May 14, 2003

UPDATE YOUR ISAM FILE MAINTENANCE UTILITY (ISUTL) TO PREVENT POSSIBLE FILE CORRUPTION
The ISAM File Maintenance Utility, isutl, is used to rebuild ISAM files and perform other maintenance functions on ISAM files. Rebuilding an ISAM file (-r) can take several forms: re-indexing only, ordering data with re-index (-ro), converting data with re-index, and recovering data with re-index.

We recently fixed a critical issue with the -r and -ro options of isutl that occurs when the target file is in use by another user. This issue affects Synergy/DE™ versions 7.3.1 through 8.1.1.

New versions of isutl for all platforms are available in the Resource Center of the Synergex Web site. (Versions 8.1.2c and higher contain the fix.) We recommend that you update your utility immediately.
(Attention HelpDesk customers: After clicking on this link, log into the Resource Center. You'll then be redirected to the "Annual License Maintenance (ALM): Product Downloads" page. Go to the downloads page for your operating system to get the new utility.)

(If you are not a Synergy/DE HelpDesk Supported customer, you can e-mail HelpDesk Support to request this update.)

Below is a detailed description of the symptoms, along with instructions for recovering your ISAM files should you encounter this problem.

When the file is in use, isutl -r generates the error
     File in use by another user
     %ISUTL-E-30: Cannot create file
and it corrupts the index file. If you then verify the file with isutl -v, you will get the error
     Read block error
     %ISUTL-E-126: Index error
Reading from the already opened channel will eventually fail with an $ERR_IOFAIL error.

To restore the file, run isutl -r when the file is not in use.

(UNIX only) When the file is in use, isutl -ro generates the error
     Error creating sort output file
     %ISUTL-E-30: Cannot create file
and it deletes the index (.is1) file. (Don't worry: your data is safely stored in the .257 (temporary) file.) If you then verify the file with isutl -v, you'll get the error
     %ISUTL-E-20: Cannot open index file
Reading from the already opened channel will eventually fail with an $ERR_IOFAIL error.

To restore the file, create an empty file with the same name and location as the original file and then run isutl -ro again. This will reload the empty file you just created with the original data from the .257 file. Therefore, make sure the .257 file (filename_ism.257) is not removed or renamed prior to this step.

Until you obtain the new version of isutl, avoid using the -r and -ro options on files that might be open.

Please contact Synergy/DE HelpDesk Support if you have any questions.

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SYNERGY/DE 8.1.3 WILL SUPPORT MICROSOFT^® WINDOWS SERVER™ 2003
Synergy/DE 8.1.3, scheduled for release on May 23, will be the first Synergy/DE version to support Windows Server 2003.

About Windows Server 2003
Microsoft says that Windows Server 2003 "takes the best of Windows 2000 Server technology and makes it easier to deploy, manage, and use." It also incorporates .NET functionality, including

- The Microsoft .NET Framework

- The Microsoft XML Web services platform

- Deep integration of Microsoft .NET Passport with Active Directory^® service

- Native support for SOAP-based XML Web services

- Full integration of the COM+ component architecture with XML Web services through the .NET Framework

For more information about Windows Server 2003, visit Microsoft's Web site.

About Synergy/DE 8.1.3
Synergy/DE 8.1.3 will showcase a new feature, Java™ connection pooling, which can improve the performance of Java applications and JavaServer Pages™ (JSP™). By reducing the response time required to execute Synergy^® methods with Synergy/DE xfNetLink Java Edition™, Java connection pooling can dramatically speed up Web applications. Synergy/DE 8.1.3 will also include a number of important fixes to the Synergy/DE product suite. It will be available on all supported platforms.

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ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE SYNERGY/DE 8.1 DISTRIBUTION KIT
Congratulations to Sylvia Schmidt from Gloucester Software Ltd. Sylvia is the winner of a Synergy/DE 8.1 distribution kit, containing Synergy/DE 8.1 software, Online Manuals, migration guides, and white papers. Sylvia's name was selected at random from the customers who took part in the contest. Thank you to all who participated!

Based in New Zealand, Gloucester Software sells a Synergy/DE-based school fees and disbursements billing system. The company also customizes software development packages for small and medium sized companies, such as the Kennel Club of New Zealand, a wholesale plant growing nursery, and a plastics manufacturer.

To purchase a Synergy/DE 8.1 distribution kit and/or 10-manual hard-copy documentation set, please visit the Synergex Web site.
(Attention HelpDesk customers: After clicking on this link, log into the Resource Center. You'll then be redirected to the "Synergy/DE 8.1 Distribution Kit and/or Documentation" page.)

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SUPPORT TECH TIP: “HTTPS NOT AVAILABLE” ERROR
Question:
I received an “HTTPS not available” error message from the Synergy HTTP document transport API. How do I fix this?

Answer:
The Synergy HTTP document transport API interfaces with a third-party library, OpenSSL, to provide Secure Socket Layer (SSL) support (HTTPS). In order to use HTTPS, the OpenSSL shared libraries must be properly installed and configured. Synergex does not distribute these libraries. It is your responsibility to get the correct version of OpenSSL for your platform. Check the Synergy Language Release Notes for 8.1 (REL_DBL.TXT) for information about which OpenSSL version is required for which platform. If you're not on an operating system that provides OpenSSL, you can download OpenSSL 0.9.7 from OpenSSL's Web site and follow their build procedures.

If you already have the OpenSSL shared libraries, ensure that both the Synergy HTTPS shared library (httpslib) and the OpenSSL shared libraries are in the library load path.

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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS SYNERGY/DE?
Ever had Orange Pumpernickel Rye Bread?

It's delicious—and easy to make with ingredients from BakeMark, a confederation of the leading bakery ingredient manufacturers and distributors in North America. With over 10,000 products ranging from sliced apple filling to golden zucchini raisin muffin mix, BakeMark uses the Synergy/DE-based CONTROL™ application from National Distributor Systems (NDS) {www.ndscontrol.com} to manage their manufacturing process, general accounting, Web applications, and inventory control. With a large nationwide customer base, NDS provides solutions specifically tailored to the food service and bakery supply industries. Find the recipe for orange pumpernickel rye bread in BakeMark's Summer 2003 newsletter at http://www.bakemark.com/flash.htm.

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SIGN UP FOR TWO CLASSES AND RECEIVE 10% OFF THE TUITION
Synergex is offering two back-to-back classes in July in Gold River, CA. On July 7 - 11, Synergex will be teaching a class on Synergy Language Essentials, followed immediately (July 14 - 18) by a weeklong class on Synergy/DE UI Toolkit. Attend both classes and receive 10% off! If both classes are attended by employees from the same company, that company will receive 10% off the tuition.

Get double the education…Send one person to learn about Synergy Language and then pass the baton to a fellow employee to learn about Synergy/DE UI Toolkit.

Register today on the Synergex "Education" Web page.

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SYNERGEX CLOSED ON MEMORIAL DAY
Please mark your calendars: Synergex will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. If you anticipate needing assistance on this day, please send us an e-mail message so that we can make arrangements.

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