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  • Hyper-V for Developers - presentation from NxtGenUG Oxford (including link to more info on Dynamic M

    - by Liam Westley
    Many thanks to Richard Hopton and the NxtGenUG guys in Oxford for inviting me to talk on Hyper-V for Developers last night, and for Research Machines for providing the venue.  It was great to have developers not yet using Hyper-V who were really interested in some of the finer points to help them with specific requirements. For those wanting to follow up on the topics I covered, you can download the presentation deck as either PDF (with speaker notes included) or as the original PowerPoint slidedeck,   http://www.tigernews.co.uk/blog-twickers/nxtgenugoxford/HyperV4Devs.pdf   http://www.tigernews.co.uk/blog-twickers/nxtgenugoxford/HyperV4Devs.zip I also mentioned the new feature, Dynamic Memory, coming in Service Pack 1, had been presented in a session at TechEd 2010 by Ben Armstrong, and you can download his presentation from here,   http://blogs.msdn.com/b/virtual_pc_guy/archive/2010/06/08/talking-about-dynamic-memory.aspx

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  • Any suggestions how it would be good to promote software in a small company ?

    - by Derfder
    Ok, I know if I am Red hat or other giant and offer some support etc. I can be profitable, in fact, Red Hat is doing quite well. However, what about a small company where I create a small program. e.g. an instant messenger for a windows or linux (just as an illustration) and I want to sell it. But how can I sell it if it is free and everybody can download it? Any advice? I like the idea of FSF by Richard Stallman, however I am missing the way how to sell my software under GNU/GPL licence. Any advice, how can I solve this problem? Any profitable small business software developers around with their opinion? Any links or names of small companies taht I can look at and study their model of business?

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  • Can not print after upgrading from 12.x to 14.04

    - by user318889
    After upgrading from V12.04 to V14.04 I am not able to print. I am using an HP LaserJet 400 M451dn. The printer troubleshooter told me that there is no solution to the problem. This is the output of the advanced diagnositc output. (Due to limited space I cut the output!) Can anybody tell me what is going wrong. I am using the printer via USB ? Page 1 (Scheduler not running?): {'cups_connection_failure': False} Page 2 (Is local server publishing?): {'local_server_exporting_printers': False} Page 3 (Choose printer): {'cups_dest': , 'cups_instance': None, 'cups_queue': u'HP-LaserJet-400-color-M451dn', 'cups_queue_listed': True} Page 4 (Check printer sanity): {'cups_device_uri_scheme': u'hp', 'cups_printer_dict': {'device-uri': u'hp:/usb/HP_LaserJet_400_color_M451dn?serial=CNFF308670', 'printer-info': u'Hewlett-Packard HP LaserJet 400 color M451dn', 'printer-is-shared': True, 'printer-location': u'Pinatubo', 'printer-make-and-model': u'HP LJ 300-400 color M351-M451 Postscript (recommended)', 'printer-state': 4, 'printer-state-message': u'', 'printer-state-reasons': [u'none'], 'printer-type': 8556636, 'printer-uri-supported': u'ipp://localhost:631/printers/HP-LaserJet-400-color-M451dn'}, 'cups_printer_remote': False, 'hplip_output': (['', '\x1b[01mHP Linux Imaging and Printing System (ver. 3.14.6)\x1b[0m', '\x1b[01mDevice Information Utility ver. 5.2\x1b[0m', '', 'Copyright (c) 2001-13 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP', 'This software comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.', 'This is free software, and you are welcome to distribute it', 'under certain conditions. See COPYING file for more details.', '', '', '\x1b[01mhp:/usb/HP_LaserJet_400_color_M451dn?serial=CNFF308670\x1b[0m', '', '\x1b[01mDevice Parameters (dynamic data):\x1b[0m', '\x1b[01m Parameter Value(s) \x1b[0m', ' ---------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------', ' back-end hp ', " cups-printers ['HP-LaserJet-400-color-M451dn'] ", ' cups-uri hp:/usb/HP_LaserJet_400_color_M451dn?serial=CNFF308670 ', ' dev-file ', ' device-state -1 ', ' device-uri hp:/usb/HP_LaserJet_400_color_M451dn?serial=CNFF308670 ', ' deviceid ', ' error-state 101 ', ' host ', ' is-hp True ', ' panel 0 ', ' panel-line1 ', ' panel-line2 ', ' port 1 ', ' serial CNFF308670 ', ' status-code 5002 ', ' status-desc ', '\x1b[01m', 'Model Parameters (static data):\x1b[0m', '\x1b[01m Parameter Value(s) \x1b[0m', ' ---------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------', ' align-type 0 ', ' clean-type 0 ', ' color-cal-type 0 ', ' copy-type 0 ', ' embedded-server-type 0 ', ' fax-type 0 ', ' fw-download False ', ' icon hp_color_laserjet_cp2025.png ', ' io-mfp-mode 1 ', ' io-mode 1 ', ' io-support 6 ', ' job-storage 0 ', ' linefeed-cal-type 0 ', ' model HP_LaserJet_400_color_M451dn ', ' model-ui HP LaserJet 400 Color m451dn ', ' model1 HP LaserJet 400 Color M451dn ', ' monitor-type 0 ', ' panel-check-type 0 ', ' pcard-type 0 ', ' plugin 0 ', ' plugin-reason 0 ', ' power-settings 0 ', ' ppd-name lj_300_400_color_m351_m451 ', ' pq-diag-type 0 ', ' r-type 0 ', ' r0-agent1-kind 4 ', ' r0-agent1-sku CE410A/CE410X ', ' r0-agent1-type 1 ', ' r0-agent2-kind 4 ', ' r0-agent2-sku CE411A ', ' r0-agent2-type 4 ', ' r0-agent3-kind 4 ', ' r0-agent3-sku CE413A ', ' r0-agent3-type 5 ', ' r0-agent4-kind 4 ', ' r0-agent4-sku CE412A ', ' r0-agent4-type 6 ', ' scan-src 0 ', ' scan-type 0 ', ' status-battery-check 0 ', ' status-dynamic-counters 0 ', ' status-type 3 ', ' support-released True ', ' support-subtype 2202411 ', ' support-type 2 ', ' support-ver 3.12.2 ', " tech-class ['Postscript'] ", " tech-subclass ['Normal'] ", ' tech-type 4 ', ' usb-pid 3882 ', ' usb-vid 1008 ', ' wifi-config 0 ', '\x1b[01m', 'Status History (most recent first):\x1b[0m', '\x1b[01m Date/Time Code Status Description User Job ID \x1b[0m', ' -------------------- ----- ---------------------------------------- -------- --------', ' 08/21/14 00:07:25 5012 Device communication error richard 0 ', ' 08/20/14 13:42:44 500 Started a print job richard 4214 ', '', '', 'Done.', ''], ['\x1b[35;01mwarning: No display found.\x1b[0m', '\x1b[31;01merror: hp-info -u/--gui requires Qt4 GUI support. Entering interactive mode.\x1b[0m', '\x1b[31;01merror: Unable to communicate with device (code=12): hp:/usb/HP_LaserJet_400_color_M451dn?serial=CNFF308670\x1b[0m', '\x1b[31;01merror: Error opening device (Device not found).\x1b[0m', ''], 0), 'is_cups_class': False, 'local_cups_queue_attributes': {'charset-configured': u'utf-8', 'charset-supported': [u'us-ascii', u'utf-8'], 'color-supported': True, 'compression-supported': [u'none', u'gzip'], 'copies-default': 1, 'copies-supported': (1, 9999), 'cups-version': u'1.7.2', 'device-uri': u'hp:/usb/HP_LaserJet_400_color_M451dn?serial=CNFF308670', 'document-format-default': u'application/octet-stream', 'document-format-supported': [u'application/octet-stream', u'application/pdf', u'application/postscript', u'application/vnd.adobe-reader-postscript', u'application/vnd.cups-command', u'application/vnd.cups-pdf', u'application/vnd.cups-pdf-banner', u'application/vnd.cups-postscript', u'application/vnd.cups-raw', u'application/vnd.samsung-ps', u'application/x-cshell', u'application/x-csource', u'application/x-perl', u'application/x-shell', u'image/gif', u'image/jpeg', u'image/png', u'image/tiff', u'image/urf', u'image/x-bitmap', u'image/x-photocd', u'image/x-portable-anymap', u'image/x-portable-bitmap', u'image/x-portable-graymap', u'image/x-portable-pixmap', u'image/x-sgi-rgb', u'image/x-sun-raster', u'image/x-xbitmap', u'image/x-xpixmap', u'image/x-xwindowdump', u'text/css', u'text/html', u'text/plain'], 'finishings-default': 3, 'finishings-supported': [3], 'generated-natural-language-supported': [u'en-us'], 'ipp-versions-supported': [u'1.0', u'1.1', u'2.0', u'2.1'], 'ippget-event-life': 15, 'job-creation-attributes-supported': [u'copies', u'finishings', u'ipp-attribute-fidelity', u'job-hold-until', u'job-name', u'job-priority', u'job-sheets', u'media', u'media-col', u'multiple-document-handling', u'number-up', u'output-bin', u'orientation-requested', u'page-ranges', u'print-color-mode', u'print-quality', u'printer-resolution', u'sides'], 'job-hold-until-default': u'no-hold', 'job-hold-until-supported': [u'no-hold', u'indefinite', u'day-time', u'evening', u'night', u'second-shift', u'third-shift', u'weekend'], 'job-ids-supported': True, 'job-k-limit': 0, 'job-k-octets-supported': (0, 470914416), 'job-page-limit': 0, 'job-priority-default': 50, 'job-priority-supported': [100], 'job-quota-period': 0, 'job-settable-attributes-supported': [u'copies', u'finishings', u'job-hold-until', u'job-name', u'job-priority', u'media', u'media-col', u'multiple-document-handling', u'number-up', u'output-bin', u'orientation-requested', u'page-ranges', u'print-color-mode', u'print-quality', u'printer-resolution', u'sides'], 'job-sheets-default': (u'none', u'none'), 'job-sheets-supported': [u'none', u'classified', u'confidential', u'form', u'secret', u'standard', u'topsecret', u'unclassified'], 'jpeg-k-octets-supported': (0, 470914416), 'jpeg-x-dimension-supported': (0, 65535), 'jpeg-y-dimension-supported': (1, 65535), 'marker-change-time': 0, 'media-bottom-margin-supported': [423], 'media-col-default': u'(unknown IPP value tag 0x34)', 'media-col-supported': [u'media-bottom-margin', u'media-left-margin', u'media-right-margin', u'media-size', u'media-source', u'media-top-margin', u'media-type'], 'media-default': u'iso_a4_210x297mm', 'media-left-margin-supported': [423], 'media-right-margin-supported': [423],

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  • IHRIM's Latest Workforce Solutions Review Focuses on Risk!

    - by Jay Richey, HCM Product Marketing
    IHRIM's latest edition of the Workforce Solution's Review magazine (in print and online) has some really compelling features and articles focused on HCM risk and compliance management.  Check out this line-up and sign up if you aren't already a member.  It's well worth it.  http://www.ihrimpublications.com/WSR_about.php Three to Watch: HR's Growing Compliance Responsibilities for Data Security, Genetic Nondiscrimination, and Anti-Bribery Laws     By W. Scott Blackmer and Richard Santalesa, InfoLawGroup, LLP Global HR and International Background Check Best Practices     By Terry Corley, Aletheia Consulting Group Compliance: Old Wine in New Wineskins?     By Ursula Christina Fellberg, Ph.D., UCF-StrategieBeraterin Join the HR/HR technology professionals who have subscribed for so many years to IHRIM’s publications and become a reader today by visiting  http://www.ihrimpublications.com/amember/signup.php.  

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  • Erland Sommarskog: DBA of the Day

    Erland is best known for his famous SQL Server site http://www.sommarskog.se/. It is plain, it has eight articles in it, it is short on jokes: However, it is hugely popular and one of the great 'essential' SQL Server sites. We sent Richard Morris to find out more about Erland, and he discovered a diligent and energetic teacher and mentor in the SQL Server Community....Did you know that DotNetSlackers also publishes .net articles written by top known .net Authors? We already have over 80 articles in several categories including Silverlight. Take a look: here.

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  • This week in the OTN Architect Center

    - by Bob Rhubart
    Updated every Monday, the Oracle Technology Network Architect Center is your one-stop for the latest content drawn from across the architect community. You find the articles and white papers, the latest ArchBeat Podcast, selected blog posts from community leaders, a list of events for architects, along with the latest information on Oracle products. Featured this week: A Fusion Applications Technical Overview A sample chapter from Managing Oracle Fusion Applications by Richard Bingham, new from Oracle Press. Oracle Optimized Solution for Lifecycle Content Management A new white paper from Donna Harland and Nick Kloski. Toronto Architect Day Panel Discussion - Part 2 The second of a four-part program featuring a live recording of the panel discussion from OTN Architect Day in Toronto, featuring Oracle ACE Director Cary Millsap, InfoQ.com editor and co-founder Floyd Marinescu, and members of Oracle's Enterprise Architecture team. Check it out: OTN Architect Center

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  • Twitter Tuesday - Top 10 @ArchBeat Tweets - May 27 - June 2, 2014

    - by OTN ArchBeat
    The Top 10 tweets from @OTNArchBeat for the last seven days, May 27- June 2, 2014.. RT @Java_EE: We changed the term from #J2EE and #JEE to Java EE in May 2006. Let's educate all users and especially recruiters. Retweet! May 30, 2014 at 12:00 AM Video: #kscope14 Preview: @timtow on Essbase Java API and @ODTUG Community Jun 02, 2014 at 12:00 AM #GoldenGate and #ODI - A Perfect Match in 12c - Part 1: Getting Started | Michael Rainey Jun 02, 2014 at 12:00 AM Podcast: Developing Enterprise Mobile Apps - Part 2 w/ @chriscmuir @fnimphiu @stevendavelaar @lucb_ May 29, 2014 at 12:00 AM Caveats on Using #WebLogic Server with JDK7 | @JayJayZheng May 28, 2014 at 12:00 AM SOA and Business Processes: You are the Process! @gschmutz @dschmied @t_winterberg et al #industrialsoa May 27, 2014 at 12:00 AM Video: #Kscope14 Preview: Data Modeling and Moving Meditation with @KentGraziano May 28, 2014 at 12:00 AM #Kscope14 Preview: @ericerikson on #HFM Metadata Diagnostics and more @ODTUG Jun 02, 2014 at 12:00 AM Extract Data from #FusionApps via Web Services | Richard Williams May 29, 2014 at 12:00 AM Top 10 @ArchBeat Tweets - May 20-26 #KScope14 #OBIEE #WebLogic #WebCenter May 27, 2014 at 12:00 AM

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  • Webcast Replay: Extreme Performance for Consolidated Workloads with Oracle Exadata

    - by kimberly.billings
    If you missed our live webcast Extreme Performance for Consolidated Workloads with Oracle Exadata last week, the replay is now available. Watch the free on-demand webcast in which Tim Shetler, Vice President of Oracle Database Product Management, and Richard Exley, Consulting Member of Technical Staff, discuss how Oracle Exadata can help you can significantly improve application performance and reduce infrastructure costs by consolidating transaction processing, data warehousing, or mixed workloads on Oracle Exadata. Note: (1) Turn off pop-up blockers if the slides do not advance automatically. (2) Slides are available for download. var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-13185312-1"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {}

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  • Google I/O 2012 - So You've Read the Design Guide; Now What?

    Google I/O 2012 - So You've Read the Design Guide; Now What? Daniel Lehmann, Tor Norbye, Richard Ngo The Android Design Guide describes how to design beautiful Android apps, but not how to build them. In this talk we'll give practical tips for how to apply fit & finish as you are implementing your design, we'll show you how to avoid some common pitfalls, we'll describe some useful patterns, and show you how tools can help. For all I/O 2012 sessions, go to developers.google.com From: GoogleDevelopers Views: 38 1 ratings Time: 56:31 More in Science & Technology

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  • Survey says: Java technology rules

    - by hinkmond
    Eclipse came out with their Open Source Developer Report and Survey for 2012. In it, we see (in the words of the immortal Richard Dawson, RIP) "Surveys Says!": Java computer programming language is on top. See: Java is the top Here's a quote: The Eclipse community was invited to participate in the survey between April 23 and May 15 of this year. Skerrett says the Foundation promoted the survey primarily through social media (Facebook, Twitter) and online forums. Of the 840 people who responded, 732 completed the survey... So, now we know who's on top, we can keep this in mind the next time this question comes up on Family Feud. Hinkmond

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  • Google a-t-il raté son entrée sur le marché des tablettes ? Android connaît une "croissance pénible" d'après DisplaySearch

    Google a-t-il raté son entrée sur le marché des tablettes ? Android connaît une "croissance pénible" d'après DisplaySearch Six mois après le lancement d'Android 3 (alias Honeycomb), force est de constater que les ventes des tablettes qui tournent dessus sont loin de défrayer les chroniques, elles ne semblent pas être en mesure en tout cas de freiner les ventes frénétiques de l'iPad d'Apple. Pour l'analyste Richard Shim de DisplaySearch, l'univers Android connaît une « croissance pénible » avec Honeycomb : « il est clair que les premières tablettes fondées sur Android ne s'écoulent pas aussi bien que ce que beaucoup attendaient, quelques marques avec lesquelles ...

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  • Google I/O 2012 - Navigation in Android

    Google I/O 2012 - Navigation in Android Adam Powell, Richard Fulcher An app is useless if people can't find their way around it. Android introduced big navigation-support changes in 3.0 and 4.0. The Action Bar offers a convenient control for Up navigation, the Back key's behavior became more consistent within tasks, and the Recent Tasks UI got an overhaul. In this talk, we discuss how and why we got where we are today, how to think about navigation when designing your app's user experience, and how to write apps that offer effortless navigation in multiple Android versions. For all I/O 2012 sessions, go to developers.google.com From: GoogleDevelopers Views: 31 0 ratings Time: 01:01:53 More in Science & Technology

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  • “????Java”???!?JavaOne Tokyo 2012?

    - by hideki ito
    2012?4?4??5??2????????????????49???JavaOne Tokyo 2012??????????7???4??????????????2011???????????Moving Java Forward?????“????Java”???????Java????????????????????2?????????(4?4????????) 2??????????????! ?????2????JavaOne Technical Keynote????????????????????????·?????????????????????Java??????????????????????? ??????????????????Java Rap?(!?) ??????????????·???????? Java???????????????????????·????Alex Buckley?Project Coin???????? ???????·???????? Java???·??????·???????Richard Bair?JavaFX???????????????Oracle Corporation ????·???????? Java EE?????????Java???????Mike Keith?Java EE???????????????????????????????? ????&??????????·??????????Terrence Barr??Java ME?Java Embedded??????????????????????? 2??????????????????????????????????????????? ????????49??????????????????????????????????????Java?????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????Duke??????????????????????????????????…? 7????????????JavaOne Tokyo 2012??????????Java???????????????????????2?????????2012?9?30???10?4????????????????JavaOne 2012????????????????Java????????????????????????????????????????????????! JavaOne 2012 San Francisco http://www.oracle.com/javaone/index.html

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  • How to use css to change <pre> font size

    - by user289346
    pre{font-family:cursive;font-style:italic;font-size:xxx-small} how to change pre font size Hancock New Hampshire: Massachusetts: Rhode Island: Connecticut: New York: New Jersey: Pennsylvania: Josiah Bartlett, John Hancock, Stephen Hopkins, Roger Sherman, William Floyd, Richard Stockton, Robert Morris, William Whipple, Samuel Adams, William Ellery Samuel Huntington, Philip Livingston, John Witherspoon, Benjamin Franklin, Matthew Thornton

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  • Good C# Networking Book

    - by Dan
    Hey guys I am looking for a good solid introduction book to the fundementals of network programming in C#. For example is have looked at this one http://www.amazon.com/C-Network-Programming-Richard-Blum/dp/0782141765/ref=pd_sim_b_5 but it is quite old now. Anyone used one recently, i would greatly appriciate it thanks dan

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  • C++ alignment when printing cout <<

    - by user69514
    Is there a way to align text when priting using cout? I'm using tabs, but when the words are too big they won't be aligned anymore Sales Report for September 15, 2010 Artist Title Price Genre Disc Sale Tax Cash Merle Blue 12.99 Country 4% 12.47 1.01 13.48 Richard Music 8.49 Classical 8% 7.81 0.66 8.47 Paula Shut 8.49 Classical 8% 7.81 0.72 8.49

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  • seeking j2ee books recommendation

    - by john
    Hi, I'm thinking of a serious training in j2ee and found there are too many books to choose from. Could you kindly share your insights as a practicing professional in this respect? For example, some people in other post recommend "SCWCD Exam Study Kit Second Edition Java Web Component Developer Certification Hanumant Deshmukh, Jignesh Malavia, and Matthew Scarpino" by quickly looking at Amazon, I found Enterprise JavaBeans 3.0 (5th Edition) [Paperback] Richard Monson-Haefel received 141 reviews.... thanks

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  • who do you admire in a scientific/technical field [closed]

    - by Tshepang
    This off-topic item refers to people with major achievements in fields such as engineering, science, and mathematics. Here's my picks: Eric Drexler for his work on molecular nanotech. His book, Engines of Creations, is mind-blowing. Robert Freitas for his work on molecular nanotech. The breadth of his multi-volume book, Nanomedicine, is impressive. Richard Stallman for promoting Free Software.

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  • Holiday Book Recommendation

    - by dalton
    I'm after a book to read whilst on holiday. Some criteria: The book has to be relatively short. < 500 pages. I'd prefer a book that changes your thinking, rather than reams of syntax to look at. So the last two years here have been my books: Last year, The Craftsman by Richard Sennet (Changed how I viewed career development, quality) Year before, Zen and The art of motorcycle maintenance (Makes you think about quality, maintenance)

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  • nHibernate versus LLBLGen Pro

    - by Rippo
    I am trying to work out with ORM tool to move over to and have narrowed it down to two candidates. nHibernate or LLBLGen Pro Please can you guys give me pros and cons in using both these tools especially if you have experience in both. I am not really interested in any other tools but am wanting some heads up so I can decide which tool to spend time learning.... I already know that one is free and one isn't, I also know that nHibernate might take some learning.... Many thanks, Richard

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  • Does generation of debug information to JSP classes add much to javac execution time?

    - by Rich
    Hi I am looking looking into the options for tweaking the performance of JBoss 5.1.0 and one of the options available to me is to disable the generation of debug information when compiling JSPs. I know that the presence/absence of debug information for the JVM makes no real difference, but does the generation of that debug information add much to compile time? Thanks in advance Richard

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  • IE has restricted this webpage from running scripts problem

    - by moustafa
    Hi, I would like to have some rotating sequential images on my home page of my website. I do not know how to do this and have found code on the internet for only displaying random images. The main problem is this. Every time the page loads I get a pop-up "to help protect your security, IE has restricted this webpage from running scripts or ActiveX controls that could access your computer". Please can someone help prehaps with an example to enable this to work without this pop-up Thanks Richard

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  • HTG Explains: Should You Build Your Own PC?

    - by Chris Hoffman
    There was a time when every geek seemed to build their own PC. While the masses bought eMachines and Compaqs, geeks built their own more powerful and reliable desktop machines for cheaper. But does this still make sense? Building your own PC still offers as much flexibility in component choice as it ever did, but prebuilt computers are available at extremely competitive prices. Building your own PC will no longer save you money in most cases. The Rise of Laptops It’s impossible to look at the decline of geeks building their own PCs without considering the rise of laptops. There was a time when everyone seemed to use desktops — laptops were more expensive and significantly slower in day-to-day tasks. With the diminishing importance of computing power — nearly every modern computer has more than enough power to surf the web and use typical programs like Microsoft Office without any trouble — and the rise of laptop availability at nearly every price point, most people are buying laptops instead of desktops. And, if you’re buying a laptop, you can’t really build your own. You can’t just buy a laptop case and start plugging components into it — even if you could, you would end up with an extremely bulky device. Ultimately, to consider building your own desktop PC, you have to actually want a desktop PC. Most people are better served by laptops. Benefits to PC Building The two main reasons to build your own PC have been component choice and saving money. Building your own PC allows you to choose all the specific components you want rather than have them chosen for you. You get to choose everything, including the PC’s case and cooling system. Want a huge case with room for a fancy water-cooling system? You probably want to build your own PC. In the past, this often allowed you to save money — you could get better deals by buying the components yourself and combining them, avoiding the PC manufacturer markup. You’d often even end up with better components — you could pick up a more powerful CPU that was easier to overclock and choose more reliable components so you wouldn’t have to put up with an unstable eMachine that crashed every day. PCs you build yourself are also likely more upgradable — a prebuilt PC may have a sealed case and be constructed in such a way to discourage you from tampering with the insides, while swapping components in and out is generally easier with a computer you’ve built on your own. If you want to upgrade your CPU or replace your graphics card, it’s a definite benefit. Downsides to Building Your Own PC It’s important to remember there are downsides to building your own PC, too. For one thing, it’s just more work — sure, if you know what you’re doing, building your own PC isn’t that hard. Even for a geek, researching the best components, price-matching, waiting for them all to arrive, and building the PC just takes longer. Warranty is a more pernicious problem. If you buy a prebuilt PC and it starts malfunctioning, you can contact the computer’s manufacturer and have them deal with it. You don’t need to worry about what’s wrong. If you build your own PC and it starts malfunctioning, you have to diagnose the problem yourself. What’s malfunctioning, the motherboard, CPU, RAM, graphics card, or power supply? Each component has a separate warranty through its manufacturer, so you’ll have to determine which component is malfunctioning before you can send it off for replacement. Should You Still Build Your Own PC? Let’s say you do want a desktop and are willing to consider building your own PC. First, bear in mind that PC manufacturers are buying in bulk and getting a better deal on each component. They also have to pay much less for a Windows license than the $120 or so it would cost you to to buy your own Windows license. This is all going to wipe out the cost savings you’ll see — with everything all told, you’ll probably spend more money building your own average desktop PC than you would picking one up from Amazon or the local electronics store. If you’re an average PC user that uses your desktop for the typical things, there’s no money to be saved from building your own PC. But maybe you’re looking for something higher end. Perhaps you want a high-end gaming PC with the fastest graphics card and CPU available. Perhaps you want to pick out each individual component and choose the exact components for your gaming rig. In this case, building your own PC may be a good option. As you start to look at more expensive, high-end PCs, you may start to see a price gap — but you may not. Let’s say you wanted to blow thousands of dollars on a gaming PC. If you’re looking at spending this kind of money, it would be worth comparing the cost of individual components versus a prebuilt gaming system. Still, the actual prices may surprise you. For example, if you wanted to upgrade Dell’s $2293 Alienware Aurora to include a second NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 graphics card, you’d pay an additional $600 on Alienware’s website. The same graphics card costs $650 on Amazon or Newegg, so you’d be spending more money building the system yourself. Why? Dell’s Alienware gets bulk discounts you can’t get — and this is Alienware, which was once regarded as selling ridiculously overpriced gaming PCs to people who wouldn’t build their own. Building your own PC still allows you to get the most freedom when choosing and combining components, but this is only valuable to a small niche of gamers and professional users — most people, even average gamers, would be fine going with a prebuilt system. If you’re an average person or even an average gamer, you’ll likely find that it’s cheaper to purchase a prebuilt PC rather than assemble your own. Even at the very high end, components may be more expensive separately than they are in a prebuilt PC. Enthusiasts who want to choose all the individual components for their dream gaming PC and want maximum flexibility may want to build their own PCs. Even then, building your own PC these days is more about flexibility and component choice than it is about saving money. In summary, you probably shouldn’t build your own PC. If you’re an enthusiast, you may want to — but only a small minority of people would actually benefit from building their own systems. Feel free to compare prices, but you may be surprised which is cheaper. Image Credit: Richard Jones on Flickr, elPadawan on Flickr, Richard Jones on Flickr     

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