www.NotesOnProductivity.comhttp://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/en-usFri, 3 Jul 2009 07:14:43 AM -0700 Fri, 3 Jul 2009 07:14:43 AM -0700 Chris Just what is Lotus Notes good for, anyway?
My perception of Notes is: the general idea is great, application deployment is simple and quick-and-dirty applications are fast to develop. The problem in my eyes is the support of IBM for us developers. There are bugs in the application which weren't fixed since V4, that's years! The development client looks, feels and has a usability of Visual Basic 6 - no changes in 8.5, still terrible to debug.

For users, Lotus Notes is also catastrophic in terms of usability. Why does Notes have to implement a totally new user interface, completely different from Windows or Mac OS? Nearly every customer I supported has problems with this. I could go on and on, but you get the point.

.Net is nothing special in itself, but it adheres to some standard and I have a decent development system which is supported and updated from version to version. We use Microsoft Outlook for emailing and everytime I have to use Notes on a customer's PC I feel like being back to the 80s. Sorry, but Notes is so damned outdated and cumbersome, I can't find Notes good for anything.]]>
My perception of Notes is: the general idea is great, application deployment is simple and quick-and-dirty applications are fast to develop. The problem in my eyes is the support of IBM for us developers. There are bugs in the application which weren't fixed since V4, that's years! The development client looks, feels and has a usability of Visual Basic 6 - no changes in 8.5, still terrible to debug.

For users, Lotus Notes is also catastrophic in terms of usability. Why does Notes have to implement a totally new user interface, completely different from Windows or Mac OS? Nearly every customer I supported has problems with this. I could go on and on, but you get the point.

.Net is nothing special in itself, but it adheres to some standard and I have a decent development system which is supported and updated from version to version. We use Microsoft Outlook for emailing and everytime I have to use Notes on a customer's PC I feel like being back to the 80s. Sorry, but Notes is so damned outdated and cumbersome, I can't find Notes good for anything.]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/just-what-is-lotus-notes-good-for-anyway?opendocument&comments#03.07.2009071443ICAJQ9.htm Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:05:40 PM -0700 Eric Mack Is your e-mail getting fat? Time to archive! http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/is-your-e-mail-getting-fat-time-to-archive?opendocument&comments#06262009030540PMEMATWN.htm Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:11:03 PM -0700 peter b Just what is Lotus Notes good for, anyway?
Bring on the free Notes client for non-business use.

:)]]>
Bring on the free Notes client for non-business use.

:)]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/just-what-is-lotus-notes-good-for-anyway?opendocument&comments#25062009191103ICA4KY.htm Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:08:59 PM -0700 Robert Proctor Just what is Lotus Notes good for, anyway?
This is a great topic!!!

I have been using/designing very basic workflow/knowledge management applications for education, small business and health in rural Nova Scotia Canada for the past 12 years.

People are always amazed how easily I am able to create an application that addresses their specific information workflow/productivity challenge.

In my current place of employment, the Microsoft stack is well established but we lack the ability to create simple applications as we only have a couple of developers and they are using SQL/Oracle/IIS/C#/.Net etc. as the development platform/ "Framework"

One of the issues I see with trying to meet the current need in my workplace to support some Departmental/Custom applications is the need for cross platform support. The Microsoft approach leaves a great deal to be desired as MS Access is not available for cross platform development (and is not fun to use) and the use of Active X / .Net leaves IE as the main client and thus MacOSX and Linux are not supported.

As I searched for a platform I toyed with the idea of using Filemaker Pro as it was at least Win/OSX/WEB capable.

While Filemaker is a well established product it seemed silly to start to learn that platform/"Framework" when I was more familiar with Notes/Domino "Framework/Platform"

So recently I have been making some progress at getting people to at least consider Notes & Notes/Domino as an aplication development platform that addresses the need for Cross Platform (Windows/MacOSX/Linux/Browser) that can truly support Rapid Application Development and still be able to integrate into the enterprise environment when required.

One key to all of this is Mobile Client Support... We need to ensure that Active Sync and other such technologies are front and center (iPod & iPhone etc) as these will have a huge impact on our ability to position the platform / "Framework" of Notes/Domino as one that can be leveraged now and into the future.

As well,

Products like Lotus Foundations is making it possible to setup a Notes/Domino "framework/Platform" and focus on the applications and less on the server administration. Having a Notes/Domino Appliance to run the application platform/Framework presents a great opportunity to really entice people to take a second look at IBM/Lotus.

One last thought... I would be great if the Lotus Clients were Free just like Web Browsers and Mail Clients Like Thunder Bird but that Domino Designer and Domino required paid licenses. Especially now with Symphony coming as part of the Install it would be a great way to counter the MS Office/ Outlook Suite as well as be more than Open Office. It would also start to make it easy to build these standalone apps or use/customize the Open Source ones on OpenNTF that would eventually drive the demand for servers to promote sharing/collaborating (this is what Filemaker does) as well as a simple backup solution (Replication &/Or IDB in Foundations)

Lots to think about

Fun stuff..

Regards

Robert]]>
This is a great topic!!!

I have been using/designing very basic workflow/knowledge management applications for education, small business and health in rural Nova Scotia Canada for the past 12 years.

People are always amazed how easily I am able to create an application that addresses their specific information workflow/productivity challenge.

In my current place of employment, the Microsoft stack is well established but we lack the ability to create simple applications as we only have a couple of developers and they are using SQL/Oracle/IIS/C#/.Net etc. as the development platform/ "Framework"

One of the issues I see with trying to meet the current need in my workplace to support some Departmental/Custom applications is the need for cross platform support. The Microsoft approach leaves a great deal to be desired as MS Access is not available for cross platform development (and is not fun to use) and the use of Active X / .Net leaves IE as the main client and thus MacOSX and Linux are not supported.

As I searched for a platform I toyed with the idea of using Filemaker Pro as it was at least Win/OSX/WEB capable.

While Filemaker is a well established product it seemed silly to start to learn that platform/"Framework" when I was more familiar with Notes/Domino "Framework/Platform"

So recently I have been making some progress at getting people to at least consider Notes & Notes/Domino as an aplication development platform that addresses the need for Cross Platform (Windows/MacOSX/Linux/Browser) that can truly support Rapid Application Development and still be able to integrate into the enterprise environment when required.

One key to all of this is Mobile Client Support... We need to ensure that Active Sync and other such technologies are front and center (iPod & iPhone etc) as these will have a huge impact on our ability to position the platform / "Framework" of Notes/Domino as one that can be leveraged now and into the future.

As well,

Products like Lotus Foundations is making it possible to setup a Notes/Domino "framework/Platform" and focus on the applications and less on the server administration. Having a Notes/Domino Appliance to run the application platform/Framework presents a great opportunity to really entice people to take a second look at IBM/Lotus.

One last thought... I would be great if the Lotus Clients were Free just like Web Browsers and Mail Clients Like Thunder Bird but that Domino Designer and Domino required paid licenses. Especially now with Symphony coming as part of the Install it would be a great way to counter the MS Office/ Outlook Suite as well as be more than Open Office. It would also start to make it easy to build these standalone apps or use/customize the Open Source ones on OpenNTF that would eventually drive the demand for servers to promote sharing/collaborating (this is what Filemaker does) as well as a simple backup solution (Replication &/Or IDB in Foundations)

Lots to think about

Fun stuff..

Regards

Robert]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/just-what-is-lotus-notes-good-for-anyway?opendocument&comments#06252009040859PMICAV66.htm Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:55:44 PM -0700 Marc When tools (e.g. Lotus Notes) become personal http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/when-tools-e.g.-lotus-notes-become-personal?opendocument&comments#06252009025544PMICATQD.htm Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:26:52 PM -0700 David Leedy Just what is Lotus Notes good for, anyway?
What's .Net? It's a framework for windows OS's that allow programs to be built. Why can't standalone notes be considered a "framework"? Isn't it just a development environment that you can create applications for? Clearly there's a market for .Net apps. Ok sure, you can do more in .Net then you can in Lotus Notes, but people like to have programs to track data.. Receipes, password, Directions, To-Do's, exercise logs, expenses...whatever

But with Notes as an enviroment, you can create something that runs on windows, OSX, and Linux so that makes up slightly for the limited capabilities compared to a .Net.

Look at it this way. Isn't there still a runtime version of Microsoft Access? So a developer can create a db and then distribute it to people without them having to purchase a microsoft access license? Why wouldn't Notes fit the same market?]]>
What's .Net? It's a framework for windows OS's that allow programs to be built. Why can't standalone notes be considered a "framework"? Isn't it just a development environment that you can create applications for? Clearly there's a market for .Net apps. Ok sure, you can do more in .Net then you can in Lotus Notes, but people like to have programs to track data.. Receipes, password, Directions, To-Do's, exercise logs, expenses...whatever

But with Notes as an enviroment, you can create something that runs on windows, OSX, and Linux so that makes up slightly for the limited capabilities compared to a .Net.

Look at it this way. Isn't there still a runtime version of Microsoft Access? So a developer can create a db and then distribute it to people without them having to purchase a microsoft access license? Why wouldn't Notes fit the same market?]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/just-what-is-lotus-notes-good-for-anyway?opendocument&comments#06252009122652PMICAQTE.htm Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:41:29 PM -0700 Vaughan Rivett Is your e-mail getting fat? Time to archive!
I have a few folders which I use in conjunction with the Lotus Notes "Quick Rules" feature which allows emails to be automatically send to a folder. I use this a lot for newsletters that I may want to monitor.

When archiving takes place these emails appear in the same folders in the mail archive as they did originally in my mail file.

I know that eProductivity can copy the content of the mail into an action, however, I am linking the email and then sending it to a folder.

What are you thoughts about this? What are you comfortable with? What works best for you?]]>
I have a few folders which I use in conjunction with the Lotus Notes "Quick Rules" feature which allows emails to be automatically send to a folder. I use this a lot for newsletters that I may want to monitor.

When archiving takes place these emails appear in the same folders in the mail archive as they did originally in my mail file.

I know that eProductivity can copy the content of the mail into an action, however, I am linking the email and then sending it to a folder.

What are you thoughts about this? What are you comfortable with? What works best for you?]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/is-your-e-mail-getting-fat-time-to-archive?opendocument&comments#06242009104129PMICA8PG.htm Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:47:01 AM -0700 ted22 Lotus Notes Sucks? Not so much (A happy ending)
I've seen enough organizations implement this, then suffer with it, then finally see the light. I wish mine would!]]>
I've seen enough organizations implement this, then suffer with it, then finally see the light. I wish mine would!]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/lotus-notes-sucks-not-so-much?opendocument&comments#06222009074701AMICAKCF.htm Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:14:44 AM -0700 Eric Mack New iPhone features for Lotus Notes? For real? Link }

No idea if they support tasks, though. I have recommended and used mNotes by Commontime with great success.]]> Link }

No idea if they support tasks, though. I have recommended and used mNotes by Commontime with great success.]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/new-iphone-features-for-lotus-notes?opendocument&comments#06162009091444AMICAM39.htm Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:14:21 PM -0700 Kelly Forrister New iPhone features for Lotus Notes? For real?
Thanks,

Kelly]]>
Thanks,

Kelly]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/new-iphone-features-for-lotus-notes?opendocument&comments#06152009011421PMICARR2.htm Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:03:37 AM -0700 Eric Mack New iPhone features for Lotus Notes? For real? http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/new-iphone-features-for-lotus-notes?opendocument&comments#06152009100337AMEMAMZV.htm Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:57:17 AM -0700 Chris Blatnick New iPhone features for Lotus Notes? For real?
I'm glad you posted this, though, because it does bring up some good questions, especially #4 and #5.]]>
I'm glad you posted this, though, because it does bring up some good questions, especially #4 and #5.]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/new-iphone-features-for-lotus-notes?opendocument&comments#06152009095717AMICAMVU.htm Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:42:47 AM -0700 Volker Weber New iPhone features for Lotus Notes? For real? http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/new-iphone-features-for-lotus-notes?opendocument&comments#06152009064247AMICAJ4A.htm Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:00:03 AM -0700 John Bowersox New iPhone features for Lotus Notes? For real?
I have been using an application called Notes Pro for Lotus Notes on my iPod Touch for a few months now and the investment was certainly worth it to at least carry my Lotus Notes data around with me. There are some caveats that unfortunately don't allow the solution to be perfect, but for the price it is well worth it until IBM gets something formally working -

{ Link }]]>
I have been using an application called Notes Pro for Lotus Notes on my iPod Touch for a few months now and the investment was certainly worth it to at least carry my Lotus Notes data around with me. There are some caveats that unfortunately don't allow the solution to be perfect, but for the price it is well worth it until IBM gets something formally working -

{ Link }]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/new-iphone-features-for-lotus-notes?opendocument&comments#06152009050003AMICAG44.htm Sun, 14 Jun 2009 11:55:23 PM -0700 Nic New iPhone features for Lotus Notes? For real?
I believe this maybe talking to the notes function on the iphone, and syncing notes (txts) you create on the iPhone with your PC/Mac.

Though, IBM released an announcement last year around Lotus Notes and iPhone but I havent seen much after it.

{ Link }

Nic]]>
I believe this maybe talking to the notes function on the iphone, and syncing notes (txts) you create on the iPhone with your PC/Mac.

Though, IBM released an announcement last year around Lotus Notes and iPhone but I havent seen much after it.

{ Link }

Nic]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/new-iphone-features-for-lotus-notes?opendocument&comments#06142009115523PMICAA5N.htm Sun, 7 Jun 2009 01:04:17 PM -0700 Eric Mack Are you using a business card scanner with Lotus Notes? http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/are-you-using-a-business-card-scanner-with-lotus-notes?opendocument&comments#06072009010417PMEMARJS.htm Sun, 7 Jun 2009 11:33:07 AM -0700 Edwin Are you using a business card scanner with Lotus Notes? http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/are-you-using-a-business-card-scanner-with-lotus-notes?opendocument&comments#06072009113307AMICAPRR.htm Fri, 5 Jun 2009 01:11:28 PM -0700 Eric Mack How to experience Lotus Notes for free
One thing that went wrong when I set up Notes is that I tried to use an IMAP mail server, which causes the initial databases that get set up to go completely crazy. Setting it up with a POP server worked perfectly though, so now I'm on my way to possible zealotry.]]>
One thing that went wrong when I set up Notes is that I tried to use an IMAP mail server, which causes the initial databases that get set up to go completely crazy. Setting it up with a POP server worked perfectly though, so now I'm on my way to possible zealotry.]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/how-to-experience-lotus-notes-for-free?opendocument&comments#06052009011128PMICARP8.htm Fri, 5 Jun 2009 01:04:23 PM -0700 Michael Roach How to experience Lotus Notes for free http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/how-to-experience-lotus-notes-for-free?opendocument&comments#06052009010423PMICARJS.htm Fri, 5 Jun 2009 04:41:54 AM -0700 Lisa Duke How to experience Lotus Notes for free
For those getting started who have questions, keep in mind there is a vibrant partner community ready to help. You can find us through Google or on IBM's site at { Link }

Just put in your zipcode and select Software: Lotus.]]>
For those getting started who have questions, keep in mind there is a vibrant partner community ready to help. You can find us through Google or on IBM's site at { Link }

Just put in your zipcode and select Software: Lotus.]]> http://www.notesonproductivity.com/ica/nop.nsf/dx/how-to-experience-lotus-notes-for-free?opendocument&comments#06052009044154AMICAFQR.htm