TOAD message "Home is Not valid" (Oracle home is not valid)

I was trying to get my Toad running and it was giving me "Home is not Valid" error, This error doesn't give much information and finding root cause was not easy :( . Here is the thing that I was doing.

- My system had Oracle 9 client pre-installed. I installed Toad and it was giving me home is not valid error.
- My need was to also update Oracle so I went and uninstalled prior version of Oracle client. (remember clean uninstall of prior oracle client is very necessary. If you are expert then try to clear registry entry as well which oracle generally leaves after uninstall as well :( )
- After that I installed Oracle 10.2 and then Toad(9.7.2) but it was still giving the same error. I set the Proper system variables(PATH) and also put my valid TNSnames.ora in proper location, but no luck!!   then I uninstalled Toad 9.7.2 and reinstalled Toad 10.6 and after rebooting machine it's working fine!! :)

I hope this helps.

Also, Please note that I also follow below steps after installing oracle:

1. Add C:\Oracle\ORA10_2\BIN to your PATH environment variable
2. Install ODP dlls in your GAC 
3. Restore your project specific tnsnames.ora  to C:\Oracle\ORA10_2\NETWORK\ADMIN
4. If you are accessing Oracle from .NET web applications running on IIS 5, give IIS/ASPNET permissions on  your Oracle folder
     a.    Grant ASPNET user read/execute permissions on C:\Oracle\ ORA10_2
               i.    In Windows Explorer, right click on the Ora10.1 folder and select Sharing and Security…
               ii.    Click the Security tab
               iii.    Click "Add…"
               iv.    Type yourMachineName\ASPNET in the bottom textbox and click "OK".
               v.    Make sure the Read & Execute, List Folder Contents and Read boxes are checked. Make sure  permissions are propagated to all subfolders.  Click "OK"
    b.    Reset IIS
5. Restart Visual Studio, update your project references to use the new version of Oracle.DataAccess.dll, clean and rebuild your solution
 
 

Listing Date MCX IPO

Stock Market / IPO Open Date     22-Feb-2012 Close Date     24-Feb-2012 Allotment Date     05-Mar-2012 Refund Date     06-Mar-2012 Listing Date     07-to-09-Mar-2012 (Expected) MCX IPO Allotment status : http://mis.karvycomputershare.com/ipo

Appointment for Passport Renewal through Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

Getting appointment for any work at Passport Seva Kendra is a BIG DEAL!! I had to renew my passport recently and when I got the appointment at Bangalore Sai Arcade PSK after hard try it was like winning a battle! :) I was in very hurry to renew my passport due to personal issue and I tried couple of days to get the appointment without luck :( . Brokers were saying me 1500Rs to get appointment and he promised me to get appointment at 4:00 pm, which is exactly 2 hours before the official time of taking appointment(6:00 pm). Finally one online friend help me in getting appointment.

I checked with inquiry section at PSK about the procedure to get emergency appointment and the person told me that in emergency cases I need to get a letter from Passport Officer of RPO. As I wanted immediate appointment I tried visiting Koramangala RPO as well but I was not allowed at entrance itself saying I need "Admit Card" from the office of PO to meet PO. Entrance security pointed me to the office number of PO and I tried calling them 60 times, 61st time a lady picked up the call and without listening to my situation she just said "We Don't issue appointment". I tried again and someone just picked the call and keep it aside :(. So getting a appointment to meet PO seems impossible to me.( unless you know him ;) )

Here is some information that can help people who are trying to book an appointment.


1. It is a myth that your online submitted application should be a week or 10 days older to get appointment. You can get appointment if you created profile on same day as well.
2. Be ready at sharp 6:00 PM and login to http://passportindia.gov.in( For Bangalore PSK, other PSK the timings are different! )
3. try your luck! :)

BTW, I was helped with some professional to get appointment.

Best Luck!

App for Mumbai Marathon

TCS Launches Mobile App For Mumbai Marathon

TCS brings to you for the first time a Mobile Application for Mumbai Marathon 2012. Another way to show how true Mumbaikars keep up the spirit of always on the Move. Mumbai Marathon 2012 app provides a range of exciting features for marathon runners as well as enthusiasts who want to keep track of the event.

Race & Events:

• Keep track of your favorite Mumbai Marathon runners.
• Check top 25 runners at different check points for Marathon and Half Marathon.
• Check the info of all the race events of the Marathon.

Results:

• Check last 3 years results and other records.
• Check current year results and search your favorite result.

Share on social media:

• Upload status and photos on Facebook.
• Tweet as well as upload pics to twitpic and Twitter.

Gallery:

• Visit previous year photos as well as latest event photos.

Info:

• Latest news and FAQs about the Marathon.
• Local weather information for the current week.

Download TCS Mumbai Marathon App

Android

Blackberry (Not available yet :| )

iPhone (Not available yet :( )

Twitter keyboard shortcuts  (twitter cheat sheet)

n                             post a new status update(this works from any page)

r                              reply to your selected tweet

t                              retweet(only works on twitter profiles(other than your’s))

m                            direct message (you need to fill the recipient)

/                              move the cursor to the search box

.                              move back to the top of the page

g then h                 go to your home page

g then r                 see your @mentions

g then m                see your direct messages

g then p                 go to your profile page (twitter.com/username)

g then u                 go to a specific user’s profile page

ECas Status Tracking Tool: (E-Cas tracking )



Friends,

I thought saving some time for you while you check your ECas status. So here is simple tool which can help you.

Here are the simple steps:
1. Download  WinCIC.exec from:  http://min.us/mtEFE0ufB
    (Please rename it to WinCIC.exe after downloading)
2.Enter your details.
3. Click on "Save your details" button to save your details in your local machine(C:\CIC.txt)
(use save button to save your details in your private computer only, if you are using public computer then do not use this option. When you click save button this tool will save your information in your local machine and reuse it when you start it next time so you don't have to enter all information again :) )
4. wait for the Ecas page to be loaded and after that Automate button will be enabled.
5. Click on Automate button and wait!  You will see your status page in some time.


I know there are some bugs in this tool but I will be keep on fixing it and will try to provide you new version soon. If you face any issue then please let me know so that I can fix it.

Features planned:

- currently this tool is  loading to main page and then you have to click on link (say RBVO or In Process) to go to actual status page. I will fix it soon to directly route to actual status page.
- Auto scheduling and daily status email to your mail box.
- email notification only when status changes. (developing this will be fun part!!)
- Any other??? Please share so I can add them!


I hope this tool will atleast save your 5 seconds daily! :)



Disclaimer:
- The purpose of this tool is to just check your status and none of your personal data is shared with anyone. I have developed this tool for the benefit of the people and it's available free and no-one should engage in reselling it or collect money for this service. This tool just reads the web page of Canadian Immigration web-site and it does not modify any data present there. Neither me nor this tool is responsible for any kind of loss that may occur while using this.

I have developed this tool just for my interest and to learn technology, Please refrain from any kind of misuse! I am also planning to share code once I have email functionality implemented so that interested people can help me in maintaining and adding more features.


Thanks,
Sunil

PCC through Passport Seva Kendra

Just wanted to share about the process/quick steps to get PCC from passport seva kendra:

-  Go to Passport Seva Portal   http://www.passportindia.gov.in/ and create your application.
-  Create appointment from manager appointment(you get appointment 2 days prior, suppose you want appointment on 04/12/2011 then try for looking for appointment on 02/12/2011, also official timings to schedule appointment are from morning 8.00 am but I got appointment day before in the evening around 6:30 pm)
- Reach your PSKat slightly before time and security will let you by your appointment time, get your documents verified(carry origianals) and get your token.
- Process is pretty organized here! after getting token go to counter A->B->C . Counter A is to get your Digital Photograph and finger prints( By TCS staff). Counter B is to just cross check everything by junior Govt Employee and Counter C is to submit your application to Govt employee
- You will be given acknowledgement from counter C and while leaving PSK.

Real fun starts now!
- your app goes to Police Commissioner's office from here and then they will forward it to your local police station, Local police station will call you and verify your documents and then they will send back the feedback to Police Commissioner's office.
-if you're lucky above process will be done in 3 days after submitting your app at PSK. After Police Commissioner's office your application goes to RPO(in our case it was at Koramangala, Bangalore).
-You can also check your application status online, if you see “PCC application is under review at Passport Seva Kendra.” that means your application is at RPO.
- Go to RPO Koramangala at around 8:30-9:00 am and get a inquiry token and they will sent you to counter no 5 at RPO. Show your PSK acknowledgement to the person sitting at counter 5 and he will upload your files(I am not sure why they don't do it without our telling, if you need your PCC fast then visit RPO and get this done!)
- That's all once you got your application uploaded by RPO you can directly go to PSK and collect your PCC! Simple ;)

I hope this helps you!

ps: We are currently working on a https://footrr.com/  Just promote the brands that you love and get paid for doing it. See if that interests you!