Lotus Rock Star

Category Lotus Quickr
When Lotus Quickr 8.2 was released a couple months ago, a number of folks in the blogosphere, Facebook and Twitter noticed significantly faster page loads, crisper folder and view refreshes and an overall more satisfying web experience than with the look-alike Quickr 8.1 or any prior version. Even Simon gives it a thumbs-up.

Initially, out of curiosity I loaded up Firebug with all its accoutrements and checked out the page and element sizes. I measured a major decrease in code loading between 8.1 and 8.2 and claimed a 206% performance boost just from this. Unsatisfied at the simplicity of the explanation, I consulted with Miki Banatwala at IBM, Quickr's chief programmer. He has helped to fill in the blanks with some bullet points, and I'll expand on them here.

Note that these are product improvements only - for a truly performant Domino and Quickr experience, you need to tune and apply best practices to your installation. Much of what IBM does to improve performance is unfortunately nullified by companies who ignore this aspect of server administration, electing for out of the box installs. I'll write more about performance tuning (and if you follow me on Twitter @LotusRockStar, you know I'm posting tips!) but of course your best opportunity to learn more about improving Quickr performance is at Collaboration University, where Gabriella Davis, Warren Elsmore, Chris Miller and myself will all have materials on this topic.

That said, on to IBM's improvements and (my comments in italics) what they mean!

Server side:

• Some DbCommands are now  interpreted/re-written as tags and their evaluation has been streamlined, as well collapsing the commands to be handled this way
  In Quickr, there is a special version of @DbCommand that processes Quickr-specific calls. You probably don't know this, since even deep inspection of the code only reveals them as Base64 encoded strings (the previous way of making them faster). Now, by rewriting them as tags and putting the logic into the Domino http stack for interpretation, database command calls are avoided freeing up resources.
  
• Tightening of code paths (mostly targeting the main use-cases - focused on things like login, first visit, landing page, doc library navigation, page reads etc.)
  Anytime IBM says code paths, they mean something deeper than we tend to think about as web developers. This means, in essence, that at the C interpretation level that the code has been streamlined. For instance, if you consider the login path for Quickr, it has evolved significantly since the nquickplace.dll DSAPI flter method. With Domino handling the logic, it's faster, and now by tightening up that process there are fewer code hoops to jump through to get logged in.
  
• Streamlined rest/web service code paths
  Ditto!
  
• Stat thread management streamlined; multiple threads were writing to the same db - now consolidated
  Fairly self-explanatory, but for the layman a "thread" results from a fork of a program into two or more concurrently running tasks (thank you, Wikipedia). Multiple threads opening the same database, bad.
  
• File Cache cleanup
  When the server caches files, they can be served up from the file system faster. With old or outdated files left on the file system, it takes longer to find the right file. Clean those up, and it's faster.
  

Client side:

• Put the right expiration headers as needed
  Sounds more like an "oops" to me, but considering the 550+ subforms that make up Quickr, understandable.
  
• Reduced number of requests to the server by putting info in main content
  Front-loading some of the more intense operations, considering the new Juicer (see below), allows the client to make fewer requests to the server. Local processing of functions against local variables and data is 100x faster than asking the server for it.
  
• Changed the user experience a bit to not load editors on main page
  Previously, the ActiveX editors (I know, I know, wait for Quickr Next!) would load when you logged in. Now, it doesn't try until it determines you may need them. So users without a need for them or who do not hit a page that would require them are not "stopped at the gate."
  
  DRUMROLL PLEASE FOR THE BIGGEST PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT - A BRILLIANT IDEA WELL IMPLEMENTED...
  
• Combined js/css and gzipping artifacts (this proved to be really helpful since the combining actually produces a zip artifact that can be streamed right away after the very first user requests it)
  This is absolutely the biggest deal from the user's perspective. What this means is that if your Quickr page, form or folder normally loads three external JavaScript files, now those three are passed through the Quickr servlet to a) combine them, b) gzip the result, then feed that highly compressed (read: waaaaay smaller) file out to the browser to cache and use. And the big kicker, only the first user has to hit a page for this to happen, then the combination file is now cached on the server for other users! I call this feature the Quickr Juicer (a la infomercials - get all the benefits in a smaller package!)
  

Now this last bit, the biggest improvement made in Quickr 8.2, works on JavaScript and CSS files in the product. If you upload your own forms, those files (whether they are uploaded or refer to the file system as with Dojo) still are loaded individually. And, when they are uploaded, that means a database and note open operation to access them (read: slow). This has served us well for years, but hey...now we have the Juicer! With a little programming effort we can load our own files into the Juicer and take advantage of the same compression and combination that the product does.

But that's another blog entry. For now, just consider the impact of supporting more users concurrently with the core product, go forth and install!

Posted by Rob Novak At 9:27 AM Location SNAPPS Glactic Headquarters | Permalink | Comments (4)

Category Collaboration University
Sent last night to our mailing list, news about the innovations we have planned for CU!

By now you're aware that Collaboration University 2009 for Lotus Quickr, Sametime and Connections registration is officially open. And, we've been working hard behind the scenes, assembling an incredible lineup of 35+ sessions to address all of the changes in Lotus software this year.

Collaboration University is the only conference focused specifically on Lotus's Web 2.0 technologies, and is independently produced by industry experts. Now in our 4th year, Collaboration University has gained a reputation as a high-quality, limited capacity, affordable conference experience that puts you in touch with well-known experts. This year is no different - spend time with Carl Tyler, Gab Davis, Chris Miller, Warren Elsmore, Rob Novak, Viktor Krantz, Julian Robichaux, Troy Reimer, Kathleen McGivney, Jerald Mahurin, Stuart McIntyre, Mitch Cohen, and several IBMers and guest speakers who work with real-life deployments for a living. We've just completed session planning, and you can review the session list below or here. In addition, here are some of the conference experience innovations we have in store this year:

• "Show Then Tell" approach - at the beginning of the conference, we'll show you completed configurations and finished applications, so you have context for the individual breakout sessions. Why should you piece it together?
• "Ask me about..." Each speaker is assigned a topic of expertise, clearly identified on a button, to help guide you to the right expert on a topic of interest to you (i.e. Dom.Doc to Quickr migration, Sametime upgrades, Clustering, etc.).
• "Field Trips" to the labs - instead of disjointed lab exercises, we have selected specific session material that is better experienced than listened to. Your speaker may just stop teaching and take you to the lab to try a new technique yourself!
  
  There are still some IBM-sponsored deals left on rooms ($124 in Chicago, as low as 114 GBP in London, if you can believe it!), but they are going fast. As well, the early registration deadline is August 1, 2009. The earlier you register, the better your chance at minimal travel expense!
  
  Dates: September 14-16, Chicago and September 21-23, London
  
  Website: http://www.CollaborationUniversity.com
  
  Deadline: Saturday August 1, midnight CDT for early registration.
  
  Look for more details on the website and in my next Quickr & Sametime newsletter, where I'll be featuring Quickr performance and Sametime development...
  
  CU in Chicago and London!
  

Posted by Rob Novak At 5:17 PM Location SNAPPS Glactic Headquarters | Permalink | Comments (0)

Category Collaboration Unviersity
I have NO idea how we're going to fit all this into 3 days but in exhaustive discussions with all our experts, it was decided that this session material was the "can't miss" stuff for 2009. With NEW versions of Sametime (exclusive coverage of 8.5!), Quickr, and Connections all this year, Collaboration University truly is the one-stop training resource where you have the best access to experts and most in-depth coverage of the products in the Lotus Web 2.0 lineup.

I am looking for a good space-time-bending technique. If anyone has one, please let me know!

That said, below is the list (subject to change). You'll note some in italics, where we will be providing hands-on lab content to complement and enhance the session.

Hurry up and register while discounts and great IBM-sponsored hotel deals remain!


Keynote:
Lotus Software 2.0: Success and Strategy for Quickr, Sametime, and Connections

Show Then Tell:
Your Speakers Share Results First: So You Have the Goal in Mind

Underlying Technology:
Introduction to DB2 (Yes, you need to know!)
Single Sign On, LDAP, and Other Fun Acronyms

Sametime:
Customizing and Extending the Sametime 8.5 Meeting Center
Customizing and Extending the Sametime 8.0 Meeting Center
Using and Customizing the Sametime 8.5 Web Client with the new Proxy Server
Sametime 8 and 8.5 Toolkit Overview, Differences, and Examples *
Sametime Telephony Overview - TCSPI, Plugin and Unified Telephony options
Deploying Sametime 8 on Linux - Getting to the Root of the Install
Sametime 8.5 Infrastructure - How all the Pieces Fit Together
New ST Client features and New "zero download' client; Working with the new Sametime Proxy *
Installing and working with Sametime Community server 8.5
Installing and working with the new Meeting server
Websphere Administration for Sametime
Managing your Infrastructure with the Sametime Solutions Console - Installation and Use *

Quickr:
Installation and Configuration of Quickr 8.2 - Best Practices
Open Your Eyes - Development Possibilities with Quickr: Three Complete Solutions Deconstructed
Themes Part 1 - Extending the Standard Theme Server-Wide and Custom Themes by Place *
Using Forms & Placebots for Automation: Three reusable examples *
Quickr 8.2 Performance: Getting More from your Server and Clients
Top 10 Quickr Support Issues 2009
Quickr Data - In. Out, Everywhere: A wide array of approaches and tools
Themes Part 2 - Adding Functionality With JavaScript
Quickr & Domino Integration Strategies & Concepts
Sizing for Quickr Servers: Load Testing and Deployment Planning
REST and Web Services APIs for Quickr *
Quickr & Sametime Integration - Beyond the Basics

Connections:
Installing and Configuring Lotus Connections 2.5
Your First Lotus Connections 2.5 Customizations Made Easy
Lotus Connections 2.5 Integration with Sametime, Quickr, and More

Strategy:
Collaboration Strategy: Applying your Skills and Collaboration Tools to Enhance the Business

Wrap-Up:
Futures and Strategy for Lotus Collaborative Documents
Bringing it All Together: All the Speakers' Best 10 Minutes!

Hands-On Workshops:
Developing Collaborative Applications for Lotus Quickr - Zero to Hero in Three Hours
Quickr for Domino Administration - Deploying, Updating, and Troubleshooting the Environment and Applications

*These Sessions have Hands-On Lab Content

Posted by Rob Novak At 11:14 AM Location SNAPPS Glactic Headquarters | Permalink | Comments (1)

Category Collaboration University
I'm pleased to welcome two new faces to Collaboration University 2009 to help us kick off the most exciting year we've ever had for CU! With Sametime 8.5, Connections 2.5, and Quickr 8.2 all hitting the streets this year - and with the major technology changes there and in the near future, it's great to have IBMers back this year to keynote the event and give us a heads-up on Lotus's  strategy in the Web 2.0 space.

In Chicago, we'll hear from Louis Richardson, Lotus Worldwide Sales Executive for Lotus Collaborative Document Services. Louis, at IBM the past five years, has been instrumental in helping get the word out about Collaboration University inside IBM, where all the events, dates and even links on the IBM website are helpful. I've known Louis for several years and know he will be an exciting and insightful speaker. Besides, anyone who gives me a picture on a sailboat has to be cool.

In London, we're joined by Darren Adams, Messaging and Collaboration Business Unit Executive for North East Europe. Which, as it turns out, includes the UK, Ireland, Switzerland and Austria (fairly south and west for northeast!). Many of you know Darren from his blog at http://www.dadams.co.uk where, among other things, he shares his insights on Lotus software. Darren was recently promoted to this very long title, so please congratulate him when you see him in London! Dareen's a long time friend of Collaboration University, having helped out with arrangements a little more each year.

Please join us in Chicago and London to learn about the strategy and direction of Lotus's Web 2.0 lineup of software - Quickr, Sametime and Connections!

Posted by Rob Novak At 5:37 PM Location SNAPPS Glactic Headquarters | Permalink | Comments (0)

Category Flippr
Just weeks after the research & development labs at SNAPPS released PandaBear, we are introducing Flippr (Beta) for Lotus Quickr services for Domino.

While PandaBear is aimed at end users for uploading, downloading and locating files from/to your Quickr server, Flippr is for administrators. The application makes everyday Quickr admin tasks a breeze. Some of the initial functions that you can accomplish with Flippr are:

• Lock and unlock places
• Create and remove places
• Archive places
• Add persons and groups to places
• Rename person and groups in places

Flippr has a friendly user interface including type-ahead for selecting places, people and/or groups from the server or LDAP directory. It also features three intuitive screens.

• On the Commands screen, you get tree-style navigation of the most common QPTool commands. Just double-click, and you're prompted for parameters.
• On the XML screen advanced administrators can upload XML commands to the server. This very powerful feature requires knowledge of the Quickr XML API, but we included it for those cases where you need to do something complex.
• On the Settings screen, set up your connection to server(s), check for updated versions and check the latest release notes.

Designed on the Adobe Air framework, Flippr runs on Windows, Mac or Linux using the same application code. Just like PandaBear, Flippr features an automatic check for new versions and will download and install new versions with a one click operation. Flippr is free during beta, and is not time-locked or disabled in any way. Post-beta plans are still under consideration. To download now with your QuickrTemplates.com ID (a new one takes just a minute), visit http://flippr.snapps.com

Posted by Rob Novak At 11:17 AM Location SNAPPS Glactic Headquarters | Permalink | Comments (8)