SNTT: LotusScript t to remove the Prohibit Design Refresh flag from Forms and Views

Sean Cull  17 December 2009 07:30:00

I recently had to replace the design on 130 applications with a new design. To do this I need to change the DesignTemplateName property ( property which for some reason is read only in LotusScript ).

I had tried the convert task  but it kept bombing out trying to create folders for categories - a feature of its intended use on mail files I guess. To replace the template name I used this great little bit of code from Daniel Alvers.

Once I had changed the template and run the design task I found that some of the old design elements persisted because they had the "Prohibit Design Refresh" flag set. I wrote an agent to scan through all of the databases on a given server and remove these flags for databases linked to a named template. You can download the agent as a database or as a LotusScript text file.

The agent will ask for the template name and the server. A log of what it has done is added to a blank memo form

prohibit.lss

remove_prohibit_flag2.zip

 Admin Tips  Dev Tips  Download  Lotus 

A shout out for Andrews online Shop

Sean Cull  15 December 2009 08:53:54

Andrew who works for me took a break from Notes a while back and set up a MySQL / PHP on-line shop with his wife selling Children's bedding, accessories and themed stuff.

The idea is that is is a one stop shop for a themed kids bedroom. Andrew is back into Notes again and his wife is now running the online shop.

The project says a lot about the power of MySQL / PHP but also a lot about the draw that Notes has for developers !

I have used the shop and would highly recommend it.  http://www.restandplay.co.uk

End of Week 1 with the Nokia E72 and Lotus Traveler

Sean Cull  7 December 2009 08:00:00

I've been using the E72 with Traveler ( 8.5.0.1 ) in anger for about a week now and I thought it would be useful to look back at the experience. I will try and update this further in another few weeks. My first impressions were previously recorded here.

The background to this is that I have come from a Blackberry Curve 8310, sent the Nokia N97 back after 2 days and am now trying the E72. I considered the Pre ( too new but played with one today and was impressed ) and Android ( too early but something to watch ).  

I should say that I have found the review difficult to write. I had hoped to gush positively about Nokia's new Business Class Flagship phone but I have found it quite hard to use compared to my old  Blackberry. It has some key advantages ( VOIP, Wifi ) over what I have had before but if I were supporting business users where ease of use and productivity were the key drivers ( rather than fancy features ) then I would worry about how those business users would find the Nokia E72 ( although it is streets ahead f the N97 in this regard )

Overall :

I think that the biggest thing I have noticed is that I probably took my old Blackberry too much for granted. It was an old model and didn't have WiFi but it worked well, the keyboard was great and it did the job with little fuss.

The Nokia has more potential in some areas, for example it has WiFi which is great for podcasts and faster web browsing. It also has VOIP which is a big plus except that I have an issue with the WiFi connectivity. The OVI Store should be an advantage but my experience is that it is pretty pathetic. The running costs of the Nokia with Traveler are substantially less than the blackberry with BES ( even ignoring the BES cost )

Would I recommend the E72 / Traveler to a corporate client over my trusty Blackberry ?

"Probably not" would be my current view, or at least not until someone in the in-house team has lived with that system for a few weeks and can take the Level 1 / 2 support calls.

"E72 withTraveler" Pro's

The third party running costs are substantially less than for the Blackberry. I have a free device, unlimited land line calls, 500 minutes of mobile calls and 500Mb of data per month for £35 over 18 months from Vodafone UK. If I was on a blackberry connected to a BES I would have to pay an additional charge to Vodafone and then to RIM for the BES licences. I must admit that the 500Mb is a slight worry but hopefully sensible use of WiFi should make it OK. Continue Reading "End of Week 1 with the Nokia E72 and Lotus Traveler" »

 Lotus  Nokia  traveler 

Nokia E72 early impressions

Sean Cull  26 November 2009 22:46:57

I sent the N97 back at the start of the week and now I am trying a Nokia E72.

First impressions are good, much better than than the N97 but ergonomically my trusty Blackberry 8310 is better



Pros :

The E72 has SIP / VOIP so when I am in the office it rings just like an internal  desk phone - Blackberry take note !!!!
It has WiFi
V's the N97 the keyboard is easier to use
V's the BB it has Lotus Traveller which works great apart from the unread count and marking all read function
It feels pretty robust
The business card scanning application works surprisingly well

Cons :

The keyboard is better than the N97 but a lot worse than the 8310 - strange because they are the same size. With the BB there is actually space between the good sized flat keys but the Nokia keys are flush with each other and they are also strangley raised so that I end up typing with my fingernails rather than my fingers.

Considering the primary function of the device is a phone the number pad doesn't really stand out enough

I keep wanting to touch the screen to do things - why can' we have the best of both worlds

There is no way to see a list of unread emails permanently on the screen - the blackberry shows the last 3 or 4 fairly well

The front screen is not really very configurable, it can be configured but its not great

The back feels as though it is sprung loaded so it flexes and feels

Anyhow, its still he first day so the trial continues. .....

 Lotus  Nokia  VOIP 

Setting up VOIP / SIP on a Nokia E72

Sean Cull  26 November 2009 22:26:04

Just set up SIP / VOIP using the native Nokia SIP client on an E72.

It is easy once you have a few settings and download a program so I thought I would write it up

1) you need the Nokia SIP Settings Application from here => http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.nokia.com/id/d476061e-90ca-42e9-b3ea-1a852f3808ec/SIP_VoIP_Settings.html
note that you need the S60 3rd Edition

2) It took me a while to find the settings application. Control Panel > Advanced VOIP Settings

2) It took me a while to find the settings application. Control Panel > Net Settings > Advanced VOIP Settings

3) there is a manual here but the only bit I used was figure 9 where the ok button is not revealed unless you include an "@" in the user name

http://sw.nokia.com/id/15c504c6-e984-4fd6-be4d-890d24be95c7/SIP_VoIP_Release_3_x_Settings_Application_User_Guide_v2_0_en.pdf

3) Then I put in the settings for my voip account from Gradwell  

http://www.gradwell.com/support/howto/article/468

And it works, well so far I've only called my mum in Ireland but that went well.

p.s. and what is really cool is that turning over an E72 when it is ringing mutes the ring

 Nokia  VOIP 

Setting up VOIP / SIP on a Nokia E72

Sean Cull  26 November 2009 22:26:04

Just set up SIP / VOIP using the native Nokia SIP client on an E72.

It is easy once you have a few settings and download a program so I thought I would write it up

1) you need the Nokia SIP Settings Application from here => http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.nokia.com/id/d476061e-90ca-42e9-b3ea-1a852f3808ec/SIP_VoIP_Settings.html
note that you need the S60 3rd Edition

2) It took me a while to find the settings application. Control Panel > Advanced VOIP Settings

3) there is a manual here but the only bit I used was figure 9 where the ok button is not revealed unless you include an "@" in the user name

http://sw.nokia.com/id/15c504c6-e984-4fd6-be4d-890d24be95c7/SIP_VoIP_Release_3_x_Settings_Application_User_Guide_v2_0_en.pdf

3) Then I put in the settings for my voip account from Gradwell  

http://www.gradwell.com/support/howto/article/468

And it works, well so far I've only called my mum in Ireland but that went well.

p.s. and what is really cool is that turning over an E72 when it is ringing mutes the ring

 Nokia  VOIP 

IBM, please do the right thing and allow developers to update straight from 7 to 8.5.

Sean Cull  23 November 2009 18:52:01

I am doing some catching up on my certifications and have just realised to to upgrade to 8.5 I have to pass the 8.0 exams.

I think this is unfair and not really in IBMs interest because :

>> IBM is actively encouraging customers to go straight to 8.5

>> Web development in 8.5 is a whole new beast almost making 8.x web development an obsolete choice  in new applications

>> Composite Apps were buggy in 8.x and had limited uptake, 8.5 is much better, why force people to learn the buggy system

>> DB2NSF is not being expanded any further

>> Its an extra $200 to spend per developer that neither the developers not IBM get value from ( unless this is a profit making exercise )

The syllabus for the exam is

Description:  Covers IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8 material as it relates to these competency areas:

• Composite Applications  
• Design and Development Enhancements  
• Domino and DB2 Integration  
• Programming Enhancements  
• Web Services in Domino Applications

So IBM, do the right thing and allow developed to go straight from 7 to 8.5. There is a new script requirement for advanced developers anyhow so it still requires a significant commitment from the developers.

Requirements :

http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/14003105.shtml

 8.5  8.5.1  Certifications  Dev Tips  Lotus 

T-mobile, your in denial

Sean Cull  21 November 2009 12:32:22

T-Mobile posted me a return package for the N97 today. The reason code says is all.




 t-mobile  winge 

Grumpy old man post : Nokia N97 is not so impressive, give me back my blackberry

Sean Cull  19 November 2009 17:02:27

It seems like I am becoming a bit of a grumpy old man on twitter and now this blog but here you go :

Update : back on the blackberry 8310 : the N97 has gone back, I was getting there slowly with the phone ( mostly because it was cheap ) but the coverage was the killer in the end

I got a Nokia N97 to try at lunch time today. By 14:00 I was ready to throw it out the window, it has been an awful experience. For those who don't know the N97 is Nokia's flagship iphone beater.



The N97 has some attractive features such as the keyboard, radio, Notes Traveler but when it was launched a few months ago it was horrendously buggy. A recent upgrade in the firmware to 2.x was meant to have made it much more stable.

Maybe I am expecting too much as it is a while since I had a true smart phone ( I have been a Blackberry Curve user for a few years ) but there are just so many things that don't work and I expected more from a prestige phone. In hindsight the blackberry is just soooo easy.

Firmware 2.x
> There is no way to show the new email count from traveller on the front screen  There is but it shows 200 unread even after I have marked them as read
> it is one click to the traveller inbox but then it is 5 clicks to get back out as you exit via the nokia messaging system / SMS messages etc..
> You cannot easily get it to recognise that wifi is faster than 2G/3G for browsing
> It has crashed twice
> It has run out of memory once
> The keylock switch has refused to unlock the keyboard requiring a battery reboot
> it keeps dropping the WLAN connection
> sometimes its a double click for a menu and others its a single click for a similar menu
> The browser experience is not great - it tries to be better than the blackberry in being much richer but in practice I much prefer the simple blackberry browser
> message that traveler is not compatible with this operating system ( S60 5th edition )
> the auto rotate feature does not work It does but it is disabled by default

Firmware 1.x
> The automatic update over the air would not recognise that version 2.x of the firmware was available ( the phone is 0 days old )
> the tone dialling doesn't work on telephone tone menus

And some other ones :

> The FM radio won't even try and work without a headset lead plugged in ( its the aerial )
> You can't just hit the green phone button and dial unless it is an existing  contact
> I have no t-mobile 3g signal in an area supposedly with an area of very good coverage


> I can't find an easy way to automatically bar data when roaming - the blackberry can do this and in Northern Ireland it is too easy to roam by accident along the border
> Nokia just transferred me to a specialist team assuring me that they were open  : they were closed : hopefully they will ring me tomorrow - they did at 09:30 - thanks

More
> the OVI store won't work on wfi only slow gprs
> there is no decent free twitter client that seems to work with the touch screen ( although gravity is very nice at £8 )



I have 7 days to decide if I like it. Its such a pity. As an existing t-mobile customer I get a great deal - £30 for unlimited everything and a free phone. Unfortunately they don't do the E72 yet so I might end up going to vodafone.

For this amount of mucking about I would much rather be an early adopter on android but the equivalent of the Motorola Droid isn't in the UK yet.

Oh well, the kids are home from school , time to put life back into perspective before catching up with work again later after a very frustrating day !

Grumpy Old Man

 Lotus  mobiles  t-mobile  traveler  winge 

Application Debug Mode

Sean Cull  19 November 2009 07:00:00

A while back someone asked what was my best tip for Lotus Notes development - this is it - it is used in every single application I have developed in at least the last 5 years and it was passed on to me by my cousin ( thanks Martin )!

Most Notes forms will have hidden fields on them and those fields are really useful when it comes to understanding what is going on in an application. You can access the values in three ways :

1) use the document properties
2) change the "hide when" properties
3) - my tip - programmatically change the "hide when" properties

I used to hide the individual fields but a better way is to change the "hide when" attribute of a section rather than the individual fields ( thanks Ewan ). The hide when is linked to a notes.ini / environmental setting but you could also use a profile document.




Continue Reading "Application Debug Mode" »

 2nd hand tips  Dev Tips  Lotus  Show-n-Tell Thursday 

Even IBM doesn’t think Traveler is the right way to spell Traveller

Sean Cull  18 November 2009 23:04:39

If you are looking to download Travel(l)er 8.5.1 from Partner World you will find that searching on Traveler only brings up 8 and 8.1

To get travel(l)er 8.5.1 you need to search on part number CZ5SYML



 Admin Tips  Lotus 

Balsamic Wire Mockups - a days work

Sean Cull  19 October 2009 21:01:59

I've been working on a concept for  new Notes application. I've used Balsamic  a few times before but this was the first time I have tried to sit down and flush out a scheme in a day.

The results are below, its obviously still at concept stage but a day with the client and a day with Balsamic has left me with something that I can use for a reality check with the client and then put a fixed price against. I find that the process of working through the screens gives me the discipline to look through the users eyes and see both what they need to capture but also what they need to contend with in terms of its usability. The usability will be key in this case because the business process is quite demanding.

It has felt like quite hard going at times, I wish Balsamic had the equivalent of subforms for some of the elements so that if they were changed in one place they would change everywhere - e.g. the navigation bar. Each mesh diagram is essentially a totally separate image so when you add an extra tab into one you need to go back and add it to the others. Having said that it will still be a lot easier to change it as a Balsamic than it would be with Notes and probably even more so if your were using another development platform .



Continue Reading "Balsamic Wire Mockups - a days work" »

 Dev Tips  Lotus  My software 

Installing 8.5.0 FP1 on Ubuntu Server

Sean Cull  27 August 2009 23:54:36

I have been upgrading a development server running on Ubuntu 8.04 from 8.5.0 to 8.5.0. FP1 ( yes I know that it is not supported )

The standard install for the fix pack does not work and gives the following errors :

@ts13-001:~/Desktop/linux$ cd domino
@ts13-001:~/Desktop/linux/domino$ sudo ./install
[sudo] password for :
[: 160: TOOLS/NLS/-E: unexpected operator
[: 160: tools/nls/-e: unexpected operator
[: 160: tools/nls/-e;1: unexpected operator
.: 1: -e: not found

after much hunting about I came across this fix by Matt Schmandt

Continue Reading "Installing 8.5.0 FP1 on Ubuntu Server" »

 Admin Tips  Ubuntu  Lotus 

• Comments [0]

8.5.1 - I’m impressed by the way that IBM is listening behind the scenes

Sean Cull  27 August 2009 13:51:46

I have been very fortunate to have recently become involved in the the Design Partner Program. It has been an interesting and somewhat confusing time to join because the program is moving towards the release of 8.5.1 at a great pace and there is a huge amount of stuff that has already happened.

As with any project of this scale ( and particularly being a newbie ) it is always possible to find things that could be better but by far the biggest thing that has impressed me is the way in which IBM is prepared to listen to its Design Partners, not just for 8.5.1 but also for 8.5.x and beyond - imagine a scene where IBM Engineers pitch ideas to customers and business partners, taking polls and actively looking for feedback on open mic conference calls.

Over the last few days you will have seen some pretty clued up people beginning to blog about 8.5.1. They are not only very clued up on the technical aspects of the release but also have good insights into where IBM can best add value to organisations and end users. They are all working closely with IBM to ensure that Notes is as good as it can be and for each person that does blog there are quite a few others that are not able to blog.

Why am I blogging this ?  Well I am genuinely really impressed ( and pleasantly surprised ) at what I have seen. The Lotus Knows Idejam was really impressive but it has also been good to see that there are other long established collaborative processes already in place.

I am not sure why people don't blog about the process ( as opposed to the secret content ) more. I guess that the Design Partners have been instructed not to release any IBM confidential information and the existence of such successful collaboration between IBM and its customers must be seen as confidential ;-)  

 Lotus  8.5.1  DP Program 

simple xpages thing - what am I doing wrong ?

Sean Cull  12 August 2009 12:07:58

update :   This now works fine under 8.5.1 Beta ( CD8 ) out of the box so the problems has gone away


OK, this should be trivial, what am I doing wrong ??

I can't get the post save event to run an agent but I can run it via a button.

I have an Xpage here >> http://www.seancull.co.uk/Public/Examples/agenttest.nsf/simplexpage.xsp

which is very simple. It is bound to a form with a single field and has two buttons. There is a post save event which should run an agent which also creates a new agent log document. i.e. TWO documents should be created. The agent log document does not have a form name when displayed in the view.

New documents appear in the view.

When I press the button to runt he agent a new formless document ( i.e the agent log ) is created - great

When I save the document the back end agent does not run - i.e. no formless ( i.e. agent log ) document

I am doing something really stupid - what is it ?


some screenshots of the setup and the code is at the end







update - screen shot of button properties as mentioned by Graeme below - although there is a workaround I still don't understand it the problem is me or xpages ?






 Lotus  XPages