MQ Visual Edit on Windows, macOS & Linux

November 15, 2019 Roger Lacroix

I have mentioned this before, Capitalware has a fair number of users who run MQ Visual Edit on macOS.

I purchased and use Excelsior Jet for Windows, macOS and Linux. Excelsior Jet compiles and links Java code into an optimized C++ native executable. This means that the end-user does not need to run MQ Visual Edit in a VM (Virtual Machine) or in an emulator to use the product. It runs natively on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Here are 3 screen-shots of MQ Visual Edit running natively on Windows, macOS and Linux, all showing the same opened queue.

MQ Visual Edit on Windows (click image to see larger picture):

MQ Visual Edit on MacOS (click image to see larger picture):

MQ Visual Edit on Linux (SUSE) (click image to see larger picture):

So, people of the MQ world, do you need MQ tools that work on Windows, macOS and Linux? Capitalware has 3 MQ tools that can fill the void:

Regards,
Roger Lacroix
Capitalware Inc.

Capitalware, IBM MQ, Linux, macOS (Mac OS X), Windows Comments Off on MQ Visual Edit on Windows, macOS & Linux

IBM: ‘Mac users are happier and more productive’

November 15, 2019 Roger Lacroix

Here’s an interesting article over at ComputerWorld called: IBM: ‘Mac users are happier and more productive’

On first look (the critic in me), I’m thinking the survey must be paid for by Apple.

At Jamf Nation User Conference, IBM CIO Fletcher Previn said that IBM employees who use Macs are more likely to stay with IBM and exceed performance expectations compared to PC users. The article says:

  • There are 22% more macOS users who exceeded expectations in performance reviews, compared to Windows users.
  • High-value sales deals tend to be 16% larger for macOS users, compared to Windows users.
  • macOS users are 17% less likely to leave IBM, compared to those who use Windows.
  • MacOS users are happier with the third-party software availability within IBM — just 5% of macOS users ask for additional software, compared to 11% of Windows users.

I have a MacBook Pro. I have tried several times to use it as my main development machine but my brain just cannot get around the user interface differences. I am a ‘keyboard guy’ and not a ‘mouse guy’. I am just much faster using Windows rather than macOS.

Fletcher Previn also said:
IBM also observed that users found it easier to migrate from a previous version of Windows to a Mac than to upgrade older Windows systems to the latest version of Windows. IBM claims 98% of its Mac users said migration from Windows to macOS was easy, compared to 86% of people shifting from Windows 7 to Windows 10 who felt the same way.

Now that, I would TOTALLY agree with. Several weeks ago, I switched both my development desktop PC and laptop PC from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10 Pro and it has been VERY frustrating to get use to where Microsoft has put everything. To me, it looks like Windows 10 was designed for novice users and all advanced features are hidden. Come on Microsoft, not everyone is a grandma/grandpa using Windows 10!! Plus there is a Windows 10 Home release for those people.

Also, did someone at Microsoft think everyone is partially blind? I’m using the same 2 Samsung monitors each at 1920 x 1200 with my Windows 10 PC that I used with my Windows 7 PC. On Windows 7’s desktop, I had 13 icons per column but on Windows 10’s desktop, the icons are larger and it can only show 11 icons per column. When I go into the ‘Display Settings’, under ‘Scale and Layout’, it is set to ‘100% (Recommended)’. The only values are larger!!! I cannot go down to 90% or 95%. Again, it feels like Microsoft designed Windows 10 for grandma/grandpa who don’t see very well. Ugh!

I’m still in the Windows 10 learning curve. Hopefully, I’ll get through it soon! 🙁

Regards,
Roger Lacroix
Capitalware Inc.

macOS (Mac OS X), Programming, Windows Comments Off on IBM: ‘Mac users are happier and more productive’

MQ Message Encryption Critical Bug Fixed

November 15, 2019 Roger Lacroix

Recently, a customer reported a bug in MQ Message Encryption (MQME) for certain types of JMS messages (aka MQRFH2) where the MCA (amqrmppa) process would crash.

After some investigation, a buffer overrun condition was discovered that would cause the MCA (amqrmppa) process to crash. The bug has been fixed.

Please contact support@capitalware.com for the latest release of MQME.

Regards,
Roger Lacroix
Capitalware Inc.

Capitalware, IBM i (OS/400), IBM MQ, Linux, MQ Message Encryption, Security, Unix, Windows Comments Off on MQ Message Encryption Critical Bug Fixed

MQ Visual Edit V3.0.0.1 Released

November 15, 2019 Roger Lacroix

The other day while doing some testing, I discovered a bug in MQ Visual Edit’s auto-load of a message when editing a message. I have fixed it and uploaded MQ Visual Edit v3.0.0.1 for all platforms.

As always, this is a FREE upgrade for ALL licensed users of MQ Visual Edit V2/V3.

For those you downloaded and install MQ Visual Edit v3.0.0 over the last couple of weeks, I strongly suggest that you un-install it then download and install MQ Visual Edit v3.0.0.1. Simply use the Capitalware download information from your order email.

Note: This is also applicable to MQ Visual Browse.

Regards,
Roger Lacroix
Capitalware Inc.

Capitalware, IBM MQ, IBM MQ Appliance, Linux, macOS (Mac OS X), MQ Visual Edit, Windows Comments Off on MQ Visual Edit V3.0.0.1 Released

Fedora 31 Released

November 1, 2019 Roger Lacroix

Fedora Project has just released Fedora 31.
https://fedoramagazine.org/announcing-fedora-31/

Fedora is a Linux distribution developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat. Fedora contains software distributed under various free and open-source licenses and aims to be on the leading edge of such technologies. Fedora is the upstream source of the commercial Red Hat Enterprise Linux distribution.

Regards,
Roger Lacroix
Capitalware Inc.

Linux, Open Source, Operating Systems Comments Off on Fedora 31 Released

IBM MQ Fix Pack 9.0.0.8 Released

October 28, 2019 Roger Lacroix

IBM has just released Fix Pack 9.0.0.8 for IBM MQ V9.0 LTS
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/1089052?myns=swgws&mynp=OCSSYHRD

Regards,
Roger Lacroix
Capitalware Inc.

Fix Packs for MQ, IBM i (OS/400), IBM MQ, Linux, Unix, Windows Comments Off on IBM MQ Fix Pack 9.0.0.8 Released

MQ Visual Edit V3.0.0 Released

October 21, 2019 Roger Lacroix

Capitalware Inc. would like to announce the official release of MQ Visual Edit v3.0.0. This is a FREE upgrade for ALL licensed users of MQ Visual Edit V3. MQ Visual Edit allows users to view, manipulate and manage messages in a queue and/or topic of a IBM MQ queue manager and presents the data in a simplified format similar to a database utility or spreadsheet program.

For more information about MQ Visual Edit go to:
https://www.capitalware.com/mqve_overview.html

    Changes for MQ Visual Edit v3.0.0:

  • Added a new MQ tool called Visual Queue Statistics. It allows the user to visually display the queue statistic values in a chart.
  • Added a new MQ tool called Visual Subscription Rate. It allows the user to visually display the subscription’s message count in a chart.
  • Added a dialog window to retrieve the context value for ‘Put Options’ for the Restore Queue/Topic feature.
  • Added Context for ‘Put Options’ on the Open Queue/Topic window for Put Server, SIM Client, SIM Server and Publish Server.
  • Added a new viewer on the Message Edit window called: Fixed Width Viewer. Clicking it will parse the message data into a spreadsheet display.
  • Added a new viewer on the Message Edit window called: CSV Viewer. Clicking it will parse the message data into a spreadsheet display.
  • Added a new viewer on the Message Edit window called: FIX (Financial Information eXchange) Viewer. Clicking it will parse the message data into a spreadsheet display.
  • Added a wizard so that the user can quickly create and save Fixed Width format structure, CSV column names and FIX column names.
  • Added a new options on the Preferences’ Edit Window called: ‘For CSV Viewer, use first row for column name’, drop selector for field delimiter and a drop selector for record separator.
  • Added a new options on the Preferences’ Edit Window called: ‘For FIX Viewer, use first row for column name’ and drop selector for delimiter, drop selector for field delimiter and a drop selector for record separator.
  • Added the ability to associate a time zone with a queue manager. Hence, the message’s date and time will be in the specified time zone.
  • Changed Queue Manager Access Profile, Group and Favorites information to be stored in a SQLite database
  • Added code to automatically migrate CommProfileDB, CommProfileGroupDB and FavoritesDB property files to a SQLite database.
  • For a fresh install of MQ Visual Edit (Windows and Linux only), added code to automatically collect local queue manager information and display it to the user for importing.
  • Added the ability to import queue manager settings from MQ Explorer.
  • Added the ability to import queue manager settings from MO71.
  • Added the ability to import queue manager settings from MQ Visual Edit V1/V2 property file.
  • Added the ability to import queue manager settings from a CCDT file.
  • Added the ability to import local queue managers.
  • Fixed an issue with resetting the view correctly and also when changing the language.
  • Added launching a web browser from the Registration window for the user to register the license key.
  • New location for SQLite database and the MQVE logfile. They will now be stored in {home_directory}\Capitalware\ directory. i.e. For Windows: C:\Users\{UserId}\Capitalware\ and for Linux/macOS: /home/{UserId}/Capitalware/
  • The MQ Visual Edit logfile will now be called: MQVE.log (rather than MQVE_error.log).
  • Moved the MQ Server and Monitor tools to their own menu dropdown called: MQ Tools
  • Enhanced the error message regarding an expired license key
  • Updated code to better handle “https” call to capitalware.com for registration
  • Updated code to set JVM UserId because MQ client library uses it when USE_MQCSP_AUTHENTICATION_PROPERTY is set to true
  • Increased the size of the buttons on the windows, so people with Microsoft Surface tablets will find it easier to click buttons with their fingers.
  • Added icons to all of the buttons on the windows. The icons for the buttons match the icons for the menu items. Hence, it makes for a better and more consistent look and feel.
  • Fixed an issue with parsing PCF messages and displaying them.
  • Fixed an issue with Queue Monitor tool and connecting to a z/OS queue manager.
  • Fixed a bug on Message Edit window where Wrap Text menu item was not honoring user Preferences.
  • Fixed a bug on Message Edit window where Replace menu item was not being enabled/disabled correctly.
  • Switched from Apache Xerces to Java’s builtin XML parser.
  • Updated docs (English only)

Regards,
Roger Lacroix
Capitalware Inc.

Capitalware, IBM MQ, IBM MQ Appliance, Linux, macOS (Mac OS X), MQ Visual Edit, Windows Comments Off on MQ Visual Edit V3.0.0 Released

MQ Visual Browse V3.0.0 Released

October 21, 2019 Roger Lacroix

Capitalware Inc. would like to announce the official release of MQ Visual Browse v3.0.0. This is a FREE upgrade for ALL licensed users of MQ Visual Browse V3. MQ Visual Browse allows users to view messages in a queue and/or topic of a IBM MQ queue manager and presents the data in a simplified format similar to a database utility or spreadsheet program.

For more information about MQ Visual Browse go to:
https://www.capitalware.com/mqvb_overview.html

    Changes for MQ Visual Browse v3.0.0:

  • Added a new viewer on the Message Edit window called: Fixed Width Viewer. Clicking it will parse the message data into a spreadsheet display.
  • Added a new viewer on the Message Edit window called: CSV Viewer. Clicking it will parse the message data into a spreadsheet display.
  • Added a new viewer on the Message Edit window called: FIX (Financial Information eXchange) Viewer. Clicking it will parse the message data into a spreadsheet display.
  • Added a wizard so that the user can quickly create and save Fixed Width format structure, CSV column names and FIX column names.
  • Added a new options on the Preferences’ Edit Window called: ‘For CSV Viewer, use first row for column name’, drop selector for field delimiter and a drop selector for record separator.
  • Added a new options on the Preferences’ Edit Window called: ‘For FIX Viewer, use first row for column name’ and drop selector for delimiter, drop selector for field delimiter and a drop selector for record separator.
  • Added the ability to associate a time zone with a queue manager. Hence, the message’s date and time will be in the specified time zone.
  • Changed Queue Manager Access Profile, Group and Favorites information to be stored in a SQLite database
  • Added code to automatically migrate CommProfileDB, CommProfileGroupDB and FavoritesDB property files to a SQLite database.
  • For a fresh install of MQ Visual Browse (Windows and Linux only), added code to automatically collect local queue manager information and display it to the user for importing.
  • Added the ability to import queue manager settings from MQ Explorer.
  • Added the ability to import queue manager settings from MO71.
  • Added the ability to import queue manager settings from MQ Visual Browse V1/V2 property file.
  • Added the ability to import queue manager settings from a CCDT file.
  • Added the ability to import local queue managers.
  • Fixed an issue with resetting the view correctly and also when changing the language.
  • Added launching a web browser from the Registration window for the user to register the license key.
  • New location for SQLite database and the MQVB logfile. They will now be stored in {home_directory}\Capitalware\ directory. i.e. For Windows: C:\Users\{UserId}\Capitalware\ and for Linux/macOS: /home/{UserId}/Capitalware/
  • The MQ Visual Browse logfile will now be called: MQVB.log (rather than MQVB_error.log).
  • Enhanced the error message regarding an expired license key
  • Updated code to better handle “https” call to capitalware.com for registration
  • Updated code to set JVM UserId because MQ client library uses it when USE_MQCSP_AUTHENTICATION_PROPERTY is set to true
  • Increased the size of the buttons on the windows, so people with Microsoft Surface tablets will find it easier to click buttons with their fingers.
  • Added icons to all of the buttons on the windows. The icons for the buttons match the icons for the menu items. Hence, it makes for a better and more consistent look and feel.
  • Fixed an issue with parsing PCF messages and displaying them.
  • Fixed a bug on Message Edit window where Wrap Text menu item was not honoring user Preferences.
  • Fixed a bug on Message Edit window where Replace menu item was not being enabled/disabled correctly.
  • Switched from Apache Xerces to Java’s builtin XML parser.
  • Updated docs (English only)

Regards,
Roger Lacroix
Capitalware Inc.

Capitalware, IBM MQ, IBM MQ Appliance, Linux, macOS (Mac OS X), MQ Visual Browse, Windows Comments Off on MQ Visual Browse V3.0.0 Released

Learn How to Code in Python With Microsoft’s Free Classes

October 21, 2019 Roger Lacroix

Microsoft has created free instructional videos on Python. Microsoft has uploaded a 44-part series to YouTube dubbed Python for Beginners, which can teach anyone how to program in Python.

Regards,
Roger Lacroix
Capitalware Inc.

Education, Programming Comments Off on Learn How to Code in Python With Microsoft’s Free Classes

Windows and UHD 4K Resolution

October 7, 2019 Roger Lacroix

Another interesting problem/issue that I’ve come across while installing software on my new ASUS ZenBook Pro laptop was that some older 32-bit applications don’t show the images, toolbar icons, etc. correctly. The applications are not “DPI Aware” but for Windows 10, it defaults to applications being “DPI Aware”.

Hence, if you can upgrade to a more modern version of the application(s) then do it but if not, here is a quick way to fix the problem.

(1) Either on the program’s short-cut or the executable, right click and select Properties
(2) Click the Compatibility tab
(3) Click the Change high DPI settings button
(4) Click the checkbox Override high DPI scaling behavior
(5) In the Scaling performed by: dropdown, change it to System
(6) Click Ok and then Ok, to save and close the windows.

Now when you start the application, it should look more normal.

Do you use Java applications on Windows 10 with a high resolution? Oracle has/had some developers that made some really stupid decisions and when I say stupid, I mean so stupid it would make Homer Simpson look like a genius (that kind of stupid).

In Java 6 (from what I can gather), Oracle decided to add the metadata tag to the “java.exe” and “javaw.exe” executables called DPIAware and set it to true. This would be great if they added the code to Java to support it but they only half-ass it. Then when people complained, Oracle added the JVM environment variable “sun.java2d.dpiaware” that you could set to “false” to disable it. For Java 8, Oracle removed the JVM environment variable “sun.java2d.dpiaware” for some unknown reason which meant you were screwed again.

Therefore, if you want your Java applications to be correctly displayed on Windows 10 with high resolution display then you need Java 9 or higher.

Now if you are in a corporate environment where you cannot change the release of Java you are using to Java 9 or higher then follow the instructions above for the “java.exe” and “javaw.exe” executables. More often then not, you can find the “java.exe” and “javaw.exe” executables in the following directory:
C:\Program Files\Java\jre(version#)\bin\

Regards,
Roger Lacroix
Capitalware Inc.

Java, JMS, Windows Comments Off on Windows and UHD 4K Resolution