March 18, 2003

SYNERGY/DE 8.1 INCLUDES NEW SUPPORT FOR USER-SPECIFIC AND SYSTEM-SPECIFIC INITIALIZATION FILES (WINDOWS)
In previous versions of Synergy/DE, all initialization settings were contained in the synergy.ini file. This was fine for settings that applied to the entire system or application, but what about settings for an individual user or user preferences? To make it easier to manage and distribute updated system settings without overwriting user-specific settings, we have enhanced Synergy/DE to use separate user-specific and system-specific initialization files. This also enables you to centralize system-specific settings on a file server, rather than duplicating those settings on each workstation. And for Windows Terminal Services, you can now establish user-specific settings without having to set SFWINIPATH to a different location for each user.

Here's how it works...Synergy/DE first reads its settings from the synergy.ini file, and then it attempts to locate the new initialization file, synuser.ini, within a Synergy/DE subdirectory of the Local Application Data directory. This directory is assigned to a single user and is assigned automatically by Windows. If the file is found for the user, all settings are applied from that file, overriding corresponding entries read from the synergy.ini file. This enables you to establish system-wide default settings that can be overridden at the user level.

Note that we recommend that you use the SFWINIPATH environment variable to instruct Synergy/DE where to locate synergy.ini. If SFWINIPATH is not set, the default location is the SynergyDE\dbl directory. This has changed from previous versions, which defaulted to the Windows directory. We decided to make this change because the synergy.ini file will be most likely located on a file server, instead of on each workstation, and the Windows directory is always workstation-specific.

When saving initialization settings with Synergy/DE UI Toolkit, the settings are now saved to the user-specific initialization file by default. Each routine also provides a way, via new argument syntax, to save the settings to the system-wide initialization file instead.

We think you will find that this new feature greatly simplifies the deployment of multi-user Synergy applications over networks.

For more information about Synergy/DE 8.1, visit the Synergex Web site.

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SYNERGY/DE TECHNOLOGY CENTER: WILL SCO'S PLANS TO "LICENSE AND PROTECT" SCO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AFFECT SYNERGY/DE CUSTOMERS?
The quick answer is "no." For more information, read on.

On January 22, SCO announced that it will start licensing its SCO shared libraries. We have reviewed the published information on this issue and have the following summary.

Q: What intellectual property is SCO referring to?

A: Many applications written for SCO OpenServer and/or SCO UnixWare make use of "SCO shared libraries," which is what SCO is referring to as their intellectual property. SCO will now enable customers to license these shared libraries, so customers can move their applications to Linux.

Q: Does Synergy/DE use the SCO shared libraries?

A: Synergy/DE uses the SCO shared libraries on SCO systems, but does not require them on any other system. When Synergy/DE is ported to each platform, it makes use of the shared libraries it needs on each specific platform. So it does use the SCO shared libraries on SCO OpenServer and SCO UnixWare, the HP-UX-specific libraries on HP-UX, etc.

Q: Are Synergy/DE customers affected by SCO's initiative?

A: No. Since your Synergy applications use system-specific versions of Synergy/DE on each Unix system, your applications only use the SCO shared libraries (through Synergy/DE) on SCO OpenServer and SCO UnixWare. Your Synergy applications do not require the libraries on any other system.

Q: Who will be affected?

A: SCO's licensing plans will affect users of SCO UnixWare and SCO OpenServer applications that depend on the SCO shared libraries, who want to move their applications to Linux without rebuilding them. These users will need to license the SCO shared libraries. (SCO is providing the shared libraries for free with their SCO Linux system, and for $149/CPU for other Linux systems.)

Q: Do other Linux systems use the SCO shared libraries?

A: Red Hat and other Linux vendors have stated that their Linux operating systems do not use these SCO shared libraries.

For more information, visit SCO's Web site.

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SUPPORT TECH TIP: ACCESSING THE SYNERGY/DE RESOURCE CENTER.
The Synergy/DE Resource Center on Synergex's Web site offers a continuously expanding set of resources, including HelpDesk Online, detailed product information, education and training services, and much more. The Resource Center offers immediate access to information that can help you make solid development decisions, execute your plans, and resolve issues you may encounter. The following are some questions you might have about accessing the Resource Center.

Q: How do I access the Resource Center?

A: The login fields for the Resource Center are located in the top right corner of the Synergex Web site. To access the Resource Center you must have a current subscription to Synergy/DE HelpDesk Support. You will also need a valid user name (generally your company e-mail address) and password, which are set up for you by one of the two administrators at your company. Contact Synergy/DE HelpDesk Support if you require the names of your company administrators. To obtain your password, enter your user name in the login field, and then click on the "Forgot Password?" link. Your password will be sent to you via e-mail.

Q: I don't have Synergy/DE HelpDesk Support but I would like to visit the Resource Center. How can I do this?

A: You may view the Resource Center as a guest by clicking on "Guest User" in the upper right corner of the Synergy/DE Solutions page of the Synergex Web site. As a guest user, you will be able to tour some of the areas of the Resource Center, and find out all of the resources that are available with a HelpDesk subscription.

Q: I recently tried to login to the Resource Center and I don't seem to have full access. What's the problem?

A: It could be a few things…

1. You may be logged in as an administrator. Some options are not available to administrative logins, which are intended for user administration purposes only. For full access, login to the Resource Center as a "non-administrator."

2. You may not have a subscription to Synergy/DE HelpDesk Support. If this is the case, you will not have access to the Resource Center, unless you log in as a guest.

3. Your Synergy/DE HelpDesk Support may have expired. To renew your subscription, contact a Customer Service representative today. mailto:synergy@synergex.com

Q: I'm a Synergy/DE HelpDesk Support customer; however, after logging in to the Synergy/DE Resource Center, I noticed that some of the Online Services links were disabled. How can I access this portion of the Resource Center?

A: To generate configuration keys or to order products online, you need to sign up for Online Services. Contact your Synergy/DE Account Manager for more details.

If you have any questions about accessing the Resource Center, contact Synergy/DE HelpDesk Support.

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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS SYNERGY/DE?
Managing operations for a dialysis service provider

DaVita™ Laboratory Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of DaVita, Inc., the second largest provider of dialysis services in the United States for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure, also known as end stage renal disease (ESRD). The laboratory, located in DeLand, Florida, uses a custom-designed Synergy/DE suite of applications to manage its day-to-day operations. The laboratory information system, Ref-Lab, is implemented on OpenVMS Alpha. Ref-Lab addresses all activities related to operating a major ESRD laboratory, including electronic remote order entry, barcode driven accessioning, specimen inventory, instrument interfaces, remote transmission of lab results, and a complete accounts receivable, billing, and collections system. The system also maintains several WAN interfaces to corporate Microsoft SQL databases using Synergy/DE SQL Connection. The laboratory was recently awarded the College of American Pathologists (CAP) certification, the highest level of accreditation that can be achieved by a medical laboratory.

For more information, visit DaVita's Web site.

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SYNERGEX EDUCATION
Hiring new programmers?

Have existing DIBOL programmers who are unfamiliar with the many added features of the Synergy Language?

Here's the perfect opportunity to start them out right! Sign up for the March 24-28 Synergy Language Essentials class in Gold River, California.

Discover the Synergy Language Essentials through lecture and applied examples. A hands-on lab exercise follows each major topic to reinforce learning. Students will use Synergy Language elements to enhance an ongoing sample application. As the class progresses, students will use more sophisticated methodologies to implement the required software solution.

Learn from the best Synergy/DE teachers around. Visit the Synergex Education Web page where you can peruse our 2003 class listings and even register online!

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