On Tuesday, Oct. 23rd, we launched a new version of IC Sync - Ver 2.5.2. Amongst various other optimizations, some of the highlights include:

• Synchronization of URL informations
  The client will now correctly synchronize informations that have been converted from an information with an attachment to an information that only holds an URL link and vice versa.
  

• Deletion warning messages
  Improved warning messages displayed when files would be deleted on the client or on the server during synchronization.
  

• SIMS login support
  In addition to the other login procedures the client now also supports the SIMS login protocol.
  

• Enhanced profiling options
  Debugging and expert mode options have been revamped. The extended meta data display in the content view is available again.
  

• Up to date state calculated on client side(Ticket #15564)
  The client ignores the server setting and calculates the up-to-date state (new/updated/4+ months) using the creation and modification dates provided by the server.
  

• Missing admin rights may corrupt client database (Ticket #15598)
  Trying to create a new folder may corrupt the client database if the user has write permission but lacks the admin rights to create the folder.
  

Now the resource is flagged with an appropriate error message. The affected resources will stay flagged with an error until the user gets permission to create the folder or they are removed locally.

Synchronization of other files is not affected, even if there are files that cannot be uploaded.

• Projects should not be renamed according to title attribute (Ticket #15488)
  The client uses the names supplied by the server to name projects.
  

• Use IC Sync version in user-agent identification (Ticket #15538)
  The client now reports its version, build identifier, Java version and vendor as well as the OS version and architecture in the user-agent identification.
  

• Project data validation
  The client retains project data when syncing and the server does not send all project information to speed up data access. Previously it could happen that that the client displayed certain groups as unknown type.
  

• Archived groups coming back to life are resubscribable (Ticket #15542)
  If a group is deleted on the server and becomes available again at a later stage the client recognizes this and marks the group as unsubscribed. If the group is subscribed again a normal synchronization on that group takes place (with the data that are still available locally).
  

• Last modified date reflects the server timestamp (Ticket #15428)
  Local files created and/or updated are intialized with the server modification timestamp.
  

• Support of files of unknown size
  In rare circumstances it could happen that the size of a file does not correspond to the size of the file as reported by the server. As of now the client downloads all available data. Note however that this could lead to an inaccurate display of file sizes for such files.
  

• Display of fatal communication errors (Ticket #15254)
  Fatal communication errors (such as timeouts, access errors) are now always reported in a message box and the synchronization is aborted.
  

• PH Dashboard Access Control (Ticket #15559)
  Access to the PH Dashboard is now controlled by the server.
  

• Inform Project Team About New/Changed Files (Tickets #15189 and #13381)
  The clients offers checkboxes to send out notifications when uploading changed informations, similar to the web frontend.
  

• Replaced error icons and annotations
  The error icons are no longer are red stop sign, but a yellow sign with an exclamation mark to avoid confusion with the delete icons and annotations.
  

Many thanks to Steve Farmer, Laura Searle and Kate Morris - without your dedication and persistence, this release would not have been possible.

As this marks the final release of IC Sync in its current avatar, I would also like to extend my thanks to Peter Reiser, Bruno Essmann, and Rene Vogt - you are a GREAT team to work with; Entire release management team; And last but not the least - our early adopters for trusting in the idea and making it a huge success... Thank You! Its been fun!

Sitting here at the San Jose Airport on call with the Engineering Team - we are almost done with our new stuff. With the entire team averaging less than 4 hrs. of sleep a night for more than three weeks we are running the last mile... What will CE 2.0 be like? Well, check it out during the Conference. To give you an idea, here are a couple of images to stimulate your brain...

See you all soon... 

Customer Engineering Conference (CEC) 2007 is around the corner. There are many different reasons that will make this conference a completely unique experience for Sun's Customer Engineering Community.

1) Geek Toys - The organizers, the Chief Technology Office of Global Sales and Services, requests that all "Engineers" bring all their electronic toys (Cell phones, Pagers, Laptops, Nabztag, Sun Spots, iPhones, Macs, etc.) with them. You shall have a chance in almost every sesson to use them. Nope, you won't be asked to switch them off, perhaps to respect the speakers you will put them on mute/vibrate. But you will have the opportunity to use your cell-phones, pagers to rate and vote on sessions.

2) CEC in Virtual World - Yeah! Selected sessions will be available in the Virtual World of Second Life. Look out for the email announcements in your Inbox. Its pretty fascinating... See it to believe it! You are gonna love it.

3) CE 2.0 - Promising an amazing exposure to the many Web 2.0 Technologies that promote Sharing and Collaboration will be the beta version of CE 2.0. Giving you a mix of Facebook and LinkedIn (think FaceLink) - we are going to give you a taste of what Sun is working on for its Customer Engineers. More on this in a couple of days. Don't want to spoil all the fun! 

4) Eco Friendly - This will be the most Eco friendly CEC, EVER! Yes, we are taking the company's commitment to be greener, reducing its Carbon-print even further. You dislike carrying loads of paper around, we give you the opportunity to have everything on your laptops or put them in your home directory and access it from your home-office later.

5) Last but not the least. CEC goes to Las Vegas and takes all of you as well, many for the first time. This is our first attempt to hold a conference far away from any Sun facility. We are going to kick butt and have a lot of fun!
NOTE: If you are addictive easily, it is advisable that any time you venture in the Casinos, leave your wallet in the Hotel room. The aftermath of an addiction to gambling will  only be reimbursed your paycheck in the following months...

Take part in different contests - blogging, photo, video - and win cool prizes.

More than anything else - SHARE, PARTICIPATE & WIN !!!

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(Don't forget to check out booth #200 and attend a very special session, CE 2.0-What's in it For You???) 

With the growing number of people participating in the world of Web 2.0, the definition of communities, networks, groups etc. are seeming to blur. To my mind and I am sure many of you would agree, each has it's clearly defined purpose and use. It is becoming increasingly important to understand the subtle differences between each one of these.

Stephen Downes, I believe nails it perfectly in his video, the differences between Networks and Groups.

• "...
• Groups require unity, whereas networks require diversity
  
• Groups require privacy/boundaries, networks require openness
• Groups require adherence/coordination, networks require autonomy
• Groups require focus, networks require interaction
  
• Groups require specified goals, networks require shared vision
• Groups require centralized source of information, networks enable connective information flow between members
• Groups are (sort of ) one to many, networks by definition are many to many
• ..."
  

While a group may be subject to group-think, networks usually allow an individual to not lose his identity or freedom. Individuals like myself, are very keen on collaborating, sharing without wanting to lose their identity, voice in the process. Networks provide an amazing ability to scale that is not offered by groups. As Stephen says, "Online learning is via networks and not via groups..."

 Check out Stephen's video here.

After a heated debate inside the company around a picture posted on Sun.COM yesterday (May 29th, 2007) -  Paul Klissner,  a  SUNny sent out this interesting quiz. I recommend going through it when you get a chance.