Access to DB2-L and DB2eug is via a web browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) using http. Access to comp.databases.ibm-db2 is via a web browser using newsgroup access. Some firewalls may not allow access to newsgroups; the contents of the newsgroups are also available via http://www.remarq.com/ or http://www.deja.com/.

DB2-L

DB2-L is "intended for the discussion of IBM's DB2 family of Data Base Products and other products that support the design, development and maintenance of DB2 databases and systems. Related topics such as the function of a DB2 DBA, DB2 development standards and SQL are also welcome."

For instructions on how to join, see the DB2-L FAQ (frequently asked questions) page at:
http://www.ryci.com/db2-l/

Archives of posted messages are available at (search function also available here):
http://jupiter.ryci.com/archives/db2-l.html

Archives of Documents posted for DB2-L are available at (search function also available here):
http://jupiter.ryci.com/archives/db2-l-documents.html

comp.databases.ibm-db2

The newsgroup comp.databases.ibm-db2 is the main newsgroup for "UDB" related stuff - i.e. DB2 UNO. It is much more lively than the UDB list server db2eug; it usually has between 40 and 60 messages each day (comparable to DB2-L for the OS/390 version). It has the added advantage that several developers from the Toronto labs are actively listening and contributing.

To access it via the web (rather than a news server), there are two free web sites that can be used: www.deja.com and www.remarq.com (there are probably others). Deja displays the threads in newsgroup style, i.e. with the hierarchy of each thread; Remarq concatenates all messages in a thread into one long message (i.e. fewer clicks required). Both sites allow read access immediately; to reply or start a new thread, you have to subscribe (free of charge) - just follow the prompts.

To read:

• From http://www.remarq.com/, click on "Computers & The Internet" (under message boards), then "Databases", then "IBM Db2".
• From http://www.deja.com/, click on "DISCUSSIONS" (at the top), then key in comp.databases.ibm-db2 at the bottom and click on "Find".

DB2 Email User Group

"The DB2 Email User Group is an email list of DBA's, Programmers, System Engineers etc that are active users of IBM's DB2 Universal Database" for Windows, Unix and OS/2.

"We use this list to ask questions, share problems and experiences, network job openings, and even share usefull utilities, scripts and command files to manage our DB2/UDB environments."

For instructions on how to join, see the page at:
http://people.mn.mediaone.net/scottrmcleod