Lotus Dr.

Fewer Bars in More Places: updated iPhone software

Denny Russell — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:05:07 -0400

Last week I placed the latest iPhone update (4.0.1) on my phone. Now I understand this was to address a problem with the number of bars that shows up on the iPhone.

I got the talking to a collegue about this and while I understand that the formula was wrong before, it's more of a 'peace of mind' thing for me now. Prior, even though it was wrong, it appeared I had 4 & 5 bars all the time. Now it's always displaying 1 or 2. I never even thought about poor coverage or lost calls. Now, every time I look at the phone, I'm thinking that I may lose coverage or drop a call. I haven't seen any issues yet but it got me thinking.

Would you rather see more bars and have the 'false' security or do you want to see the real coverage you have?

Controlling the size of images in the body in the Domino Blog

Denny Russell — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:42:13 -0400

Many of us use the Domino Blog template and it's a great tool and it is very easy to customize this. Often, I see entries where the blogger places a screen shot in for visual help on the entry. One thing you will find is if the image is too large, it scrolls of the right size and you lose your right side menu or even worse, the text around the entry like this...

You've got several options for how to fix this.
1. Remember to size down your images and make sure they don't cause scrolling. Way to much work in my opinion but an option.
2. Add a simple entry to your Global.css file (found here in advanced > resources > stylesheets)
.entryBody img {
max-width:700px
}
Note1: I made my max width 700px because it worked for all my changes. You may want to set your differently depending on what else you have customized.
Note2: You could also enter this directly in the design stylesheet (default.css) to mostly fix this.

The change now makes the same page look like this...

Lotus Notes Developer position in Pittsburgh

Denny Russell — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:33:30 -0400

Just saw a job posting I thought I'd pass along...

About the Job
Sonexis Technology (an affiliate of Compunetix) is the global leader in providing in-house conferencing and collaboration solutions to large and small enterprise customers. Sonexis connects businesses with their customers, partners, and employees through an impressive audio conferencing bridge that's easy-to-use, secure, and cost-effective — and integrated with a full suite of Web conferencing capabilities. Our flagship product, ConferenceManager, enables savvy businesses to run top quality audio conferencing in-house without the costly pay-as-you go fees of subscription-based programs. Our team comes from a diverse background, but we share two things in common: we love working in this fast-paced, dynamic environment and we have a commitment to creating delighted customers.

We are currently looking for a Senior/Principal Software Engineer – Lotus Notes Application Developer. This candidate will design and implement scheduling interfaces in Lotus Notes for Sonexis’ audio and web conferencing product. Strong customer focus and firm dedication to delivering high-quality products on-time, as well as the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic team environment are essential to this position.

Full details here

3 years of Blogging

Denny Russell — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:39:38 -0400

Reading a post by Curious Mitch and his 3rd Blogiversary got me thinking about when I got into all of this. Looking back, on June 29th, 2007, I put my first post on my old blog.

It's amazing how many things have changed and the tools we now use to communicate. I'm truly blessed for the friends that I have made these last few years. While the blog has changed to this new one (which will be celebrating it's 1 year mark in September) I still write with the same purpose. To share my thoughts, struggles and ideas around technology in hopes that it saves someone else the time I put into finding the answer.

Congrats to all the bloggers who celebrate milestones each day and contribute back to make this community the special place that it is.

I’ll be presenting at MWLUG

Denny Russell — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:17:14 -0400

I'm pretty stoked that I'll be back at MWLUG this summer and once again I'll be presenting with Gregg Eldred. We presented a similar topic last year and hope to introduce some new people to the space this year.

Title: Getting Social in the Lotus Space

Abstract:
With the number of social networking sites available, are you taking advantage of all that is being offered to you? Thought about Twitter as your primary source of help and information? From job postings, new product announcements, the opportunities to increase your technological and social network are incredible. In this presentation, Gregg Eldred and Denny Russell will touch on many of the avenues available to you, how to leverage them, and the strengths and weaknesses of each.

I'm really looking forward to the chance to see everyone and sit in on some great sessions. Being that it's in Cleveland, I'm hoping that the organizers can work out a deal to get 'Melt Bar and Grill' to provide some lunch.

iOS4 patch for iPhone

Denny Russell — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 07:18:18 -0400

If you have the new iOS 4 for your iPhone, it's recommended that you download the patch that was recently released. Many have reported problems with synching mail, calendar or contacts after the upgrade. Go to this link on your iPhone and download it.

Symptoms
Immediately after updating to iOS 4, some users may notice that Exchange ActiveSync Mail, Contacts, or Calendars do not sync, or sync very slowly. In addition, some Exchange Server administrators may notice their servers running slowly.
Products Affected
iPod touch, iPhone 3G, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS
Resolution
To work around this issue, users should install a configuration profile from Apple that increases the amount of time the iOS 4 device will wait for the Exchange Server to respond to its sync requests. For best results, the profile should be installed on as many iOS 4 devices at your company as possible.
To install the profile:
1. Use Safari on your iOS 4 device to download the configuration profile. It may be easiest to read this article with your iPhone or iPod touch and tap the download link there, but you may also email the attachment to another email account on your iOS 4 device, and tap the attachment to open it.
2. Tap Install to install the profile, and enter your passcode if prompted.
3. A warning message will appear because the profile is not signed. Tap Install Now.
4. Tap Done to complete the installation, then power off your device and power it back on.
5. Wait for your Exchange data to finish syncing.
After installation, the profile will be listed under Settings > General > Profile.

Lotus Notes Developer in Pittsburgh Area

Denny Russell — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:07:10 -0400

To apply, click here and follow the link at the end of the description.

Job Posting ID: 2010-0078

Job Title: Lotus Notes Developer
Description: Unable to transfer/process Visas.
Responsibilities
• Design and implement scheduling interfaces in Lotus Notes.

Requirements
• BS CS/EE equivalent required, MS CS/EE equivalent or higher a plus
• 5-10 years commercial software development throughout complete SW lifecycle
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• 2- 5 years experience integrating with and developing applications for IBM Lotus Notes/Domino (Releases 6.5 – 8.5) including design, development, deployment, maintenance, and Domino administration.
• IBM Certified Application Developer-Lotus Notes and Domino desired
• IBM Certified System Administrator-Lotus Notes and Domino desired
• Familiarity with LotusScript, JavaScript, C, C++, Visual Basic
• Experience integrating with Microsoft Outlook/Exchange a plus
• Experience with Microsoft .NET a plus (C#, Visual Basic, ASP.Net)
• Experience with web technologies a plus (HTML, ASP, JavaScript, XML) Experience with database technologies a plus (SQL, mySQL)
• Strong customer focus and firm dedication to delivering high-quality products on-time.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic team environment.

Another way IBM can help the Developers/Business Partners

Denny Russell — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:31:24 -0400

I've stayed pretty much out of the conversations that are going on. I sent Ed an email and told him of our story. Quite honestly, we are seeing a better year this year than we have in the past 2 and I have my reason for why that is, but that's not what this post is about.

But if they want to know what IBM can do to help, IMHO, they need to help the developers. A lot of the developers are in fact Business Partners, ISV, whatever you want to call them. And IBM needs to help them.

Below is just one of many examples that as a Business Partner, we constantly fight against.

DAOS was released and is a good feature. Customers love it and what it can do. However, it opens up all new fields for database size once you've enabled DAOS on a database. The problem is, Business Partners, the Guys & Gals who write the great apps that help make Domino what it is, have no way to get to this.
This has completely changed how a core functionality in our product (that had worked for 10 years prior) works and has caused customer to think there is a problem with our product. It's not a problem of our product, it's a limitation of what IBM allows us, the Business Partner, the Developer to do.

I've been in contact with IBM from the first release of DAOS and asked about this. I know I'm not the only one who has asked for the ability to work with DAOS and it's store of information. Several others have brought this up on the Design Partner calls.

September 09 I got this response
SPR #OAGU7VKPHS is an Enhancement Request to have a new Database Property That Shows the Physical Size of Database. The might be included in future releases if more customers request the same.

January at Lotusphere I had several conversations with who I thought were the right people. In the labs, with people I know and even had the luck of sitting at the lunch table with an IBM'er who told me this was a big request and they were working on it.

June 15th, 2010 I got this response...
As you've found, you won't be able to get the true (smaller) size on a DAOS enabled file, just the logical size. It is currently a task on our requirements list for a future release, but it is not in plan yet. I will add your company to the request as an official Partner request to add weight to the requirement.

One suggestion we have is to try to look up the physical size on disk using script, rather than looking it up in the database properties. I'm honestly not sure how to do that, possibly using FileLen, though that might be really expensive for a large file.

This is just one example of the struggles we have had over the years. I can't tell you how many current issues we have because of issues introduced in 7.03, 8.5 and 8.5.1 that we have no control over.

Typical customer calls go like this.
- Customer calls and says, "I had a server issue and called IBM. They said the issue is with your code. They also said they have a lot of internal technotes for this product (more on this below)".
- So we investigate and find an issue that we've already talked to IBM about or a bug in Lotusscript code (for example, getdocumentbykey).
- We get on a call with IBM, ask the question, 'Aren't we just exposing an issue in the code that you provide us with?' and then the head scratching starts.
Luckily, our customers understand it is not our issue and are more than patient with us.

But my point is, we are provided no help and no way to effectively troubleshoot. Then we find out from customers that there are internal tech notes that reference our product, but yet as a Business Partner and the creator of the product, have no access to see or or correct. Yet IBM Support shares them with their customers.

Maybe we are the only one here with this kind of issue, but I'm sure we are not. Provide us, the Business Partner, with an advocate for our products, to help us help you succeed. Give us a go to person to help us get our problems resolved, help us find the answers we need and help us succeed.

Happy Anniversary Kelley

Denny Russell — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:33:31 -0400

14 years ago today, I married my beautiful wife Kelley. So many things have changed around us, yet, there's no one else I'd want by my side through it all.

Happy Anniversary, Kelley. I Love You!!!

A few new Lotus Notes Resources (tips, tricks and podcasts)

Denny Russell — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:25:47 -0400

After my last post, I was made aware of another Tips site. I also found a few other sites as well that I've been meaning to add to the "Tips, podcasts & Webcasts" page.

LotusNotesHelp.net - your one stop shop for Lotus Notes tips, tricks, shortcuts and guide to help make you be more efficient and productive.
Brought to you by Lee and Rob.

Lotus Notes 8.x Tips - Your guide to what's great about Notes 8 (and higher)

Tips in Two - Your source for useful, everyday tips and tricks for Lotus
Brought to you by Darren Duke, Lisa Duke and Ernie Sutter.

Lotus Notes Job in Pittsburgh

Denny Russell — Wed, 9 Jun 2010 15:52:50 -0400

6 Month Contract in Pittsburgh PA ((Lotus Notes/Domino Engineer))

Lotus Notes/Domino Engineer

Start Date: 6/20/10

Duration: 0-6 month(s)

End Date: 12/19/10

Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm

Description/Comment: Lotus Notes Engineer for 851 upgrade.

Successful candidate will have LN upgrade exp from LN 801 to LN 851

For more information, go here.

2 new resources for the Lotus Community

Denny Russell — Fri, 4 Jun 2010 08:02:55 -0400

I've updated my Podcast page to now be a Podcast and Webcast page. 2 new items that I have found out here to be quite useful are:

Consultant in your Pocket - IBM Lotus Software Instruction through webcasts, video & on site training
Consultant In Your Pocket brings deep technical content, delivered virtually through free and subscription based webcasts. Webcasts are geared toward all aspects of your Lotus environment. Management, product overview and focused technical sessions are delivered on a regular basis. All subscription webcasts are recorded for later playback.

This Week in Lotus - The weekly roundtable discussion of all things Social, Collaboration, Technology and Community...

If you know of others that should be on the list, please let me know.

3 more things I miss about my Blackberry (after switching to the iPhone)

Denny Russell — Wed, 2 Jun 2010 10:17:18 -0400

A few weeks back I posted my original thoughts about switching over to the iPhone from my Blackberry. While I still like the phone, I've since found more things that I miss about my Blackberry.

If I forward or reply to a message on my iPhone, Lotus Notes does not show me that I did so.
Here is the forward from my iPhone in my Sent...
Yet my inbox in Lotus Notes does not show me....

I can't forward a ring tone or any other file that is on my phone. I really don't have a way to save a file to the phone. With my Blackberry, I could take a ring tone that I had and send it as an email, an mms. On the iPhone, I can't.

Quite possibly the most annoying thing so far is the forwarding of email on the phone. Let's say I get a 20MB attachment from a customer and I need to forward it to a developer, when I try to forward, I've got to wait for that attachment to load in the forwarded message. My Blackberry, simply created the new memo, I addressed it and it worried about the attachment after I pressed send.

Maybe I just missed some settings or something but so far, I can't find them anywhere.

How to Automatically show remote images in Lotus Notes 8x

Denny Russell — Wed, 26 May 2010 10:28:57 -0400

1) Go to File - Preferences
2) Expand the Mail section, and then click Internet.
3) Clear the Do not show remote images without my permission check box to display remote images in Internet mail you receive automatically. When this option is selected and you open an Internet message that contains remote images, you are prompted to display the remote images or not for your security.

4) Click OK.

Capturing the web address from a Blackberry browser

Denny Russell — Fri, 21 May 2010 09:03:28 -0400

Thanks to the people over at BBGeeks.com for this tip.

If you want to view a site’s web address, press the P key. That will bring up a dialog box. You can see the address and site description, and can copy the address or send it along. If you choose to copy it, it will, obviously, be sent to the clipboard. If you choose to send the page, you’ll get a follow-up dialog box, from which you can choose your message medium (sms, mms, email, bbm, etc.)

You can get the rest of the Blackberry Keyboard Tips here.

Updated Twitter client for Blackberry

Denny Russell — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:23:08 -0400

Looks like Blackberry has updated their Twitter client.

Features
With Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones, it only takes a moment to do the things you love on Twitter.

Get your Direct Messages as soon as they arrive
Reply to Tweets, re-Tweet and send Direct Messages
Post a link from your BlackBerry� Browser
Take a funny picture and upload it
Search for, and type @Usernames quickly with Auto Complete
Share your thoughts or join a conversation
Edit re-Tweets with the Quote Tweet feature

System Requirements
To use Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones, you will need the following:

64 MB BlackBerry smartphoneor
900 KB of available BlackBerry smartphone memory
BlackBerry� Device Software Version 4.5 or later

For more information or to download, blackberry.com/twitter

Lotus Notes Short-cut Keys

Denny Russell — Thu, 20 May 2010 06:00:00 -0400

List of shortcuts:
To see this list in Lotus Notes, press Ctrl + shift + L

Additional ones not on the list:

Send an email:
Alt + 1
Shift + Esc

End of a Line:
CTRL+Right arrow

Bottom of a view:
End key

How to Schedule a Meeting and check the invitee status

Denny Russell — Wed, 19 May 2010 23:00:00 -0400

Step 1. Open your Calendar
Step 2. Create a new "Meeting"
Step 3. Add the Attendees and any Resources

Step 4. Check their availability

Step 5. Adjust time accordingly
Note: You can click and drag the current time and move it to one that is available to all.
Step 6. Send out invite

How to set the background color for emails from specific Senders

Denny Russell — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:15:00 -0400

If you would like to see different colored background or text for specific users, follow the instructions below.
1) Open your mail file
2) Click File..Preferences...Mail
3) In the right pane, click Mail...Attention Indicators

Updated Note (thanks to Palmi):
You can also add "@domainname.com" and then you can colorize the company that you are in contact with.

How to turn on Attention Indicators in your email

Denny Russell — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:00:00 -0400

If you would like to see the blue attention indicators in your inbox view indicating if the mail was sent directly to you, mail sent to x number of users or your were only on as a cc, then follow the instructions below.

1) Open your mail file
2) Click File..Preferences...Mail
3) In the right pane, click Mail...Attention Indicators

Thanks to George Paglia