Maintaining a Lotus Connections environment? Well then you MUST see this!
Today a new article on Lotus Connections was posted on developerWorks and it shows you how to install an administration interface for Lotus Connections into Websphere ISC (Integrated Solutions Console). The interface provides easier access to Lotus Connections configuration files and looks like a real killer plugin for ISC. I have got to try and install it tomorrow and see for myself as this is something that has been sorely lacking.
The article is called Introducing the IBM Lotus Connections administration web interface and below is a snippet from the article introduction.
"The administration console utilizes a series of Jython and Jacl script files to allow administrators to work with Lotus Connections. These files provide automated ways to access the Lotus Connections MBeans that change back-end settings in databases and configuration files that service a deployment. Working with these Jython and Jacl script files requires some programming and scripting knowledge; the ability to import packages in the terminal, assign and use variables, and other basic programming concepts, all in the Jython or Jacl languages, are required. These languages, while not inherently hard languages to use, are relatively specialized and might be unfamiliar to the average Lotus Connections administrator. Removing control of Lotus Connections from the administration console and putting it into a web-based solution alleviate the need for specialized skills, providing a cost of ownership reduction to Lotus Connections customers."
Redbook: So we are writing this Redbook on plugin development - what do you wanna know?
As posted the other day my nomination to ITSO was accepted and I'm now on the team for writing a Redbook wiki on plugin (or component if you will) development for Lotus Notes, Lotus Sametime and Lotus Symphony. We had our first call yesterday and we're currently putting together the table of contents and discussing what to include.
For products versions we chose to target Lotus Notes 8.5.2, Lotus Sametime 8.0.2 and Lotus Symphony 3 beta 4. Of course we will try and make the samples work in prior versions but that's the versions we're aiming for. Any objections?
On the first call we also discussed the target audience for the wiki and defined who we're writing for. Here's what we came up with:
"We're writing for Java developers with some experience in the language that is they know the syntax. We will aim to give them a high level introduction to the plugin model and give them the material to dive deeper and make sure the appropriate Eclipse resources are linked in. The specific topic sections should readable to those who want to dangle their feet but also deep enough to allow a Java developer that know about plugins to actually start building stuff to make production quality plugins. "
How does that sound?
I would be very interested in hearing what you (yes you!!) the Notes developer wants to know about plugin development and maybe what's holding you back from getting started. Is it Java? Is it extension point documentation? Or is it something else? Please share and I'll do my best to make sure it's covered or at least written about here on the blog.
Eclipse Fall Training Series
"The Eclipse Foundation and Eclipse member companies are pleased to announce the fall 2010 training class series. The training is an excellent opportunity for software developers and architects to learn more about Eclipse Rich Client Platform (RCP), BIRT and Modeling technologies. Eclipse experts will lead the sessions, providing practical experience through classroom instruction and hands-on labs. Virtual and on-site classes have been scheduled in several countries from September 20 to November 5, 2010. "