Wonder If This Phrase Catches On?

I've never heard anyone say this, but I doubt I coined it...

Bush Spied; Nobody Died

Rather pithy like the other version of it that so many people like to use. I hope it catches on!

While I'm on the topic, I was recently informed of Section 1802 of the FISA law which allows for warrantless electronic surveillance. I began looking at this section and it is still somewhat vague to me whether or not the current surveillance is legal.

Go read the very first part and you can see that it allows for warrantless surveillance of those parties who are defined in "section 1801 (a) (1), (2), or (3)". Now had this stated "section 1801 (a) (1), (2), (3), or (4)", then there would probably be no question as to the legality of this. This is because the party described in (4) is "a group engaged in international terrorism or activities in preparation therefor". I do believe that the main reason for this current surveillance is simply to stop terrorism mainly caused by Al-Qaeda.

In an interview on FoxNews with Chris Wallace on January 8, 2006, Rep. Jane Harman, D-CALIF, gave some great details about the program and confirmed that the program was aimed at terrorists:

HARMAN: But it was made clear to me that conversations between Americans in America were not part of the program and require — and I think they do — a court warrant in order to eavesdrop on them.

And that's been a point of confusion, because some of the press articles allege that this is a so-called, as you said, domestic surveillance program. That's not what I believe it is.....

You should really read the entire interview - Representative Harman has some good points. But getting back to the FISA Section 1802, it appears that it was basically followed and that the warrantless searches can be legal for one year. In some senses of the term, the terrorist could be accurately designated as a "faction of a foreign nation or nations".

I'm still not entirely certain about this. We do know for certain that the Brooklyn Bridge is still intact (and many lives saved) due to this program and it's murky as to whether this program played a role in preventing an attack on the US Bank Tower in Los Angeles.

So, what say you?

Now Playing: "Again" by Brooks & Dunn

BlackBerry Multi-Mode Edition Software FAQ

The document linked below details BlackBerry's Multi-Mode Edition software. This will be released in the event that an injunction is made against RIM in their patent dispute case with NTP. The software is a workaround that will bypass the claims of the patents.

Initially, I understood that no updates would need to be made to the BES or devices. But if the injunction is made, the BES and devices will need to be patched.

http://www.blackberry.com/select/mme/pdfs/mme_customer_faq.pdf

Now Playing: "Stars" by David Crowder Band

A "Micro"-"Soft"ware Company

So, what exactly is in a name? While I could probably spin some FUD their way bases solely on the meaning of "Microcomputer Software" Corporation (a.k.a. Microsoft), I will hold back some. As history shows, Microsoft acquired their foothold by developing Operating Systems for "IBM Compatible" microcomputers. On the other hand we have Microsoft's biggest threat in International Business Machines. To me the names alone say a lot about the companies...

That being said, I have been thinking of Ed Brill's post back in December requesting comments on the largest deployments of Domino on a single server. Many customers consistently had over 12,000 users. There were even some that had over 30,000 and one chimed in on running over 59,000 users in a 2 way cluster for failover. This is truly amazing! I know that with the size of my organization that we fall within the "Small to Medium Business" (SMB) category for IBM.

But how would Microsoft view my company?

Looking at a TechNet article on "Recommendations for Large Organizations", we read that "The recommendations for medium organizations are also applicable to large organizations that have more than 1,000 users". There is even a graphic depicting "A large Exchange 2003 organization that has three server locations". In the graphic there are a total of 5 Exchange 2003 Mailbox Servers with an additional 2 cluster servers and a "front-end server farm". The total number of users in this implementation is 12,000 users - which is a fairly big implementation. But you're still looking at software designed for the "micro" world - thus requiring more and more servers for scalable environments.

Reading Microsoft's "Exchange Server 2003 Product Overview", we read the answer as to the likely scalability limit for single Exchange 2003 servers: "With Exchange Server 2003, however, the number of supported users and mailboxes can easily be in the 3,000–5,000 range or more, depending upon the user profiles, message traffic patterns, and mailbox size limitations." I suppose we could debate what the "or more" means, but they're basically saying that you should not have more than 5,000 users per server. Compared to some of the Domino implementations, this scenario would require 10-20 servers to service over 50,000 users (depending on the clustering scenario).

So what does this say to me, you ask? I personally believe it speaks volumes about the role IBM plays in this game of collaboration software. Not only does IBM offer great value from Notes/Domino to small businesses, but they offer truly scalable software (and hardware) solutions. It tires me to continally read how great Microsoft is (though all comparisons show that IBM meets or exceeds what Microsoft offers in direct product comparisons). After going to Lotusphere 2006, the best one I've attended, there should be no doubt whatsoever in the minds of anyone that IBM is on the offensive. The Guardian article is completely ridiculous. Most of our users could probably care less about the e-mail client being used. We purchased Notes/Domino because of the benefits it provided beyond mail and PIM. E-mail was just a little bonus! And we have a ton of users who are deriving immense value from Lotus.

Notes 7.0.1 Upgrade Prompt

I've placed a call with Lotus Support to see why this is happening. I have tried running the Admin and Standard Notes 7.0.1 setup for several users. Three of the 4 I tried have received this box. I've never seen previous upgrades of Notes prompt to close individual applications. Has anyone else seen this on 7.0.1 or prior versions?



I am going to see if the silent install via Smart Upgrade will keep this message from appearing. But when I set up my Smart Upgrade kit (as I always have in previous upgrades) with the Deploy Version as "Release 7.0.1", it fails stating that there were no matching kits found in the Smart Upgrade database. I have verified that the Settings and Policy documents have "Release 7.0.1" as well. I'm placing a call about the Smart Upgrade thing too. Will let you know what I find out on both.

Now Playing: "Mystery Machine" by Angra

Notes and Domino 7.0.1 Is Available

Just checked Passport Advantage and Notes/Domino 7.0.1 is available for download.

So, go get it!

Now Playing: "Heroes of Sand" by Angra

Notes Domino 7.0.1 is Coming Soon

OK, so the Gold Build is complete. When I looked yesterday it wasn't. Hopefully we'll see it posted in the next couple of weeks.

From remembering the slides at the Opening Session, this posting will be referred to as eGA, or Electronic General Availability. The shipping product will be pGA, or Physical General Availability, right?

Now Playing: "No Time To Run" by Barren Cross

RIM Workaround

Here's a trackback to the RIMBlackBerryNTP Blog detailing the "workaround" that we've been reading about.

It does seem like a fairly seamless workaround. Though I agree with the concerns of not being able to read and respond to emails when you are not in coverage. I'm not familiar with all of the semantics regarding "push" and "push-pull". Effectively the workaround is for RIM to push only some headers to the phone and when viewing the message the handheld will pull the rest of the body. Back to the semantics, is this not what RIM now does with the exception of pushing headers plus a truncated body? Many times I will have to initiate the pull to read messages longer than a certain length. But I guess those semantics are meant for the courtroom. Hopefully this will all work out since we just placed an order to double the number of licenses on our BES.

Now Playing: "Mud Puddle" by Disciple

Commitment (LS06)

I'm still trying to recap the Lotusphere 2006 week in my mind. On Thursday morning, I was thinking to myself that if there is one thing that we should take away, it is IBM/Lotus' commitment to the Lotus software products. This word was re-iterated in the closing session. If it hasn't been the case in the past when we have said we're on the offensive, we should know without a doubt that IBM is in this for the longhaul!

Session Evaluations (LS06)

I was able to review the evaluations from our session. It was great to see all of the positive things that were said. It makes all of the preparation worthwhile to see that people find the information helpful and implementable.

Here are basically all of the written comments:

- More before and after
- links to Redbooks or tech center (There were some links at the end of the slides.)
- "excellent for even experienced iseries shop" (This was great to hear! We were hoping that newbies and experienced admins would be able to get something from this.)
- wanted more time for material (We wanted more time as well - that's why there was less before/after and no mention of disk.)
- "best session I have been to in years" and this was from one "considering iseries" (WOW - thanks!)
- should mention disk next time (We will definitely try to update this and hopefully present again together!)
- "can be taken back and put in place" (Great to hear that you can start using this!)

Apology to Gab and All

This needs to be something public for all eyes, so I would like to offer my apologies to Gab for my post the other day. While I did not mean for it to be taken personally, it was. I'm sorry.

To those who have read the now defunct posts (mine and hers), I am also sorry for any stain on the community caused only by me. As we had mentioned at the Bloggers BOF, we are a family. And I was being the black sheep (a role I never take).

I would like to thank Gab for her graciousness in offering to strike-through this and start over. She and I had a great AIM session and this was easily worked through. I offered to delete the post which was something she agreed to let me do. I hope that we can all put this behind us and move forward with what we've learned at Lotusphere. Honestly, everytime I think about it now I feel physically sick! Gab is an amazing administrator and a wonderful speaker - that Cluster Jumpstart was awesome!! We all have a lot to learn from her!

Sadly, there was some confusion on the GURU stage and I was hearing something that was not intended to be heard that way. I followed through completely in the wrong way. I have blogged about this particular Sametime problem here starting in June, 2005 (and, ironically, I even had a crash in the closing session...). So it was something personal for me I have been dealing with for nearly 8 months and I felt my comments were being slighted (which they were not). This was no excuse. I have corresponded with 2 others who have contacted me about this. I probably deserved to be raked over the coals by them, but they both were overly kind and fatherly to me in their correction of my wrong - so thank you!

SeaWorld Was Great! (LS06)

I had a great time last night. I rode over with Christopher Byrne and Deborah Latter. They are the compliance and change control gurus! We had a blast hanging out. Other than Christopher running from the impending soak from Shamu, it was awesome. We actually didn't get soaked.

Well, I'm in an Activity Centric Collaboration session that's just starting. This is something revolutionary that IBM is working on for users to "organize the work around activities." Think of being able to have an activity in Notes and easily organize and share (via RSS) the activity and dropping files, emails, IMs, etc... Awesome stuff!

Exam 610 Passed!!

Just passed the Notes/Domino 6/6.5 Application Development Foundation Skills exam!

I got an 82% (needed 75 to pass). On three sections I scored 100% and got 70% and 80% on the other two.

Bloggers' BOF (LS06)

I believe I may be the first post about it - sorry I didn't make the JamFest tonight. I don't want to get sweaty before dinner tonight! I was going to email my Blogspot account to post directly from the BOF, but decided not to. There was no wi-fi there, so the rest of the bloggers couldn't post. It was a really good BOF - especially being able to meet some new people. Ed Brill was the moderator and there were some great comments and questions.

The main thing that I would echo is that if you're not currently blogging, go ahead and start. You should also not hesitate to comment at other blogs. This at least gets your name out there and helps to make friends (or enemies...). I can really attest to something that Ed said.

He mentioned that blogging is a very good way to not only get your name out in the community, but also that it can help you get noticed by those who approve sessions (he pointed out that many of the people in the room were also speakers) and provides a means for them to see how well you communicate. While I generally will post techy items, you don't need to have a tech blog to "get noticed." Like Jess said at the BOF, you just have to post about things that others will find interesting. Even if it's just that you saw some strange shape made by your Cheerios. I would definitely say that being active in this community aided in the approval of the session I co-presented.

I look forward to staying active and hopefully being able to add feeds for some new bloggers who may have been inspired at the BOF!

Who's going to JamFest Tuesday Night? (LS06)

Just wondering who's planning on coming? I'm up in the air on it... Comment if so.

Day One (LS06)

Okay, so this is a little late as I'm waiting for the 2nd class on Day 2 to start. It's on DDM - which as you know is something I'm really liking about Domino 7.

Anyway, Day 1 went great. As I've previously posted, Kim Greene and my session went very well. I also checked out Lance and Dwight's session on AJAX and DXL. I'm looking forward to getting their application. I spent some time on the showcase floor too. Got my LotusUserGroup.org shirt (can't remember her name, but the LUG lady knew me as "The iSeries Guy"). I also got my "I'm a L.U.G. NUT!" pin. It's fitting because my nickname is Nut (short for Whisonant) and I didn't want the "Sametime Stud" or "Domino Diva" pins!

I also went to a session on Web Services but it wasn't what I was hoping for.

Last night was the JamFest also. It was cool but I didn't even get up to play. There were many more "eager" players... But it was great to meet and hang out with people. After the JamFest was karaoke at Kimono's. It was the first time I had been. I didn't sing, but many did and some were good. I left way earlier than the ones who stayed to close it down...

Our iSeries Session At Lotusphere 2006 (LS06)

The IBM Lotus Domino for IBM iSeries Administration and Performance Best Practices session that Kim Greene and I did went really well. Kim was great to work with, and maybe we can try this again next year with some updated information. If you attended the session, THANK YOU. If you didn't attend (B.E.) just remember that I can now heckle you at your sessions. We were in a fairly small room, but we probably filled around 85% of the seats. Kim and I also enjoyed hanging out with a few of the attendees afterwards answering some questions. This was a really great experience and I would like to thank IBM (especially Rocky's Best Practices team) and Kim for the opportunity to present.

Here is a link to the Color PDF of the presentation. I will also be placing a link on the menu over on the left.

Prepped for Session and Sametime News Story (LS06)

I just finished reviewing my part of the BP406 session. I'm really pumped about it!

Also, I've already had one power user from back home send me a Yahoo! news story about IBM integrating AOL, Y!, and Google IM platforms into Sametime 7.5. The word is getting around!

On that note, IBM really was pressing the point that they are the innovators in this arena during the Opening General Session.

Opening General Session (LS06)

This thing is packed!! Word is that the entire front section is just for the press. Some major announcements - just see these highlights:

* Jason Alexander speaks! He's hilarious...
* DWA and Notes with Sametime for Mac - live demo!
* Over 1500 Notes wins over Exchange!
* GoodLink for Lotus
* Wanda - Portable Notes on USB stick
* Notes/SAP integration next quarter - prior to MS/SAP integration
* This was the feature Rocky was talking about
* IM on BlackBerry - in Message window not separate chat app
* Web Services on BB
* Connectivity with AIM, Y!, and Google Talk!! WOW! With no additional purchase.
* Sametime 7.5 - emoticons too! Voice Chat, built on Eclipse! Screen capture to put in chat
* Better UI for Web Conferencing too
* 15 Million users of Sametime
* IBM Workplace Forms - very nice!
* Domino builder for Eclipse?
* Shipping WCS and WMC today!
* IBM Productivity Tools
* Activity Explorer for WMC 2.6
* Domino "Next" - Websphere Portal integrated to Domino (Lotus Domino 8?)
* Hannover - The richest Implementation of activity centric computing, improved mail threads, ctrl-click to select multiples
* Hannover Demo was awesome! Way to go Lotus!!
* Oh yeah - NO CRASHES from these major demos (remember the infamous MS BSoD with major announcements?)

The Shirts! (LS06)

While you're at Lotusphere, don't forget to get these shirts from the showcase floor!!


Get this from Workflow Studios (see Lance Spellman)


Get this from OpenNTF.org

Jumpstart Day (LS06)

Today has gone well. As others have said, the numbers have increased this year about 15% (almost along the lines of Lotus' growth too!) I went to two sessions today and met with Kim Greene to go over our presentation. I also saw on Chris Miller's blog that iCollaborate for iSeries was announced. I'm anxious to see what this is. Hopefully it will be among the announcements tomorrow. It was also really great to start putting faces with people!!

The first session I went to was the Java Jumpstart for the Domino Developer from Tom Duff and Julian Robichaux. This was a great session!! As Julian posted last week, he had a demo of a Pie Chart and Bar Graph all from within Notes. It was a great session, but I didn't win a prize. This session was packed out in a fairly large room. The highlights were Julian squirting Tom with a watergun (as part of a coding example) and also Julian's laser pionter (a.k.a. Red Light Saber!!)

Speaking of prizes, though, I did get two t-shirts. Bruce Elgort gave me an OpenNTF.org shirt and Lance Spellman gave me the coveted "Take Your Exchange Server and SHOVE It!" shirt. Also, John Roling gave me an "I'm A Sicko!" button. Awesome - thanks guys...

The second session I went to was An Introduction to All Things IBM Lotus Domino Clustering by Gabriella Davis. To be a strictly admin session, there was a packed room here too. It was a good session and I have some notes on some clustering things I would like to implement. However, I disagree with her statement that clustered unread marks are fixed as of 6.5. I know I've seen these still get out of sync. It is true that there is now a setting to control this, but with server and/or client crashes this number can be skewed across replicas.