Author Archives: Martin Packer

(Originally posted 2007-10-12.) Back in April this blog entry incorporated a picture of the z9 HMC display that includes the “gas gauge” (or “power meter” if you prefer). This press release details a rather more serious purpose for the thing. And thanks to John McKown for pointing out the press release in IBM-MAIN Listserver.

(Originally posted 2007-10-11.) As many of you know I’ve been very fond of BatchPipes/MVS (aka “Pipes”) down the years (17 to be precise). So I’m pleased to seeAPAR PK34251: ADDING BATCHPIPES SUBSYS SUPPORT TO TEMPLATE UTILITY describes some new support in the DB2 Load Utility (as driven by the Template utility) which makes it muchContinue reading “New Support for BatchPipes/MVS”

(Originally posted 2007-10-10.) I’m in a session where we’re going through DB2 Version 9 migration considerations – and right now there’s a table on display with changes to DSNZPARM defaults. One of real value is that STATIME has changed to 5 minutes from 30. Unless you’ve overridden it you should now get much better informationContinue reading “DB2 Version 9 – STATIME Default Decreased to 5”

(Originally posted 2007-10-10.) Namik Hrle, the IBM Distinguished Engineer for DB2 for SAP, presented yesterday to an internal audience. (It’s the first time I’d seen him present and he’s a very dynamic presenter.) His presentation prompted me to download the Enhancing SAP by Using DB2 9 for z/OS Red Book. One item I’d like toContinue reading “DB2 Version 9 RLF – Not Just For SAP”

(Originally posted 2007-10-09.) I’m now playing with Technorati: Technorati Profile.

(Originally posted 2007-10-08.) I don’t think you can see this information but I can see what are called “Referrer URLs” for hits on this blog. (The HTTP protocol defines a header that contains the URL you came from – when you clicked on a link.) Disregarding the several “Direct” hits – which tell me nothingContinue reading “I May Not Know Who You Are But I Have Some Idea Why You’re Here”

(Originally posted 2007-10-07.) Finally the last web application I use that required Internet Explorer is replaced with a Firefox-friendly version (or so we’ve been told). Hurrah! Except, as always, I’ll believe that when I see it. (This is our Online Travel Reservations application that used an ActiveX control. Now it looks very much like anContinue reading “Bye Bye Internet Explorer”

(Originally posted 2007-10-04.) Well, is it? Apparently there are umpteen (count’em if you want a more precise number) 🙂 expansions of the acronym “UCB”. But the one I care most about is Unit Control Block. (I think had been born before this meaning came into being – but I’m not sure.) 🙂 Actually Unit ControlContinue reading “Is UCB Too Obscure For Wikipedia?”

(Originally posted 2007-10-03.) I’m towards the end of revamping our analysis code to support (z9) and z/OS R.8. What took us so long? 🙂 I’m telling you this for two reasons: So you know what there is that might slow you down. So you have some view as to whether we can competently process yourContinue reading “Late To The Party”

(Originally posted 2007-10-03.) Thanks to the people who responded to this blog entry. And to the people who talked to me offline. The result is a slight shift in emphasis: I never did talk about UIC as the primary metric of memory constraint. If you read the referenced blog item I mentioned it as oneContinue reading “Mor(e )on UIC”