Posts from May 02, 2006

I am going on a training course about Oracle RAC at Microsofts offices in Redmond (near America) so I get to wear chinos and a polo shirt and play with an Xbox in reception.

In fact, it's even better than that. This course is actually described as a 'Technical Hands-On Workshop'.

My only previous exposure to RAC was a few years ago, rote learning the Oracle manuals parrot fashion for an interview at a large UK Telco. The interviewer was an experienced, senior Oracle DBA and, inevitably, much to my embarassment, he found me out almost immediately.

Much to my surprise, he still recommended me for a second interview. After the interview, I asked him about my lack of practical, hands-on Oracle RAC experience. He replied 'Not many people have it. With your background and attitude, you could pick it up quite easily'.

However, I failed to get the job. The manager thought I wouldn't be 'firm enough' with the Oracle developers. And you know what, back then, he was absolutely correct.

Dont know where, dont know when but SonicStage 3.4 is available.

I havent had a chance to download 3.4 yet and I would love to be proved wrong but I suspect SonicStage remains the only software application in the modern world without a ‘Check for updates' option.

Irritatingly, this post about version 3.3 remains one of my most popular blog articles. Sigh.

I dearly wish I had not opened a newspaper this weekend.

The image of John Prescott receiving sexual gratification from his secretary, while simultaneously reviewing a Whitepaper on the environment, is one I am desperately trying to expunge from my consciousness.

I didnt mind Tom Kyte copying my PhotoBlog idea but now he is using my fantastic, amusing blog entry about the loss of Interweb connectivity in a hotel as a source for inspiration without the courtesy of an attribution or a [Via] reference.

What next ? The 'death' of a domestic rodent ?

If this blatant plagiarism continues, I will be forced to take action.

British Airways are taking steps to move the queues from the conventional check-in desks on UK domestic flights to queues at the self-service kiosks and even lengthier queues at the 'Fast Bag Drop' desk which will be renamed 'Bag Drop' to comply with the Trades Description Act.

This is good news and it will be interesting to see the effects but please take care when printing your board pass.