The following is the announcement from the November meeting:

The Topics... This meeting's topics include:

The "Inside Story" - summaries from the Informix User Conference (recently held in Orlando, FL)

Presenters:	Ron Flannery, One Point Solutions & Glenn Jacobson, Unique Systems - both are on the boards of directors for MIUG and IIUG
Web References:	http://www.informixhandbook.com (See "Pulse" section) http://www.informix.com/informix/press/2000/sep/091900.html

The Informix User Conference and Partner Forum.2000 were held from October 25 through 28, 2000. Since Informix was founded in 1980, these events marked its 20-year anniversary. Informix recently split into two companies: Informix Software (databases - the classic Informix) and an unnamed company (i.Sell, Media 360, and other solutions). At the conference, Informix clarified product direction and solidified the message about the FOCUS that will be achieved by splitting the companies. There were announcements about XPS on Linux as well as Arrowhead, a consolidation of database products. We'll tell you more about all of these announcements and Ron will talk about his interview with the leaders of the new companies.

Informix, Linux, and the Web

Presenters:

Carsten Haese of Unique Systems, Inc. and Ron Flannery, One Point Solutions

Carsten will provide a demonstration of an E-Commerce application he is developing for a client. You'll see a Web application that uses a combination of Informix, Linux, Apache, Informix 4GL, and the OpenSource scripting language, PHP. You have to see this demonstration because it shows you how to continue using Informix 4GL for your OLTP applications and then re-use your 4GL logic to build E-Commerce sites. PHP is today's most popular Web language because it is much faster than Java AND provides for an easier and quicker environment to develop powerful Web applications. Since PHP runs from within Apache, the most popular Web Server on the planet, it is also cross-platform. (Note: this is NOT a PowerPoint presentation; it is a live presentation!) Ron Flannery will also demonstrate some of the PHP applications that his company has developed.

The Agenda...

3:30 - 4:00	Gathering and networking and sandwiches
4:00 - 4:30	Intro by MIUG President Ron Flannery with News from IIUG User Conference in Orlando
4:30 - 5:30	E-Comm Demo By Carsten Haese of Unique Systems, Inc.
5:30 - 5:40	Closing Remarks

/etc...

The following is the announcement from the September meeting:

Informix: Its future, Visionary, and creating dynamic Web sites.

The next MIUG meeting will be held at the offices of HTC Global Services, Inc. on Tuesday, September 19. Come early -- doors open at 3:30 and the meeting will start at 4:00 PM. This meeting's topics include the recent restructuring of Informix, a demo of the Visionary product and a live demo on how to create dynamic Web sites that use Internet Foundation.2000. Also, watch for a free copy of Informix Handbook by Ron Flannery!

TOPICS:

Future direction of Informix Corporation.
Presenter	Scott Bederka, Sales Manager, Informix's Troy office
Web References	www.informix.com/informix/press/2000/july/071300.html www.informix.com/informix/press/2000/aug/strat.html
Informix recently performed some major changes, including a new CEO, new VPs, a complete reorganization from five to two business groups (now databases and solutions), closing of the Menlo Park office and more. What does this mean to you? Most Informix employees seem very encouraged by the changes, but find out more from Scott - and find out exactly where Informix is going with its products and services. Scott will discuss the business groups and where Informix plans to focus.
Informix Visionary: Looking at your company's data.
Presenter	Ron Gregory, Informix Troy office
Web References	www.informix.com/visionary/
Visionary is a powerful business visualizer that allows corporate users to develop flexible and low-cost solutions for decision making. The tool provides a unique way to view data via pictures, charts, and other visuals. It makes it easy for corporate decision makers to analyze data without looking at reports full of numbers and statistics. Visionary can read data from Informix and other databases.
Creating Dynamic Web sites with Foundation.2000, Web DataBlade and Excalibur.
Presenters	Ron Flannery and Troy Babcock, One Point Solutions
Web References	www.informixhandbook.com www.informix.com/iif2000/ www.informix.com/datablades/dbmodule/informix1.htm www.informix.com/datablades/dbmodule/excalibur1.htm
Informix Internet Foundation.2000 provides a solid relational database (formerly known as Informix Dynamic Server) as well as Web deployment tools. Find out how One Point Solutions created www.informixhandbook.com - a reference for Ron Flannery's Informix Handbook, a 1400 page book for Informix Press, and an ongoing resource for the Informix community. Ron and Troy will describe the hurdles they encountered and tell you how to use Informix products to build a top notch Web site.

Directions...

HTC is located at 28588 Northwestern Highway (M-10) just south of 12 Mile Rd. near Telegraph Rd. and I-696. From Telegraph take 12 Mile Rd. west to Northwestern Hwy; Go south on Northwestern (take a "Michigan Left"). HTC is in a 4 story white and blue building on the left. There is a traffic light just before the building; turn left to get you on a service drive for Northwestern Hwy. (248) 355-2500

Food and Drinks...

HTC Global Services will be providing refreshments during the meeting.

Giveaways...

Ron Flannery will give away one copy of his Informix Handbook, a 1400 page book for Informix Press. (see www.informixhandbook.com)

The following is the announcement from the July meeting:

The following is the announcement from the May meeting:

• Unique Systems and D4GL:
  Presentation by Glenn Jacobson and John Carr
  Demo of Unique Systems' D4GL accounting package running on Linux and ThinStations (Inexpensive diskless Linux desktops),

• Informix "State of Informix":
  Scott Bederka, Branch Manager Troy Office
  He will summarize for us all the recent changes and additions to the Informix family, and what the rest of 2000 will bring for Informix.

• Informix Media360:
  Ron Gregory from Troy Office
  Informix's Media360 solution addresses the business problems encountered by every organization that needs to create, store and distribute content. This includes traditional and new media companies, broadcasters, film production, radio, retail, publishing, finance, education, government and brand management organizations.

  Ron will walk us through the functionality of the product. He will demo how to ingest an asset and then search for it. Ron will also show how to create workflows to automate processes and enforce business rules,

• GOODIES
  Informix and Unique Systems Linux Goodies to be given away

• Food and drinks
  Informix will supply soft drinks and pizza from an area specialty house.

Directions...
From Downtown Detroit, take I-75 north past I-696 to exit #69. This is Big Beaver Rd exit. Head west about 1.5 miles on Big Beaver, past Coolidge Highway. The first road on the right has a light and is Cunningham Dr. Turn right then right again into the parking lot. Enter from the 'D' door.

The following is the announcement from the January meeting:

The next meeting will be held at the office of Kmart Corporation on Tuesday, January 25. Come early -- the meeting will start at 4:00 PM. This meeting's topics include an overview of Cloudscape, a Java database from Informix. We will also discuss other Informix purchases, in particular Ardent. Finally, MIUG president Ron Flannery will summarize his recent interview with Informix CEO Jean-Yves Dexmier and tie together Informix's new strategies. With the 4:00PM start time, you should be able to beat the traffic. Arrive early and meet fellow technologists and Informix users! The Topics... This meeting's topics include:

• Kmart and Dynamic 4GL:
  Mike McGovern from Kmart's Store Systems group will give an overview on how Kmart will be upgrading to the latest Informix products as they create their next generation of KIN (Kmart Information Network). He'll discuss their decision to use Dynamic 4GL and will review Kmart's experiences with Dynamic 4GL 3.0 and its web interface.

• Cloudscape and Java:
  Informix's Mitch Rihtarshich will give a demonstration of Cloudscape, a technology that was recently purchased by Informix. Cloudscape includes a 100% Pure Java SQL-based DBMS and application synchronization with other databases and devices (Palm Pilot, for example), addressing the stringent demands of today's e-Business world. Cloudscape's products allow companies to create Java-based, smart synchronized applications that can be deployed to partners, customers and mobile workers. Mitch will demonstrate Cloudscape and explain how it relates to you.

• Tying it together: Interview with Jean-Yves Dexmier
  MIUG president Ron Flannery will provide current news and information about Informix. He will discuss in detail a recent interview that he performed with Informix CEO Jean-Yves Dexmier. During this interview, Jean-Yves clearly described how the Cloudscape, Media 360, and Ardent acquisitions fit with the Informix strategy. Besides that, Ron will provide other Informix and user group news.

• Doing business off-shore:
  John Regep from HTC Global Services will give a brief discussion about HTC's Global Delivery Model and will have slides from his recent visit to India, showcasing the hardware and people at HTC's India Development Center.