WUG Apr 25: WebSphere 6.1 (Java 5)

Hi,

  Baring in mind the interests of JUG members, as well as Websphere users, 
the WUG has asked IBM developers to speak next Tuesday on WAS 6.1, and to 
include substantial technical content on the technologies involved.  These 
are some of the actual developers of the product,  with real Java expertise.

  You are all invited to attend free of charge.

  This is the long-awaited IBM release that will allow everyone to move to 
Java 5, which will be a big step forward for Java developers.   Until 
now,  various packages and products have been unable to make the move to 
Java 5 because of the WebSphere market share.

  Having the chance to meet and hear these Java developers, with 
responsibility for such a major product, would alone justify your attending.

  I hope to see you there!


  Don
========================================

WebSphere Application Server v6.1

David Brauneis and colleagues,
Lead Release Engineer, WebSphere Application Server v6.1, IBM
Tues. April 25, 2006
IBM Building 500 Cafeteria
Research Triangle Park, NC

Schedule

5:50 p.m. Gather, Networking. Pizza and Drinks sponsored by InCentric
6:10 p.m. Announcements, Group Business, Brief Presentation by InCentric
6:30 p.m. Main Presentation
8:10 p.m. (approx.) Questions / Discussion
8:25 p.m. (approx.) Adjournment

Admission is free of charge.  Pre-registration is helpful but not mandatory 
(see below).

Main Talk

IBM is about to release WebSphere Application Server 6.1.    This will be 
the first major update since 6.0, and would also be an excellent entry 
point to version 6  for those who skipped 6.0.  The release was architected 
and engineered right here in RTP, and we are very pleased to welcome David 
Brauneis, Lead Release Engineer, for this presentation, along with any 
others of his team who may participate.

This will be one of the first detailed public presentations (it may be 
*the* first) of v6.1 anywhere.

WebSphere 6.1 brings us much-anticipated support for Java 5, with major 
improvement to the Java language, such as annotations/metadata (a major 
language innovation), Generics, Enumerated types, Autoboxing of primitive 
types, Enhanced for loops, and more.  There is a new JVM Monitoring and 
Management API which will be very useful.

IBM innovations in this release include a new high-performing virtual 
machine implementation, new automation tools, an installation factory for 
pre-packaging installation service streams, and installation and deployment 
enhancements.   JSR 168 support allows portlets to be installed as web 
applications directly in WebSphere and called using a URL.

There is a new Java Server Faces widget library with graphs, data grids, 
and calendar date pickers.

SPNEGO is now implemented to allow participation in Windows Single 
Signon.   Security is now turned on by default, and there is a new default 
User Registry implementation.

JSR 116 SIP Servlets are supported for IP telephony.

An "Application Server Toolkit" is shipped with the release, supporting 
application development that uses the new features immediately, without 
waiting for Rational v7 later this year.  Applications developed with 
Rational V6 will also run unchanged.

And there is more.....so please join us!

David Brauneis is the Lead Release Engineer for WebSphere Application 
Server v6.1. He is also the WAS Administrative Console Architect

(P.S.. For those who are wondering, the planned date for electronic 
software delivery of WebSphere 6.1 on most platforms is May 26, 2006).


Directions to the Meeting

Distance from Raleigh (17 miles) / Durham (8 miles) / Chapel Hill (12 miles)

 From I-40, take Exit 280 - Davis Drive. At the end of the exit ramp, take 
a right (North) onto Davis Drive. Continue straight on Davis Drive for 
about 0.5 miles. Take a right on Cornwallis road. Go about 1/2 mile, you 
will cross over railroad tracks. At the IBM gate keep to the right.

If the rightmost gate is down,  press on the intercom button and tell the 
remote guard that you are attending the WebSphere User Group meeting, and 
give him your name. He will open the gate for you.

Our IBM host is Greg Ackerman - they may ask for his name.

Go through gate, follow the road around past the first Tivoli Building, 
looking for signs leading to Building 500 or "Software Group." It should be 
the third road on the left.

It can be a little tricky, so please allow some extra time the first time.

You will see a visitors' parking lot. Turn in and park, and walk to the 
Building 500 lobby.   If that parking lot is not accessible, you would need 
to continue on and park behind the building.

See http://www.rtpwug.org/sitemap.pdf  for a map.

Pre-Registration

We have implemented a pre-registration system for meetings. While not 
mandatory for attendance, this will allow us to provide pre-printed 
attendance badges at the door that will get you into the meeting more quickly.

If you would like to pre-register,  please send email to 
[email protected]  with your
name
organization (e.g. company or school or self)
citizenship
date of birth (needed only if citizenship is other than U.S.)
email address

Please note that:
If you are a citizen of Hong Kong, Macao, or PR China (and not a permanent 
U.S resident with a "green card" or IBMer) pre-registration is mandatory, 
since your visit must be pre-approved. Please contact [email protected] for 
details.
If you are NOT a citizen of Hong Kong, Macao, or the PRC (and not an IBMer 
or U.S. permanent resident with a "green card") pre-registration is NOT 
mandatory, but it is quicker: we will need to log the information above at 
the door, which might take a few minutes.
IBM staff with active badges can enter the building in the usual manner, 
without pre-approval or pre-registration.

  If it's getting late, that's no problem at all.  Just show up and we will 
make out a badge at the door.