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Archive for category In The News

New VFP User Group in Iraq

Jun 18

Posted by Tod McKenna in In The News

The FoxPro community has always been diverse and vibrant, with user groups spread out all over the world. Although VFP9 is the last installment we’ll get from Microsoft, I’m happy to see and re-report that a new group has been created: Iraqi Visual FoxPro Programmers Group (Iraqi.vfppg)

You can read the original announcement here on Foxite.

Founder Ammar Hadi writes:

It was my dream to build this group since about more than 4 years ago, and at that time I send an e-mail to one of the Iraqi Foxers who is a member in foxite too (we never met) and told him that I will work on creating a foxpro group in Iraq. He show his readiness to help me on that. But at that time, I was totally engaged in my Medical study to get the certificate of Neurosurgical Profession. Now it is about a year and a half since I finished my study and training and got the certificate to work as a professional neurosurgeon (with very good marks ;-D ….. ). Now I can say that I got some more time to make my dream come true.

I wish Ammar the very best!

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FoxPro in the News

May 1

Posted by Tod McKenna in In The News

A nice article in Computer World, uncharacteristically highlighting the tool of choice, Visual FoxPro. Titled “A greener environment through better data management. Data supporting farmers to improve productivity”:

The database software, which is written in Microsoft’s Visual FoxPro, gathers data from interactive PDFs and Web site entries. According to database developer Anne Allen, once the data is received from the farmers, the Visual FoxPro software delivers a report which in turn is sent back to the farmer in an email.

I’d like to see more good press on the VFP front!

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SQL Server and FoxPro on September 9 MS Security Bulletin

Sep 5

Posted by Tod McKenna in In The News, Reviews

According to Microsoft’s advanced notification system for security updates, slated to be released on September 9, SQL Server and Visual FoxPro are among the affected software. A webcast will likely be held the day after the bulletin is released. The critical issue has to do with a vulnerability allowing remote code execution.

Specifically, these FoxPro versions as installed on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4:

  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro 8.0 Service Pack 1
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro 9.0 Service Pack 1
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro 9.0 Service Pack 2

For SQL Server:

  • SQL 2000 Reporting Services Service Pack 2
  • SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2
  • SQL Server 2005 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
  • SQL Server 2005 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2

Be sure to check out the full report when issued on September 9th if this concerns you (.NET, MS Office, and IE users, you had better have a look too!).

Security Bulletin website

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News from the Kimball Group

Jun 3

Posted by Tod McKenna in In The News

As you might know, I recently attended the Data Warehouse Lifecycle in Depth course from Kimball University. I blogged about each day of the event and also got an opportunity to speak with Margy and Warren at various times and about various topics. One of which was KU Certification.

“Now, if we can just convince them to create a certification exam…” is what I wrote, somewhat jokingly (because I knew full-well what Warren and Margy thought about a KU certification program).

Well, here is the official response, as written in the most recent design tip newsletter, “Kimball Design Tip #102 Server Configuration Considerations”:

We’ve received several inquiries about Kimball certification. After much consideration, we’ve concluded that it’s not meaningful to bestow certification by charging you to take a multiple choice exam. We do believe quality, in-depth education consistent with our proven methodology is critical to your professional development. Rather than embarking on a certification program, we’re giving Kimball University alumni an alternative opportunity to publicize their completion of our courses.

Which of course leads into my post regarding KU’s new LinkedIN Group!

We’ve launched a Kimball University Alumni group on LinkedIn so you can let everyone in your network and other interested parties know that you’ve attended a KU course. We’re not promoting LinkedIn, but it’s a well-accepted networking tool for industry professionals. Joining our alumni group allows you to promote your alumni status on your profile and connect with other alums (and perhaps potential future employers) in your area.

The Kimball University Alumni group is limited to students who have attended a full length 2- to 4-day Kimball University onsite or public course. Unfortunately, 1-day vendor seminars and other industry events do not qualify. Follow this link to join the Kimball University Alumni group.

So there you have it! If you’ve had the pleasure of attending at least one KU course, then go to LinkedIN and sign up!

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Mums the word: KU Alumni Group in the works for LinkedIn

May 15

Posted by Tod McKenna in In The News

It turns out that the Kimball Group is working on a new Kimball University Alumni group for LinkedIn. This is pretty cool because as far as I know, there is no real good way to get in touch with Kimball University “graduates”. The plan is to announce the group officially at some point in the near future (I believe on the next design tip).

According to my “source” (can you tell I’m really trying to sound like a reporter with some really important scoop?), they even have a logo ready to go. As some of you can attest to, the logo can be the hardest thing to settle on!

ETL Subsystems

I’ll be getting back on track with my dissection of the 34 Subsystems of ETL (in which I give my thoughts on each subsystem through SSIS and Visual FoxPro). I took a few weeks off while in Amsterdam, but should be ready to start again. Next on the list is ETL Subsystem 11: Hierarchy Manager. I expect to have it ready by early next week.

LinkedIn

By the way, if you’re on LinkedIn, and you read this blog, feel free to invite me into your network. You likely are a FoxPro user which means I’m going to like you, or you are involved in some way with data warehousing, which means I’m going to like you! Just let me know you’re a reader!

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FoxPro a Big Hit in China

Mar 29

Posted by Tod McKenna in In The News

Did you know that “a survey showed that Microsoft’s FoxPro database application accounted for 65% of database installations in
China, yet Microsoft had not sold a single legal copy in the country.” (source)

This blows me a way. I know pirating is bad in China but this is just unbelievable. Imagine if 10% of those installs were legal. Microsoft would have additional pressure to carry on the language (and would have plenty of additional revenue as well).

Anyway, that article is a great read for anyone interested. Now I can blame Bill AND China for VFP’s fate.

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Geek Love

Mar 22

Posted by Tod McKenna in In The News

Sorry I missed this the other week, but this graphic is absolutely priceless.

It is by Sam Potts and was published by The New York Times Company on March 9th in response to the death of D&D creator Gary Gygax. I realize that exposing myself as a longtime D&D fanatic might get me the “did you play with real swords”-type-questions, but hey, it was great fun.

Geek Love

Click the image to enlarge.

At the risk of fully exposing myself as a geek (no–I am not into nerdcore, though), I have to confess: I worked at the Georgia Renaissance Festival (and have been a fully costumed patron on many occasions), own pewter figurines, am a web designer, taught myself FoxPro (not Pascal), I do wonder about the technical accuracy of the diagram, I am blogging about it, and the analogy between D&D and Google is pretty darn good!

By the way, the secret to mixing girls and D&D is to find the girls who play too. If you can’t find them… then convert them (sorry Katie, Kathy, and all the other girls exposed to Orcs, Green Dragons, and a group of geeky guys eating Taco Bell and drinking Mountain Dew till 4 in the morning)!

Ok, I promise: no more D&D postings on the blog…

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