I recently downloaded the new 10.x version of TOAD and could not connect to my databases. Still running TOAD 9.x, no problem. This really threw me off for a minute, so I thought I would share the resolution.

You are likely running a 64-bit Windows OS and have installed TOAD into C:\Program Files (x86)\....

I simply copied over my entire Quest Software directory from C:\Program Files (x86)\... to C:\Program Files\..., and restarted the TOAD.exe. Everything is working great, without having to reinstall anything.

PS: Not sure who to blame here. Vendors (like Oracle and TOAD) should know Microsoft is capable of doing strange things with important directory names (using spaces and, in this case, “strange” characters like parentheses)…and of course, Microsoft should simple stop perpetuating the use of these characters in important directories.

I just had a discussion with an M&S SOA Architect about the advantages and disadvantages of BPEL vs ESB, and more importantly, where to use which in practical business scenarios.

This article is part of the recent work short blurb series.

I had the age-old requirement today to build a data-driven, dynamic form…only this time with my RIA written in Adobe Flex. It was just as fun as normal, and this time it looks very nice with the RIA feel.

This article is part of the recent work short blurb series.

A few of us have got some writer’s cramp (is there such a thing when typing?) from writing an excellent WebCenter 11g book.

We have a family tree. Some people have children, while others do not. We want to sort results by alphabetically listing individuals with children in an initial group, and then those without children in a second group — also alphabetically. Let’s assume there is not an isParent column (nor the equivalent) on the table, but there is a way to determine how many children each individual has.

Following is a sortable table of the most common Linux commands we use on a day-to-day basis while implementing and maintaining Oracle Fusion Middleware environments.

I have just had a heck of a time with installing BPA (Architect) Evaluation on a Windows Server 2003 machine. There were no inherent issues with the product itself, but some gotchas that I thought I might point out. For the following, I assumed you are installing on a single machine for testing/evaluation purposes like I was.

For one, if you were familiar with BPA 10.1.3.3, there is no longer an auto-installable olite database option. You must use Oracle XE Universal (or better) and you should have it installed locally prior to installing BPA. Note: You should use XE Universal specifically so you get the AL32UTF8 character set that is expected by the BPA install.

After I got the character set squared away, I continued to receive a database connection error

It’s a well known and established fact that one of the only constants in life is change

It wasn’t that long ago (it seems) that I was asked to look at Oracle APEX and Oracle XE for work, and devise a tutorial for it’s installation and beginner use. It has been almost a year since then, and I find myself revisiting it after my last project. In that short amount of time there have been a few rather large changes. While Oracle XE is still at 10g, where it was originally, the APEX system itself has undergone 2 fairly large updates, going from the 3.0.1 version I orginally was working with to, 3.1, and now 3.2 being the current version.

Upgrading from 3.0.1 to 3.2 is supposed to be smooth, but we shall test and see for ourselves.

After all, if I can’t change with the times, the times won’t stop changing for me.

It is sometimes hard to find Cisco VPN Clients for download. Below is a place that seems to have current and old downloads at the moment:

Click for current downloads.

Click for old downloads.

I am a big fan of RIA, Flex, and Flash UIs in general. So, why do I feel that the flash-based version of Oracle MetaLink sucks? Here is a quick top 5:

1. I usually develop on a machine other than my own: using remote desktop with anything flash-based is fairly useless in my experience. Waiting for animations to refresh on the screen is dreadful.
2. I have more problems. I can’t say I liked the UI of the old MetaLink, but my experience was consistent and stable.
3. I end up having to log-in more with the Flash version…rarely, but randomly…while I am using the site actively.
4. My head hurts with everything going on in the new MetaLink
5. Did I mention my head hurts? I need to go.

Note: I hope to start liking the new MetaLink soon. I realize the old one is going away at some point, so I better get on board, but I do hope Oracle comes up with a “MetaLink light” offering, with minimal movement and a stripped down interface (spelled “the existing/old MetaLink”).

http://supporthtml.oracle.com

I meant to update the post a while back; thanks for commenting and reminding me ssu.