Category Technical What do you think?
Bookmark :              

I have an idea mulling around in my head. I am thinking about putting together either a couple of presentations, or articles, or.... well, something publicly consumable, based on the two ideas I have and are about to presesnt to you; and then fulfilled by your input. So, what are these ideas? Let me explain...

I have been a developer forever - over 16 years now. And let me stress - developer. At first (think early R3.0 days) I actually could manage a "Notes server" (Domino didn't exist yet) - mainly because there wasn't that much to worry about. And then when Domino came along and things got more complicated, I went through an early phase of actually not knowing much about the admin side of the house at all - and I think this is where most Notes/Domino developers are today. Likewise I am almost confident that all but a few administrators really know nothing at all about development, other than it exists and causes his elegantly-configured and normally-sold Domino server to crash before you can say "LotusScript".

And that brings me to my idea/concept.

I want to put together two "top 10" type of lists based upon the two following topics:

• Top 10 Things Every Domino Developer Should Know About Admin
• Top 10 Things Every Domino Administrator Should Know About Dev

Think of it this way: If you as the experienced/top Developer or Admin in your organization, could sit down a young, new, associate that is of your counterpart (Admin or Developer, respectively), what are the top 10 "pearls of wisdom" you would impart on them so that they may be better at what they do with a more "worldly" view, and may just understand and interact with your world a little bit more effectively (and understandingly).

Given this concept, I'd like my "brilliant" readers to think about this and respond - and discuss. Give me your bullet-proof top 10 from your respective areas of expertise, and let's see if we can put together an insightful list to help the greater community, and greater good. Don't think of interesting or archane bits of lore - that's another list. This is more informing and enlightening - something that will make the reader a better, more informed and understanding professional about what they (and their counterpart) do for their profession.

So, folks, give this some thought. I know I haven't been around for a bit (things got a bit insane - I'll explain later), but my world is settling down now and I'm ready to get the LotusGeek discussions going again - and this is a great topic with which to start.

Oh, and as a teaser for you leading into the weekend, I want you to know that next week won't be all nice funny posts and announcements. Next week I really want to vent about some things going on in the US lately - think President Bush, the oil crisis, the child molester/no execution court decision, and so on. It is yet another way I'm getting back to the "old" LotusGeek.

Let's start the discussion, and we'll have some "interesting discussion" fun next week.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Rock

Posted by Rocky Oliver At 11:06 AM Location - Flowery Branch, GA | Permalink | Comments (10)

   
Category Announcements
Bookmark :              

Just a quick note - John Kingsley and I from Teamstudio will be conducting another webinar tomorrow at 2PM EST - this one is entitled Agents Gone Wild! Regaining Control Over Your Agents. This is another session targeted at developers who may also be responsible for the admin role, or administrators who have little to no control over their agent environment, and they want to learn how they can "reign in" and regain control over their agent environment. Here's the summary...

How do you keep those end users from calling you when that scheduled agent doesn't do what it was supposed to? Where do you start looking? And why does the server bog down at 10 am every day? We can all appreciate what scheduled agents can do for us when they are on our team, but how do you identify ones that are not doing what they are supposed to be doing?

In this webcast, we will discuss tips to help you manage your agents more effectively. We will take a deep dive into all of the issues with agents that you might or might not be aware of. We will also take a sneak peek at a new tool for managing agents, Teamstudio Agent Registry.

As a developer who has had to "own" admin tasks before, and has had to work with admins who didn't understand their agent environment, I think this is an important topic for admins AND developers - especially those who don't understand the agent environment themselves.

See you tomorrow!

Rock

Posted by Rocky Oliver At 3:29 PM Location - Flowery Branch, GA | Permalink | Comments (1)

   
Category Fun
Bookmark :              

You know the song "Oh Fortuna"? You probably do, but didn't know that was the name. It is most famous (at least for people around my age) as the "major battle" song in the movie Excalibur (1981). You know how some people (maybe even you) have mis-heard lyrics before in a song? Especially songs where the words aren't especially clear ("Inagaddadavida" by Iron Butterlfy comes to mind - it really is "In a Garden of Eden"). Then what happens if you don't listen to the words of "Oh Fortuna" very carefully?

Well, you get something like this...


Enjoy!

Rock

Posted by Rocky Oliver At 3:52 PM Location - Flowery Branch, GA | Permalink | Comments (6)

   
Category Devcons
Bookmark :              

Sorry I haven't posted earlier this week. I have been getting ready for my speaking engagement at the Irish Lotus Users Group Conference 2008 (ILUG2008.org) in Dublin, Ireland. As you may or may not know, the ILUG conference is one of the best conferences in Europe for Notes/Domino professionals - and the best part is that it is FREE. Paul Mooney and friends have done a great job of soliciting corporate sponsorship to cover their costs, and while they have increased the size a little bit each year they have deliberately kept it relatively small and intimate - and it makes this conference even more appealing. They have also managed to recruit the best and brightest speakers in the Notes/Domino space to speak there, so this really is a can't-miss event for you Europeans, especially if you didn't attend Lotusphere.

I will be participating in (at least) two events. I will be giving my session entitled, "Design Programming Using XML and DXL", which is an introductory session to XML and DXL for Domino Developers who are primarily experienced in LotusScript. My abstract is below:

LotusScript is the most powerful (and and most widely used) language for all IBM Lotus Domino developers. However, there are problems lurking in the script of the applications in our organization - yet we just don't have the time to find it all. This session will help you begin hunting down those problems. We'll show you how to write applications with LotusScript, XML, and DXL, to search applications for LotusScript design problems. and manipulate the designs to fix those problems! We'll also cover XML and DXL in LotusScript - what works, what doesn't, and work arounds to these problems. We'll also explore other "nifty uses", such as enabling users to configure application design preferences.

I gave that session at Lotusphere with my friend Andre Guirard; however at ILUG I'll be flying solo. Guess you'll have to just put up with my smiling face! ;)

I am also honored to be the host of this year's edition of ILUG SpeedGeeking. This is a rowdy, fun hour that is chock full of information presented at a frantic pace. Here's my description of it from last year (and yes, I did post this a few days ago, but I thought I'd post it here again to save you from going there).

We've all heard of "Speed Dating" - the A.D.D. way to meet the maximum number of potential partners in the minimal amount of time. What happens if you try to do the same thing with a room full of geeks? Let's find out! SpeedGeeking is a brand-new , quick-n-dirty, raucous way to learn some great tips, tricks, and techniques from some of the best and brightest of our ILUG speakers. In a short 5 minutes you'll see some tips, techniques (and sometimes crazy) ideas that they have been working on. Migrate in small groups from one demo to the next, while a short yet loud-mouthed MC keeps things moving! The result may feel out of control, but it is guaranteed to be fun (and maybe a little informative as well)!

So, if you're going to ILUG, I'll see you there. If you aren't going to be there, you're missing out on THE BEST show outside of Lotusphere.

Rock

Posted by Rocky Oliver At 3:24 PM Location - Flowery Branch, GA | Permalink | Comments (2)

   
Category American Idol
Bookmark :              

As I have mentioned many times before, I am a pretty big American Idol fan. This year has been very interesting - for the most part, the person who is voted out each week is pretty much on par with what I thought should have happened. The only exception is Jason - I thought he should have been gone a couple of weeks before he was actually voted off. However, the two contestants that were left standing for the finals - David Cook and David Archuletta - are exactly who I thought should be there.

And the first night of the finals was held last night. Both contestants were fabulous, and I agree with Simon Cowell's statement that "this night will go down as one of the best in finals history" (or something to that effect). Both contestants were completely on their game - David Cook performed some inventive takes on U2's "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", and Collective Soul's "The World I Know". David Cook also sang an original song submitted for the "Winner's Song" contest, "Dream Big". David Archuletta started with a stunning performance of Elton John's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", sang his pick from the "Winner's Song" contest called "In This Moment", and finished with a reprise of the John Lennon's "Imagine" - which happens to be his favorite song and is considered his best performance of the season when he first sang it.

As I said earlier, I think both contestants did their best - all of the songs were exceptional, and were well sung. However, David Archuletta may be the best technical singer ever to appear on Idol, and has consistently been flawless at a minimum, all the way to breathtakingly amazing at times. I believe that David Archuletta should be the winner, and the judges seemed to agree; however there is at least one site, DialIdol.com, has predicted that David Cook will actually be the winner that is announced tonight. They determined this by automated dialing and measuring how long each of the Idol's numbers were busy signals, and for how long. They claim that they are 87% accurate overall for an entire season - and has been 100% accurate on picking the finals - so it will be interesting to see if their prediction of such a huge upset is right.

In fact, here's what they actually said concerning their prediction this year:

Let's be clear - DialIdol is definitively predicting that David Cook will win American Idol. No ifs, ands or buts about it. No crazy margin of error claims or anything. The DialIdol scores are significantly different enough to wash all that out the window.

This comes as a bit of a surprise to me given that David Archuleta "knocked out" David Cook during the performance show so before you decide to skip the results show tonight you might want to consider that I myself will be watching with the usual uncertain anticipation that has become habit for me!

If you'd like to read a more comprehensive story on the final's proceedings, here's a good article at MTV.com.

In any case I would recommend tuning in for the Americal Idol final results show tonight (on FOX at 8PM EDT), so you can see how good these two are, and to find out this year's American Idol.

Rock

Posted by Rocky Oliver At 2:32 PM Location - Flowery Branch, GA | Permalink | Comments (2)

   
Category Devcons
Bookmark :              

As Paul has already mentioned on his blog, I am very honored to be the MC for the extremely fun and informative SpeedGeek event at ILUG 2008. I have been fortunate enough to host SpeedGeeking for both Lotusphere and ILUG, and I have to say it is one of the most enjoyable and informative events available. Here's my description of SpeedGeeking from last year:

We've all heard of "Speed Dating" - the A.D.D. way to meet the maximum number of potential partners in the minimal amount of time. What happens if you try to do the same thing with a room full of geeks? Let's find out! SpeedGeeking is a brand-new , quick-n-dirty, raucous way to learn some great tips, tricks, and techniques from some of the best and brightest of our ILUG speakers. In a short 5 minutes you'll see some tips, techniques (and sometimes crazy) ideas that they have been working on. Migrate in small groups from one demo to the next, while a short yet loud-mouthed MC keeps things moving! The result may feel out of control, but it is guaranteed to be fun (and maybe a little informative as well)!

So if you're attending ILUG, please make sure you keep the evening of Thursday, 5 June 2008, open to attend SpeedGeeking!

Rock

Posted by Rocky Oliver At 1:15 PM Location - Flowery Branch, GA | Permalink | Comments (1)

   
Category Technical Teamstudio
Bookmark :              

My esteemed colleague John Coolidge (the co-creator of the awesome MS Office Constants database) has created a new blog for Teamstudio users. This Teamstudio Tool Tips blog is a site where John and other Teamstudio techies, as well as customers, will post kewl tools, tips, techniques, etc. for getting the most out of their Teamstudio investment.

John has already populated it with some useful content, and we encourage other Teamstudio users to contribute to this site as well. I believe Tom "Duffbert Duff has already contributed some content, and I look forward to more contributions from other Teamstudio users.

Thanks John!

Rock

Posted by Rocky Oliver At 1:19 PM Location - Beverly, MA | Permalink | Comments (0)

   
Category Family
Bookmark :              

Sorry for the week of not posting - but I have a good reason. I was a chaperone for Kelsey's 8th grade honors class trip to Washington, DC. We got on a bus early Tuesday (6 MAY 08) morning, and rode in the bus for 12 hours or so up to Washington. Every day was packed with stuff to do - we had a tour guide with us for almost the entire trip, so even the bus rides from one place to the next were full of information and interesting facts. We were fortunate enough to tour the White House, Capitol, Holocaust Museum, various monuments along the "mall" - and we did some of them at night as well - and much more. There was also a yacht trip one evening, where we were served great food and they had a DJ and dance floor for a couple of hours. The yacht was BIG - 3 stories plus an open deck on the very top. The yacht held 6 different school trip groups, all the same grade. Each floor had two schools on it, and each floor had a DJ and dance floor. We also spent a great deal of time exploring the Smithsonian Museum, which is one of my most favorite places to go.


Kelsey in front of the White House

Overall the kids LOVED the trip, and I think they actually learned a thing or two along the way. And I had fun as well - but I must admit I'm glad to be home and back to work, so I can recover ;)

Rock

Posted by Rocky Oliver At 3:03 PM Location - Beverly, MA | Permalink | Comments (1)

   
Category Miscellany Media
Bookmark :              

I was cruising around, catching up on news, and came across this story. What an incredible act of sportsmanship...

Opponents carry injured home-run hitter around bases, from Fox Sports:

With two runners on base and a strike against her, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence.

But it appeared to be the shortest of dreams come true when she missed first base, started back to tag it and collapsed with a knee injury.

She crawled back to first but could do no more. The first-base coach said she would be called out if her teammates tried to help her. Or, the umpire said, a pinch runner could be called in, and the homer would count as a single.

Then, members of the Central Washington University softball team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases Saturday so the three-run homer would count - an act that contributed to their own elimination from the playoffs.

Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman, the career home run leader in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, asked the umpire if she and her teammates could help Tucholsky.

The umpire said there was no rule against it.

So Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace put their arms under Tucholsky's legs, and she put her arms over their shoulders. The three headed around the base paths, stopping to let Tucholsky touch each base with her good leg.

With so many athletes having a "me first" attitude, there really aren't many great role models left. These girls are the very definition of good sportsmanship and good role models.

Rock

Posted by Rocky Oliver At 11:19 AM Location - Flowery Branch, GA | Permalink | Comments (4)

   
Category Fun
Bookmark :              

NOTE: I think I'm in a funny mood today. Hope you enjoy this one too!

According to a news report, a certain private school in Washington was recently faced with a unique problem. A number of 12-year-old girls had begun to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom.

That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night the maintenance man would remove them and the next day the girls would put them back.

Finally the principal decided that something had to be done. She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man.

She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night (you can just imagine the yawns from the little princesses).

To demonstrate how difficult it was to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.

Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror...

There are teachers... and then there are educators

Enjoy!

Rock

Posted by Rocky Oliver At 5:10 AM Location - Flowery Branch, GA | Permalink | Comments (1)

   
Category Fun Religion
Bookmark :              

What would happen if the Ghostbusters were around for Jesus' ascension on the third day?

NOTE: The image is humorous, but may be viewed as inappropriate by some of my readers. If you are offended by religious juxtapositions such as is suggested here, then please don't click the link. If, however, you are not offended by mildly sacreligious humor, then I invite you to take a look at the image. **Rock

Have a great day!


Read More

Posted by Rocky Oliver At 3:28 AM Location - Flowery Branch, GA | Permalink | Comments (14)

   
Category Fun
Bookmark :              

Update: I found a slightly longer version of this, so I updated the link. It is by the same person. **Rock

The local radio station played this unbelievable Dell Sales Support Call. Is is supposedly authentic (not on Snopes) call made to Dell sales. The call starts out normally, and then goes awry - I won't spoil it for you, but you really need to watch the YouTube link below. It had me rolling on the floor laughing so hard.


Dell sales call from YouTube

The full version is available at YouTube as well - the link above is a condensed version that simply clips out the regular start-of-call stuff (i.e. name, phone, unit you want, etc.). The version above is funny because it includes pictures with the call.

The sad part is, and why it is so funny, is that we've all been on calls similar to this. OK, maybe not this bad, but I know I've been on a few that were close. And hell, when I was in Lotus tech support I've felt like blasting the customer on numerous occasions; however I did refrain myself.

Hilarious.

Enjoy!

Rock

Posted by Rocky Oliver At 9:10 AM Location - Flowery Branch, GA | Permalink | Comments (3)