Groupware News

ComputerWorld has an article entitled “Hate Microsoft Outlook? Top 10 annoyances and how to fix them” just in case you were wondering. I’ve added the typical “Then use Notes” but you can go over and give me a thumbs up. Thanks!

I came across this article by Craig Mullins on DB2’s Twitter feed. It is a really good and persuasive article on why admins need to understand application development. Yes, it is DBMS specific but there are plenty of valid points regardless of application specifics.

Historically, I have avoided app dev stuff. I’m not sure why. I think partially, it was fear of embracing my inner uber-geek. I’m not sure why that’s a fear but I’ll leave those questions for my shrink.

Anyway … if you’re an Admin like me and have been avoiding learning App Dev skills, now would be a good time to start. A regular view of Planet Lotus’ Job page shows there are more App Dev jobs then Admin. Everyday, I’m seeing more and more benefits to learning all I can about it … AND I’m also seeing more and more reasons why keeping in the dark about App Dev is a serious detriment to my career. Once you make the plunge, you will too.

So, after Craig’s article above sells you, where should you go next?

Stephan Wissel has a great diagram that illustrates the skills one needs to cultivate to be a Domino Developer. Now, based on this, the depth of Notes/Domino Development need not scare you. Our colleagues have made the on-ramp to Domino Development easy.

Go back to my “I Feel So Dirty” post from last week for some good starting points. If funding is a bit of a challenge, the “Domino Designer 6: A Developer’s Handbook” Redbook or Mark Elliott’s book “Lotus Notes Developer’s Toolbox” are great places to start.

Yes, I know these two aren’t ND8 specific, they are ND6 and ND7 respectively, but for the starting developer, either book will do a great job in getting you up to speed.

So, that’s about all I’ve got for now … anyone care to add anything?

I feel so ashamed. I’m embarrassed. I feel so dirty. I’m well … after close to 14+ years of working with Notes, I’m finally writing my first real Notes app. I’m not sure if I feel this way because I’m writing code or because it’s taken me this long to get into writing code.

It is quite the conundrum.

It isn’t that I haven’t tried to write code before. I’ve taken the R5 App Dev training courses [Thanks Scott!], had work pick up the TLCC CBTs and poked around in Designer. I even obtained the 6.5 App Dev cert. But I have never, ever written an app.

I’ve intended to.

I even talked my way on to a few dev projects.

I suppose it is really that I’ve been lucky to be around some great developers over the years that I’ve never had the chance.

Well, now I have the chance and, honestly, I am really looking forward to it.

Of course, I’ve got the aforementioned TLCC training, the Domino Designer Redbooks, Mark Elliott’s Lotus Notes Developer’s Toolbox, Planet Lotus, DeveloperWorks and my GONADs. So, I’ve got my sherpa, plenty of how-to’s and I think I’m ready.

I feel really lucky to be part of this IBM/Lotus community. I have to admit that the number of developer blogs on PL makes one who is not a developer say “Perhaps I should jump in with these people!", and well, now I am.

So, to all of you around the world who inspire me day in and day out, thanks for the peer pressure!

Not for nothing but I find it interesting that since the Mac PowerPC transition in the mid-90’s everyone has been saying “Oh Apple just hasn’t caught on in the corporate space yet.”

When are people going to get it?

Hasn’t Apple had enough time to make in-roads in corporations? How much longer do they get a pass on this?

Think about it. Jobs is a bright guy. Is capturing the business market really that difficult? If Apple really wanted to capture more business, don’t they have enough of a rep for making superior hardware? Couldn’t they capitalize on that? Do they not have the money? iPods and platform hardware exclusivity don’t generate any cash?

Jobs doesn’t want the corporate space. Had he, he would have make major plays for it a very long time ago. What was one of the first things he did when he came back? He killed the hardware clone program. Doesn’t expanding the number of users who use your platform contribute to your GROWING the platform?

Oh but one might say “Well, developers won’t write apps for the Mac.”

Sure they will … when there is incentive FROM APPLE for them to do so? Since Apple controls the platform, does it not behoove them to generate market interest? Despite that lack of support and interest from Apple, IBM now has DB2 tools for the Mac. (I’m still waiting for a full Admin & Designer client for the Mac!)

But what of Linux? Don’t developers NOW write apps for Linux en masse? As a matter of fact, look at Linux and how it has taken off in roughly the same time frame since the first Power Macs were released.

By Apple, it could be done very easily.

Jobs has a very narrow focus and what is not in that focus is the office cubicle. That’s just the way it is. So please everyone, stop making Apple out to be some sort of victim.

I NEVER thought I’d see this. If anyone still cares and has not hacked their Curve, AT&T has finally released the 4.5 handheld code for the 8310.

Software For BlackBerry® Curve ™ 8310 smartphone

BlackBerry Handheld Software v4.5.0.152 (Multilanguage)

Package Version: 4.5.0.152
Applications: 4.5.0.110
Software Platform: 2.7.0.90
File name: 8310M_PBr4.5.0_rel152_PL2.7.0.90_A4.5.0.110_AT&T.exe
File size: 89.91MB