New Product Beta Testers needed -- MIDRANGE-L

Hi,

I apologize for cross-posting this, but I haven't gotten any response so
I'm broadening my search:

I have been developing a .NET Ad-Hoc Query tool and am in need of a few
qualified beta testers.  I started along this road to
learn how to use the "IBM iSeries Access  .NET Managed Provider", but
what started out as a simple learning exercise has blossomed into a
full-blown product, one that we are preparing to take to market.

Here is a some-what long summary of the product:

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"iHOC Query .Net"

An Ad-Hoc Query tool for issuing SQL statements on the fly against any
database.  Supports some standard features, like being able to
save queries into text files, using existing text files, syntax
highlighting, etc., but here are some of the not-so standard things
about it:

1) Multiple database type support.  Most of us today have to contend
with more than one database, which means more than one tool.  I have
three installed on my workstation: OpsNav, Query Analyzer, and MySQL
Query Browser.  They all get the job done (although I have my complaints
about OpsNav) but I hate constantly switching from one to the other, so
iHOC gives you the ability to configure not only multiple connections,
but varying connection types.  It currently supports iSeries, SQL
Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and ODBC DSN connections.  For example,
switching from an iSeries connection (I personally have four) to our
SqlServer is as simple as changing the selection from a drop down.

2) File Export.  I'm still constantly amazed by the number of requests
on the mailing lists wanting to know how to convert a file to CSV.  iHOC
allows you to export the query results to CSV, XML, and Tab-Delimited
files.  It's easy and relatively quick, and the output is
user-configurable.

3) Working with the data locally.  iHOC uses the disconnected ADO.NET
model.  This means that queries may take slightly longer to run
(especially very large result sets), but once run, the data resides
entirely on the local machine.  Because it is local, I've added some
features that other tools don't readily have because of their
active-connection designs: 
  a) "Active Filtering" allows you to filter and re-order the result
grid.  For instance, if I had 10,000 rows and only 300 had FIELD1='C', I
could filter the results to show just those 300 rows.  And I can order
by multiple fields, so I'm not limited to a sinlge field sort (which you
can do by clicking a column header).  And the export feature mentioned
above allows you to determine if you want to export all the rows or just
the filtered ones.
  b) Row selection: the user can easily jump to the top, bottom, middle,
or specific row number of the grid.
  c) Statistics: the user can easily get statistics on any numeric field
in the grid, like average, count, median, mode, etc.
  d) "Auto-Expand": the grid cell sizes automatically expand to show all
the data without the need for user intervention.
  e) Backward and Forward navigation: the executed query history can be
navigated both backward and forward, optionally including the Grid
Results.

All of the items in option three function without a return trip to the
database, so they tend to perform rather well.  There are some other
features too, but these are the highlights.

I've tried to make it iSeries friendly.  For instance, F3 will Exit the
program, F9 will retrieve the previous SQL command, etc.  And as far as
I know, it is the first commercial product being offered that runs on
the IBM iSeries Access .NET Managed Provider.  That does mean that you
have to have V5R3 iSeries Access installed (specifically the .NET
Managed Provider), and of course you have to have the Microsoft .Net 1.1
runtime, but neither of those should be a problem for anyone in the
target audience.  And to be clear, it is just Access that needs to be at
V5R3, not the iSeries: I've tested it as far back as V4R5 and it works
great.
----------------------------------------------------------

So you may be asking "What do I get out of it?"  All Beta testers will
receive a license of the completed product, gratis.  In the future, you
will have access to updates and new features before they go to market. 
You will have access to a private forum just for iHOC Beta testers, and
you very well may have an influence on the direction and functionality
of the product. You will also get my sincerest gratitude.

To qualify: 
1) You must have iSeries Access V5R3 installed (at least a selective
upgrade that includes the .NET Managed Provider) or be willing and able
to install it.
2) You must have .NET 1.1 or newer installed (free from MicroSoft) or be
willing and able to install it.
3) You must be fluent in SQL.
4) Preferably, you will have more than one Database server to connect
to, whether it be multiple iSeries, multiple platforms, or both.
5) You must agree: not to disclose any beta-specific information about
the product to outside sources; not to provide copies of the software to
any other person without my express permission; not to build a
competitive product; to honor and respect all copyrights, trademarks,
etc.; all correspondance regarding the product immediately becomes the
property of Stonewall Technologies, Inc.

Sorry for all the legal cr*p in number 5, but you just can't be too
careful these days.

Anyway, if anyone is interested in participating as a Beta tester,
please contact me directly.  I could use 3-5 additional testers, so
slots will be filled on a first come first serve basis.

Thanks,

Joel Cochran