Getting back into programming

I intend to get back into some database programming - I did it before with FoxPro. I wanted this to be very different from what I do now so when I read about Oracle XE and Application Express I knew that this is the chance to get my hand on database programming. I do Microsoft SQL 2000 and 2005 installation and administration tasks for a living but Oracle looked more attractive to me because of it is available on any platform and has development tools that are platform independent. Having a choice is a good thing. It’s market share is also impressive: 49% compared with 19% Microsoft SQL and 22% DB2.
I started with reading the documentation for database objects, field types, simple Oracle DBA tasks, then I will get to creating some simple application express programs and then JDeveloper. All on my Linux desktop.

I cannot say that I do not have doubts about choosing Oracle. My work is about Microsoft and with SQL 2005 Microsoft has got a very powerful product. However, choosing something outside my daily work make my motivation stronger, I feel like I do this for myself, for improving myself and not for a job (at least not for the moment). I need something more challenging.

Installing linux on my laptop

My job is mainly the implementation/design and support of Windows based networks. However I follow with much interest the evolution of open source and specially Linux.
Last week I have got a “new” laptop from work. It’s an HP NX5000, Centrino with 1GB of RAM and 40GB disk, all Intel. The first thing I did I formated it and installed XP. I decided not to go for Vista because of compatibility issues I had with my previous laptop, Compaq EVO N800C. I a couple of hours I had my laptop loaded with XP, Office 2007 Beta2, other work related software, no problems, everything running.

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