DBDOC Newsletter – March, 2003

Welcome to the ninth DBDOC newsletter, our effort to share both new and background information about the development of DBDOC. DBDOC is our unique ABB / Bailey Symphony/INFI-90 support tool. It lets you instantly trace inputs and outputs in your system, monitor live data in real time, find errors, study the use of resources and tie the whole thing together. Just as important, DBDOC extends read-only access to your people working on the Bailey system.

We would like to tell others about your experience with DBDOC. Anything that gets published this way would be subject to your complete control.

In this issue, read about:

Extended details - –We hope you are interested in this extra information. We have put it at the back of the newsletter so you can choose to walk through it later.

Remember our goals – making "ABB Absolutely Awesome", "Bailey Blindingly Better", "Symphony Simply Super" and DBDOC Downright Delightful? What can you add that is catchy (and printable)?

Crypkey is an equal opportunity pain. However, we have tried to make it a friendlier nuisance. From Version 9.3, you will get regular reminders before the key expires. This should help you get updated with minimal inconvenience. Otherwise, you will end up with DBDOC not functional until you receive your new key. If you do this before the temporary 15 day license expires, you will be rewarded with uninterrupted use of BuildPlus and CIUMON.

To keep CrypKey at bay in your DBDOC installation, simply go to each place you have BuildPlus or CIUMON in use and get the Computer Site Code. With BuildPlus, you find it using Tools | DBDOC License. With CIUMON, use File | DBDOC License. Send this Computer Site Code to us (copy into an email to key@gmcl.com) so we can get you the correct Computer Site Key. It helps if you tell us your plant and system n ame, too.

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If our new 2003 calendar has not arrived at your workplace by now, and you want one, let us know. The calendar has14 pages of DBDOC features and tips. Flags show the statutory holidays for most countries where people ha ve an interest in DBDOC. Its coil binding lets you keep all the good stuff for the year. If we do not have things right for your location, let us know. If another free calendar would be useful for your site, e-mail us at shirley@gmcl.com and one will be on its way.

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DBDOC features are easy to use. However, our explanations to this time have only been in English. Realizing that many individuals operate in a first language other than English, we have decided to start changing the alt ernatives available. Translation of references and help files is underway in both French and Spanish. We have the experiences of a French speaking site to help us, and would like to find a similar Spanish speaking one. Input from sold or prospective DB DOC sites about desired language features is always welcome.

How can you get this now? Join our Beta program for French or Spanish and you will be the first on your block to have it. The error message documentation is available in both French and Spanish, with the function code outline in French.

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We have recently posted Version 9.31 on the website. It is the best version of DBDOC ever, until the next one, of course. To avoid making this newsletter too long, we refer you to our website http://gmcl.com, where you can read all the details in our release notes for Version 9.3 and 9.31, the two releases since our last newsletter. Of course, you can also read about all the other release s, too.

Here is an outline of some important new or improved features.

Many more improvements, corrections and new features have been made in this release. You can dig in yourself using the release notes as a guide.

You can get on our mailing list of people who we inform of new postings on the website if you wish. The email will be as brief as possible. Send an email to geoff@gmcl.com to be put on the "New Release" mailing list. You will know first.

Even if you do not want to be told every time, if you have problems that we know about and have resolved, we will try to remember to tell you about the new version.

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When you license DBDOC or purchase our Extended Warranty, you get access to all the versions for the next year. That is, you can implement the current version 9.31 and still get the features discussed here.

The next release has a feature that may be very important to you. It will extract all specifications from the configuration for you automatically. We have learned that there are numerous regulatory, operational and engineering justifications for this f eature and have added it to DBDOC.

We will post Version 9.4 on the website by mid April. Most of its features are already tested, with hyperlink already under Beta test. If you need this feature, contact us.

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Back by popular demand is our Advanced DBDOC course, to take place October 1, 2 & 3rd, 2003. Once again, we will host DBDOC users from around the world in our home city, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The two and a half day course will take the form of a workshop, and include building and evaluating any systems that people bring along, and at least one fantastic dinner.

The course is led by the people who know DBDOC best: its creators and software engineers. It will focus on ways to support DBDOC effectively and make it useful for more people; on important but not so visible features; new browser features; management of change; the database and rich text format files created during a build that you might be able to use; and on ideas for things that DBDOC ought to be able to do.

The cost for the two and a half day course is $650 USD / $975 CDN (includes breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks). Hotel and other costs are very reasonable, and airfare is inexpensive if you book early.

At the end of this newsletter is a more detailed section on the course, including session, location and hotel information. Please email shirley@gmcl.com to indica te if you are interested. Also, if a spring date would be workable for you (2004), please let us know.

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G. Michaels Consulting Ltd. will be in Australia this coming May. We will be holding a one day Advanced DBDOC training session at Mt. Gambier on Saturday May 3rd 2003, following the ABBUG 2003 conference. It will be an opportunity for conference attendees and other interested individuals to attend DBDOC training that would not otherwise be available to them.

Advanced DBDOC training focuses on ways to support DBDOC effectively and make it useful for more people; on important but not so visible features; new browser features; management of change; the database and rich text format files created during a build that you might be able to use; and on ideas for things that DBDOC ought to be able to do.

Attendees should contact us as soon as possible so we can ensure proper facilities are in place. There is no fee for this one-day course, but the price for the course binder and CD is $100 US, paid before or the day of the course. Please e-mail shirley@gmcl.com and let us know who from your site will be attending.

Who can come? Anyone with an interest in support or understanding of DBDOC. This includes our clients, prospective clients and ABB. You do not even have to be from down under – Australia is a lovely place to visit.

Why is it free? Instead of taking a week of time of our senior staff, plus arranging and renting the facilities, we are presenting a summary course distilled from the full Advanced DBDOC course. Also, the ABBUG committee has made the arrangement s for the room and facilities. Besides that, being able to present this course in a place where ABB users from across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific is a unique opportunity for us to serve our clients.

Will it be a pale imitation of the real thing? Is a one day session listening to Geoff Michaels fun? Worth repeating? Will he have any voice left? Will we have course evaluation forms? Only the Shadow knows for sure.

Could you go to ABBUG? You can contact Kevin Johnson at Kimberly-Clark Millicent Mill (kevjohns@kcc.com) and check. The ABBUG meeting is being held April 30 throu gh May 2, 2003. Many people attend more than once, so it would seem worthwhile. Australia in May is like California in November – not too bad.

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Geoff and Shirleyanne Michaels plan to visit DBDOC clients and prospects in Australia in the first three weeks of May, 2003. Sites interested in either or both an introductory (browser focused) or advanced course for th eir staff, tailored to their needs, are encouraged to get in touch with us. We will be talking with possible locations over the next few weeks. Details on course content follows below in "DBDOC On-Site Training Courses".

We look forward to hearing from you.

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We have now added sufficient capability to be able to offer training in the United States and Canada. Contact us if you are interested in even a one-day workshop at your site. There are two types of courses available:

At the end of the newsletter is more information.

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Here are some of the things we are working on in DBDOC. What are your suggestions?

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  • Bailey’s Fashion File

    • We are happy to introduce a new feature to the DBDOC newsletter, Bailey’s Fashion File – tips for the better-dressed northern dog.

    Left: The stylish canine can spread love around on Valentine’s Day in this handcrafted cupid ensemble. Bailey’s personal designer is Linda, his officemate and GMCL software engineer.

     

    Right: This top view shows Bailey’s cupid heart arrow, bow, and quiver… must have accessories for any romantic pooch.

     

    Let us know what you would like to discuss in this newsletter. We would welcome hearing of examples where DBDOC was useful for you.

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    Newsletter Extensions

    G. Michaels Consulting Ltd. is pleased to offer an advanced DBDOC course October 1, 2 & 3rd, 2003. The course will be two and a half days in length and will take the form of relatively informal instruction. The sessions will focus on ways for you to support DBDOC effectively, making it useful for more people.

    We will work with you on important features of DBDOC. Special attention will be given to management of change, the analysis of our build reports and the various auxiliary reports we make, including opportunities to help us make them more useful. Ample time will be available for attendees to build the DBDOC document for a system and to work with the reports we generate. Input from registered attendees will be taken into account in details of what is presented.

    You are welcome to bring a copy of your system. All attendees should bring a laptop for hands-on sessions.

    Proposed Sessions

    G. Michaels Consulting Ltd. is pleased to host a dinner for attendees and guests on the first night of the course at one of Edmonton’s finer restaurants.

    Registration

    The cost of the two and a half day session is $650.00 USD or $975.00 CDN per attendee, and includes most meals (breakfasts, lunches, coffee breaks and one truly excellent dinner). As soon as you anticipate being able to attend, please e-mail Shirle yanne Michaels at shirley@gmcl.com. We are very interested in tailoring the sessions to meet the interests of those attending, e-mail geoff@gmcl.com to indicate particular areas you’d like to see covered. We will confirm your registration when your commitment is received.

    Session Location and Accommodation

    The sessions will be held at the Crowne Plaza – Chateau Lacombe Hotel. Further information on Crowne Plaza – Chateau Lacombe can be obtained via the Internet at www.chateaulacombe.c om. We have arranged special guestroom rates for individuals identifying themselves as attending the G. Michaels Consulting Ltd. DBDOC sessions.

    The rates are:

    The above room rates, which are quoted in Canadian funds, are net and non-commissionable. Room tax in Alberta is five (5%) percent and Goods and Service Tax (GST) is seven (7%) percent.

    Individuals may make their own reservations directly with the Chateau Lacombe’s Reservations Department by:

    Group bookings are not accessible through their 1-800-2CROWNE number.

    Please remember to identify yourself as attending the G. Michaels Consulting Ltd. DBDOC course.

    Getting to Edmonton

    Most return flights from the US to the Edmonton or Calgary International airports are under $500 US. Staying over a Saturday night may lower the cost significantly.

    We would like to suggest that flying into the Calgary International Airport could form a nice base for a one-week excursion, including Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper National Parks. Calgary is located 200 miles south of Edmonton (see the next section, "Before and After the DBDOC Training Course").

    Car rentals from major firms are available at the airport. Shuttle service and taxis are also available. Renting a vehicle for a week with unlimited mileage also is a way to take advantage of being in a part of the world that you might never have been to before.

    Before and After the DBDOC Training Course

    We have scheduled things so you can use a Saturday stay, and see some of western Canada if you wish, either before or after the DBDOC sessions. Suggestions are:

    Outside Edmonton:

    In Edmonton:

    It would be a shame to come all this way without seeing some of the local sites.

    We look forward to your visit to Edmonton!
  • Introductory DBDOC – Intermediate HyperView – half day sessions
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    This course acquaints people with the functions of the browser. People getting maximum benefit are anyone who wishes to use DBDOC to get answers about their Bailey system, but is not necessarily responsible for its long term maintenance and support. The training cost is NOT dependant on the number of attendees, so the more people that come, the more value you will get.  People from headquarters are welcome to attend any of the sessions or we can hold one there separately. 

    We recommend having one computer per 1 or 2 people at the session.  Other network, hardware requirements can be worked out with our staff.

    The costs of doing a training session will be: $2,850 USD (travel time, flight) + $1,250 USD per day (training charge, living expenses).  If there are multiple plants involved, then the initial $2,850 fee can be split amongst them.

    *The $2,850 is based on the assumption that a relatively inexpensive flight is available, which means advance planning/co-ordination needs to be done.

    The course will be two days in length and will take the form of a relatively informal workshop. The sessions will focus on ways for you to support DBDOC effectively, making it useful for more people. Again, the number of people from a company attending would be up to you.

    Our costs are based on the assumption that one site would host the two days of sessions with lunches, breakfasts and coffee breaks, room and equipment included. If we are required to provide a session site, prices would be slightly increased.

    We will work with you on important features of DBDOC. Special attention will be given to management of change, the analysis of our build reports and the various auxiliary reports we make, including opportunities to help us make them more useful. Ample time will be available for attendees to build a DBDOC document for a system and to work with the reports we generate. Input from registered attendees will be taken into account in details of what is presented.

    The cost for two days of sessions, with 3 instructors from Edmonton, will need to be determined based on location and number of companies attending. For budgetary purposes, the total cost will be around $18,000 USD.

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