Installation of Ubuntu on a new hard disk was easier than anticipated. It took less than half an hour for the 9.10 version, and the end result is a clean, functioning system with lots of bells and whistles. Then I realised there were a lot of other apps needed to be installed before I could really use it. Here is some of the apps I installed on my laptop (Sony Vaio VGN-FW351J). Amazingly, all the Sony functionality worked right off the bat including the web cam, plug and play USB devices. I only had one problem with a non-functioning microphone (fixed, more on that later), and still have to work out how to support my two Apple iTouch devices). No more CPU issues now though, nor having to deal with Window updates, virus signature files and redundant registry entries, as well as mysterious Window services.
(From the terminal:)
Install any necessary updates:
=============================
sudo apt-get update
Install eclipse
===============
sudo apt-get eclipse
Install flash plugin
====================
sudo apt-get install alien
sudo alien -i --scripts ./flash-plugin-10.0.45.2-release.i386.rpm
Install Skype:
==============
Missing libqt files, so
sudo apt-get -f install (installs these missing packages)
My microphone wasn't working properly, so I had to play around with the alsamixer config settings, fooling it into thinking I had a different type of microphone and then tweaking those settings;
'alsamixer'
(At some point during this, the Ubuntu update manager will run and download about 2ooMB worth of files and install them)
Installing JDK:
First install gcc
sudo apt-get install gcc
sudo apt-get install build-essential
sudo apt-get install g++
(Download and install libstdc++5 for 386 architecture)
chmod +x java_ee_sdk....bin
sudo ./java_ee_sdk...bin
(if screen is blank when installing, disable System, Preference, Appearances, Nice console - compiz feature).
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jdk
Install java src
(download the src and point eclipse to it)
What version of Linux running?
==============================
uname -a
cat /etc/issue
Problem: RPM not found
Answer: RPM is red-hat. Ubuntu uses deb, use "alien"
Install VLC:
============
sudo apt-get install vlc
Best way to install. Type 'synaptic', a front end manager for apt-get.
Update the "locate DB command" (for search, locate command):
==============================
sudo updatedb
Install NetBeans
Install MonoDev (for C# development)
Install AdobeAIR
Install NY Times
Install Handbrake
Install screenlets - small apps that sit on desktop, showing time, date, cpu usage etc.
Install Picasa
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Interview Questions
In view of impending job interviews, I have delayed the Ubuntu installation (although from past experience, it only takes less than one hour) in favour of preparing for job interviews. I've sat through a lot of interviews in my 15 years or so work experience and can definitely say that the questions and interview process are much more difficult now in light of the economy. Also, the methodologies between the companies is not as consistent. One company might have you sit in front of a computer, some will have you write on the board while they fire questions, others just want to hear you talk . Some require online psychometric, verbal and numeric tests, while others prefer face to face evaluation.
The most difficult questions I've ever faced were last year at a start-up company in the silicon valley. I was not adequately prepared for the questions they were going to ask, otherwise I would have spent the previous week working on coding algorithms instead of scouring books like Effective Java.
Some questions do come up time and again. Here is a list of interview questions I've heard asked frequently:
i) Describe the difference between an Interface and Abstract class.
ii) Difference between Vector and ArrayList. Difference between a Hashtable and HashMap.
Skillful interviewers will drill down and ask why one is synchronized and the other is not.
iii) What is polymorphism?
iv) What is the difference between Proxy, Adapter and Facade design patterns?
v) When should you use inheritance over composition. (answer: for polymorphic reasons). Give an example of where it's used in the Java packages.
vi) Name some of the new features of Java 1.5. Generics, Boxing, Enum. What does Enum solve and provide an example.
Open-ended questions:
i) What is the most difficult problem you've faced and how did you overcome it?
ii) Describe one of the projects you have worked on.
Getting harder:
i) What is a race condition, deadlock? How do they differ? How do you fix/debug a race condition?
ii) What is synchronized?
Problems:
i) Given two stacks, how do you implement a queue?
ii) If A extends B, is "List<a> list = new ArrayList<b>();" valid?
Programming and SQL questions:
i) Given the following functions, f(0)=0 f(1)=1, f(n) = f(n-2) + f(n-1), construct a method that produces the result for f(n).
ii) Give two columns: col1 = sales figures, col2 = name of salesman, produce a SQL statement that provides total sales figure for those salesman who have made more than five sales.
The most difficult questions I've ever faced were last year at a start-up company in the silicon valley. I was not adequately prepared for the questions they were going to ask, otherwise I would have spent the previous week working on coding algorithms instead of scouring books like Effective Java.
Some questions do come up time and again. Here is a list of interview questions I've heard asked frequently:
i) Describe the difference between an Interface and Abstract class.
ii) Difference between Vector and ArrayList. Difference between a Hashtable and HashMap.
Skillful interviewers will drill down and ask why one is synchronized and the other is not.
iii) What is polymorphism?
iv) What is the difference between Proxy, Adapter and Facade design patterns?
v) When should you use inheritance over composition. (answer: for polymorphic reasons). Give an example of where it's used in the Java packages.
vi) Name some of the new features of Java 1.5. Generics, Boxing, Enum. What does Enum solve and provide an example.
Open-ended questions:
i) What is the most difficult problem you've faced and how did you overcome it?
ii) Describe one of the projects you have worked on.
Getting harder:
i) What is a race condition, deadlock? How do they differ? How do you fix/debug a race condition?
ii) What is synchronized?
Problems:
i) Given two stacks, how do you implement a queue?
ii) If A extends B, is "List<a> list = new ArrayList<b>();" valid?
Programming and SQL questions:
i) Given the following functions, f(0)=0 f(1)=1, f(n) = f(n-2) + f(n-1), construct a method that produces the result for f(n).
ii) Give two columns: col1 = sales figures, col2 = name of salesman, produce a SQL statement that provides total sales figure for those salesman who have made more than five sales.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Goodbye Windows Vista, Hello Linux
I have faithfully been performing my Window's updates since I bought my Sony Vaio laptop last year, but two weeks ago my CPU started spiking and everything started to become slooooow. Since I run McAfee, it didn't seem to be a virus problem. I hadn't installed any new drivers but my Arcsoft webcam no longer works and crashes the system, providing the indomitable blue screen of death. Last time it worked was when I tried Chatroulette briefly for about one minute.
After looking closely at the processes., it seems like TrustedInstaller.exe loves to run often and frequently, taking up high CPU cycles of about 40 - 50 percent. Stopping it occasionally seemed to help but then online forums warn against that, in case an important update is missed. I checked MSCONFIG for startup software and other processes running on the system, and eliminated some. I also ran chkdsk /f to fix any disk errors (there were some), and "sfc /scannow" as administrator from the dos prompt. Nothing.
After reading a British publication called PC Plus, I discovered that root kits are ubiquitous and McAfee anti-virus software provides little defense against them. After downloading Sophos and StopZilla to fix any rootkit problems (hidden processes that allow a remote user to take over your computer), my machine couldn't take it any more. Another impromptu blue screen of death forced me to startup in safe mode, and everything was working fine -- apparently an indication that the issue is software, (ie., a driver), and not hardware. On startup the laptop generously informed me Windows was broken but could be repaired and restored to an earlier functioning point. This was very pleasing and the device held true to it's word, although it still has the CPU issue.
Admittedly, I may have shut down some of the zillions of services operating on my system and no doubt that caused instability. Today I bought a new 2.5 inch SATA hard drive for my VGN-FW351J and will install Linux Ubuntu on it. Maybe I will also install Windows 7 at a later date, but for now I just want something that works...
After looking closely at the processes., it seems like TrustedInstaller.exe loves to run often and frequently, taking up high CPU cycles of about 40 - 50 percent. Stopping it occasionally seemed to help but then online forums warn against that, in case an important update is missed. I checked MSCONFIG for startup software and other processes running on the system, and eliminated some. I also ran chkdsk /f to fix any disk errors (there were some), and "sfc /scannow" as administrator from the dos prompt. Nothing.
After reading a British publication called PC Plus, I discovered that root kits are ubiquitous and McAfee anti-virus software provides little defense against them. After downloading Sophos and StopZilla to fix any rootkit problems (hidden processes that allow a remote user to take over your computer), my machine couldn't take it any more. Another impromptu blue screen of death forced me to startup in safe mode, and everything was working fine -- apparently an indication that the issue is software, (ie., a driver), and not hardware. On startup the laptop generously informed me Windows was broken but could be repaired and restored to an earlier functioning point. This was very pleasing and the device held true to it's word, although it still has the CPU issue.
Admittedly, I may have shut down some of the zillions of services operating on my system and no doubt that caused instability. Today I bought a new 2.5 inch SATA hard drive for my VGN-FW351J and will install Linux Ubuntu on it. Maybe I will also install Windows 7 at a later date, but for now I just want something that works...
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