Fooling Around

// Oprogramowanie Roman Ryltsov

DHCP Server: Running out of available trial/demo leases

Posted on by Roman

I have been recently asked a question (by the way through new Jabber/XMPP/GoogleTalk based web chat) about DHCP Server leases.

I’m using the trial version of Alax.Info DHCP Server
And it says there are no more IP addresses available… Do I have to register?

Registration definitely would not hurt, however there is also an alternative. Issued leases are kept in registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Alax.Info\DhcpServer\Leases key. It is possible to open registry editor and remove some of the leases or even delete all of them (or rename key to be able to restore) in order to reset current DHCP Server state and allow it issue new leases again. This trick resets lease counter and allows having new five IP addresses given out by server to old or new MAC addresses.

A few cameras online

Posted on by Roman

via Vivotek

also via Visionet Kft.

Brain Bench C++ Free Assessment

Posted on by Roman

A friend of mine recently told that BrainBench has a promotion with a free C++ test (to be requested for free before March, 31) and I decided to spend an hour to take it. Here is the test description:

Our C++ test measures your knowledge of programming in C++. Designed for experienced programmers, this test covers the following topics: Construction and Destruction, Encapsulation and Classes, Exceptions, I/O, Inheritance, Non-core Features, Overloading, Standard Template Library, Templates, and Types.

I have been knowing about BrainBench since long ago, if my memory serves me right (since soon after their start, I suppose) and when I took Delphi test. I previously heard that some employers require that candidates pass this kind of test for the employer to have an evaluation of skills, for example from my email archive:

We will ask you to solve a small but fairly difficult low-level API problem in Delphi. If that task is completed in a timely manner, we will then arrange for a personal interview. Part of the personal interview may include passing a test paid for by iolo technologies, LLC from Brain Bench (www.brainbench.com). This test can be taken before or after the interview.

Not my case and seriously I think it makes more sense to evaluate a junior or lower intermediate this way. The test contained a lot of STL and C++ language specific questions which I, having been a C++ engineer for years, have never dealt with in real life. No wonder about STL because I have been ATL/WTL guy but this was true even non-STL questions. And I am pretty sure that many of those would be as surprising and unexpected for the folks I am nip and tuck on a daily basis…

What came to me as surprise was “Percentile”, higher than 99% of those who took a free test:

Score: 4.59
Percentile: Scored higher than 99% of previous examinees

Demonstrates understanding of most advanced concepts within the subject area. Appears capable of mentoring others on the most complex projects.

BrainBench: Master in C++ Programming

Strong Areas

  • Exceptions
  • Construction and Destruction
  • Standard Template Library
  • Types

Weak Areas

  • None noted

Collection Bureau

Posted on by Roman

Someone, maybe Julia Cow (or Crow? whatever), provided my voice mail number as her own and I started receiving messages from so called First National Collection Bureau. It would be quite amusing unless they keep throwing messages on a daily basis, including 5 second calls with a sexy breath on the other side of the phone line. I am reluctant to give them a long distance call just to try to prove I am not Julia and why would they believe? A quick googling did not show a method to leave them a message via network, so let’s get ready for more pressing attempts to collect debt.

Update (oh they ARE annoying!):

The good news they provide Caller-ID: 775-322-0444 so it is just easy to trash their calls.

Crap around the world

Posted on by Roman

Some time ago I subscribed to a Google Groups group and then later decided to unsubscribe. Due to some glitch I was no longer listed as a subscriber however email notifications keep coming. My attempt to resolve the issue through support was vain and I started trashing through marking as spam. It works great! I love GMail‘s spam filter. Google generates emails which are delivered into my GMail inbox where automatically marked as spam and deleted in 30 days. I’d say it’s convenient enough!