Topics

1816

PSOUG / Oracle Buys Sun

« on: April 20, 2009, 06:59:00 AM »

Oracle Buys Sun

Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL) and Sun Microsystems (NASDAQ: JAVA) announced today they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Oracle will acquire Sun common stock for $9.50 per share in cash. The transaction is valued at approximately $7.4 billion, or $5.6 billion net of Sun's cash and debt.

'We expect this acquisition to be accretive to Oracle's earnings by at least 15 cents on a non-GAAP basis in the first full year after closing. We estimate that the acquired business will contribute over $1.5 billion to Oracle's non-GAAP operating profit in the first year, increasing to over $2 billion in the second year. This would make the Sun acquisition more profitable in per share contribution in the first year than we had planned for the acquisitions of BEA, PeopleSoft and Siebel combined,' said Oracle President Safra Catz.

1817

PSOUG / NWOUG Event - Grid Computing: The Next-Generation Data Center

« on: April 16, 2009, 06:29:54 AM »

Register online now for this complimentary event featuring successful grid techniques for the next-generation data center. Or call 1.800.820.5592 ext. 6257.

Master Change: Consolidate, Virtualize, and Standardize Your Data Center

Learn proven grid computing best practices for reaching new levels of efficiency and agility

Join us for a free half-day seminar, Grid Computing: The Next-Generation Data Center. You'll learn best practices for transforming your central IT operations into a high-performance next-generation data center.

Today's data centers must be ready for rapid and unpredictable changes driven by dynamic business demands, market and regulatory pressures, and operational imperatives for green computing and lower costs. At this Grid Computing seminar, we will show you how grid computing pools and provisions groups of networked computers on demand to meet the changing needs of your business. And you will see how multiple applications can share the same computing infrastructure for greater efficiency, agility, availability, and scalability than dedicated servers and storage can provide.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009
8:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Governor Hotel - Jakes Catering
614 SW 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97205
+1.503.224.3400
Map & Directions

Oracle experts and customer success stories will illustrate how you can:

    * Improve efficiency with server clustering, load balancing, and application grid technologies
    * Drive IT agility with on-demand provisioning, automation, and real-time predictive monitoring
    * Boost availability with disaster protection, failover strategies, and quality-of-service management
    * Green your operations with server consolidation, virtualization, and energy-saving best practices

Come meet with your peers and Oracle technology professionals to discuss how grid techniques can transform your business, budget, and timetable. See how grid best practices are helping thousands of customers modernize their operations to create the next-generation data center.

Register online now for this complimentary event. Or call 1.800.820.5592 ext. 6257.

Agenda:

8:30 a.m.    Breakfast and Registration
9:00 a.m.    Oracle Keynote: Grid Techniques for the Next-Generation Data Center
10:00 a.m.    Break
10:15 a.m.    Breakout Session 1: Achieving Agile IT Operations
11:15 a.m.    Breakout Session 2: Ensuring Continuous Availability
12:15 p.m.    Lunch and Demo
1:15 p.m.    Wrap Up and Raffle

1818

PSOUG / Conficker Update: Creating Spam-Spewing Drones?

« on: April 10, 2009, 10:15:45 AM »

By Stefanie Hoffman, ChannelWeb
8:16 PM EDT Thu. Apr. 09, 2009

More than a week after its April 1 deadline, the Conficker C worm released an update that could activate the botnet to deliver spam and turn infected PCs into zombies.

Researchers say that the latest update could include a connection between the Conficker worm to the active spam bot W32.Waledac. Specifically, researchers said they have seen circumstantial evidence that the latest strain of Conficker, known as Downadup E, might drop a Waledac binary on machines infected with Conficker C. That binary is designed to steal information and turn infected PCs into spam-spewing drones under the control of the malware authors, experts say.

Full Article: http://www.crn.com/security/216500197

Conficker Eye Chart:
http://www.confickerworkinggroup.org/infection_test/cfeyechart.html

1819

PSOUG / RSA Conference: April 20-24, Moscone Center, San Francisco

« on: April 09, 2009, 07:38:52 PM »

RSA Conference 2009

Then RSA® Conference 2009 is your information security event! As the information security field continues to grow in importance and influence, RSA® Conference plays an integral role in educating and connecting security professionals across the globe.

RSA® Conference 2009 offers enterprise and technical professionals one-stop learning. With targeted classroom sessions, innovative and interactive programs, provocative keynotes and a solutions-filled expo hall, RSA® Conference 2009 is the unbiased third party resource information security professionals rely upon.

Don’t miss events include the First-Time Attendee Orientation, Welcome Reception, "Table for 6" Dinners and topic-driven Peer2Peer Sessions to the renowned RSA® Conference Codebreakers Bash - among many others.

1820

PSOUG / Enterprise Manager 10gR5 Released

« on: April 09, 2009, 05:00:30 PM »

Enterprise Manager 10g Release 5 Now Available

Lower cost with faster performance diagnostics and tighter integration with Oracle Applications and Oracle Fusion Middleware

Oracle Enterprise Manager's unique top-down approach to application management enables customers to reduce complexity and increase efficiencies in their IT environments and optimally run their enterprise applications. Oracle Enterprise Manager achieves this through an unrivaled blend of broad application management and quality assurance solutions with deep management solutions for Oracle technologies including Oracle packaged applications, Oracle Fusion Middleware, Oracle Database and Oracle VM.

"Customers are battling economic conditions that require a rigorous focus on delivering business operations and IT efficiencies at a lower cost," said Richard Sarwal, Oracle senior vice president Product Development. "Oracle Enterprise Manager supports both endeavors through automated management of business workflows, processes and services, as well as supporting the full Oracle software stack through its unique top-down application management approach."

    * Watch the first video OTN TechCast with Justin Kestelyn, Richard Sarwal, and Leng Tan
    * Watch the announcement Webcast on demand
    * Learn more about Oracle Enterprise Manager 10g Release 5

1821

PSOUG / COLLABORATE 09 to Feature Educational Sessions from BI Consulting Group

« on: April 06, 2009, 07:34:35 AM »

COLLABORATE 09 to Feature Educational Sessions from BI Consulting Group
Collaborate is the Technology and Applications Forum for the Oracle Community in Orlando

Added: 04/06/2009 - Jeremiah Johnson

Orlando, FL, USA, April 06, 2009 -- For the fourth consecutive year, the Independent Oracle Users Group (IOUG), the Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) and Quest International Users Group (Quest) join forces to host the leading technology and applications forum for the Oracle community.

WHO:
BI Consulting Group, Oracle’s premier partner for Oracle Business Intelligence.

WHAT:
BI Consulting Group is a 2009 conference exhibitor and is presenting during two educational sessions during the conference.

At BI Consulting Group’s booth, attendees can:

• See demonstrations of BICG IMPACT, the data-lineage and impact analysis tool for OBIEE.
• See demonstrations of IDENTITY, BICG’s comprehensive branding & customization service for OBIEE interfaces.
• Speak with members of BICG leadership who can provide insight into all BICG’s service offerings and share their thoughts on all things related to Oracle Business Intelligence.
• Learn more about UGOBI. BICG is a proud sponsor of the User Group for Oracle Business Intelligence (UGOBI).

BI Consulting Group is conducting the following educational sessions:

Bulletproof Single Sign-On (SSO) for OBIEE. Monday, May 4 at 3:45pm. Room 1128.
Buy vs. Build - What's The Real Value of Pre-Built BI Analytic Applications?. Wednesday, May 6 at 11am. Room 1129.

WHEN:
May 3-7, 2009

WHERE:
BI Consulting Group Exhibit: Booth # 4358
Orange County Convention Center West, Orlando, Florida, USA

About Bi Consulting Group

BI Consulting Group is Oracle's premier consulting partner focused exclusively on Oracle Business Intelligence. Service offerings include consulting services, education services, support services as well as product services.

BICG's sole focus is Oracle Business Intelligence. Our experience with OBIEE is rooted in the origins of the software. Our consultants began using the business intelligence suite of products offered by Minnesota-based nQuire Software in late 1999. Siebel aquired nQuire in 2001, and Oracle aquired Siebel in 2006.

The experts at BI Consulting Group have collectively completed over 280 successful implementations of Oracle BI. Along the way, BICG has been honored with Oracle's Most Valuable Partner Award for Business Intelligence and the Oracle Excellence Award for creatively using Oracle Fusion Middleware with Oracle Applications (E-Business Suite, PeopleSoft, Siebel, JD Edwards etc) to create innovative and standards-based technology solutions. For further information about BICG, visit www.biconsultinggroup.com.

About COLLABORATE 09

COLLABORATE 09 is designed to help users of the full family of Oracle business applications and database technologies gain greater value from their Oracle investments. Created by and for users, COLLABORATE 09 offers an expert blend of customer-to-customer interaction and insights from technology visionaries and Oracle strategists. Representation at COLLABORATE 09 will include Oracle users, solution providers, consultants, developers and representatives from Oracle Corporation.

Contact:
Jeremiah Johnson
Sr. Marketing Manager
BI Consulting Group
Orlando, FL
651.403.6527
jeremiah.johnson@biconsultinggroup.com
http://www.biconsultinggroup.com

1822

PSOUG / Oracle "going out of business", files for bankruptcy / Chapter 11

« on: April 01, 2009, 06:43:51 AM »

Lol, April Fools! 

1823

PSOUG / Ellison mocks cloud computing, sells it anyway

« on: March 30, 2009, 09:36:30 AM »

Full Article: http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/03/26/larry-ellison-grits-his-teeth-takes-oracle-cloud

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison has had a tough year. The man who was once dubbed the "Muhammad Ali of software" is helplessly watching as the competitive landscape shifts and his personal wealth takes a hammering.

And don't get Larry started on nansy-pansy buzzwords taking over the industry. The term that really rubs him the wrong way is "cloud computing," as an audience of analysts discovered last October during a Q&A session:

    "The computer industry is the only industry that is more fashion-driven than women’s fashion. Maybe I’m an idiot, but I have no idea what anyone is talking about. What is it? It’s complete gibberish. It’s insane. When is this idiocy going to stop?"

Unfortunately for Ellison, not any time soon. This morning's Wall Street Journal notes that there is some confusion over the definition of cloud computing. Still, that hasn't stopped practically every major IT vendor from jumping on the cloud computing bandwagon with products that promote the potential of Internet-based storage, processing, and software services.

Full Article: http://www.thestandard.com/news/2009/03/26/larry-ellison-grits-his-teeth-takes-oracle-cloud

1824

PSOUG / Best. Oracle. Error. Message. Ever.

« on: March 27, 2009, 08:23:40 AM »

Lol, from another forum:

"Got this little gem while running sqlldr:

SQL*Loader-926: OCI error while uldlfca: unexpected cvtret with ldret of no_data for table xxyyzz

Thanks Oracle."
 

1825

PSOUG / Oracle Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities

« on: March 26, 2009, 03:06:43 PM »

May be old news for some, but if not, better start patching.
Oracle Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities
Original release date: January 15, 2009
Source: US-CERT

Systems Affected

    * Oracle Database 11g, version 11.1.0.6
    * Oracle Database 10g Release 2, versions 10.2.0.2, 10.2.0.3, and 10.2.0.4
    * Oracle Database 10g, version 10.1.0.5
    * Oracle Database 9i Release 2, versions 9.2.0.8 and 9.2.0.8DV
    * Oracle Secure Backup, versions 10.1.0.1, 10.1.0.2, 10.1.0.3, 10.2.0.2, and 10.2.0.3
    * Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database, versions 7.0.5.1.0, 7.0.5.2.0, 7.0.5.3.0, and 7.0.5.4.0
    * Oracle Application Server 10g Release 3 (10.1.3), version 10.1.3.3.0
    * Oracle Application Server 10g Release 2 (10.1.2), versions 10.1.2.2.0 and 10.1.2.3.0
    * Oracle Collaboration Suite 10g, version 10.1.2
    * Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12, version 12.0.6
    * Oracle E-Business Suite Release 11i, version 11.5.10.2
    * Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control 10g Release 4, version 10.2.0.4
    * PeopleSoft Enterprise HRMS, versions 8.9 and 9.0
    * JD Edwards Tools, version 8.97
    * Oracle WebLogic Server (formerly BEA WebLogic Server) 10.0 released through MP1, 10.3 GA
    * Oracle WebLogic Server (formerly BEA WebLogic Server) 9.0 GA, 9.1 GA, 9.2 released through MP3
    * Oracle WebLogic Server (formerly BEA WebLogic Server) 8.1 released through SP6
    * Oracle WebLogic Server (formerly BEA WebLogic Server) 7.0 released through SP7
    * Oracle WebLogic Portal (formerly BEA WebLogic Portal) 10.0 released through MP1, 10.2 GA, 10.3 GA
    * Oracle WebLogic Portal (formerly BEA WebLogic Portal) 9.2 released through MP3
    * Oracle WebLogic Portal (formerly BEA WebLogic Portal) 8.1 released through SP6

For more information regarding affected product versions, please see the Oracle Critical Patch Update - January 2009.


Overview
Oracle products and components are affected by multiple vulnerabilities. The impacts of these vulnerabilities include remote execution of arbitrary code, information disclosure, and denial of service.


I. Description

The Oracle Critical Patch Update - January 2009 addresses 41 vulnerabilities in different Oracle products and components. The document provides information about affected components, access and authorization required, and the impact from the vulnerabilities on data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Oracle has associated CVE identifiers with the vulnerabilities addressed in this Critical Patch Update. If significant additional details about vulnerabilities and remediation techniques become available, we will update the Vulnerability Notes Database.


II. Impact

The impact of these vulnerabilities varies depending on the product, component, and configuration of the system. Potential consequences include the execution of arbitrary code or commands, information disclosure, and denial of service. Vulnerable components may be available to unauthenticated, remote attackers. An attacker who compromises an Oracle database may be able to access sensitive information.


III. Solution

Apply the appropriate patches or upgrade as specified in the Oracle Critical Patch Update - January 2009. Note that this document only lists newly corrected issues. Updates to patches for previously known issues are not listed.

IV. References

    * Oracle Critical Patch Update for January 2009 - <http://www.oracle.com/technology/deploy/security/critical-patch-updates/cpujan2009.html>
    * Critical Patch Updates and Security Alerts - <http://www.oracle.com/technology/deploy/security/alerts.htm>
    * Map of Public Vulnerability to Advisory/Alert - <http://www.oracle.com/technology/deploy/security/pdf/public_vuln_to_advisory_mapping.html>

1826

PSOUG / Scott McNealy bashes Oracle as "heroin"

« on: March 26, 2009, 02:52:07 PM »

Full Article: http://searchdatacenter.techtarget.com/news/article/0,289142,sid80_gci1351994,00.html

By Alex Barrett, News Director - 26 Mar 2009

BOSTON -- With rumors of a takeover by IBM swirling around him, Sun Microsytems' chairman Scott McNealy tried to pitch a room of customers this week on the idea that Sun is a wily innovator whose software and hardware are far less costly than proprietary solutions from Oracle and IBM. But McNealy had little to offer loyal customers with Sun's legacy Sparc hardware.

Open source gets a plug
Like the man who succeeded him at the job of CEO, Jonathan Schwartz, McNealy also loudly beat the open source drum, but in his own inimitable style. Open source code is less buggy and more stable than proprietary code and insulates companies from the "shelf-life-of-a-banana problem" in which technology becomes obsolete 18 months after it was released.

And because the code is available for all to see, open source software such as Sun's MySQL offers a "low barrier to exit." Compare that with Oracle's database and applications. "We all know the first hit of heroin is free -- in fact, Oracle will probably pay you to roll up your sleeve," McNealy said. But sooner rather than later, your data is trapped in proprietary Oracle databases, and "contract negotiations become contract explanations."

Full Article: http://searchdatacenter.techtarget.com/news/article/0,289142,sid80_gci1351994,00.html

1827

PSOUG / Oracle buying drug-safety software maker Relsys

« on: March 26, 2009, 02:48:30 PM »

Full article http://www.reuters.com/article/idgDeals/idUSCH402198525734006938800025758200484920090323

Oracle said Monday it is purchasing Relsys International, a maker of drug safety and risk management software, a move that ties into its ongoing strategy to tap verticals.

The deal is expected to close in the first half of this year. Terms were not disclosed.

Many of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies use Relsys' software, which pharmaceuticals, biotech companies and other organizations use to track and analyze safety-related data.

The Irvine, California, company will "bring significant domain knowledge and experience" to Oracle's health sciences global business unit, Oracle said in a statement.

Oracle's move "makes a lot of sense" given the political climate in the U.S., said Redmonk analyst James Governor.

Full article http://www.reuters.com/article/idgDeals/idUSCH402198525734006938800025758200484920090323

1828

PSOUG / 2009 Puget Sound Regional Contracting Forum

« on: March 26, 2009, 07:12:53 AM »

** 2009 Regional Contracting Forum is next week **

The 2009 Regional Contracting Forum is hosted by the largest government entities in the Puget Sound Region, to include the Washington State Department of Transportation, Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprises, Sound Transit, Port of Seattle, King County, City of Seattle and the University of Washington.  These entities, in collaboration with several other public agencies, will come together to share information on upcoming contracting opportunities, procurement processes, and resources with contractors, consultants, and suppliers.

2009 Regional Contracting Forum
Tuesday March 31, 2009
8:00am - 3:30pm
Sound Transit Union Station
401 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington

To learn more details and register online visit:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/bdcc

Pre-registration is recommended

The Forum provides an opportunity to build your business networks, participate in one-on-one conversations with procurement representatives, and access information about resources that can help in reaching your business goals.   

    * Learn about current and upcoming contracting opportunities.
    * Meet the people who facilitate the contracting process within agencies.
    * Meet with industry peers and others to initiate business relationships.
    * Learn how the government contracting process works.
    * Learn about technical assistance and resources for your company.
    * Learn about programs and how they can benefit you.
    * Learn how to sign up for the various rosters.

The Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises, Sound Transit, Port of Seattle, King County, City of Seattle, and the University of Washington sponsor the Regional Contracting Forum.

Small businesses, including minority, women, and disadvantaged businesses, are encouraged to attend this forum.

1829

PSOUG / Are YOU the Smartest Database Professional in the World? :)

« on: March 26, 2009, 06:48:06 AM »

Are YOU the Smartest Database Professional in the World? Play this game and find out.

From the March 2009 edition of the Oracle ACE Newsletter:

Thanks to some of our ACEs who were the masterminds behind the questions, DB-Quest - the online game to test database knowledge - is now Live!

Become a database superhero and prove that you are the smartest database professional in the world. The top 10 scorers will be able to submit their own database question for inclusion in the game. Take the challenge.

1830

PSOUG / Latest Northwest Oracle Users Group (NWOUG) News

« on: March 25, 2009, 07:54:06 AM »

Several exciting changes have happened at NWOUG since you have last heard from us! The NWOUG board has two new members, we have updated our website, and we have some new opportunities for vendors to be involved with our membership base.

* New Board Members *
Kamesh Naidoo has joined the NWOUG board in the capacity of content coordinator. Most recently she finished coordinating a full-house Lunch & Learn, and is ramping up for the next one. She will also be responsible for coordinating presentations for our conference this fall.

I am replacing Ann Miller in the capacity of vendor relations. You have worked with Ann for many years, and I hope to provide you with excellent service and opportunities as well.

* New Website *
We are excited about our newly revised website http://nwoug.org. If you haven’t checked on it in awhile, you will find that the new website is more intuitive, and offers some great features to our members. This is an excellent opportunity to provide additional information that you would find beneficial as a vendor. So any suggestions you have for content in our corner, please e-mail me at vendors@nwoug.org.

* Lunch & Learn *
As a board, we continually strive to find ways to educate members, and one of our best tools is the Lunch & Learn (L&L). Based in either Portland or Seattle, they provide our members with new skills and/or ideas.

We believe this is an excellent opportunity for our vendors and members to share time outside of the annual conference. By sponsoring an L&L you have the opportunity to provide our members with a value added functional or technical presentation and a meal. Attendance is limited only by the space you are able to provide.

Please contact me if you are interested in hosting an L&L in either Portland or Seattle.


* Fall 2009 Conference *
The planning phase of the Fall 2009 conference is well underway, and while I can’t give away any of the thunder here, you will soon be receiving detailed information. I will say that we are excited by our Keynote speaker, and believe that our members will be as well.

I want to express our sincere apology to those of you with us last year. The hotel’s decision to separate our vendors from the rest of the conference was disappointing, and diminished an important relationship.

Your inclusion was our highest concern when selecting a new location for this year’s conference. Thank you for being there with us, you are very important to us and we value your contribution to our community.

Nate Paul
Vendor Relations
vendors@nwoug.org