Happy Birthday - (Lotus) Notes turns 34 today
27 November 2023
Thomas Hampel
Happy Birthday Lotus Notes!
Today, 34 years ago, release 1.0 of Lotus Notes was built/compiled marking the beginning of an incredible journey
And in just a few days, a new episode of this journey is going to start when HCL Domino 14 (and Sametime 12.0.2) will be released.
Find out about the cool new features in the latest release during our exclusive webcast launch on December 7 @ 10am ET.
To attend live, please Register now!
Happy Birthday Lotus Notes!
Today, 34 years ago, release 1.0 of Lotus Notes was built/compiled marking the beginning of an incredible journey
And in just a few days, a new episode of this journey is going to start when HCL Domino 14 (and Sametime 12.0.2) will be released.
Find out about the cool new features in the latest release during our exclusive webcast launch on December 7 @ 10am ET.
To attend live, please Register now!
Tagged with: Notes
Let’s Connect - Nordics! Meet us in Denmark and Sweden
18 November 2023
Thomas Hampel
Dear Domino Community in the Nordics,
Meet me at Let's Connect Nordics for an extraordinary community meetup happening in the heart of Copenhagen/Denmark and the beautiful city of Stockholm in Sweden next week!
Get ready for a gathering filled with warmth, an exciting agenda, and the shared magic that makes our Domino community truly special.
Event Details:
Why Attend?
How to attend?
To secure your spot at this must-attend event, please register via the Event website for Copenhagen and/or Stockholm
Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot as soon as possible.
I'm looking forward to seeing you in Denmark and Sweden for two fantastic meetups filled with learning, networking, and fun.
Let's come together to celebrate our Domino community and the shared passion that unites us!
PS: Feel free to bring along your colleagues, friends, or anyone who will enjoy the event.
References:
Dear Domino Community in the Nordics,
Meet me at Let's Connect Nordics for an extraordinary community meetup happening in the heart of Copenhagen/Denmark and the beautiful city of Stockholm in Sweden next week!
Get ready for a gathering filled with warmth, an exciting agenda, and the shared magic that makes our Domino community truly special.
Event Details:
- Denmark / Copenhagen: 21. Nov '23 at Admiral Gjeddes Gaard
- Sweden / Stockholm: 23. Nov '23 at 7A Odenplan
Why Attend?
- Learn
What's new in the Domino and beyond. Experience new options for your digital journey and see live demos that have never been shown before.
Be the first to experience our latest products and innovations. Our team will showcase exciting developments and answer any questions you may have. - Your Voice Matters
Engage with HCL leadership, partners and customers in conversations during our interactive sessions. We want to hear your thoughts, your challenges, and your victories.
Your voice matters to shape our product roadmap. - Surprises:
From exclusive product sneak peeks to personalized experiences, we have planned a few surprises to make your time with us truly memorable. - Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow enthusiasts, industry experts, and professionals. Share your experiences, ideas, and insights while expanding your network
- Cool & Inspiring Speakers
...of course:)
How to attend?
To secure your spot at this must-attend event, please register via the Event website for Copenhagen and/or Stockholm
Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot as soon as possible.
I'm looking forward to seeing you in Denmark and Sweden for two fantastic meetups filled with learning, networking, and fun.
Let's come together to celebrate our Domino community and the shared passion that unites us!
PS: Feel free to bring along your colleagues, friends, or anyone who will enjoy the event.
References:
Tagged with: Conference
Is HCL Notes/Domino using Oracle Java?
13 October 2023
Thomas Hampel
The short answer: No!
Background:
On January 23, 2023, Oracle announced (again) yet another new licensing model for Oracle Java that represents a dramatic price increase for large organizations.
This can lead to interesting discussions since e.g., a 40,000-employee organization could be asked spending USD $2.5M annually just on Oracle Java alone.
What Java version is used by Notes and Domino?
Notes and Domino are providing the Java runtime as part of the product, so customers do NOT need to download or install the Java runtime environment separately.
Since the JVM/JDK is part of the licensed product, it is covered under the product license of HCL or previously the product license of IBM.
With the acquisition of the product by HCL, dependencies to IBM Java were removed and got replaced with OpenJDK effectively in version 11.0.0 of HCL Notes/Domino.
Java updates are provided by HCL (and previously by IBM) typically as part of regular fix packs.
Here is a simplified overview of what Java version is used in the product:
a more comprehensive overview of which Java flavour and patchlevel is included in which release of Domino is provided later on in this blog post.
For details, please refer to
Special cases and exceptions?
What about Nomad, Verse, Enterprise Integrator, SAP Connector, etc?
These products are addons to Domino and unless otherwise specified they leverage the JVM provided by Domino.
IBM? OpenJDK? Semeru? Adoptium? Eclipse? - Are you confused as well?
It's not easy to even get a basic understanding of the various project names, forks, branches and takeovers, but I'll try providing a short intro without covering the entire history of Java nor what Java itself is.
In the context of Notes and Domino, this is what you need to know:
For better understanding of the above, here is a chart that explains:

As outlined above, HCL Notes and Domino is embedding IBM Semeru and does not use any Oracle Java.
Table: Java versions is used by Notes and Domino
Source: KB0037886 - What is the impact to JVM support in Notes/Domino with Oracle's announcement to charge?
Remarks:
IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition, Version 6 has reached end of life, see https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/java-sdk-downloads-version-60
How to check which Java version is used?
From the program directory of the Notes client or Domino server:
cd jvm/bin
./java -version
Example:
Checking the Java version used by the HCL Notes Client 14.0 (Early Access version) on Windows:

C:\Program Files\HCL\Notes>cd jvm/bin
C:\Program Files\HCL\Notes\jvm\bin>java -version
openjdk 17.0.4.1 2022-08-12
IBM Semeru Runtime Open Edition 17.0.4.1 (build 17.0.4.1+1)
Eclipse OpenJ9 VM 17.0.4.1 (build openj9-0.33.1, JRE 17 Windows 7 amd64-64-Bit
Compressed References 20220812_237 (JIT enabled, AOT enabled)
OpenJ9 - 1d9d16830
OMR - b58aa2708
JCL - 1f4d354e654 based on jdk-17.0.4.1+1)
References:
Finally:
I hope this brief explanation will help to better understand the usage of Java in our product and provides you with enough of a justification to upgrade to the most current version of HCL Notes and Domino.
so upgrade NOW !
The short answer: No!
Background:
On January 23, 2023, Oracle announced (again) yet another new licensing model for Oracle Java that represents a dramatic price increase for large organizations.
This can lead to interesting discussions since e.g., a 40,000-employee organization could be asked spending USD $2.5M annually just on Oracle Java alone.
What Java version is used by Notes and Domino?
Notes and Domino are providing the Java runtime as part of the product, so customers do NOT need to download or install the Java runtime environment separately.
Since the JVM/JDK is part of the licensed product, it is covered under the product license of HCL or previously the product license of IBM.
With the acquisition of the product by HCL, dependencies to IBM Java were removed and got replaced with OpenJDK effectively in version 11.0.0 of HCL Notes/Domino.
Java updates are provided by HCL (and previously by IBM) typically as part of regular fix packs.
Here is a simplified overview of what Java version is used in the product:
Notes/Domino | Java Version | Java Vendor | JVM | Remarks |
14.0.x | 17 LTS | IBM Semeru | OpenJ9 | Open Edition |
12.0.x | 8 | AdoptOpenJDK, later IBM Semeru | OpenJ9 | renamed to Adoptium |
11.0.x | 8 | AdoptOpenJDK, later IBM Semeru | OpenJ9 | renamed to Adoptium |
10.0.x | 8 | IBM | IBM J9 | see IBM FAQ |
9.0.1 | 8 | IBM | IBM J9 | see IBM FAQ |
9.0.0 | 6 | IBM | IBM J9 |
a more comprehensive overview of which Java flavour and patchlevel is included in which release of Domino is provided later on in this blog post.
For details, please refer to
- For HCL Notes/Domino version 11 and later: KB0037886 - What is the impact to JVM support in Notes/Domino with Oracle's announcement to charge?
- For IBM Notes/Domino version 9 and 10: IBM FAQ to Oracle’s Java Products Commercial Licensing
- AdoptOpenJDK statement on Oracle's support announcement
Special cases and exceptions?
- MacOS : old versions of the IBM Notes Client before(!) 9.0.1 IF17 did not include any Java runtime. Customers may have manually installed a JVM, e.g. the Oracle runtime.
Starting with Notes Client 9.0.1 IF17 the product includes the IBM Java runtime. Customers are encouraged to upgrade to a more current version of the HCL Notes Client for MacOS. - IBMi (=iSeries) : HCL Domino will use the version provided by the platform.
- HCL Client for Application Access (HCAA), formerly known as IBM Client for Application Access (ICAA), does not provide a Java VM, it uses a JVM that you choose to install yourself.
Only for acessing Domino applications that are running Java code >in< the HCAA client, a JVM needs to be provided.
What about Nomad, Verse, Enterprise Integrator, SAP Connector, etc?
These products are addons to Domino and unless otherwise specified they leverage the JVM provided by Domino.
IBM? OpenJDK? Semeru? Adoptium? Eclipse? - Are you confused as well?
It's not easy to even get a basic understanding of the various project names, forks, branches and takeovers, but I'll try providing a short intro without covering the entire history of Java nor what Java itself is.
In the context of Notes and Domino, this is what you need to know:
- OpenJDK is a free and open-source implementation of the Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE), it is a Java Development Kit (JDK)
- OpenJ9 is a java virtual machine (JVM), contributed to the Eclipse project by IBM
- AdoptOpenJDK was a project for producing vendor neutral builds of OpenJDK
- AdoptOpenJDK merged into Eclipse Adoptium, to provide a prebuilt OpenJDK, that release is now named Temurin
With this move, Adoptium is, according to them, is not allowed to release OpenJ9-based or GraalVM-based runtimes - IBM comes to the rescue and provides OpenJ9 builds at no charge as the IBM Semeru runtime which includes the OpenJ9 Java VM
- IBM Semeru comes in two flavours:
a) IBM Semeru Runtime Open Edition, which is open source (GPLv2) licensed and is not TCK (Technology Compatibility Kit) certified
b) IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition, which is Java TCK-certified - Former "IBM Java" has been moved into IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition at Java version 11
- HCL Notes and Domino are using IBM Semeru Open Edition.
For better understanding of the above, here is a chart that explains:
As outlined above, HCL Notes and Domino is embedding IBM Semeru and does not use any Oracle Java.
Table: Java versions is used by Notes and Domino
Source: KB0037886 - What is the impact to JVM support in Notes/Domino with Oracle's announcement to charge?
Notes/Domino Version | Java Runtime Vendor | Java Version | |
V12 | 12.0.2 Fix Pack 2 | IBM Semeru Runtime Open Edition 8 | Semeru jdk8u372-b07 |
12.0.2 Fix Pack 1 | Semeru jdk8u362-b09 | ||
12.0.2 | AdoptOpenJDK 8 | OpenJDK jdk8u345-b01 | |
12.0.1 Fix Pack 1 | OpenJDK jdk8u312-b07 | ||
12.0.1 | OpenJDK jdk8u302-b08 | ||
12.0.0 | OpenJDK jdk8u282-b08 | ||
V11 | 11.0.1 Fix Pack 8 | OpenJDK jdk8u372-b07 | |
11.0.1 Fix Pack 7 | OpenJDK jdk8u352-b08 | ||
11.0.1 Fix Pack 6 | OpenJDK jdk8u332-b09 | ||
11.0.1 Fix Pack 5 | OpenJDK jdk8u312-b07 | ||
11.0.1 Fix Pack 4 | OpenJDK jdk8u302-b08 | ||
11.0.1 Fix Pack 3 | OpenJDK jdk8u282-b08 | ||
11.0.1 Fix Pack 2 | OpenJDK jdk8u265-b01 | ||
11.0.1 Fix Pack 1 | OpenJDK jdk8u252-b09 tzdata 2020a | ||
11.0.1 | OpenJDK jdk8u242-b08 tzdata2019c | ||
11.0.0 | OpenJDK jdk8u222-b10 | ||
V10 | 10.0.1 FP8 | IBM Java 8 | IBM Java 8.0 SR7FP6_tzdata2022a |
10.0.1 FP7 | IBM Java 8.0 SR6FP25_tzdata2021a | ||
10.0.1 FP6 | IBM Java 8.0 SR6FP10_tzdata2020a | ||
10.0.1 FP5 | IBM Java 8.0 SR6FP5_tzdata2019c | ||
10.0.1 FP4 | IBM Java 8.0 SR5FP40_tzdata2019c | ||
10.0.1 | IBM Java 8.0 SR5FP21 | ||
10.0.0 | IBM Java 8.0 SR5FP16ifix | ||
V9 | 9.0.1 Fix Pack 10 Interim Fix | IBM Java 8.0 SR6FP25 | |
9.0.1 Fix Pack 10 | IBM Java 8.0 SR5FP21 tzdata2018e | ||
9.0.1 Fix Pack 9 | IBM Java 8.0 SR4FP5 | ||
9.0.1 Fix Pack 8 | IBM Java 8.0 SR3FP12 | ||
9.0.1 Fix Pack 7 | IBM Java 6 | IBM Java 6.0 SF16FP30 | |
9.0.1 Fix Pack 6 | IBM Java 6.0 SF16FP20 | ||
9.0.1 Fix Pack 5 | IBM Java 6.0 SF16FP15 | ||
9.0.1 Fix Pack 4 | IBM Java 6.0 SR16FP4 | ||
9.0.1 Fix Pack 3 | IBM Java 6.0 SR16FP2 | ||
9.0.1 Fix Pack 2 | IBM Java 6.0 SR16 | ||
9.0.1 Fix Pack 1 | IBM Java 6.0 SR15FP1 | ||
9.0.1 | IBM Java 6.0 SR14 + ifix | ||
9.0.0 | IBM Java 6.0 SR12+ ifix |
Remarks:
IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition, Version 6 has reached end of life, see https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/java-sdk-downloads-version-60
How to check which Java version is used?
From the program directory of the Notes client or Domino server:
cd jvm/bin
./java -version
Example:
Checking the Java version used by the HCL Notes Client 14.0 (Early Access version) on Windows:
C:\Program Files\HCL\Notes>cd jvm/bin
C:\Program Files\HCL\Notes\jvm\bin>java -version
openjdk 17.0.4.1 2022-08-12
IBM Semeru Runtime Open Edition 17.0.4.1 (build 17.0.4.1+1)
Eclipse OpenJ9 VM 17.0.4.1 (build openj9-0.33.1, JRE 17 Windows 7 amd64-64-Bit
Compressed References 20220812_237 (JIT enabled, AOT enabled)
OpenJ9 - 1d9d16830
OMR - b58aa2708
JCL - 1f4d354e654 based on jdk-17.0.4.1+1)
References:
- AdoptOpenJDK statement on Oracle's support announcement
- KB0037886 - What is the impact to JVM support in Notes/Domino with Oracle's announcement to charge?
- IBM FAQ to Oracle’s Java Products Commercial Licensing
- KB0073999 - Interim Fixes & JVM patches for 9.0.1.x versions of IBM Notes/Domino & add-ons
- IBM Semeru Runtime vulnerabilities
Finally:
I hope this brief explanation will help to better understand the usage of Java in our product and provides you with enough of a justification to upgrade to the most current version of HCL Notes and Domino.
so upgrade NOW !
Running HCL Domino Designer in your browser?
20 September 2023
Thomas Hampel
Hot on the heels of our HCL Nomad for Web V1.0.9 Gold Release, we have deployed the next Pre-Release of HCL Nomad for web into our Sandbox Environment !
We have updated the environment and are inviting you to try out the latest version (V1.0.10.5384-3229).
This Pre-Release of V1.0.10 includes a VERY important new piece of functionality - HCL Domino Designer in your browser!
Yes, you read that correctly! You now have the ability to launch the HCL Domino Designer in your browser - just like you do with the HCL Nomad for Web client.
You will have the ability to make design changes to your HCL Domino applications without having the HCL Domino Designer client installed onto your computer!
Like the installable Domino Designer client, this browser based Designer allows to manage design elements like forms, @formulas...
...views, pages...
...LotusScript Agents and Script Libraries (including the LS Debugger)
and a lot more of what you expect from your well known Domino Designer.
Since it runs in the same context as Nomad, the same restrictions will apply - meaning there is no Java and so it wont be possible to build XPages or Java code with it.
Personal note:
A remarkable improvement compared to the classic Notes Client is the properties dialog which now is a sidebar and longer is a free floating window. Hope you like it as much as I do?
Interested in trying this new Designer yourself?
Just head over to the HCL Nomad Sandbox and create an account or log in to get started.
Within the Sandbox environment we have a number of Domino Sample Applications for you to use while in the HCL Nomad Sandbox.
In order to easily access these Sample Applications we have modified the Feedback Forum to now have the ability to add the Icons to your Workspace for you.
To access the Feedback Forum, follow these steps:
1. Log into the HCL Nomad Sandbox
2. From the "Recent Applications" page, click on "Open Application" in the top-right corner of the page
3. In the "Look in" field, select "NomadWeb/SandboxBeta" as the Domino server
4. Scroll through the list of applications until you locate "Nomad for Web Browsers Feedback" and double click on that entry
Once you have the Feedback Forum open, you will see a new entry on the left navigator titled "Deploy Sample Apps".
When you click on that option, five (5) Sample Applications will be added to your Workspace.
References:
.
Hot on the heels of our HCL Nomad for Web V1.0.9 Gold Release, we have deployed the next Pre-Release of HCL Nomad for web into our Sandbox Environment !
We have updated the environment and are inviting you to try out the latest version (V1.0.10.5384-3229).
This Pre-Release of V1.0.10 includes a VERY important new piece of functionality - HCL Domino Designer in your browser!
Yes, you read that correctly! You now have the ability to launch the HCL Domino Designer in your browser - just like you do with the HCL Nomad for Web client.
You will have the ability to make design changes to your HCL Domino applications without having the HCL Domino Designer client installed onto your computer!
Like the installable Domino Designer client, this browser based Designer allows to manage design elements like forms, @formulas...
...views, pages...
...LotusScript Agents and Script Libraries (including the LS Debugger)
and a lot more of what you expect from your well known Domino Designer.
Since it runs in the same context as Nomad, the same restrictions will apply - meaning there is no Java and so it wont be possible to build XPages or Java code with it.
Personal note:
A remarkable improvement compared to the classic Notes Client is the properties dialog which now is a sidebar and longer is a free floating window. Hope you like it as much as I do?
Interested in trying this new Designer yourself?
Just head over to the HCL Nomad Sandbox and create an account or log in to get started.
Within the Sandbox environment we have a number of Domino Sample Applications for you to use while in the HCL Nomad Sandbox.
In order to easily access these Sample Applications we have modified the Feedback Forum to now have the ability to add the Icons to your Workspace for you.
To access the Feedback Forum, follow these steps:
1. Log into the HCL Nomad Sandbox
2. From the "Recent Applications" page, click on "Open Application" in the top-right corner of the page
3. In the "Look in" field, select "NomadWeb/SandboxBeta" as the Domino server
4. Scroll through the list of applications until you locate "Nomad for Web Browsers Feedback" and double click on that entry
Once you have the Feedback Forum open, you will see a new entry on the left navigator titled "Deploy Sample Apps".
When you click on that option, five (5) Sample Applications will be added to your Workspace.
References:
.
Tagged with: Development Nomad
Installing Canon drivers that are not supported on MacOS Ventura, Moterey, Big Sur, etc
15 September 2023
Thomas Hampel
I'm using a Canon printer for years and it works very well despite being 10+ years old.
All computers on the network are using this printer for years.
Now I wanted to add a new Apple Macbook to my configuration and of course wanted to configure this printer.
The printer is detected on the Bonjour network, but unfortunately it can not find any driver.
Looking up Canon's Support website the printer is still listed with all its drivers. However, not for the latest Apple operating systems like Ventura, Big Sur, Catalina, nor Mojave, High Sierra, or Sierra.
The latest driver version available is for MacOS 10.11 (El Capitan) - its called MP640 series CUPS Printer Driver Ver. 11.7.1.0 (OS X)
Trying to install it on any current MacOS release is failing because the operating system is (of course) not supported. Typically your options at this point are
(a) get a new printer
(b) try installing an older version of MacOS and try installing the driver, then upgrade again.
(c) trying to get the drivers ported from one machine to another by working with CUPS
Interestingly enough I know that the driver itself DOES work very well because on other machines with BigSur or later operating systems printing works just fine.
It seems that having installed the driver in an earlier version of MacOS allowed to carry its functionality forward, so there is no technical reason why it should not run.
Conclusion => it's only the installation routine that will prevent its installation.
Hint:
Start with the Canon IJ Network Tool which is used to configure the printer. That tool still works on later releases incl. Ventura and it can be used to verify the communication between your Mac and the printer.
How to make it work?
Having downloaded the latest (old) available *.dmg file, e.g in my case it is the MP640 series CUPS Printer Driver Ver. 11.7.1.0 (OS X)
1. Open the file (double click) to mount it, it should look like this:
mcpd-mac-mp640-11_7_1_0-ea17_2.dmg
2. In this image, find the driver file which should have a *.pkg extension and copy it to e.g. your desktop or any other temp directory
PrinterDriver_MP640 series_110701.pkg
3. Open a new terminal window and run the command
> pkgutil --expand "PrinterDriver_MP640 series_110701.pkg" mp640
this will extract the files contained within the pkg file into a new subdirectory.
4. Within this new directory, edit the file "Distribution" with a text edito of your choice
> cd mp640
> nano Distribution
5. Search for a routine named "installationCheck()" and patch it to always return true.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
and of course make sure save your changes!
6. Repackage your changes into a new *pkg file using this command
pkgutil --flatten mp640 "PrinterDriver_MP640 series_PATCHED.pkg"
7. Enjoy installing your new printer driver*
Note: will only work on the same CPU architecture the driver was developed for. May not work on the new ARM CPU's
References:Canon IJ Network Tool Ver.4.7.2 (MacOS X) https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5490701
I'm using a Canon printer for years and it works very well despite being 10+ years old.
All computers on the network are using this printer for years.
Now I wanted to add a new Apple Macbook to my configuration and of course wanted to configure this printer.
The printer is detected on the Bonjour network, but unfortunately it can not find any driver.
Looking up Canon's Support website the printer is still listed with all its drivers. However, not for the latest Apple operating systems like Ventura, Big Sur, Catalina, nor Mojave, High Sierra, or Sierra.
The latest driver version available is for MacOS 10.11 (El Capitan) - its called MP640 series CUPS Printer Driver Ver. 11.7.1.0 (OS X)
Trying to install it on any current MacOS release is failing because the operating system is (of course) not supported. Typically your options at this point are
(a) get a new printer
(b) try installing an older version of MacOS and try installing the driver, then upgrade again.
(c) trying to get the drivers ported from one machine to another by working with CUPS
Interestingly enough I know that the driver itself DOES work very well because on other machines with BigSur or later operating systems printing works just fine.
It seems that having installed the driver in an earlier version of MacOS allowed to carry its functionality forward, so there is no technical reason why it should not run.
Conclusion => it's only the installation routine that will prevent its installation.
Hint:
Start with the Canon IJ Network Tool which is used to configure the printer. That tool still works on later releases incl. Ventura and it can be used to verify the communication between your Mac and the printer.
How to make it work?
Having downloaded the latest (old) available *.dmg file, e.g in my case it is the MP640 series CUPS Printer Driver Ver. 11.7.1.0 (OS X)
1. Open the file (double click) to mount it, it should look like this:
mcpd-mac-mp640-11_7_1_0-ea17_2.dmg
2. In this image, find the driver file which should have a *.pkg extension and copy it to e.g. your desktop or any other temp directory
PrinterDriver_MP640 series_110701.pkg
3. Open a new terminal window and run the command
> pkgutil --expand "PrinterDriver_MP640 series_110701.pkg" mp640
this will extract the files contained within the pkg file into a new subdirectory.
4. Within this new directory, edit the file "Distribution" with a text edito of your choice
> cd mp640
> nano Distribution
5. Search for a routine named "installationCheck()" and patch it to always return true.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
and of course make sure save your changes!
6. Repackage your changes into a new *pkg file using this command
pkgutil --flatten mp640 "PrinterDriver_MP640 series_PATCHED.pkg"
7. Enjoy installing your new printer driver*
Note: will only work on the same CPU architecture the driver was developed for. May not work on the new ARM CPU's
References: