SkillBuilders Save Before Exit 3.0

I've just finished the latest update to the SkillBuilders Save Before Exit plug-in. Here's a summary of the changes in version 3.0:

• Added setting to highlight items that were modified (thanks to Alex for the idea)
• Implemented “fix” for IE issue that caused users to be prompted two times rather than just once (this was removed at some point but has been added back in)
• Added modifiedItems method which returns a jQuery object of the APEX items that were modified 
• Renamed Ignore Change Selector setting to Ignore Modifications Selector. Also renamed changeDetected method to modificationDetected (similar naming convention now used throughout plug-in)

The new highlighting feature is awesome! Check out a demo here.

Be sure to visit our plug-in page to learn more about the plug-in and to download a copy. Enjoy!

What’s in the Forecast for the Oracle Cloud?

One of the big announcements at Oracle Open World 2011 was the release of the Oracle Cloud. Today we seemed to get a little closer to that release with the announcement of the Preview Availability Phase. I've been added to a queue waiting for an account which is just torturous. It's like seeing the presents under the tree but knowing you can't open them till Christmas. I’m obviously really excited about the Oracle Cloud. I’m curious to see how Oracle’s offering will affect the cloud landscape and compete with the likes of Amazon and Salesforce in that space!

Larry’s introduction of the Oracle Cloud seemed rather all encompassing, offering both application and platform services. On the application services side, you’ll find services like Fusion CRM, Fusion HCM, and Oracle Social Network. On the platform services side you will find offerings like Java and Database services.

For those of you that don’t know me very well, I’m an Oracle database developer and Application Express (APEX) aficionado. Thus, my interests in the Oracle Cloud are focused more on the platform/database services. Since the announcement of these services I've had list of questions and concerns that has continued to grow.

Ultimately, even if I had the answers to these questions now, things could change rapidly making those answers obsolete in an instant. In fact, that probably will happen and I welcome it! Oracle has an amazing team of people working for it and it will be interesting to see how they tackle various issues with innovative solutions.

Even still, if only for reflection later, I'd like to share some of the questions and concerns I'm still pondering. Let's hope we have the answers soon!

Database vs. Schema

From what I can tell thus far, the  Database Cloud Service will operate a little like apex.oracle.com currently does where everyone gets their own schema. While a single schema can be very powerful, I'm curious as to whether a full database offering will be made available, and if so, when? Also, will multiple Database Cloud Service instances be able to see each other?

Dev/Test/Prod

Most developers I know like to test deployments against a test system prior to going to production. Will each Database Cloud Service instance include a development and/or test instance which can be used for deployment purposes?

Database Packages

What if I want to schedule a job with DBMS_SCHEDULE or encrypt some data with DBMS_CRYPTO? These, and many other important packages, are locked down by default - arguably for good reason. But I want them! Will use of these packages be allowed?

Upgrade Strategies

If the  Database Cloud Service is offered as a multi-tenant, schema based solution, how will database and APEX upgrades be handled? Of course we all know that upgrades always run the risk of breaking applications so I’m interested to know how potential risks will be mitigated.

SSL

I believe that most people should be running their applications and websites on SSL. Will applications using SSL be supported? I have to believe that eventually SSL will be supported, but it's an important question. I hope the answer is yes, sooner rather than later.

Email

On apex.oracle.com we are able to send emails via SMTP. However, that's not a production system. Will the production system include SMTP or a similar solution like Amazon's Simple Email Service? If so what kind of limits will be imposed?

OS/FTP/File System Access

Although the Shared Components in APEX provides us with a convenient means of using external files in our applications, there are many reason one might prefer a standard file system with FTP access. Will this be a supported option?

Pricing

What will the pricing model look like? Of course I saved this one for last. This is a huge, make it or break it type question. I really hope that Oracle enters the cloud space with a pricing model that's geared more toward gaining market share than profits - like Google does with many of its cloud services.



So what's in the forecast for the Oracle Cloud? I can't wait to find out!

New Webinar: Introducing SkillBuilders Super LOV 2.0

It's almost time to release SkillBuilders Super LOV 2.0! The release will be next Thursday and we'll be holding a webinar to be sure everyone knows how to best leverage the plug-in.

Abstract

Since its introduction just over one year ago, the SkillBuilders Super LOV (list-of-values) plug-in has been our most popular plug-in by far. In short, Super LOV displays multi-column LOVs. Due to its popularity we are more committed than ever to making this plug-in better.

To celebrate Super LOV's first birthday (a little belated), we are releasing version 2.0 which brings one of the most requested features since day one: enterable!

Of course enterable is only one of the many features offered by Super LOV at this point. In fact, Super LOV is so action-packed with features we thought it would be fun to invite you to a webinar to show you how to use them all. So if you are in need of a multi-column LOV solution, or you'd simply like to learn more about installing and leveraging plug-ins in APEX, do not miss this session.

Click here to register for the webinar.

As usual, it’s free to attend – but it’s real training. I'll show you how the basics of what the plug-in offers and how that differs from what's available out of the box with APEX. Then take you through the steps of installation and configuration so that you can add Super LOV to your applications immediately.

The webinar will run on Thursday, January 12th, at 1pm EST. To see other time zones, click the registration link and then on the “Show in my Time Zone” link at the top of the page.

The Importance of Updating Themes

Upgrading APEX is great because you get lots of new features to take advantage of in your applications. During the upgrade the themes in the theme repository get various updates as well. However, the themes and templates for existing applications are not updated during an APEX upgrade.

This means that only new applications, as well as existing applications that are manually switched to one of the new themes, are able to take advantage of any updates – including bug fixes! This is both good and bad at the same time.

Many organizations spend a lot of time tweaking a certain theme until it meets their standards or expectations. If that work was lost during upgrades, well, let’s just say that a lot of 4 letter words would be heard throughout the office.

But at the same time there’s a bit of an issue with keeping older themes around. The web is evolving quickly and APEX team at Oracle is working hard to keep up with the changes so that you can create the best applications possible for your organization.

Table based layouts have been swapped out for lighter div based layouts. DTDs have been added to prevent browsers from running in quirks mode. IDs have been added to buttons to better work with the Dynamic Action framework. We’re even seeing the introduction of HTML5 elements now!

So while it may take some time and effort to convert to a new theme, I highly recommend you do so. If you’ve never done this before, and/or you’re considering switching from a theme that was modified by someone else, proceed with caution. The previous theme may have customizations that need to be brought over, such as the inclusion of custom CSS and JavaScript. I recommend making a copy of the application prior to switching the theme so the applications can be more easily compared side by side.

Happy theme switching!

Kscope 2012–We Want You!

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve accepted the invitation from ODTUG to lead the APEX track team for Kscope 2012. Other members of the team include some of the most talented APEX developers out there:

• Anton Nielsen
• Dietmar Aust
• John Scott
• Martin D'Souza
• Roel Hartman 
• Scott Spendolini
• Tony Miller

With a team like that I’m sure Kscope 2012 is going to be awesome! But this team alone cannot ensure such awesomeness…

Without a doubt, one of the most important factors in the success of APEX is its community. We encounter obstacles and learn solutions. But rather than hide what we’ve learned, we pour our newfound knowledge back into the community and together we continue to grow.

Do you have something to share? Share it at Kscope! You have until the 28th of October to submit an abstract – that’s just under 2 weeks. If your abstract is accepted then your registration to Kscope is complimentary!

Click here to learn more and submit an abstract. Good luck!

Martin D’Souza is running for President!

Ok, so he’s not really running for President. But he IS running for a spot on the ODTUG Board of Directors and he could use your vote to help get there!

I’ve known Martin for several years now. One thing that really stands out about him is his unique perspective on just about everything. Generally speaking, the term “unique” cannot be taken for “good”, but with Martin it’s a sure bet. Over the years I’ve come to rely on this fact and have even caught myself wondering “What would Martin do?” a couple of times.

With Martin on the ODTUG Board of Directors, the APEX community would have a great representative in a position that could make a real difference. So what are you waiting for??? Click this link and vote for Martin!

Unfortunately, only ODTUG Members are able to vote I don’t want to make this an advertisement for ODTUG, but if you believe, as I do, that this is an all around good thing, then perhaps now is the time to join. At $99 dollars a year, it’s really not bad considering that you get discounts to Kscope and access to lot’s of good technical information.

Check out Martin’s statements below…

Campaign Statement

I have attended ODTUG Kaleidoscope for several consecutive years and have been a presenter for the last three. The conference has allowed me to develop strong relationships with many others in the community, and the importance of these relationships has proven invaluable. I continually strive to give back to the community, using my personal time to answer questions through email, blogs, the Oracle forums, and by writing technical books. I would like to continue this spirit of giving back by joining the ODTUG Board of Directors.

As a new board member I will bring a fresh perspective and out-of-the-box ideas to help promote ODTUG and deliver our message to the world. I am fortunate enough to have a successful blog with several thousand unique monthly visitors. It is through this platform, along with other opportunities such as my consulting firm blog, social networking, and the multiple annual conferences that I attend from which I intend to help share the ODTUG mission and values.

The Board plays a pivotal leadership role as both a driving force and a face of the ODTUG community. I feel that my professional experience as a leader and mentor will help the Board guide and develop ODTUG for the future. The Board has responsibility to its most important group - the members. I will help ensure that the Board serves as both a voice and an ear for the entire ODTUG community; developers, DBAs, and technical experts of all things Oracle.

Many thanks for your consideration.

 

Biographical Statement

Martin Giffy D’Souza is an Oracle ACE and award winning presenter and speaker. Most recently Martin was honored with the ODTUG Kaleidoscope 2011 Presenter of the Year award. Martin also serves as a Co-founder & CTO at ClariFit Inc., a consulting firm specializing in Oracle solutions. Martin’s career has seen him hold a range of positions within award winning companies and his experience in the technology industry has been focused on developing database-centric web applications using the Oracle technology stack. Martin is the author of the highly recognized blog www.TalkApex.com, and he has co-authored several APEX books including Expert Oracle Application Express, a collaboration of some of the most renowned APEX developers in the industry. He has presented at numerous international conferences such as ODTUG, APEXposed, and COUG. Martin holds a Computer Engineering degree from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada.

APEX @ OOW 2011

The Oracle Open World schedule builder is an impressive tool but unfortunately it's not very effective if you want to find APEX sessions. To help people find those sessions, I created a quick an dirty websheet.

Click here to access the websheet. 

See you at OOW!