DB2 gets some bite!

I recall attending a conference in the very early 1980s where there was vigorous debate, even doubt, about whether relational databases would ever be able to perform well enough to replace the incumbent hierarchichal and network databases favorites.

Relational databases certainly have come a very long way since then! Now IBM has released it's database "Viper", officially called DB2 9 ( click here to compare all DB2 9 editions ) and it looks to be a real beauty!

Here's a nice, compact overview of DB2 9 at DB2 Magazine:

The Rubber Meets the Road ... How will DB2 Viper's hybrid XML-relational data server work in the real world? Customers and partners are kicking the tires, revving the engine, and testing performance and handling. Here's what to look for when you take it out for a spin.

Note: there are lots more database resource links at my Web site (indeed, one of the most popular and long-stay pages): http://asiapac.com.au/Links/Database.htm or its backup/mirror: http://notestracker.com/Links/Database.htm

Collaborative Armageddon?

Four analysts from Burton Group have released a podcast titled "When Words Collide: Communication, Collaboration, and Content Convergence" that anybody interested in collaboration -- products like Microsoft SharePoint and IBM Lotus Notes or tools like blogs and wikis -- might like to listen to.

There's rude, then there's really rude!

It's a bit old, but it's good: I just came across this juicy August 2004 posting by k-dub at "Almost Serious ... ramblings of an aging hacker".

Rudest employment ad ever!

I wonder what the 2006 variant would be. What do you think? Can you go one better?

And if you get selected to go for a job interview, it better not be in Russia; see this Sunday Times article: If you survive the interview, you get the job ... or this version in The Australian: Abused and insulted ... you've got the job

It's Wattle time Down Under - 2006

The days have started gradually getting longer here Down Under in Australia (although due to seasonal lag the coolest time of our winter is yet to come).

As is evident from the top two images, in July there's permanent nighttime way down in Antarctica and permanent daytime way up north in Arctic climes (with many more people up there to enjoy the long days than there ever are in Antarctica).



Click on the images to open an enlargement in a new window.





To my delight, the wattle trees have started blooming. I'd like to share with you this image -- snapped just after noon today in bright wintery sunshine -- of one of the first of the wattle trees in the nearby park to display its gorgeous, uplifting riot of green and gold.

It won't be long before the whole of Wattle Park is bathed in gold!

A Developer’s Guide to Surviving Meetings

In one of my other weblogs -- What are the "basic questions" of life and the universe? -- I quote Biggles' philosophy of life (which uses a dialectical approach).

I just came across A Developer’s Guide to Surviving Meetings which has a rather similar tongue-in-cheek approach, and I'm sure you'll appreciate it!

Notes Mail auditing and compliance

Over at my NotesTracker news and tips blog I have just posted a short article on using NotesTracker for comprehensive mail monitoring:

See: Who's been accessing my Lotus Notes mail?