2ndQuadrant is excited to announce the launch of repmgr 2.0 beta, our open source tool for creating and managing replication node clusters, written in C.

Utilizing the integrated replication method introduced in PostgreSQL 9.0, repmgr creates and configures clusters to your standbys. It also allows for automatically designating a new master from the standbys -on a failover situation- without destroying the whole cluster, while checking to insure the designated new master is the most up to date.

Based on requirements from industry needs, the 2ndQuadrant team updated the tool to incorporate several key features:

• Automatic failover configuration and execution of the a user supplied script to manage complex situations, while still allowing for manual intervention where necessary
• Cleaner failover server identification
• Cluster clean-up of the monitoring table or disabling the monitoring facility completely

“Clustering is an important part of maintaining a healthy PostgreSQL environment” says Jaime Casanova, chief contributor to the tool, “repmgr 2.0 gives you the opportunity to configure a more streamlined failover process for when you need it.”

For more information, you can check out Jaime’s blog post: http://blog.2ndquadrant.com/managing-useful-clusters-repmgr/

To download your own copy of repmgr 2.0 beta: http://www.repmgr.org/

REDMOND, Wash. — Aug. 29, 2012 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Stephen Schueler will join the company as corporate vice president of Retail Sales and Marketing. In his position, Schueler will be responsible for driving demand through global retail partners and ensuring customers receive a great service experience.

Schueler joins Microsoft from Procter & Gamble, where he most recently served as general manager for the Global Retail Operations Group responsible for global merchandising, promotion, and the third-party selling organizations. He will report to Chris Capossela, Chief Marketing Officer for Microsoft.

“I am pleased to have someone with Steve’s talent and deep experience leading our retail sales and marketing efforts,” said Capossela. “Steve is joining us at a pivotal moment for the company as we prepare to deliver Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, and the new Office, as well as new Xbox 360 and Kinect experiences such as ‘Halo 4’ and ‘Nike+ Kinect.’”

“Microsoft has a strong history of partnering with the world’s most successful retail organizations,” said Schueler. “I look forward to deepening our relationships as we enter the most exciting launch season in Microsoft’s history. This is an incredible opportunity to draw upon my 24 years of retail experience at P&G and apply my learnings to the innovative world of technology.”

Schueler joined Procter & Gamble in 1988. Prior to leading Global Retail Operations he served as general manager of Procter & Gamble’s Eastern Europe Distribution Company, where he helped set the go-to-market strategy, vision, and planning for the organization. Steve has a long history with international business after working in the US, Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

REDMOND, Wash. — Aug. 29, 2012 — Students ages 16 and older can now register for Microsoft Imagine Cup 2013, the world’s premier student technology competition, in its 11th year. To inspire more students and encourage a wider variety of aspiring innovators to participate, Microsoft Corp. has redesigned Imagine Cup around three new core competitions — World Citizenship, Games and Innovation — and more than doubled the prize money to US$300,000.

More than 1.65 million students across the globe have participated in Imagine Cup during the past decade, creating applications and games that address the world’s toughest social problems. The 2013 competition builds on the core elements that have been most popular with students in the past 10 years — social impact and gaming — while expanding the competition’s focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. In Imagine Cup 2013, students may compete in the following competitions:

• World Citizenship. Honors the software application developed on Microsoft platforms with the greatest potential to make a positive impact on humanity. For example, a project might address education-, social- or healthcare-related problems.

• Games. Honors the most engaging and entertaining games targeting teens and youth, built on Microsoft platforms (Windows 8, Windows Phone, Kinect for Windows Software Development Kit, and Xbox Indie Games).

• Innovation. Honors apps that give consumers inspiration and innovation at their fingertips, whether it be a new spin on social networks, online shopping or search, built with Microsoft tools and technology.

In addition to the competitions, students can register to compete in online Challenges focused on specific technologies and platforms, including Windows 8, Windows Azure and Windows Phone.

Imagine Cup is a global, yearlong competition that culminates in a Worldwide Finals event, to take place in St. Petersburg, Russia, July 8–11, 2013. Worldwide Finalists will also have the chance to apply for Microsoft Imagine Cup Grants as part of a three-year, $3 million investment by Microsoft to help students turn their ideas into reality.

“Imagine Cup is the beginning of a lifelong journey for a young entrepreneur, inventor, designer, developer or innovator,” said John Scott Tynes, Imagine Cup competition strategy and development manager. “With the evolution of Imagine Cup, we’re further inspiring students from all academic backgrounds to collaborate on applications and seize opportunities post-Imagine Cup to polish their applications, gain the support they need to bring their technology to market, and fully realize their potential to impact their local communities and the world.”

Many Imagine Cup participants, such as team Wormhole IT, which competed in the Worldwide Finals in 2007, have taken lessons learned from Imagine Cup to enhance their projects and launch small businesses post-event. “Without Imagine Cup, we would have never received the feedback that we needed to turn our application into a reality,” said Sally Buberman, of Wormhole IT, who participated as judge at this year’s competition. “It was more than a competition; it was the chance to showcase our application and learn what it would take to launch a profitable business based upon our idea.” Wormhole IT, with locations in Argentina and the U.S., offers webconferencing and online platforms that can be used for educators to communicate with students in different locations, especially in developing regions where connectivity is poor.

Students interested in signing up for Imagine Cup 2013 may register on the website, http://www.imaginecup.com.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.