Top 9 Challenges Site for Programmers

1. Top Coder

This is the biggest competitive software development community in the world. It has members from over 200 countries and the number of members spread over 200,000. You can find contests in Java, C# and C++.

2. Codechef

This website originates in India and has over 25,000 members. It gets membership from all over the world though and hosts events, contest and training for them.

3. Apps for Development

This is a website by the World Bank, inviting developers to create innovative tools and apps by making use of the data that it has collected through its Open Data Initiative.

4. Facebook Engineering Puzzles

Facebook's Engineering Puzzles are available on the company's careers page. It can be a good opportunity for you to land a job at the world's biggest social network, which has been known to have one of the best work environments.

5. HTML5Contest

This website hosts monthly contests. It has been created by a gaming company looking to promote HTML5 mobile games using these contests.

6. Al Zimmermann’s Programming Contests

This website hosts two programming contests every year. Interestingly, it doesn't ask you for the code that you have written and you just have to come up with the solution. Hence, a programmer can use any tool that they want to solve the problems

7. Programming Paraxis

This website contains a number of programming problems that can be solved using various programming languages.

8. Project Euler

This is a well known website amongst programmers, which hosts challenges in computer and mathematics.

9. Python challenge

As evident from the name, this website hosts challenges to be solved using the Python programming language.

Original Source: http://efytimes.com/e1/fullnews.asp?edid=132115

Uninstall Symantec Endpoint Protection without Password

1. Run regedit as Administrator
2. Delete smcexit key at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\SMC
3. Delete smcinstdata key at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\SMC
4. Run "smc -stop" at command prompt (run as Administrator)
5. Uninstall Symantec Endpoint Protection using Program and Features (in Control Panel) 

Good Luck!

:: aerobrainTech ::

MySQL Stop PHP Script due to Column Not Exist

Few days ago I ported a php web application from a linux to a Windows based server. During testing, the script stop when a new item supposed to be added into the database.

I started to troubleshoot with the nginx and php, but no luck. I also tried replaced nginx with apache also no luck. After a series of testing, I noticed it is related to MySQL.

It is because, by default, on a linux MySQL, the SQL model is not set to "STRICT_TRANS_TABLES" which caused the process will stop when MySQL server cannot find the specified column in table.

Of course, the correct way to fix the issue permanently is to check the php script line-by-line to ensure no such error. However, the quick fix is to remove the "STRICT_TRANS_TABLES" in MySQL setting file: my.ini.

I searched all over google to with these keywords but no luck for 2 days: php script hang or stop, apache vs nginx php script hang or stop, php setting ignore error, apache setting ignore error, MySQL ignore error

:: aerobrainTech ::

Windows 8 Black Screen Issue - Avast Setting

I notice that my Windows 8 often goes black screen after logon. I found out that it ties to the Avast! Antivirus trying to block some behavior.

Below are solutions that I tried and it works:

1. Add the following files as trusted application in the Behavior Shield Setting:

C:\Windows\explorer.exe
C:\Windows\ImmersiveControlPanel\SystemSettings.exe 

2. Go to Behavior Shield Setting and Uncheck "Monitor the system for unauthorized modifications"

It works for me.. maybe you can try and leave a comment.

:: aerobrainTech ::

Change MAC Address in Windows

MAC-Address is the hardware Network Address for the NIC which is unique for the system. However, there may be time when you need to change the MAC-Address for administrative purpose on a network. Some of the device drivers come with an option to change it from the device properties but not all (like my Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet Driver). For those who do not have the luxury of changing the MAC-Address from the device properties there is a way to do this by editing the Windows Registry.

To change MAC-Address for a Network card in Windows Registry:

1. Click Start – Run, type “regedit”

2. Navigate to

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318]

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
\SYSTEM
\CurrentControlSet
\Control
\Class
\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

3. Under this key, you shoud see numbers in sequence as “0000″, “0001″ and so on. Click on one at a time to check the description of the device to match it with that of your Network Card. In my case (0001)

4. Once found, in the right-pane, look for “NetworkAddress” key value. If you find it, right-click and select modify. Enter the desired MAC-Address as a 12 digit number (all in one, no “space” “.” or “-”)

5. If you don’t find the key, right-click in the rightpane, select “New” – “String Value”. Enter the name as “NetworkAddress”. Now modify and set the desired value.

6. Now, disable and enable the Network card from the ControlPanel – Network Connections.

This should reflect the new MAC-Address on your NIC. Should you choose to go back to the original manufacturer set MAC-Address simply delete the key you just created/modified in the Windows Registry.

You can also use a tool like Technitium MAC Address Changer to change the MAC-Address of your NIC

source: http://www.windowsreference.com/networking/how-to-change-mac-address-in-windows-registry/

:: aerobraintech ::