Groupware News

I just found some info about the upcoming changes to the ND 8.5 Certifications.

First, if you are going down the re-certification path, it appears as if you will need to obtain the ND 8.0 certification BEFORE you can get your 8.5 cert.

This is a change from 6.5 where there was a combination of 6 & 6.5. From the link above, it does not appear as if the ND 8 and ND 8.5 certs will be combined.

Second, for advanced certs, they will require/accept either the ND 7 OR the ND 8 Advanced Certification tests. The only test they will not accept is for the Advanced Admin, “Test 735 - Administering IBM Lotus Sametime 7.5″. This was the same with the 8.0 Advanced cert.

Target release dates are “late December 2008″ for the App Dev & Sys Admin re-certifications and first App Dev cert. The 2 remaining App Dev and 3 Sys Admin tests are Q1, 2009.

A quick check of CertFX, AdvancedCLP & Self Test yields no release date for practice tests. I have reached out to them and asked for dates, if available. As soon as I hear something, I’ll let you know.

If you have your ND 6.5 certs, still don’t have your ND7 certs, and want to obtain the Advanced level certs with minimum effort, here’s the game plan you’re looking at to get you to 8.5:

App Dev Tests
701 - Lotus Notes Domino 7 Application Development Update - You have until 31 December 2008, then the test is retired.
801 - IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8 Application Development Update
951 - IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 Application Development Update

For advanced level, pass any one of the following ND7 or ND8 elective tests:
737 - Using LotusScript in IBM Lotus Domino 7 Applications
753 - Using JavaScript in IBM Lotus Domino 7 Application s
756 - Using Web Services in IBM Lotus Domino 7 Applications
803 - Using LotusScript in IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8 Applications
804 - Using JavaScript in IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8 Applications
805 - Using Web Services in IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8 Applications
838 - IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8 Developing Composite Applications

Sys Admin Tests
702 - Lotus Notes Domino 7 System Administration Update - You have until 31 December 2008, then the test is retired.
802 - IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8 System Administration Update
952 - IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 System Administration Update

For advanced level, pass any one of the following ND7 or ND8 elective tests:
739 - IBM Lotus Domino 7 Configuring Domino Web Servers
840 - IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8 Configuring Domino Web Servers

I’m not sure if anyone’s mentioned this but there’s going to be a Webcast on running Sametime on VMWare 16 Dec @ 11 EST.

Does anyone have any experience with ISO 27000 Certification? We’re pursuing it at work and I can’t find any good resources. Anyone know of any? Thanks!

Not for nothing but I’m a bit tired of non-compete clauses, or “claws". I am an avowed capitalist. My services, and everyone’s for that matter, should be able to go to the highest bidder. If you can get a better deal, in whatever way you consider a better deal, I say go for it.

IBM’s attempt to cock-block Mark Papermaster from joining Apple as head of iPod/iPhone engineering is a joke.

If companies are that terrified that their “corporate secrets” are going to get out there, then don’t go into business. To quote the king of Sportstalk Radio, Howard Eskin, “If you’re scared, stay at home and get a dog!”

The “secrets” are going to get out there when you go after a patent or go to market anyway, so why the fuss? Companies won’t be able to “react” that quickly anyway. Papermaster’s ideas won’t germinate for at least, what, 6 months, if they are lucky, or a year? Where’s the issue? If there is a situation that develops where there is an actual infringement on something, then I say you have an issue.

That is not the case here.

IBM is pointlessly trying to cock-block him and we as IBM devotee’s are the loser. We already have an issue with Apple not being too keen IBM for iPhones. Why exacerbate that situation to the detriment of your customers?

Let Papermaster go and perhaps, his years of experience at IBM would be utilized in other capacities. Were IBM serious about iPhone as a platform, who better than an ex-IBM-er who IBM let go on good terms to champion the cause? It would probably go like this:

“Hey, when I was at IBM we had a thing that did this … do we have something like that? No, OK let’s call IBM then …”

Like that wouldn’t happen? Maybe, maybe not. However, if IBM persists, you know damn sure it won’t happen at all.

Rather than hound both the new employer and employee, IBM, for the love of God, create some good will here and for once, do us here in the trenches some good.

If you haven’t heard, on 03 December, RIM is hosting an all day, online technical seminar. Basically, it is a day of webinars. I dig the concept. They have an admin, beginning and advanced developer tracks. Check it out.