For all the linux salesforce.com users, here’s how you can use data loader on a linux.

First download the hacked version of the data loader that was made by Bluewolf’s own, David Lin

Then follow these directions:

1. Extract the files to a location of your choice (an ApexDataLoader_12 subdirectory already exists) ie. tar xvzf ApexDataLoader12.tar.gz
2. In the root of the extracted directory make executable the script that I wrote to call run the jar with the necessary java parameters
   ie. chmod a+x dataloader
3. Set your JAVA_HOME variable
4. Run the script(from the directory) and migrate data ie. ./dataloader

Enjoy!

I am not a sales person at all, but I am going to pitch you this amazing enhancement from SF.com. 

(It is quite amazing…)

Sales VP’s of the world;  Have you asked yourself lately how I can encourage and easily share knowledge on successful deals without paying a dime in this horrible recession??

Sales rep’s of the world;  Have you ever wonder how your colleague has so many f**&&$% deals won in a given month? (Excuse my French) And how you can reap the benefits, too??

Look no further.  In the coming Spring ‘09 release you will have the competitive edge in winning more businesses. There is going to be a standard SF.com functionality (I know, how can it be from salesforce.com?) where you will be able to “Find(ing) Similar Opportunities”.

What does that mean??

You can easily bookmark  relevant opportunities in SF.com on your deals.  That way, those selfish top dogs will not keep their secret no longer; and to all the Eric Berridge’s in the world (He is our CEO.  I just hope he didn’t trademark his name, because it will be coming out of my pocket real soon),  you will have your resources the tools to bring in more $$ for you.

Footnote * Yes, I am from the digital generation where I grew up typing in symbols rather than actual vocabulary chosen from a conventional English dictionary. *

So, throw away those expensive document management, content management, knowledge management, something management application you’ve been paying and start using “Finding Similar Opportunities” with standard SF.com functionality.  (It’s free, if you didn’t catch that.)

Geez, you think I work for salesforce.com, but I really work for Bluewolf.

It’s a related list under Opportunities.  How easy is that??

Often, salesforce.com lookup fields return too many results- narrowing it down to what you’re actually looking for can involve hitting the ‘Next Page’ link over and over and over again.  By enabling the Lookup Filter feature, you can filter your search on almost any field, making it much easier to find what you’re looking for.