Channel 9 - Discussions by AT

Coffeehouse - Oops, Googles mad at me

AT — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 09:44:21 GMT

rjdohnert wrote:

... They say its a violation of their Terms of Service yet nowhere in their terms of service does it say its not permitted for me to do such. ...

True. Blogger TOS has no any word about Google also ! Pyra.com, Ltd. even was not allowed to share your contact information with Google

Sue them !

The 9 Guy Around The World - C9 Euro members

AT — Sun, 10 Apr 2005 19:49:14 GMT

Cool. But why thouse dots are not moving ?

I'm moving constantly - from one city to another 500km - and I'm the only lonely dot in my home city

Tech Off - How C9 should record IPs -

AT — Fri, 25 Feb 2005 20:28:25 GMT

LOL... Are you kidding ?

Never trust your headers. Some evil people can fake it.

As well - in HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR can be more that one IP or in some rare cases - total garbage.

Coffeehouse - Fun Puzzle: Next sequence of numbers

AT — Fri, 05 Nov 2004 06:19:12 GMT

Who cares about numbers ?
This is an ASCII photo of Moscow Kremlin !!

Tech Off - Reference Parameters in C#

AT — Thu, 01 Jul 2004 19:35:51 GMT

Trivial. C# params by default are "in" params you pass reference to existing object and downcast allowed, also you can use "out" specifier to specify that you expect value returned and well you can use "ref" to specify that value is both in and out.

In case if you have IFooBar then you can downcast to IFoo then pass as input param, but IFoo object returned from method can not casted to IFooBar sub-class.

Check out this tiny example to understand why:

interface IFoo { }
class IFooBar : IFoo { }
class IFooClub : IFoo { }

class Program
{
    void DoFoo(ref IFoo param) {
        Random r = new Random();
        if (r.Next() % 2 == 0)
         param = new IFooClub();
        else
         param = new IFooBar();
    }
    void DoFooMagic()
    {
        IFooBar myFoo = new IFooBar();
        DoFoo(ref myFoo); // <-- Error it can be IFooClub too ;o)),
                          //Need to save as IFoo and check return type
    }
}

Coffeehouse - C# or VB.NET? Which would you use and why?

AT — Mon, 21 Jun 2004 20:32:34 GMT

Why ?

Software based not only on technical reasoning - but also on politics ;o)

Coffeehouse - Microsoft antivirus

AT — Wed, 16 Jun 2004 15:46:40 GMT

;o) In case if Microsoft will create Virus-Free OS then other AV companies and Virus-writers will sue.

If I was virus writer and feeding my family from money I earn from sending spam messages - then I will sue Microsoft becouse they do not allow to support my family. ;o)

Coffeehouse - Is VS.NET too expensive? I don't think so

AT — Mon, 14 Jun 2004 12:18:57 GMT

lars wrote:

CNN: So far, the localized versions consist of Windows XP minus English language support."

No buying cheap Windows from Thailand I guess.

Wrong. Everybody start to study Thai alphabet ;o))

Coffeehouse - Is VS.NET too expensive? I don't think so

AT — Sun, 13 Jun 2004 06:17:00 GMT

AndyJ wrote:

So you'd expect a grocer to sell you filet minion for $.10 a pound because that's what you say you could afford? Or you want to buy a new Lexus so why won't the dealer just take $200 bucks?
Software is like any other product. It costs money to produce, and people produce it for a gain (profit in this case.) Why should MS or any other software company adjust its prices because of a potential user’s income? ...

;o)
Because Microsoft is a global company.

As promised - pricing changes:

CNN: Microsoft to emerging markets: We've got a deal for you

Coffeehouse - Internal Channel 9 Team Email Thread on Content Planning

AT — Sat, 12 Jun 2004 04:51:24 GMT

IMHO, It's better to have slow start and long live instead of fast start and fast death.

I prefer you do not attempt to push everything you have to share in single day. It will be good if after 4-10 years C9 site will be active and filled with fresh content.

You can simply keep things just like they are and slowly evolve into something bigger.

Remember - even God have spend 7 days to create human. You need a lot of time to change World a little bit.

Coffeehouse - response from a product group blog

AT — Sat, 12 Jun 2004 04:42:17 GMT

Partialy agree with you.

You can ask bloggers to answer on your question only in case if answer will be posted to their blog and will benefit a lot of users. Not a single person.

Asking a question that can be answered using Google.com is plain wrong.

Good questions to ask can be future directions for a product or generic overview on current options available to users. Or about something not available anythere in the web/newsgroups and Microsoft documentation.

Not questions like this one "My server not working. Boss will come in 15 minutes. Help me !!".

Tech Off - WinHTTP and firewall settings

AT — Sat, 12 Jun 2004 01:51:24 GMT

You need to enable outgoing connection from this server to Port 443 (SSL/HTTPS). As well if you need to access HTTP pages using XMLHTTP you also need outgoing connection to port 80 (HTTP).

Protocol are TCP. (not a UDP and not any other)

As well in case if you will have problems resolving host-names you need your IT people to configure DNS servers correctly.

I do not know any more possible problems preventing your use.

P.S> The best solution will be for IT to configure Web-proxy and your XMLHTTP configured to use this proxy to access internet.
This way you will not need to have DNS and connectivity to internet as well your IT will be happy as they can monitor all activities ;o)

Take a read Q289481 INFO: You May Need to Run ProxyCfg Utility for ServerXMLHTTP to Work.

Tech Off - How do I contact Intel regarding a product suggestion?

AT — Sun, 06 Jun 2004 02:40:17 GMT

Technical Support and Feedback Self Help and User Forums

A rich repository of self-help product information such as tutorials, getting started tips, known product issues, product errata, compatibility information and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at the Intel® Software Development Products Technical Support. It's a great place to find answers quickly or to gain insight in using our products effectively. Submitting Issues

Your feedback is very important to us. To receive technical support and product updates for the tools provided in this product you need to register at the Intel® Registration Center and click on “Create New Account”.

Note: If you are having trouble registering or unable to access your Premier Support account, contact developer.support@intel.com. Please do not email your technical issue to developer.support@intel.com as it is not a secure medium.

Submit yout issues via the Intel® Premier Support website.

Coffeehouse - I'm never buying songs from iTunes again...

AT — Fri, 04 Jun 2004 01:07:34 GMT

Usually your on-hold money must return back to you in 48 hours.

This shortcoming is based on two-step nature of credit card processing.

First step is Authorization to secure money and another is Settlement to take them from you into merchant account.

This kind of on-hold usually occur then you take cash from ATM not from your bank. Processing center secure as much as possible money on-hold to be able get commission - because it can vary based on Bank-to-Bank agreements and complex commission structure.

But I'm unsure what happened in your case. If it's processing center or Apple fault.
It can be possible that Apple authorized your singe purchase twice - but settled only one. But in this situation it must be simply another 0,99.

Total $2.01 is something really strange for me.

The best way to deal with this kind of problems is to call your bank first for advice and inform them on your problem. Only in case if bank will be unable to help or ask to contact vendor - you can contact a merchant.

P.S> After reading Apple site I start to believe that this is a part of Apple technology process. "To minimize the number of charges to your credit card, Apple consolidates purchases into individual charges of up to $20. ".
They probably make heavy optimizations with Auth/Settle to not pay too much for processing fees.

Coffeehouse - Please stop funding bogus studies

AT — Sun, 23 May 2004 11:18:01 GMT

prog_dotnet wrote:

I am not wrong on this one!
[...]

Setting restrictive file permissions is the best way of preventing access.

But this method can only be used when the system drive on Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 computers are NTFS-formatted.

...

??? Please buy and read this book first - http://www.sysinternals.com/insidew2k.shtml

All registry access inside Windows NT done using kernel-mode and accessing memory mapped structure. Configuration manager open each hive only once - and file access permissions not checked at all (since it's a kernel) or checked against SYSTEM account.
Even regedit then loading external hives - use kernel for this, not editing them directly.

Once you will be able to restrict kernel from reading hives - no one user will be able to use them at all.

All loaded hives (system are always loaded, user hives only then logged in) are opened in share-exclusive mode - nobody will be able to open hive files directly - even on FAT. (Note: direct disk access does not count - this require administrative access usually)

Access to registry keys checked inside configuration manager. Hives store security-descriptors as file data to enforce access permissions on per-key basis. Access descriptors on hive files has no any effect for this.

Check out regedt32.exe and this article http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=141377

And understand the source of "no security at all" confusion. All limitation was inside early versions of tiny application - regedit.exe not a system. Only XP/2003 merged functionality from both regedt32 and regedit into one application.

Coffeehouse - Why reboot?

AT — Sun, 23 May 2004 10:31:25 GMT

ZippyV wrote:

Would that be possible? Flush the memory and start loading the os?

This can be done at least two different ways:
a) Stop all user-mode processes like a WinLogon, SMSS while keeping core drivers running and then start user-mode processes back. Drivers use only a tiny subset of DLLs/EXEs.
b) Or stop everything including drivers and process from boot phase right after 32-bit memory addressing and paging enabled.

But I believe that this never happened in near term (5-10 years) . Consider simple fact - Microsoft supplied Client for Netware drivers does not support PnP. It was reported since beta for Win2000 and was postponed to fully-PnP BlackComb.
I was naive to believe that it was planned as next version after Win 2000 release, not a current ~2010 with two additional Whistler and Longhorn.

To accomplish software reset functionally it's required that drivers support PnP and complete power management. But this is a major problem for Microsoft currently. I wish Microsoft wrote drivers for their OSes by contract from hardware vendors. This way Microsoft will be able to support any tech they wish.

Or at least Microsoft must add more power-management tests in HCT (and WHQL overall) in all drivers categories to be able support software reboot in future.

Coffeehouse - Is VS.NET too expensive? I don't think so

AT — Sun, 23 May 2004 00:00:28 GMT

IMHO, Microsoft will change it's pricing policy for non-US countries and will charge based on per-capita income.
I do not remember there I've read this (and even if it was published anywhere or simply imagination of my brain) but this will happened in 2-3 years time-frame.

Coffeehouse - SWEET GIFTS DUDE!

AT — Sat, 22 May 2004 23:38:55 GMT

I'm not a lawyer and even not working for Microsoft.

It was just a FYI.

P.S> Only a few people actualy read their licenses for software products. I'm feeling sad.

Coffeehouse - Why reboot?

AT — Sat, 22 May 2004 23:23:44 GMT

Even more.
Why then rebooting we need to go to BIOS stage ?

Select servers with a lot of hardware and SCSI disks can take up to 5-10 minutes to initialize.

Windows must be able to make a software reboot - i.e. without hardware reset.

Beta place track ID: 842922411

Resolution

Postponed for future consideration

Coffeehouse - Please stop funding bogus studies

AT — Sat, 22 May 2004 13:49:43 GMT

The registry has no security at all

Wrong. Short answer - regedt32.exe.

As for Remote Registry - not everything is accessible and it's trivial to restrict access.

You will be never secure using any system if will be sitting and doing nothing. Securing your systems is not a one-time event - it's a continuous process.

Coffeehouse - SWEET GIFTS DUDE!

AT — Sat, 22 May 2004 04:43:02 GMT

Plz consult Microsoft Permission: Use of Images before posting of screenshots.

You use probably violate rule No 4. Your screenshots are 100% of your blog message. Clearly above 10%.

Coffeehouse - Please stop funding bogus studies

AT — Thu, 20 May 2004 20:45:09 GMT

Hey. What about freedom of speech ?

Alexis has revealed another point of view. If he has violated law or making false claims - sue him.

If he has anything wrong - we will be able to correct this after discussion initiated.

What's wrong about raising questions ?
Or you think that everybody must sit in listen-only mode ?

I'm willing to see strong reasoning from both sides. Not a current point-less discussions.
Show me numbers !!

IMHO - It's better to ask a dumb question to get a complete and detailed responce. Asking correct questions usualy result in lame Yes/No answer ;o)

Tech Off - Threading Question

AT — Thu, 20 May 2004 04:38:25 GMT

You have to compare Async performance vs. waking up threads each 500ms for no reason.

Overall Async must be better for CPU - as you wake up your threads to process real data only and keep them waiting while there is nothing to process.
Consider user does not input anything and there is no any or only a few events waiting for him.
You will wake up thread with no reason or wait too long to send him event he is waiting.

But Async will add minor processing latency to Socket inputs. Also you must take care on synchronization and memory caching issues for SMP.

You have to decide yourself if Async processing overhead will cover 500ms latency for events and waking up threads.

You have options. There is no definite answer.

Sockets: Async or non-blocking I/O?

P.S> It will be good if you remove all your threads and use also async IO for file I/O. In case of completely Async processing you will get maximum CPU performance.

Tech Off - Win32 console app. help

AT — Thu, 20 May 2004 03:05:09 GMT

Google "ATTACH_PARENT_PROCESS"

The best is http://article.gmane.org/gmane.editors.vim.devel/4437 ,
or http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/04/02/CQA/default.aspx

Looks like the best you can do is to create two application - Console and Win32 with .COM and .EXE extensions.

Console version will simply start Win32 with redirected std handles and Win32 will decide to create main window or simply write to std output based on params.

devenv.exe/devenv.com use this technique, so it looks like correct and preferred one.

Tech Off - Threading Question

AT — Tue, 18 May 2004 15:30:38 GMT

To make a complete clone of your Delphi application use Socket.Poll Method instead of Recieve.

if(mySocket.Poll(500,SelectMode.SelectRead)) {
// Process read
} else {
// Process events
}

But I may suggest you to search for way to not wait 500 ms to process events. Use Async as proposed - but without timeouts - wait for one of events raised - data received or some wait handle on events raised.

I.e. create
WaitHadle eventPending = new AutoResetEvent(false);
Use BeginRead() to get IAsyncResult. Obtain AsyncWaitHandle from result and then use WaitHandle.WaitAny() on those two WaitHandle's.

This way your code will get data from socket ASAP as Async callback will notify you and also you will process events ASAP as another thread will raise your eventPending handle.

You can wrap all this logic in one class and reuse it easily )

P.S> I'm unsure - but there can more easy way to obtain WaitHandle from Socket - but this it's unknown to me.

Channel 9 - Discussions by AT

Coffeehouse - Oops, Googles mad at me

The 9 Guy Around The World - C9 Euro members

Tech Off - How C9 should record IPs -

Coffeehouse - Fun Puzzle: Next sequence of numbers

Tech Off - Reference Parameters in C#

Coffeehouse - C# or VB.NET? Which would you use and *why*?

Coffeehouse - Microsoft antivirus

Coffeehouse - Is VS.NET too expensive? I don't think so

Coffeehouse - Is VS.NET too expensive? I don't think so

Coffeehouse - Internal Channel 9 Team Email Thread on Content Planning

Coffeehouse - response from a product group blog

Tech Off - WinHTTP and firewall settings

Tech Off - How do I contact Intel regarding a product suggestion?

Coffeehouse - I'm never buying songs from iTunes again...

Coffeehouse - Please stop funding bogus studies

Coffeehouse - Why reboot?

Coffeehouse - Is VS.NET too expensive? I don't think so

Coffeehouse - SWEET GIFTS DUDE!

Coffeehouse - Why reboot?

Coffeehouse - Please stop funding bogus studies

Coffeehouse - SWEET GIFTS DUDE!

Coffeehouse - Please stop funding bogus studies

Tech Off - Threading Question

Tech Off - Win32 console app. help

Tech Off - Threading Question

Coffeehouse - C# or VB.NET? Which would you use and why?