When I was in Oracle support (years ago), my favorite Oracle error to resolve was ORA-600. Since I was taught Oracle internals, ORA-600 errors were challenging to me. During those days in support, I enjoyed reading file dumps, trace files and debugging. Ok, I admit, I am weird.

An ORA-600 error is not necessarily an Oracle bug. When an internal inconsistency is encountered or some unexpected condition is met, the kernel code of Oracle raises an ORA-600 error. Conditions that can cause ORA-600 other than an Oracle bug are hardware failures, problems with the operating system, not enough resources, to name a few.

The ORA-600 error has a list of arguments that are enclosed in square brackets.

An example of an ORA-600 error from Version 7 looks like:
ORA-600 [3398] [603992043], [603992043], [1], [50], [16150], [548]

The key information in identifying the problem is in the first argument. The first argument tells where in the Oracle code the error was caught. The other remaining arguments give the other related information. Hence, in our ORA-600 example, which is a Block Corruption in Memory, the remaining arguments provide supporting information related to the data block address (DBA).

A trace file is generated whenever an ORA-600 error occurs. The trace file contains important information on what led to the error condition. The trace file is generated in the USER_DUMP_DEST or BACKGROUND_DUMP_DEST. The error is also written in the alert log along with the name of the trace file.

Oracle Metalink provides more information on ORA-600. If after searching Metalink you still cannot identify the cause and possible fix for an ORA-600 error, give Oracle support a call. Make sure you are thorough on reporting your problem, including any recent changes to the system environment, e.g. upgrades, power failures, etc. It will facilitate in resolving your ORA-600.

Have you been turned down for a job because you were over-qualified?
The article "Over-qualified? Don't be a Dummy!" is an article worth reading.

Michael Pollock's blog: "Damned Psycho Customers" provides good insights. Having been in technical customer support in one point of my career, I lament the slow death of good support over the years. I admit, I have been one of those who have been in the verge of being the "Psycho Customer". It is sometimes a test of patience to talk to a customer representative. I have had trouble tickets that kept on being closed, even if they have not been resolved because the offshore customer support representatives were being evaluated by the number of cases they close. I agree with the study in the article that "on average, twice as many people are told about a bad experience than they are about a good experience." People need to vent

An old issue of the CIO Magazine had an article on How to Build Customer Loyalty in an Internet World. Loyalty metrics were mentioned for CIOs to consider: (1) Tracking repeat customers instead of just asking customers to fill up Survey Forms and (2)Loyalty Acid Test, "which asks customers whether a company is worthy of their loyalty".

Whether one is alone or with loved ones, I thought I'd share a quote I learned way back in High School

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

"Love watcheth and sleeping slumber not
When weary it is not tired
When frightened it is not disturbed
When straightened it is not constrained
But like a vivid flame and a burning torch
it mounteth ever upwards
and securely passeth through all
Whosoever loveth knoweth the cry of this voice"

Thomas Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

The past few days have been stressful. I find solace in remembering my family and love ones who bring joy to my life. Hence, today, I immersed myself in something non-career oriented. I spent most of the day creating our family online album. My family does not live near each other - we live in different parts of the world - so we collaborate a lot using the web.

My nephew, Raph is my tester and co-administrator. He has been helping me with the site. I found him online and sent him an instant message. Therefore, I got him involved with my Saturday project - from the other side of the world.

I used Coppermine. I set up the different categories and albums under each category. I uploaded the digital pictures and scanned non-digital photos. Some pictures made me say: "Wow, I was so chubby when I was a small girl". Pictures of my nieces and nephews made me smile and say we have good genes. Happy memories filled my mind but at the same time made me miss my family.

I was not productive in terms of career today but it is a Saturday well spent.