Newsletter - November 1997
Serving the community of IBM Midrange users.
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President's Message from Jack FugielThe leaves are turning colors, the mornings are a little cooler and another summer is but a memory. Life seems to move faster the older we get, but hopefully more enjoyable. Hope the summer was good to you and as we head into the holiday season it is a great time for everyone.It is also only a month away from our annual Technical Conference, hope you have it on your schedule. If not sign up now, you'll be glad you did. This will be our 8th annual conference and we are hoping you will be joining for the day, to increase your knowledge, meet old friends, possibly make some new ones and have an enjoyable day. When you look over the session grid you might think that some of the information sounds familiar. Well some of the speakers are, as they are the top rated and we believe in bringing you the best. Subjects might sound the same, but the content is certainly the latest and keep in mind the speed at which technology changes. There are also many new sessions and certainly topics for all. There are 20 sessions so that would indicate that if they were never changed it would take you five years to go to all the sessions. Think of the speakers, many of which are speaking around the country and the world discussing their topics and answering questions. The presentations are always new and fresh and even if you went to common or a regional meeting, there will be new things at JAM. The speakers bring with them not only the latest on their topic but an increased knowledge of what the concerns are from the people they meet as they travel. Come with your questions and concerns and ask the speakers. All the sessions have a question period. Don't hesitate to ask, that's what the speakers are there for. If your shop has a staff of several people why not send one or two. Maybe you sent one to common or a regional meeting. Send one to JAM and then have your own mini-conference and exchange the thoughts and ideas you gather from the different speakers. You'll get an update on the future of the AS 400 from our key note speaker and enjoy a wonderful meal at the same time. This conference gives you the chance to not only listen to the speakers it gives you a chance to ask questions and get some of those little problems you might wait on a help line for, answered. This is an opportunity, take advantage of it. This could be the best investment you have made in education in a long time. Don't miss it! Remember the date Friday December 5, 1997 at the University of Maryland Conference Center. If you have any questions call any board member or committee person listed in this newsletter. As mentioned last month this is the month we will be having elections. We elect a board of nine, who in turn will elect the officers that will guide the group for the next year. Hope you will turn out for the November meeting, enjoy the speaker, food and cast your vote. - Jack
November MeetingFrame Relay -- The Future of Network Topologyfeaturing Tim Favazza & Dave Shaw Migration of the AS/400 from existing dedicated carrier services (multi-drop or parallel networks) to Frame Relay offers many benefits. These include cost, performance, resiliency and flexibility. What to consider when rolling out remote LAN applications ? Support devices: Router or FRAD (Frame Relay Access Device) ? What are the differences ? The pros and cons of each technique ? RFP proposal builders for F/R carrier services will be available. Tim and Dave have developed networks using all major carrier offerings (x.25, dedicated circuits, F/R, ATM) utilizing various vendor's switches, routers, hubs and FRADs. They have dealt with the AS/400 representing IBM, Memorex/Telex, GDC, Anderson Consulting, and Sprint International as well as Sync Research designing systems for both government and industry.
Tuesday November 18, 1997 18:00 Parking is FREE ! Board Meeting Immediately After ! Buffet !
Compliments of Sync Research
RSVP (by Friday 11/14) to Peter 703/834-3706 or 1stplace@crosslink.net
WAM MembershipTo join send your Name, Company, Address, Phone, Fax, E-mail with $100.00 annual dues to our Treasurer:
Systems Management Associates 12023 Blackberry Terrace North Potomac, Md 20878 You can now reach us on the Internet ! Our home page is located at http://www.wash-midrange.org. Please feel free to send any suggestions to Peter.
Newsletter DeadlinesPlease bring copy with you to the monthly dinner meeting for inclusion in the newsletter. First choice is WP5.1, but hard copy, Word, or other format is welcome. If unable to attend e-mail on meeting day to Tom .
NEWSWire/400, a weekly e-mail newsletter from the NEWS/400 Newswatch staff, delivers the latest news right to your monitor. Every Wednesday afternoon, we deliver NEWSWire/400 * FREE OF CHARGE * ! For new subscriptions, call 800/621-1544, fax 970/663-3285, or fill out the subscription form in the Newswatch Weekly section of NEWS/400's Web site http://www.news400.com/nww/wire-sub.htm
Here's the sign up instructions for the midrange-l list server that we spoke of at the last WAM meeting: To subscribe: send email to MAJORDOMO@midrange.com and specify 'subscribe MIDRANGE-L' in the body of your message. Midrange.com is a non-profit organization dedicated to the free exchange of ideas and information among computing professionals... This list server is not affiliated with any magazine or vendor.
YEAR 2000 EXECUTIVE BREAKFAST SEMINARsponsored by IBM, and FCS / New Millennium Technologies, Inc.
Date: November 13, 1997 Date: November 14, 1997
FCS/ New Millennium Technologies, Inc. is a Year 2000 Midrange Systems Conversion Specialist offering the only midrange tool which handles S/36, S/38 and AS/400 code. Seminars will cover a broad range problems and concerns surrounding the Y2K issue, as well as our end-to-end tool based solution which can be customized to meet the particular needs of our clients and includes a comprehensive testing module. Our tool based approach and phased methodology bring proven high quality results and significant savings of TIME, MONEY and RESOURCES to our clients. An open forum will address the individual requirements of all attendees. This is a FREE Seminar. You will also learn how you can receive a FREE AS/400 by working with FCS / New Millennium Technologies on your conversion. To register for this seminar or to request additional information please contact:
Liz Cole PO Box 49543 Greensboro, NC 27419 800-949-7947 x 12 910-299-3440 lcole@y2ktech.com
Upcoming EventsNovember 1997 through February, 1998
Tip Sheet From NEWS 3X/400These Tips and techniques are provided courtesy of NEWS/400 magazine. For subscription information, call 800/621-1544.WEEKLY TECH TIP: DDS KEYWORD ERRMSGID PROBLEM Q. I'm having a problem using the keyword ERRMSGID in a display file. Below is a portion of my DDS:
A R DSP01R
My RPG program sets on indicator 20 before performing an EXFMT operation on record format DSP01R. However, the message isn't displayed on the screen the first time the record is displayed. Can you help me solve this problem? A. The behavior you describe is normal; in other words, ERRMSGID is working as designed. Keyword ERRMSGID is used to display an error message, and the system assumes that there couldn't possibly be an error before the record has been displayed for the first time! As a consequence, the ERRMSGID condition is always ignored when the record is first displayed. -- Gary Guthrie READER FEEDBACK: EXIT PROGRAMS AS SECURITY MECHANISMS UNDER DEBATE In last week's tech tip on ODBC and tile transfer, Paul Conte wrote that "exit programs are basically worthless as effective security mechanisms." John Earl, senior systems programmer for REI, took issue with Conte's stance. He writes, "Not only is Paul mistaken on this point, more seriously, he runs the risk of steering AS/400 shops away from what may be their best (and most underutilized) client/server security mechanism." To read the full letter and Conte's response, see our new Newswatch Weekly reader feedback section at http://www.news400.com/nww.
Humor Column Courtesy of but not Created by Peter MaherImportant News Item!!REDMOND, Wash. - Nov. 5, 1997 -- In direct response to accusations made by the Department of Justice, the Microsoft Corp. announced today that it will be acquiring the federal government of the United States of America for an undisclosed sum. "It's actually a logical extension of our planned growth", said Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, "It really is going to be a positive arrangement for everyone". Microsoft representatives held a briefing in the Oval Office of the White House with U.S. President Bill Clinton, and assured members of the press that changes will be "minimal". The United States will be managed as a wholly owned division of Microsoft. An initial public offering is planned for July of next year, and the federal government is expected to be profitable by "Q4 1999 at latest", according to Microsoft president Steve Ballmer. In a related announcement, Bill Clinton stated that he had "willingly and enthusiastically" accepted a position as a vice president with Microsoft, and will continue to manage the United States government, reporting directly to Bill Gates. When asked how it felt to give up the mantle of executive authority to Gates, Clinton smiled and referred to it as "a relief". He went on to say that Gates has a "proven track record", and that U.S. citizens should offer Gates their "full support and confidence". Clinton will reportedly be earning several times the $200,000 annually he has earned as U.S. president, in his new role at Microsoft. Gates dismissed a suggestion that the U.S. Capitol be moved to Redmond as "silly", though did say that he would make executive decisions for the US government from his existing office at Microsoft headquarters. Gates went on to say that the House and Senate would "of course" be abolished. "Microsoft isn't a democracy", he observed, "and look how well we're doing". When asked if the rumored attendant acquisition of Canada was proceeding, Gates said, "We don't deny that discussions are taking place". Microsoft representatives closed the conference by stating that United States citizens will be able to expect lower taxes, increases in government services and discounts on all Microsoft products. About Microsoft: Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers, and democratic government. The company offers a wide range of products and services for public, business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing and free society every day. About the United States: Founded in 1789, the United States of America is the most successful nation in the history of the world, and has been a beacon of democracy and opportunity for over 200 years. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the United States is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation.
Treasurer's Message1998 Membership Dues Changes Renewals for 1998 membership are coming at a steady pace. If you are among the members who have not yet renewed, please do so as soon as possible. There is still one more monthly meeting in 1997 and so you can save $25 by renewing before the next meeting. As you all know by now, the membership dues structure has been changed effective January 1, 1998. The annual dues will now be $100 and this amount will include the cost of attending the monthly meetings throughout the year. You no longer need to pay an additional $25 to attend each meeting. The feedback we have received from members has been very positive and we hope it enhances member participation. With the changes we are making we expect considerable growth in membership as well as attendance at the meetings which in turn will enable us to get even better speakers at the meetings. The Board expects all current members to renew their membership for 1998. However, we are giving an added incentive to the current members to renew early. Since the members will not have to pay to attend meetings in 1998, once you renew your membership, you will not need to pay to attend even the one remaining meeting in 1997. To make the best use of this incentive, please renew your 1998 membership as soon as possible by sending in your check for $100 at the earliest. The check made out to WAM may be sent to:
c/o Systems Management Associates, Inc. 12023 Blackberry Terrace North Potomac, MD 20878 - K B Soni |
Latest Update - November 1997