Events...

If you usually check the Informix blogs, you've probably notice that IBM will present a virtual event on February 25th. This event is about Information Management, not necessarily focused on a specific product. Accordingly to the announcements you'll have the opportunity to chat with several specialists. You can see more information on Guy Bowerman's blog. The event registration can be found here.

Meanwhile, a colleague from France, Laurent Valenza is involved in the proof of technology that will take place in Paris on March 12. It will include hands on tutorials, and presentations about migration, MACH 11 and Open Admin tool. Please check the detailed agenda and the confirmation email at IIUG's page: http://www.iiug.org/news/announcements/pot_12mar2009.php
I had the pleasure to meet Laurent in 2008 and I'm sure his contribution will make this event worthwhile.

To finalize this post, a reference to a document Eric Hebert posted on his Informix Zone site. It's a translation to English of an interview of Jerry Keesee to Czech ComputerWord.
Please check it at: http://informix-zone.com/node/678.
If you prefer the original version, check it here

Informix academic initiative...

I've just received the IIUG Insider and one of the subjects that caught my attention was the news about Informix on Campus Academic Initiative.

A few people related to IIUG and some IBM staff are working together to bring Informix into the Academic community. Many people believe a software product needs to gain traction in the Academic world. The basic idea is that we all tend to work with what we know. And the Academic environment is an excellent place to learn about products.
IBM has programs for showing it's products to the Academic community but Informix has not taken advantage of this yet.

These people is working to change this. To start with, they put up a public and free (no registration needed) survey. If you're interested in this topic, please take five minutes to answer it (it really won't take more than this). You can give your opinion, suggest institutions to participate (if you have their contacts), and you can even volunteer yourself to help!