Natesh

Sending HTML emails from Domino

2006-07-04T04:54:00.000-07:00

With support for MIME programmability in Lotus script, it is very easy to send HTML mails. This custom function, configurable to an extent, allows applications to send HTML mails effortlessly. You just need to have the HTML content in a string before calling this function! Hope this helps..

Client-side database choice

2006-03-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

Some resources that can help in knowing choices for Client-side databases

Double Take
Flying out of the gate with Derby
Derby: The Java Relational Database
IBM's Cloudscape Versus MySQL
developerWorks Cloudscape Zone
MySQL Developer Resources

Documenting requirements for a Lotus solution

2006-02-20T08:03:00.000-08:00

Lotus being a pack of technologies, it is challenging to come up with a document that captures requirements in a format that can be easily translated into design. In the ‘Good (but not so practical) Real World’ we should not be worried of the technology while the requirements are documented. Since in most cases we approach requirements with a particular platform(s) / technology(s) in mind, it is practical to adulterate requirements with some technical details. The objective though should be to document requirements in a format that is flexible for design (Java/J2EE, lotus component or something else), development (RAD, testing tools, language used for development) and implementation and most importantly - Change!

Suggestion on the documentation part would be to completely cover the requirements and clearly define the scope (without duplication of effort at a later stage of a project). Some key aspects that need to be included in this requirement documentation

Use Cases
User interface Details, including fields
Access/State Matrix - Depict the state of a document/data element in different modes - at various workflow stages - for multiple user roles. This can be really handy at any stage of the project.
Requirements that are based on the out-of-the box platform capabilities (Replication, Security etc)
Non-functional requirements – Sizing, availability, scalability, performance related etc.

R7 - New mail features

2006-01-29T23:43:00.000-08:00

New features in Lotus Notes 7 mail

Troubleshooting Lotus Domino hangs and crashes

2006-01-26T20:20:00.000-08:00

Some ideas to troubleshoot Notes/Lotus Domino hangs and crashes

Performance monitoring tool

2006-01-23T19:21:00.000-08:00

Check this performance monitoring tool for Lotus notes

Peace!

2006-01-23T00:31:00.000-08:00

Check out these movies

What Peace is ?
10 things you can do to create peace

and try out this test!

IBM Mainframe to Windows

2006-01-22T23:15:00.000-08:00

Thinking about lifting and shifting from IBM Mainframe to Windows? Give this a read.

Domino and DB2

2006-01-22T23:09:00.000-08:00

This article from IBM illustrates some new capabilities of a Domino application with data in DB2. New features allow domino data to be exposed to other db2 applications. With ‘Db2 query views’, a notes view can be built using a DB2 SQL query!!

Top 10 developer tips of 2005

2006-01-19T21:35:00.000-08:00

Top 10 developer tips from search domino, for 2005.

Mailloop 6.0 -- e-Mail Marketing Software

2006-01-18T22:34:00.000-08:00

If you run a small or home-based online business, this piece of software could be useful. Some of the most popular features include the ability to:

Save up to 25 pieces of information about each new subscriber

Use custom series of sequential auto responders

Build your list from zero to 1,000s of opt-in subscribers

Manage and reduce your "bounce backs"

Use a "confirmed opt-in system" that can be turned on and off

Manage an unlimited number of lists at no extra cost

Send yourself "test" messages at multiple "test accounts"

View any subscriber's "Contact History"

Automatically distribute all of your e-Books and registration codes

Process your "subscribes" and "unsubscribes" in real-time

The Mailloop 6.0 software is delivered via electronic download, meaning that you can start using Mailloop within minutes of completing the order.

IBM WMC - Activity explorer

2006-01-18T04:25:00.000-08:00

This article helps discoverning the Activity Explorer in IBM Workplace Managed Client, a productivity tool that helps teams to better manage projects through collaboration. http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/lotus/library/ae/

Notes Sucks? Well, not really

2006-01-16T04:17:00.000-08:00

There is no single software/solution that is picture perfect. It has to adapt and constantly evolve based on customer choice and priorities. We are not talking about a small market here. It is about the most frequent thing that we do, for almost everything now - email. Being innovative and a market leader for more than a decade, Lotus notes is also constantly improving and evolving. Well said, Ed - I second you.

Quotes..

2006-01-14T06:01:00.000-08:00

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
The brain is a wonderful organ.It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office.- Robert Frost
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it.- Franklin P. Jones
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
We must believe in luck.For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like?-Jean Cocturan
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
It's amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world everyday always just exactly fits the newspaper.- Jerry Seinfeld
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
It matters not whether you win or lose;what matters is whether I win or lose.- Darrin Weinberg
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Life is pleasant.Death is peaceful.It's the transition that's troublesome.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Help a man when he is in trouble and he will remember you when he is in trouble again.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Complex problems have simple, easy to understand wrong answers.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Whoever said money can't buy happiness, didn't know where to shop.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but then again, neither does milk.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Most people are only alive because it is illegal to shoot them.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Forgive your enemies but remember their names.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
The number of people watching you is directly proportional to the stupidity of your action.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Dont worry that the world ends today, its already tomorrow in Australia.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
U learn in life when u lose and if u learn before u lose U have won in Life.
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour.Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute.THAT'S relativity. - Albert Einstein

Useful Lotus notes resources

2006-01-14T05:55:00.000-08:00

Here is a collection of Lotus script code samples and Notes FAQs

IBM Workplace and blogging!

2006-01-13T09:19:00.000-08:00

IBM plans to add blogging capabilities to the next version of its Workplace collaboration and development software, the company said.

News on document formats..

2006-01-13T09:17:00.000-08:00

Some news on document formats..

Microsoft says Office beta coming in November

Open Document could 'turn everything inside out'

Migrating Lotus Notes data to non-notes applications

2006-01-12T05:36:00.000-08:00

Lotus Notes applications are nothing but .NSF file(s) that have both data and application logic (similar to an MS access database). Data is stored within the LN application as documents. There are other ways of storing data (external databases, INI files etc). Regardless of where it is stored, it is possible to access it from the other application. Data within the LN application can be migrated to external applications. Data can be exported to plain text/XML format OR an RDBMS using LEI connectors. Typical formats of content that can be part of a LN application are

Images
Rich Text
Native data types (date-time, numeric etc)
Attachments
Web pages

Each of these data formats is accessible using Lotus Script/Java APIs.

Approach to migration would depend on whether both (non-notes & Notes) the systems should co-exist. Migration of data from the Notes application to the target application basically means populating the data store that the application uses, appropriately. There could possibly be a staging setup that would hold the migrated data, before the target application starts accessing the updated repository. If both the systems should co-exist, it would involve building components on both ends to facilitate data exchange. These components would be built after thorough analysis of individual data elements of the applications and their relationship.

A thorough analysis of the existing application needs to be performed before proposing an effective migration strategy. Some of the many aspects of the Lotus solution, that should be studied during analysis.

Is it a domino application or a LN client application OR both?
Attributes of the application
a) No of users
b) Application file size
c) # of notes documents
d) Average # of attachments per document
e) Secure content (encrypted data)?
Single database application or multiple .NSF files?
Is it a distributed application (masters, replicas)
Is the content Multi-lingual?
Is it integrated with other notes/non-notes application(s)?
What is the version of the domino server?
Is it a mixed server environment?
What is the version of the notes-client this application is built for (if it is a notes client app)?
Should parts of/entire application logic be re-written in the external application OR is it just data migration?
Are there external data stores for the notes application?
Is the notes application integrated to other products for specific operations (document management, workflow etc)?

Key activities that could possibly be required

Migration Scope definition
Migration Type(Synchronous/Asynchronous)
Application Migration Analysis (identify different types of migration components within the application based on the application data model)
Environmental Check(Server & client versions, external interfaces, security model
Custom Development (might be required for migration if content is not stored in a standard format[e.g. application-logic] OR if the target application requires content in a different format)
Consolidating data from distributed databases(if any)
Dealing Multi-lingual content
Migration validity check – ensuring migration is completed successfully, as defined in the scope

If there are multiple applications that need to be migrated an environmental analysis (identify common resources that applications use, compliance & security standards, integration points etc) needs to be conducted. This exercise would result in coming up with a migration checklist that would help the migration of individual applications effectively.

I have just attempted to gather some thoughts on how to approach migration of Lotus Notes applications to a non-notes environment. I do not intend to suggest products/tools/technologies in this write-up.

If you wish to hear more on this, please write to me at nateshpp@hotmail.com OR drop by a comment with your email, and I shall get in touch with you.

C program that won the first prize

2006-01-12T04:08:00.000-08:00

This C program won the first prize in International obfuscated C code contest (IOCCC) held recently. Can u guess the output of this prog?

Program:

#include <stdio.h>

main(int t,char _,char *a)

{

return!0<t?t<3?main(-79,-13,a+main(-87,1-_,main(-86, 0, a+1 )+a)):1,t<_?main(t+1, _, a ):3,main (-94, -27+t, a )&&t == 2 ?_<13 ?main ( 2, _+1, "%s %d%d\n" ):9:16:t<0?t<-72?main( _,t,"@n'+,#'/*{}w+/w#cdnr/+,{}r/*de}+,/*{*+,/w{%+,/w#q#n+ ,/#{l,+,/n{n+\,/ +#n+,/#;#q#n+,/+ k#;*+,/'r :'d*'3,}{w+Kw'K:'+}e#'; dq#'l q#'+ d'K#!/\+k#; q#'r}eKK#}w'r}eKK{nl]'/#;#q#n'){)#}w'){){nl]'/+#n'; d}rw'i;# ) {n\l]!/n{n#'; r{#w'r nc{nl]'/#{l,+ 'K {rw'iK{;[{nl]'/w#q#\ n'wk nw' iwk{KK{nl]!/w{%'l##w#' i;:{nl]'/*{q#'ld;r'}{nlwb!/*de}'c \;;{nl'-{}rw]'/+,}##'*}#nc,',#nw]'/+kd'+e}+;\#'rdq#w! nr'/ ') }+}{rl#'{n' ')# }'+}##(!!/"):t<-50?_==*a ?putchar(a[31]):main(-65,_,a+1):main((*a== '/')+t,_,a\+1 ):0< t?main ( 2, 2 ,"%s"):*a=='/'main(0,main(-61,*a, "!ek;dc \i@bK'(q)-[w]*%n+r3#l,{}:\nuwloca-O;m.vpbks,fxntdCeghiry"),a+1);}

Output:

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me five gold rings; four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me six geese a-laying, five gold rings; four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings; four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle

Doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings; four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings; four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings; four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming,six geese a-laying, five gold rings; four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings; four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

Logic: It uses recursion with pointers.

For those of you interested, check out the previous winning entries

Good Quotes

2006-01-10T03:32:00.000-08:00

Some good quotes that I came across

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life.The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.
Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Lotus Notes/Domino Links

2006-01-10T00:38:00.000-08:00

This list of Lotus Notes/Domino Links can be useful for any person engaged in this space of technology..

PC maintenance

2006-01-09T22:28:00.000-08:00

Last week, I had to recover my PC at home, after it crashed. After installing XP-SP2, I was on a look out for tools and utilities.

First of all I had to backup my ever growing hard disk space. With a few thousand folders, I found it hard to re-organize them based on purpose and size. TreeSize from JAM software was very handy. I found Nero to be a good choice to burn them on to storage disks.

Loads of pics that were transferred to my PC from my digital camera were not just eating bulk of the disk space, but was also making it tough to organize and manage. Picasa from google seemed to be of light-weight with loads of functions(though it seems to munch out much of the available RAM).

Tune-up utilities 2006 with its intuitive user interface and useful bunch of finetuning functions was also interesting.

Choice of antivirus and anti-spyware utilities was a bit tricky. After evaluating few options, I had to settle with Norton Antivirus 2006, atleast for the time being. Microsoft Antispyware is also one useful anti-spyware utility.

With the ever-growing security threats with IE, i decided to switch to FireFox. Of the many useful features - Tabbed browsing and growing list of extensions seemed to be of immediate use.

I also chose to move to Thunderbird for email and configured my GMail account that has free POP3 support. For its attempt with pluggable themes, skins , extensions and most importantly - 'Freedom of choice', I think Thunderbird is worth it. Though, there are some aspects that require improvement, Thunderbird definitely seems to be on the right track making it big.

Astrology forecasts!

2006-01-09T22:25:00.000-08:00

Check this out if you are interested in daily or weekly astrology forecasts..

Notes Deployment

2006-01-09T05:04:00.000-08:00

Though development and customization is relatively simpler for Lotus applications, deployment always requires attention from an overall implementation perspective. Lotus shops, either have home-grown approaches to address this challenge or rely on the expertise of the person involved. This tool from team studio claims about bringing order to the build and deployment process within the notes environment.

Couple of other write-ups that caught my eye
Lotus Notes - Deployment
Install Pump

Signing in!

2006-01-09T04:14:00.000-08:00

Hi,

Welcome to this space on the web!!

An attempt to start sharing my thoughts - on technology, people, peace, music and you know what - just about anything that's got to make it here!

Natesh