vim completion: word, line, file, code

http://zinformatik.de/tipps-tricks/vim-tipps/vim-completion-text-vervollstandigen-mit-wordcompletition-linecompletition-filecompletition-und-codecompletition/

Network Packet Loss: First Aid

Premise:
* there is several nodes with working but trickling network connections
* select one erroneous node and work at it for the following

Speculation: Packet Loss
# Switch problem
# NIC problem (even several coincidental!) if few nodes are affected
# Cable problem

Method: packet loss inception
# use Matt’s Traceroute: mrt (lin), WinMRT (win)
* cheapest testing method
* points out the exact node (traceroute!) that is suspicious

Method: cable type
# check: which cables are used?
# ideal: screened twisted-pair Cat-5 cables
# beware: some fool could have reused existing ISDN cables (two of them joint into one bad-bad-Ethernet cable)

Method: measuring interference with plastered cable
# buy or borrow one of these (expensive!)
* Fluke: Linkrunner Pro LRPro
* Fluke: Nettool Netzwerktester
* Hobbes: Netmapper Pro
* Hobbes: Lansmart Pro

Network Problems: First Aid (IP, DHCP, DNS, Ethernet/ARP, Switch, Cables)

Premise:
* several nodes have a problem
* select one erroneous node and work at it for the following

Speculation:
# DHCP problem
# Switch problem
# Cable problem for DHCP or DNS server

Method: IP inception
# ipconfig /all
* get IPs of Gateway/DHCP/DNS

Method: ping key devices
# ping <Gateway-IP>
* @error: use tracerout (lin) or tracert (win) on Gateway-IP
* (Problem points to Ethernet, NICs, or cables…)
# ping <DHCP-IP>
* @error: check if two DHCPs are in mutual interference (-> has same peregrine laptop been plugged in recently?)
* (if not DHCP-config problem, then problem points to Ethernet, NICs, or cables…)
# ping <DNS-IP>
* (@error: check Ethernet, NICs, or cables…)

Method: DNS?
# nslookup <foo-node-name>
* to check if DNS is not only running but also does its job
* (@error: check DNS server software and configuration…)

Method: Ethernet?
# Broadcast ping: ping -b (lin) or ping x.y.z.255 (win)
* for maximizing the ARP-table filling
# arp -a (lin/win)
* check list from this node’s primary NIC: Do the listed MACs correspond to expected hardware topology

Method: multi-layered (attendant):
# if possible: install WireShark on errorneous node
# just monitor the primary NICs traffic and watch for any interference origin…

Method: switch?
# reminder: many nodes have a problem!
* either the switch is completly broken or the link to DHCP/DNS
* “completely broken switch” includes a possible software problem if it is a “managed switch” (i.e. one with a management console)
# reboot the switch
# log-on to the web console of your “managed switch”
* using a Cisco-switch: download the “Cisco Configuration Assistant”
# change switch ports for cables to DHCP/DNS

Method: cables?
# for exposed cables: replace it (cheap!)
# for plastered cables: buy or borrow one of these (expensive!)
* Fluke: Linkrunner Pro LRPro
* Fluke: Nettool Netzwerktester
* Hobbes: Netmapper Pro
* Hobbes: Lansmart Pro

Don’t Break the Chain, Getting Things Done, What Color is Your Parachute

The next big thing in personal productivity and anti-procrastination is “Don’t Break the Chain” (DBC) by Jerry Seinfeld. There is web app (and a Google Chrome extension); I recommend a calendar template for printing.

If you have a procrastination problem you should also familiarize yourself with “Getting Things Done” (GTD) by David Allen.

If you need guidance in “carefully figuring out what you are best at and what you enjoy most” in the context of job seeking then you should read “What Color is Your Parachute?” by Richard Nelson Bolles.

Best-of selection for Web-based ad-hoc collaboration

Best-of selection for Web-based ad-hoc collaboration:

• Writeboard: http://www.piratenpad.de/
• Whiteboard: http://www.dabbleboard.com/
• Mind Mapping: https://bubbl.us/
• Web Conferencing: https://my.dimdim.com/
• Diagramming: http://www.gliffy.com/products/online/

You can research alternatives with http://www.moreofit.com/, which is
very helpful.

Human Error vs. Machine Failure

Light-bulb: did we hit the wrong switch or is the light bulb burned out
Did we do something wrong (human) or is something broken (machine)?

• Human: error! (aka: mistake)
• Machine: failure! (aka: defect)
  • always instance!
  • systematic failure (deterministic to a certain cause) vs. random failure
• The system/machine is at fault
  • schema level!
  • Methods: “fault avoidance”and “fault tolerance”

Further Reading:

• http://www3.hi.is/pub/cs/2003-04/reliability/definitions/Fault_terms.html
• http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2011/06/infants-understand-the-statistics-of-broken-toys.ars

What’s the best UML diagramming tool?

From the StackOverflow page:

• Are you modeling or drawing? (Drawing – ArgoUML, free implementations, and Visio)
• Will you modeling in the future? (For basic modeling – Community editions of pay products)
• Do you want to formalize your modeling through profiles or meta-models? OCL? (Sparx, Visual Paradigm)
• Are you concerned about model portability, XMI support? (Sparx, Visual Paradigm, Altova UModel)
• Do you have an existing set of documents that you need to work with? (Depends on the documents)
• Would you want to generate code stubs or full functioning code?(Visual Paradigm, Sparx, Altova UModel)
• Do you need more mature processes such as use case management, pattern creation, asset creation, RUP integration, etc? (RSA/RSM/IBM Rational Products)

I would add these questions/categories:

• Do your UML diagrams need to look professianal i.e. flashy? (AgileJ StructureViews, MagicDraw, Altova UModel, IntelliJ IDEA (which is based on yFiles))
• Does your tool need to be FOSS? (Open ModelSphere, ArgoUML, Netbeans UML, FUJABA, StarUML) (List of Open Source UML tools)
• Does your tool need to be Web 2.0? (creately, LucidChart)

And some others:

• astah*, Poseidon, Modelio Modeler, Objecteering, Software Ideas Modeler, RISE Editor
• Artego Artisan Studio
• yFiles

Computer Science (CS): Conference Rankings & Journal Rankings

Quasi-Authoritative Conference Lists:

• CORE Conference Rankings: http://core.edu.au/index.php/categories/conference%20rankings [PDF]

Quasi-Authoritative Journals Lists:

• CORE Journal Rankings: http://core.edu.au/index.php/categories/journals
• Journal Citation Reports (JCR): «needs subscription»
• http://www2.lib.udel.edu/colldev/impact.htm

Non-Authoritative Conference Ranking Lists:

• http://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~zaiane/htmldocs/ConfRanking.html
• http://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/assourav/crank.htm
• http://perso.crans.org/~genest/conf.html
• http://202.120.40.15/~jzhou/research/conferences.html

Conference Overview List:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_computer_science_conferences

E-Mail attachment problem: winmail.dat (Outlook -> Thunderbird)

That’s the problem: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Winmail.dat_attachments

Sender solution: the above article explains how to switch TNEF off in Outlook.

Receiver solution: install “LookOut” (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/lookout/) in your Thunderbird.

XML Multi-Format Schema Inference

Trang:
http://www.thaiopensource.com/relaxng/trang.html
~ HowTo:
http://www.dotkam.com/2008/05/28/generate-xsd-from-xml/

SQL Formatter

Instant SQL Formatter:
http://www.dpriver.com/pp/sqlformat.htm

SQL in Form:
http://www.sqlinform.com/index.phtml

XML DTD/XSD Generator

http://www.hitsw.com/xml_utilites/default.html

1st Google Interview for EMEA Internship: Preps

Algorithmic Training:

• TopCoder: www.topcoder.com
  • ‘Software Competitions’»’Algorithms’»”Arena” widget
  • practice rooms: problems in the first/second division

Google Inc.:

• Products http://www.google.com/intl/en/options/
• Labs http://labs.google.com/
• Corporate http://www.google.com/about.html
• Revenue http://www.google.com/intl/en/ads/index.html
• Information video on YouTube:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w887NIa_V9w

Moderner Feminismus und die Konsequenzen eines Kampfs um die Deutungshoheit über eine Ideologie

Wunderschön formulierter Artikel:
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,728363,00.html

Preparation of an Application to Google EMEA Internship or a Job Interview

General information: http://www.google.com/jobs/students/emea/internships/

Work areas and roles: https://sites.google.com/site/internformglossary/

Classification “Technical” vs “Business and general”:

http://www.google.com/jobs/students/emea/technical/

http://www.google.com/jobs/students/emea/busgen/

Preparing your CV: http://www.google.com/jobs/students/emea/cv/

Preparing for your interview: http://www.google.com/jobs/students/emea/faqs/

FAQ: http://www.google.com/jobs/students/emea/interview/

Regions & Offices:

http://www.google.com/intl/en/jobs/students/us/

http://www.google.com/jobs/students/emea/spotlightzurich/

http://www.google.com/jobs/students/emea/spotlightlondon/

Preparation / General: http://steve-yegge.blogspot.com/2008/03/get-that-job-at-google.html

Typical Questions:

http://blog.seattleinterviewcoach.com/2009/02/140-google-interview-questions.html

http://www.businessinsider.com/15-google-interview-questions-that-will-make-you-feel-stupid-2009-11#how-many-golf-balls-can-fit-in-a-school-bus-1

Preparation / C++: http://www.manticmoo.com/articles/jeff/programming/interview-questions.php

http://www.horstmann.com/cpp/pitfalls.html

http://www.gotw.ca/gotw/

Books:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0387948600

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0262032937

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0201310090

Newsworthy:

http://research.google.com/pubs/papers_by_year.html

Funny? or ernest? thing: GLAT (aptitude test)

http://cruftbox.com/blog/archives/001031.html

http://elliottback.com/wp/complete-glat-solutions/

General English tips on job interview:

http://knol.google.com/k/robert-avery/job-interview-tips-and-techniques/1slymfg30gpl5/71

Google Inc. Salary and Relocation Assistance:

«We offer all interns a competitive salary and relocation assistance where applicable. We want to make sure your move to Google is a pleasant experience, so we’ll give you recommendations on the best places to live and provide an overview of the surrounding areas.»

Challenges and competitions: http://www.google.com/jobs/students/emea/challenges/

(Android Developer Challenge, Code Jam, Highly Open Participation Contest, International Model Your Campus Competition, Online Marketing Challenge, Summer of Code)

Byproduct: Coding Styleguide

http://google-styleguide.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/cppguide.xml

Algorithm Training / Competitions:

Google Code Jam
TopCoder
SPOJ – Sphere Online Judge
UVa Online Judge
BlackBeltFactory (aka JavaBlackBelt v4)
Coding Kata
Project Euler