2 Announced](https://www.strongback.us/2007/12/hats-7-0-0-2-announced) - And you just updated to 7.0.0.1. Yep, another fixpack. No new features, but a long list of bug fixes, most of which appear to be related to i18n or integration objects, or RCP.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [RAD 7.5 open beta](https://www.strongback.us/2007/12/rad-7-5-open-beta) - I got an email this week from IBM letting me know that IBM is hosting an open beta for Rational Application Developer v7.5. You'll need an IBM id to download it. Finally, we have support for JEE5 and EJB 3.0!!From the email, this version includes:Increased support for iterative development for JEE5 applications that take advantage
- [Update: Portlet Factory 6.0.2](https://www.strongback.us/2007/12/update-portlet-factory-6-0-2) - I missed this update from IBM last month, but anyone using Portlet factory can and should update to this fix pack. The fix pack was available for download on Nov. 13.From the article: What's new in WebSphere Portlet Factory V6.0.2 software: Support for deploying applications to Lotus Expeditor and Lotus Notes® environments, enabling developers to
- [My Firefox Plugins](https://www.strongback.us/2007/12/my-firefox-plugins) - I was recently asked what Firefox plugins I use. Here is my list:AdBlock Plus - Block embedded HTML which pulls ads from other sites and slows your PC down.ColorZilla - An eye dropper tool that allows you to get RGB or HEX values for any color on a web site.CSSViewer - See the applied CSS
- [Sametime 8 announced](https://www.strongback.us/2007/11/sametime-8-announced) - Ed Brill did a pre-announcement of Lotus Sametime version 8 on his blog.http://www-306.ibm.com/software/lotus/sametime/getthebuzz/While I have not seen the product yet, it should be available for partners and customers for download via Partnerworld and Passport Advantage on November 29.©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Fedora 8 Released](https://www.strongback.us/2007/11/fedora-8-released) - Fedora Linux 8 was released last week, and I've been playing with it since then. Fedora is an ever increasingly popular Linux distribution. It is not as popular as Ubuntu for the desktop, but has a growing audience.So, why Fedora? First its supported by Red Hat, and subsequently uses much of the same packages and
- [Upgrading to Lotus Notes 8? You may want to wait.](https://www.strongback.us/2007/11/upgrading-to-lotus-notes-8-you-may-want-to-wait) - A word of note. As I have found out by recent experience, upgrading users via SmartUpgrade has some issues. If you use the web kit (the attached kit), it does not accept any parameters. You can verify this by calling the executable from a command line and passing parameters (i.e. /s /v"SELECTINSTALLFEATURES=Activities,Sametime,Editors /qb+"). It will
- [A batch file for stopping Trend Micro AV](https://www.strongback.us/2007/10/a-batch-file-for-stopping-trend-micro-av) - This is a handy file for stopping and ending Trend's real time scanning.@echo offecho Stopping Trend Micro Real Time Scanning....net stop tmlistennet stop OfcPfwSvcnet stop ntrtscanpauseCopy the above into a text file, and rename the text file with a '.bat' extension. Click away, and watch your PC begin to perform better. This is handy if
- [Domino 8 on System i: Some notes...](https://www.strongback.us/2007/10/domino-8-on-system-i-some-notes) - I recently upgraded a customer from Domino 7 to Domino 8 on the iSeries (a.k.a i5, System i, AS/400... or whatever IBM's marketing whim is this month). In the processDomino 7 uses the default Java 1.4 JDK (5722JV1, Option 6). IBM has built Domino 8 to support Java 5.0, and therefore requires the Java toolkit
- [Websphere Portal 6.1 beta announced](https://www.strongback.us/2007/10/websphere-portal-6-1-beta-announced) - I'm a little late in posting this, but IBM is beta testing a new version of Portal.Log in to download. You can run this version side by side with a 6.0 installation.https://www14.software.ibm.com/iwm/web/cc/earlyprograms/lotus/wps61beta/©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Ubuntu 7.10 Released Today](https://www.strongback.us/2007/10/ubuntu-7-10-released-today) - The most popular Linux distribution released their latest version today. Ubuntu 7.10 "Gutsy Gibbon" is now gold and readily available from http://www.ubuntu.com/download. This release qualifies for Canonical's Long Term Support (18 months).For those not in the know, Canonical is the company that produces Ubuntu Linux. Their release schedule is a religious 6 months, and is
- [So long Vista... thanks for the view](https://www.strongback.us/2007/08/so-long-vista-thanks-for-the-view) - I have now ditched Microsoft Vista on my T61 laptop. Actually, I have simply put a fresh hard drive in, and installed Windows XP on it. I tried in earnest to give Vista a go. When I first turned on my laptop with Vista, I was pleased with the graphics and recognition of all my
- [Notes 8 Released](https://www.strongback.us/2007/08/notes-8-released) - IBM has now launched a triumverate of new products. Lotus Notes/Domino 8 (aka Hannover), Quickr, and Connections. Ed Brill posted the news on his site yesterday (www.edbrill.com). Notes 8 was made available to the partners yesterday, and when I went to the site to download another product, the site seemed inundated, and I could not
- [WebSphere Portlet Factory and Software Architect 7](https://www.strongback.us/2007/07/websphere-portlet-factory-and-software-architect-7) - I've recently done a project involving WebSphere Dashboard Framework. Version 6.0 of the product states that it supports Rational Application Developer 7 and RSA. Being that I run RSA, I wanted to install WDF into RSA. The problem is that the WDF InstallAnywhere does not recognize RSA 7 as a valid Eclipse instance, nor does
- [Strange error in Eclipse](https://www.strongback.us/2007/07/strange-error-in-eclipse) - This is more for my own memory than anyone else's. I installed RSA on my new Thinkpad and received an error message the next time I started it up. "jvm terminated exit code=1". I think my problem was that Vista failed to properly suspend, and I shut it down as it was unresponsive. Subsequently, this
- [The new T61](https://www.strongback.us/2007/07/the-new-t61) - Got a heck of a deal on my new T61. Core2duo, 4GB, bluetooth, 100GB 7200 RPM drive, 15" wide screen, DVD+-RW. All for $1800. Gotta love ebay. Anywhoo, my new machine has Vista Business on it. Being the Linux fan that I am, I am skeptical of it. I want to like it. Its got
- [Why Architectural Governance Matters](https://www.strongback.us/2007/06/why-architectural-governance-matters) - We had a project recently where we have been updating an existing Java application and moving it from JBoss to WebSphere. Now some of you millennials may start thinking this is a backwards move, but its not. It is not one that I am working on, but rather something my colleagues are. Follow me on
- [IBM's Rational Jazz project](https://www.strongback.us/2007/06/ibms-rational-jazz-project) - IBM is announcing at the Rational Software Developer conference, Rational Team Concert, a commercial product built on the Jazz project. While this has been buzzing around the Java community since it was demoed at JavaOne last year in 2005. The goal of this project is to be to team collaboration what Eclipse has been to
- [Geronimo passes Java EE 5 Compatibilty Test Suite](https://www.strongback.us/2007/06/geronimo-passes-java-ee-5-compatibilty-test-suite) - InfoQ has an article about Geronimo passing the muster for Java EE 5.http://www.infoq.com/news/2007/06/geronimo-passes-ctsTo date the following Java application servers are at Java EE compatibility:JBoss 4.2 (not CTS certified, but JBoss says it supports JEE 5)BEA WebLogic 10GeronimoGlassfish (Sun Application Server)Oracle Application Server 11Apusic Application Server 5.0 (....and no, I've never heard of thus either)TmaxSoft JEUS
- [More complete Notes 8 Beta 3 Instructions for Ubuntu](https://www.strongback.us/2007/05/more-complete-notes-8-beta-3-instructions-for-ubuntu) - Many thanks to Timothy J Masse who wrote down the directions and included a few steps I missed (like changing from dash to bash). Here they are step for step:http://www-10.lotus.com/ldd/nd8forum.nsf/5f27803bba85d8e285256bf10054620d/f683185b98129dd7852572ea001db523?OpenDocument©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Lotusphere Comes to You](https://www.strongback.us/2007/05/lotusphere-comes-to-you) - Optimus Solutions will be holding 3 separate Lotusphere comes to you events in Atlanta, Tampa, and Chicago. Yours truly will be presenting a couple of presentations:WebSphere Portal Express 6IBM has always excelled at products for the enterprise, especially when it comes to extremely scalable, high performance apps. WebSphere Portal is embodies exactly that approach since
- [Lotus Notes /Domino 8 Beta 3 Available](https://www.strongback.us/2007/05/lotus-notes-domino-8-beta-3-available) - Ed Brill made the announcement last night on his blog. I have been running the beta on both my windows partion and my Ubuntu Linux partition. The Linux version of Notes has allowed me to work in my Linux partition near 90 percent of the time, which makes my computer a joy to use. Beta
- [Open Sourcing The Notes Client](https://www.strongback.us/2007/05/open-sourcing-the-notes-client) - After my experience at JavaOne, I now see the different types of revenue streams that can be generated off of open source software. Sun has certainly managed to increase their profits by doing so. Solaris adoption is increasing rapidly, especially now that there are forks of Solaris such as Nexenta (which is basically Ubuntu with
- [JavaOne...more thoughts](https://www.strongback.us/2007/05/javaone-more-thoughts) - This is now my second trip to SFO for JavaOne. After being at LotusSphere in March (where IBM announced Notes 8 Beta), I'll have to say this is the better conference to attend. I'm also going to the Rational Software Developer Conference in Orlando in June, and I have my doubts about it.JavaOne has a
- [JavaFX Post on Slashdot](https://www.strongback.us/2007/05/javafx-post-on-slashdot) - Interesting post from Slashdot on what Sun has announced regarding FX (I mentioned in my previous blog). http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3676226. This was announced less than 12 hours ago at JavaOne. I have not been to any sessions on it as of yet, but it does seem like an AJAX competitor (some say killer). Its amazing how quickly
- [JavaOne 2007](https://www.strongback.us/2007/05/javaone-2007) - Its opening day today at JavaOne (I was here yesterday for Java University). I'm sitting in the keynote address. Some cool things are being announced, as is typical in any opening general session. I'll comment when I can, and I've got a bunch of other material I've been saving up - so expect a lot
- [Adding New HATS Templates to new Projects](https://www.strongback.us/2007/04/adding-new-hats-templates-to-new-projects) - HATS comes bundled with several default templates. Only one or two could reasonably be used in a production environment as they are just downright hideous. A template consists of a JSP, images, and stylesheets. Rather than create a new template each time you do a project, you might want to save the project so that
- [WAS 6.1 install on Fedora](https://www.strongback.us/2007/02/was-6-1-install-on-fedora) - I am currently installing WebSphere Application Server 6.1 on Fedora Core 6. Just some tips on this:If you are running Fedora under VMWare ESX as I am, you will hopefully be able to use the Virtual Infrastructure Client. You can download this from the VM host server site. I am using a DVD disc that
- [Importing XML Schema file for xmlAccess scripts](https://www.strongback.us/2007/02/importing-xml-schema-file-for-xmlaccess-scripts) - If you are new to WebSphere Portal, and setting up a test/staging /production environment, then you should closely familiarize yourself with the XmlAccess interface. This is the command line scripting interface. Yes, you are probably thinking "command line?? why got out of the green screen stone age years ago!". Well that's fine and dandy, but
- [Interesting Article on JBOSS and WebSphere Community Edition](https://www.strongback.us/2007/01/interesting-article-on-jboss-and-websphere-community-edition) - We've all been wondering what's going on with WebSphere App Server's near glacial release cycle, which IBM has indicated that it will be 2008 until a certified JEE 5 version appears.Based on what IBM has done with Eclipse and their Rational Software development platform, my guess is that IBM will eventually ditch the original WAS
- [Precompiling the Portal JSPs](https://www.strongback.us/2006/11/precompiling-the-portal-jsps) - When you first start Portal 6 up (or Portal 5.1 for that matter), no matter what gear you are running it on, its going to seem slow. If you are doing an install, or planning on doing one, add this to your post-install task list:wpsconfig action-precompile-jspThis will precompile all JSPs within Portal. It will also
- [Troubleshooting the Portal configuration](https://www.strongback.us/2006/11/troubleshooting-the-portal-configuration) - In looking at the troubleshooting section of the Portal 6 infocenter, I ran across a good troubleshooting article.http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=688&context=SSHRKX&q1=enable-security-wmmur-ldap&uid=swg27008792&loc=en_US&cs=utf-8&lang=enTo reiterate one of the key points in the LDAP setup, you MUST disable global security before running the enable-security task."wpsconfig disable-security"Then validate your LDAP setup with"wpsconfig validate-ldap-wmmur" (the wmmur is for realm support)Once validated, run the enable
- [IE 7 and Rational Software Development Platform](https://www.strongback.us/2006/11/ie-7-and-rational-software-development-platform) - I knew that IBM would not support IE7 on existing platforms (RAD/RWD/RSA 6, etc.), but now they have stated that they will not support IE7 on the upcoming RSDP 7 (codenamed Caspian). The product is not even released and yet IBM is behind the curve!http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21248158 IE 7 has been in Beta for nearly a year.
- [Portal Security Overview](https://www.strongback.us/2006/11/portal-security-overview) - This is a very informative article on how WebSphere Portal security works. It also does a great job of explaining WebSphere app server security, and how external security managers can hook in. It was written by the guys who architected the whole Portal security, so it is from the horses mouth, so to say.http://download.boulder.ibm.com/ibmdl/pub/software/dw/wes/pdf/0611_buehler-WP60-SecurityOverview.pdf(note: this
- [Cisco VPN with Ubuntu](https://www.strongback.us/2006/11/cisco-vpn-with-ubuntu) - I'm slowly dismantling each rickety pier holding up Windows on my laptop. Our VPN was a big one. I've found some great articles on installing, patching and setting up the VPN client on Ubuntu 6.10 (Edgy Eft).Check out the following links:http://www.popey.com/node/62http://www.victortrac.com/cisco_vpn_patchYou can also find the links on my del.icio.us site:http://del.icio.us/klenny©2016 Strongback Consulting
- [Stopping WebSphere Gracefully on an iSeries](https://www.strongback.us/2006/10/stopping-websphere-gracefully-on-an-iseries) - This is a question I get frequently from new customers running WebSphere Application Server, and its a good question as its not well documented anywhere (or at least anywhere convenient). Every shop will need to IPL their iSeries at some point, and subsequently you want to bring down the Application server and HTTP servers gracefully
- [Transferring a Portal Database to DB2](https://www.strongback.us/2006/10/transferring-a-portal-database-to-db2) - Portal installs out of the box using Cloudscape (a.k.a. Apache Derby). Needles to say, this is not a scalable database, but is appropriate for demos. A RDBMS is very CPU and disk intensive and often memory intensive as well. Separating the db from the Portal is the first step in scaling a Portal environment up.WebSphere
- [Process server & portal on iSeries](https://www.strongback.us/2006/09/process-server-portal-on-iseries) - Neat little catch 22 I've discovered in setting up Portal 6 on our iSeries. Both of these statements are from the InfoCenter. It appears that there is no clear way to install the Process server components in a clustered environment (or a managed) on an iSeries from an initial or scripted install. i5/OS users: Installation
- [RSA Beta ...I'm still waiting](https://www.strongback.us/2006/09/rsa-beta-im-still-waiting) - I signed up for the Beta program, but am still waiting. I don't see the downloads available yet on the partner site yet.I am hoping that RSA/RAD 7 is going to be like what we saw at JavaOne in May from Eric Gamma et al. That demo blew me away. I think it makes up
- [HATS 6.0.5 now out](https://www.strongback.us/2006/09/hats-6-0-5-now-out) - HATS 6.0.5 is now out. This release supports version 6.1 of WebSphere, and addresses several minor issues. In particular portlet messaging was broken in prior release (i.e. click to action). If you plan on doing any Java 5 type coding (generics, auto-boxing, varargs, etc.), then this is your baby. WAS 6.1 is not fully JEE
- [Adding an ID attribute to a HATS component](https://www.strongback.us/2006/09/adding-an-id-attribute-to-a-hats-component) - In JavaScript and CSS its very helpful for an element to have an id attribute (not just a class attribute).For those of you not in the know, the id attribute should be unique across the entire HTML. Only one element should have value of that id. Class attributes allow HTML elements to be grouped and
- [RSA V7 Beta Program](https://www.strongback.us/2006/09/rsa-v7-beta-program) - For those of you who don't have enough to do, and want to fill up your hard drive with gigabytes of unproven, untested beta code from IBM, there is an opportunity to participate in the Rational Software Architect 7 and Functional Tester 7 beta program. Its unclear whether this will be on Eclipse 3.1 or
- [EJB 3.0 and Spring compared](https://www.strongback.us/2006/09/ejb-3-0-and-spring-compared) - DevX has a very good article that demonstrates the strengths, weaknesses and compatibilities of both approaches on a technical level. http://www.devx.com/Java/Article/32314/0/page/1While the distributed abilities of EJB 3.0 makes it appealing, the market for that kind of application is still maybe 5% of what's out there, but the new JPA will become appealing to use once
- [Publishing to WebSphere issue: "Upload is not to..."](https://www.strongback.us/2006/08/publishing-to-websphere-issue-upload-is-not-to) - This has been an issue that has plagued me a few times. The problem is that when you are publishing from Rational Application Developer to a remote WAS instance, you get a message "Failure Uploading Archive to Server", and in the server logs, you see: Download is not from .../config/temp/download configuration repository: /publishrecord.remote Upload is
- [Getting WebSphere Portal 6 up an running](https://www.strongback.us/2006/08/getting-websphere-portal-6-up-an-running) - WebSphere Portal 6 has come out about a month ago. Since that time, I've been trying to get it properly configured on an iSeries in our lab, and on a Windows VM image. It is up an running, and I've taught a class at a client using one of those images. I have a few
- [LDAP Problem...](https://www.strongback.us/2006/08/ldap-problem) - Well, I have been able to get Portal working with my own Domino LDAP, but our Lab Domino LDAP seems to be the culprit in why I can't get the demo box up and running. After uninstalling, rebooting and doing the LDAP setup 3 times, I continue coming to the same problem.This is the message
- [Portal 6 and Application Server 6.1 disconnect](https://www.strongback.us/2006/08/portal-6-and-application-server-6-1-disconnect) - Right before Portal 6 was released, IBM released WebSphere Application Server 6.1, which runs on Java 5. In that release are many performance enhancements. If you do any wsadmin scripting, you should be familiar with JACL and Jython scripting. Well, IBM has deprecated the JACL interface in favor of Jython. With Jython being a much

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