PL/SQL debugging with SQL Developer: good for custom type parameters

My colleague Sanat posted an excellent step by step guide for debugging PL/SQL using SQL/Developer.

Before reading this I had had issues with debugging functions/procedures where one or more parameters is a custom type.  And getting it to work smoothly with a Java debug session/JUnit/etc. wasn't happening for me.

Thanks Sanat!

iPhone reference

Setting up Google Sync and viewing multiple calendars
http://www.idownloadblog.com/2010/07/28/how-to-sync-shared-google-calendars-with-your-iphone/
Basically, Google Sync is setting up your Google account as an Exchange account.  Still have extra steps, however, if you want to see calendars other than your primary calendar.  For example, my wife wants to see my calendar entries on her phone as she does online.

Show desktop shortcut in Ubuntu 10.10: Mod4+D (Windows+D)

This is a helpful Windows shortcut (Windows+M) I've been looking for on and off since starting to work with Ubuntu.  I just couldn't take it any more.
Ironically I should just have looked at the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog (System -> Preferences --> Keyboard Shortcuts).  Listed under the Window Management category, the action Hide all normal windows and set focus to the desktop: Mod4+D.  On my Dell D610 Mod4 is the Windows key.


Also by looking at Keyboard Shortcuts I've added several other shortcuts to my repertoire.


Here's the URL that finally tipped my off:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-software-2/about-the-show-desktop-button-in-gnome-447443/

Git and Eclipse (Helios)

Note: I've upgraded to Eclipse Indigo release and these are still valid


Getting GIT to work with Eclipse Helios
This was a lot harder than getting Subversion to work.  Thanks goes out to Muddyazian.
http://muddyazian.blogspot.com/2011/04/cdt-egit-git-and-eclipse-36-helios.html


I followed the same directions but used http://download.eclipse.org/egit/updates instead of the cgit stuff.


"HOME not set" warning
I was hoping the environment variable would be a git-specific variable, but it looks to be generic.
http://kcode.de/wordpress/1818-using-git-on-windows-commandline

Ignore
http://help.github.com/git-ignore/

Samsung Captivate repair/de-moisturizing

Well, it finally happened.  I spilled tea all over my phone.  The speaker sounded horrible and the signal from the headphone jack was very weak.


My cat-like reflexes appear to have staved off most of the damage: After taking the battery out and quickly towling off the phone I put it in a bag of rice.  About two hours later I restarted the phone.  Speaker sounded great, but the headphone jack wouldn't recognize when something was plugged into it.  For example, if I plugged in a set of headphones the speaker continued playing and nothing came out of the headsets.


Thanks to this post I was able to dismantle the phone and found some moisture still up by the speaker and headphone jack.  I felt certain I would bust either the screen or one or more of the plastic snaps that hold the phone together, but I got lucky.


I removed some moisture in the area of the speaker and put the unsheathed screen/motherboard piece back in the bag of rice.  After another two hours the headset jack worked great!


I almost bought a replacement headphone jack on eBay, but I'm glad I didn't have to do an install -- looks like I'd have had to further dismantle components on the board.

Overdrive for Android: Mobile Library

Mobile ebooks have been around for a while but are gaining popularity with the proliferation of tablets and smart devices.  Depending on where you live, your local library may have different selections, options or may not use Overdrive at all.  
For example, my library card works in two library systems: One system has many more titles than the other, and only one system offers audio books.


Installation
My library's website wasn't particularly clear on how to get ebooks on my Android device.  Here's how I did it:

1. Locate OverDrive Media Console in the Android marketplace and install it
2. In OverDrive Media Console, tap the phone's menu button
3. Tap the Get Books icon in OverDrive
4. Tap Add a Website.  Search for your library branch and tap the star next to it to add it to your favorites (the "Get Books" list in OverDrive parlance).
5. Tap your location, login and browse!

Finding media
You may find it easier to browse content on a desktop/laptop/netbook, especially if you use a mobile device.  See your library's website for details.
For both of my libraries, the non-mobile web interface had a limited list of subject categories to search by default (e.g., no Technology or Science).  I found more categories by clicking "Browse by Subject".
As a taxpayer for (and, hopefully, charitable contributor to) your local library system, feel free to contact a librarian for further assistance.


Kindle coming soon?
Currently the Kindle (hardware and apps) is not supported by OverDrive.  Looks like this is changing this year.

Using JMX to dynamically change application properties

http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/J2SE/jmx.html


I had an application that reads some non-standard debug settings from a properties file at startup -- when one wanted to change the settings the application server needed to be restarted.  In a production environment, restarting the application server is not an option.  I implemented JMX on the logging class so that JConsole can be used to modify the settings.


The class in question is a singleton so I created a helper class since the MBean interface methods cannot be static.  The singleton instantiates the agent with its static load() method.