Oracle 10g Express Edition

I'm teaching a course on Oracle SQL PL/SQL right now using Oracle's 10g Express edition.

This edition allows you to have a fully operational version of the powerful Oracle database on your PC. So far, it's been great!

Here's the link...the install is fast and easy, you just need to register with Oracle to download and install it.

http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/xe/index.html

There's also a newer version of Oracle 11g Standard Edition available if you would rather work with that one--here's the link for that...

http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/index.htm

Along with installing the database, it would be a great idea of also install Oracle SQL Developer, which is a GUI for managing the database. Here's the direct link for Oracle SQL Developer...

http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/sql/index.html

By the way, if you are interested in learning more about the course, follow this link...

http://www.johnsmiley.com/main/training.htm

Creating Microsoft Vista Gadgets

I just received an email from a reader asking if I knew how to create Vista Sidebar Gadgets.

I don't--but I do see that Microsoft has a tutorial on building them---that might make an interesting Seminar for my Internet School. Here's the link for Part 1...

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/topics/vista/gadgets-pt1.mspx

I don't see a Part 2.

One of my Internet students works in a quarry!

One of my Internet students works in a quarry--that is pretty neat!

Here's an excerpt from his bio...

I live in the UK in a place called Greenhithe which is a village on the outskirts of London. I have been working in the IT side of things for over 10 years now.

My current role is as a Systems Support Technician for one of the main retailers in the UK called John Lewis. John Lewis is a Partnership which means that the people who work for the business (referred to as Partners) are co owners and share some of the profit in the form of a bonus each year (in effect the shareholders are the people who work in the business).

We are part of the largest shopping Centre in Europe, which is built in a giant quarry.

Although I only live 5 mins away from where I work I don't hear it at all because the quarry walls do a great job at keeping the sound in

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/kent/bluwatershoppingaerial.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/v/kent/Bluwater/&h=2912&w=4368&sz=4126&hl=en&start=5&um=1&usg=__djU10zGKxso7LTuMI0VQclFRzps=&tbnid=SiX7cr3cKVAk2M:&tbnh=100&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3DBluewater%2Bshopping%2BCentre%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

Bye bye Retrofitness

I'm cancelling my Retrofitness Membership, effective January 11, 2009---they need to fix their water fountain and they need kettlebells.

Aside from that, I thought it was a decent health club---one of the best that I've belonged to.

However, at this point in my life, I'm more into outdoor cardio (jogging) than I am indoor cardio or weight training.

Still, they could probably change my mind if they got the kettlebells.

Programming for Kids from MSDN Microsoft

On a similar note, Microsoft also has some great free materials specifically for kids. Check out this link...

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/beginner/bb308754.aspx

Beginner Programming from MSDN Microsoft

I just noticed that Microsoft has some interesting material on their website for Beginner Programmers. At one time my agent at StudioB was going to pitch this idea to Microsoft with me as the moderator. Oh well, let's not cry over spilled milk---here's the link...

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/beginner/default.aspx

They have two tracks---Web or Windows Development.

Be sure to check out the Coding4fun blog

http://blogs.msdn.com/coding4fun/

Waiting on Google Adsense

About 2 years ago I had a Google Adsense account which allowed me to make some money from advertisements that Google would place on my website.

Unfortunately, I mentioned this in one of my Penn State classes, and some enterprising students wrote a program that clicked on the Adsense links about 10 million times, causing Google to drop me because they termed me a 'click bandit'.

My emails to Google (along with those of the two students) did me no good--and since then, I've been unable to get them to reinstate my account.

When I created this blog, I received a notification from Google that I could apply to have advertisements displayed in my very dynamic blog (so far, no one has read it :)

I'm still waiting for word from Google as to whether all is forgiven.

I hope so.