Month Year Issue

December 2000 Issue: 17

Journal of Conceptual Modeling
www.inconcept.com/jcm

Free VisioModeler
by Scot A. Becker

Free VisioModeler

I've been keeping a secret from you all, but I am told I can now let the free-download-of-VisioModeler out of the bag.

Yup, Microsoft is planning a free, unsupported, software release of the VisioModeler product. I'm told it will be available for download within the next couple of weeks.

The intention behind this release is to be an intermediate solution until the Visio engine based ORM technology fully supports all functionality (e.g. display of all ORM graphics) that VisioModeler does today.

As soon as I know where the download will be, I will post the URL right here; as well as announce it on the JCM Discussion List.

The download can be found here.

Upcoming Events

InConcept is a proud sponsor of the 13th annual DAMA International Symposium and 5th annual Metadata Conference. We'll be hosting a booth at this event, which is usually THE database-related event of the year.

In addition, I'll be presenting at the conference on Thursday, so if that isn't a reason to buy an admission, I don't know what is. (he he he)

If you'll be at the symposium, be sure to stop by the InConcept booth.

You can learn more about the symposium at http://www.wilshireconferences.com/Anaheim/index.htm.

Rookies!

It is my great pleasure to introduce two JCM rookies with this issue.

The first rookie is Daniel Roth. Daniel gives us a piece on Practical Data Administration. Welcome, Daniel!

The second rookie is David Cuyler. David has been reading (and correcting) the JCM since it's first issue. David gives us a great article on mapping ORM into UML's metamodel - complete with XML, XMI, and XSL (a JCM first). Welcome, David!

Welcome again, guys, and on behalf of all of the JCM readers, thanks.

Speaking of which, I can't think of a more honorable title to bestow upon a person than "JCM Rookie". This prestigious moniker isn't just given away… no, it's earned.
Do you have what it takes to be a JCM Rookie? If so, just write up an article and send it our way.

Preface

This has to be one of the better JCM issues we have released. Dr. Terry Halpin provides us with a metamodel of the Barker ER Notation (the one implemented by Oracle). Patrick Hallock gives us a functionality wish list for ORM tools. Scot A. Becker talks a bit about Perspective and Abstraction. David Cuyler (JCM Rookie!) maps ORM into the UML metamodel. Daniel Roth (JCM Rookie!) provides us with a look at Practical Data Administration. And, as always, Dr. John Sharp provides us with another analysis problem as well as last issue's solution.

Scot A. Becker is a software consultant and the founder of Orthogonal Software Corporation. He is also a certified ORM consultant and trainer, a certified Visio trainer, and former Editor of the Journal of Conceptual Modeling.

Contact Information:

Scot A. Becker
Orthogonal Software Corporation
scot@orthogonalsoftware.com
www.orthogonalsoftware.com