In versions 11.5, 11.7, and 12.10, when you would go to the Informix documentation website, there was a link to download the entire library of books as a zip file.  For example, if you go to the 12.10 documentation page, you'll see a "More information" block, and the first link in that block is "Download PDF books".  That opens another page, and one of the options there is to download an entire document set.  You also can download individual manuals.

When I go to the 14.10 documentation page, there is an "Extra information" block, but it does not have a "Download PDF books" link on it.  It does have an "Informix library" link, but it seems to be broken, as it simply redirects me to the main IBM software page.

OK, I'll just download each of the manuals I'm interested in.  But that doesn't seem to be an option either.  If I go to the Administrator's Reference, for example, I see options for "PDF download page [Beta]" and "PDF download section [Beta]", but nothing to download the full manual.

Please tell me that they haven't eliminated the option to download full manuals or the complete library.  If anyone has the link to download the 14.10 documentation, please let me know.

Thanks.



------------------------------
Mark Collins
------------------------------

#Informix

------Original Message------

In versions 11.5, 11.7, and 12.10, when you would go to the Informix documentation website, there was a link to download the entire library of books as a zip file.  For example, if you go to the 12.10 documentation page, you'll see a "More information" block, and the first link in that block is "Download PDF books".  That opens another page, and one of the options there is to download an entire document set.  You also can download individual manuals.

When I go to the 14.10 documentation page, there is an "Extra information" block, but it does not have a "Download PDF books" link on it.  It does have an "Informix library" link, but it seems to be broken, as it simply redirects me to the main IBM software page.

OK, I'll just download each of the manuals I'm interested in.  But that doesn't seem to be an option either.  If I go to the Administrator's Reference, for example, I see options for "PDF download page [Beta]" and "PDF download section [Beta]", but nothing to download the full manual.

Please tell me that they haven't eliminated the option to download full manuals or the complete library.  If anyone has the link to download the 14.10 documentation, please let me know.

Thanks.



------------------------------
Mark Collins
------------------------------

#Informix

Art,

Thanks for the prompt response.  I knew I couldn't be the only person to have noticed this.

I hope the board is able to get this addressed quickly.

------------------------------
Mark Collins
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Wed January 15, 2020 12:09 PM
From: Art Kagel
Subject: Informix 14.10 documentation

Mark:

The Board and I are working on this issue with the HCL and IBM teams. 

IBM no longer has any documentation teams for any product, the IBM documentation was always maintained by a dedicated team not by the developers, and HCL doesn't have a tradition of hard copy manuals so it's an open issue that we are trying to resolve.

Art

Art S. Kagel, President and Principal Consultant

ASK Database Management

www.askdbmgt.com

Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference.  Neither do those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.

Original Message------

In versions 11.5, 11.7, and 12.10, when you would go to the Informix documentation website, there was a link to download the entire library of books as a zip file.  For example, if you go to the 12.10 documentation page, you'll see a "More information" block, and the first link in that block is "Download PDF books".  That opens another page, and one of the options there is to download an entire document set.  You also can download individual manuals.

When I go to the 14.10 documentation page, there is an "Extra information" block, but it does not have a "Download PDF books" link on it.  It does have an "Informix library" link, but it seems to be broken, as it simply redirects me to the main IBM software page.

OK, I'll just download each of the manuals I'm interested in.  But that doesn't seem to be an option either.  If I go to the Administrator's Reference, for example, I see options for "PDF download page [Beta]" and "PDF download section [Beta]", but nothing to download the full manual.

Please tell me that they haven't eliminated the option to download full manuals or the complete library.  If anyone has the link to download the 14.10 documentation, please let me know.

Thanks.



------------------------------
Mark Collins
------------------------------

#Informix

Art,

So who does the documentation now?


Surely IBM should be ensuring that the documenation for IBM Informix (as opposed to HCL Informix) is maintained?


Regards,
David.

------------------------------
David Williams
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Wed January 15, 2020 12:09 PM
From: Art Kagel
Subject: Informix 14.10 documentation

Mark:

The Board and I are working on this issue with the HCL and IBM teams. 

IBM no longer has any documentation teams for any product, the IBM documentation was always maintained by a dedicated team not by the developers, and HCL doesn't have a tradition of hard copy manuals so it's an open issue that we are trying to resolve.

Art

Art S. Kagel, President and Principal Consultant

ASK Database Management

www.askdbmgt.com

Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference.  Neither do those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.

Original Message------

In versions 11.5, 11.7, and 12.10, when you would go to the Informix documentation website, there was a link to download the entire library of books as a zip file.  For example, if you go to the 12.10 documentation page, you'll see a "More information" block, and the first link in that block is "Download PDF books".  That opens another page, and one of the options there is to download an entire document set.  You also can download individual manuals.

When I go to the 14.10 documentation page, there is an "Extra information" block, but it does not have a "Download PDF books" link on it.  It does have an "Informix library" link, but it seems to be broken, as it simply redirects me to the main IBM software page.

OK, I'll just download each of the manuals I'm interested in.  But that doesn't seem to be an option either.  If I go to the Administrator's Reference, for example, I see options for "PDF download page [Beta]" and "PDF download section [Beta]", but nothing to download the full manual.

Please tell me that they haven't eliminated the option to download full manuals or the complete library.  If anyone has the link to download the 14.10 documentation, please let me know.

Thanks.



------------------------------
Mark Collins
------------------------------

#Informix

Original Message:
Sent: 6/8/2020 9:16:00 AM
From: David Williams
Subject: RE: Informix 14.10 documentation


Art,

So who does the documentation now?


Surely IBM should be ensuring that the documenation for IBM Informix (as opposed to HCL Informix) is maintained?


Regards,
David.

------------------------------
David Williams
------------------------------

It's sad, I think.

Sadly, I have noticed a decline in the quality of Informix documentation for several years.

At one time (late 1990s or early 2000s, I think), I believe Informix won an award for the quality of its documentation.

It is no longer "outstanding".

Sigh.

DG

------------------------------
David Grove
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Mon June 08, 2020 09:42 AM
From: Art Kagel
Subject: Informix 14.10 documentation

David:

IBM reassigned Hai-Nhu Tran and her entire documentation team a few weeks after HCL took over development responsibilities. Currently HCL is maintaining their copy of the online documentation without a specific order from IBM and passing the files to IBM to post on the IBM Info site. 

No one has maintained the PDF doc files since v12.10.xC8, so there are not PDF docs for v14.10 at all and no updates for the v12.10 features after xC8.

As representative of the IIUG Board responsible to interface with Milind Tamaskar (Informix's Product Manager) I continue to press for keeping the docs up-to-date through that channel and back-channel directly with HCL's folk.

If you have specific issues, PLEASE, let me know offline and I will follow up. It certainly cannot hurt to post such concerns here also, of course, since HCL and IBM people monitor this forum including Milind. That goes for everyone here, not just you of course.

Art

Art S. Kagel, President and Principal Consultant

ASK Database Management

www.askdbmgt.com

Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference.  Neither do those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.

Original Message:
Sent: 6/8/2020 9:16:00 AM
From: David Williams
Subject: RE: Informix 14.10 documentation


Art,

So who does the documentation now?


Surely IBM should be ensuring that the documenation for IBM Informix (as opposed to HCL Informix) is maintained?


Regards,
David.

------------------------------
David Williams
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: Wed January 15, 2020 12:09 PM
From: Art Kagel
Subject: Informix 14.10 documentation

Mark:

The Board and I are working on this issue with the HCL and IBM teams. 

IBM no longer has any documentation teams for any product, the IBM documentation was always maintained by a dedicated team not by the developers, and HCL doesn't have a tradition of hard copy manuals so it's an open issue that we are trying to resolve.

Art

Art S. Kagel, President and Principal Consultant

ASK Database Management

www.askdbmgt.com

Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference.  Neither do those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.

Original Message------

In versions 11.5, 11.7, and 12.10, when you would go to the Informix documentation website, there was a link to download the entire library of books as a zip file.  For example, if you go to the 12.10 documentation page, you'll see a "More information" block, and the first link in that block is "Download PDF books".  That opens another page, and one of the options there is to download an entire document set.  You also can download individual manuals.

When I go to the 14.10 documentation page, there is an "Extra information" block, but it does not have a "Download PDF books" link on it.  It does have an "Informix library" link, but it seems to be broken, as it simply redirects me to the main IBM software page.

OK, I'll just download each of the manuals I'm interested in.  But that doesn't seem to be an option either.  If I go to the Administrator's Reference, for example, I see options for "PDF download page [Beta]" and "PDF download section [Beta]", but nothing to download the full manual.

Please tell me that they haven't eliminated the option to download full manuals or the complete library.  If anyone has the link to download the 14.10 documentation, please let me know.

Thanks.



------------------------------
Mark Collins
------------------------------

#Informix

Original Message:
Sent: 6/8/2020 2:07:00 PM
From: David Grove
Subject: RE: Informix 14.10 documentation

It's sad, I think.

Sadly, I have noticed a decline in the quality of Informix documentation for several years.

At one time (late 1990s or early 2000s, I think), I believe Informix won an award for the quality of its documentation.

It is no longer "outstanding".

Sigh.

DG

------------------------------
David Grove
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: Mon June 08, 2020 09:42 AM
From: Art Kagel
Subject: Informix 14.10 documentation

David:

IBM reassigned Hai-Nhu Tran and her entire documentation team a few weeks after HCL took over development responsibilities. Currently HCL is maintaining their copy of the online documentation without a specific order from IBM and passing the files to IBM to post on the IBM Info site. 

No one has maintained the PDF doc files since v12.10.xC8, so there are not PDF docs for v14.10 at all and no updates for the v12.10 features after xC8.

As representative of the IIUG Board responsible to interface with Milind Tamaskar (Informix's Product Manager) I continue to press for keeping the docs up-to-date through that channel and back-channel directly with HCL's folk.

If you have specific issues, PLEASE, let me know offline and I will follow up. It certainly cannot hurt to post such concerns here also, of course, since HCL and IBM people monitor this forum including Milind. That goes for everyone here, not just you of course.

Art

Art S. Kagel, President and Principal Consultant

ASK Database Management

www.askdbmgt.com

Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference.  Neither do those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.

Original Message:
Sent: 6/8/2020 9:16:00 AM
From: David Williams
Subject: RE: Informix 14.10 documentation


Art,

So who does the documentation now?


Surely IBM should be ensuring that the documenation for IBM Informix (as opposed to HCL Informix) is maintained?


Regards,
David.

------------------------------
David Williams
------------------------------

Feedback noted. Have already discussed several times with the IBM/HCL documentation teams. The quality of the documentation and the inability to create full pdf manuals are two items that I will raise again.

------------------------------
MILIND Tamaskar
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Mon June 08, 2020 03:20 PM
From: Art Kagel
Subject: Informix 14.10 documentation

All true. After the acquisition the Informix team was required to meet IBM documentation standards. That was the end of the award winning docs. 

There is some hope that I cannot discuss. Cib up. 

Art

Original Message:
Sent: 6/8/2020 2:07:00 PM
From: David Grove
Subject: RE: Informix 14.10 documentation

It's sad, I think.

Sadly, I have noticed a decline in the quality of Informix documentation for several years.

At one time (late 1990s or early 2000s, I think), I believe Informix won an award for the quality of its documentation.

It is no longer "outstanding".

Sigh.

DG

------------------------------
David Grove
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: Mon June 08, 2020 09:42 AM
From: Art Kagel
Subject: Informix 14.10 documentation

David:

IBM reassigned Hai-Nhu Tran and her entire documentation team a few weeks after HCL took over development responsibilities. Currently HCL is maintaining their copy of the online documentation without a specific order from IBM and passing the files to IBM to post on the IBM Info site. 

No one has maintained the PDF doc files since v12.10.xC8, so there are not PDF docs for v14.10 at all and no updates for the v12.10 features after xC8.

As representative of the IIUG Board responsible to interface with Milind Tamaskar (Informix's Product Manager) I continue to press for keeping the docs up-to-date through that channel and back-channel directly with HCL's folk.

If you have specific issues, PLEASE, let me know offline and I will follow up. It certainly cannot hurt to post such concerns here also, of course, since HCL and IBM people monitor this forum including Milind. That goes for everyone here, not just you of course.

Art

Art S. Kagel, President and Principal Consultant

ASK Database Management

www.askdbmgt.com

Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference.  Neither do those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.

Original Message:
Sent: 6/8/2020 9:16:00 AM
From: David Williams
Subject: RE: Informix 14.10 documentation


Art,

So who does the documentation now?


Surely IBM should be ensuring that the documenation for IBM Informix (as opposed to HCL Informix) is maintained?


Regards,
David.

------------------------------
David Williams


Original Message:
Sent: Wed January 15, 2020 12:09 PM
From: Art Kagel
Subject: Informix 14.10 documentation

Mark:

The Board and I are working on this issue with the HCL and IBM teams. 

IBM no longer has any documentation teams for any product, the IBM documentation was always maintained by a dedicated team not by the developers, and HCL doesn't have a tradition of hard copy manuals so it's an open issue that we are trying to resolve.

Art

Art S. Kagel, President and Principal Consultant

ASK Database Management

www.askdbmgt.com

Blog: http://informix-myview.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that my own opinions are my own opinions and do not reflect on the IIUG, nor any other organization with which I am associated either explicitly, implicitly, or by inference.  Neither do those opinions reflect those of other individuals affiliated with any entity with which I am affiliated nor those of the entities themselves.

Original Message------

In versions 11.5, 11.7, and 12.10, when you would go to the Informix documentation website, there was a link to download the entire library of books as a zip file.  For example, if you go to the 12.10 documentation page, you'll see a "More information" block, and the first link in that block is "Download PDF books".  That opens another page, and one of the options there is to download an entire document set.  You also can download individual manuals.

When I go to the 14.10 documentation page, there is an "Extra information" block, but it does not have a "Download PDF books" link on it.  It does have an "Informix library" link, but it seems to be broken, as it simply redirects me to the main IBM software page.

OK, I'll just download each of the manuals I'm interested in.  But that doesn't seem to be an option either.  If I go to the Administrator's Reference, for example, I see options for "PDF download page [Beta]" and "PDF download section [Beta]", but nothing to download the full manual.

Please tell me that they haven't eliminated the option to download full manuals or the complete library.  If anyone has the link to download the 14.10 documentation, please let me know.

Thanks.



------------------------------
Mark Collins
------------------------------

#Informix