Developers Chronicles

Obtaining new TA values by forcing handover

2008-09-25T01:17:00.000-07:00

Recently we discussed that if a handover occurred during the call, it would be possible to calculate the distance from each of the base stations using the TA values for the stations before and after the handover. Assuming that the MS has not moved during the handover procedure, these distances can be used to calculate the position of the MS. To make such measurements reliable, it is needed to find a procedure for forcing the MS to perform handover. If such a procedure is found, the MSLC can obtain the signal strength and TA values from the serving BTS.

Now is it possible to force such handovers in GSM? GSM defines a forcedHO command, designed for forcing the handover of all MS's camping on a BTS or TRX for shutdown of that entity. A forced handover command for a single channel is not defined. It is therefore evident that a forced handover will touch not only the MS being located, but also other MSs camping on that entity. Since it is highly undesirable to close down an entire BTS, the emphTRX forcedHO must be issued in the MSL case. Issuing this command will result in a forced handover of the MSs camping on any of the eight channels of this TRX. Since the serving BTS is the strongest, the handover will most probably result in the MSs being handed over to other TRXs in the same BTS. This is undesirable since the reason for the forced handover was to obtain TA values from another BTSs.

The handover to another BTS can be forced by changing the adjacentCellHandover value in the first BTS, so handover within a BTS is no longer possible, before the forced handover is performed. The forced handover will then result in a handover of the MS being located to another BTS. However, the other MSs on the same TRX will also be forced to handover, and these might not be in a location where other BTSs can be reached. For these MSs, the connection will be lost.

So the possibility exists but the cost to locate an MS is very high. Also this is possible only in dedicated mode. For passive mode or historic measurements we will still have to resort to distance estimation using Path Loss Models.

Best Regards,
Faran

[Ref: BSS Management Information. ETS 300 622 (GSM 12.20), ETSI recommendation, 1996.]

Forcing cell phones to camp on different sites

2008-09-16T01:14:00.000-07:00

I will be exploring possibilities to make a cell phone camp on other BTS other than the primary one. If anyone out there has a hint please do leave a comment here.

I will be posting the solution as soon as I find out.

Best Regards,
Faran

How to load an assembly dynamically and call its methods using reflections

2008-09-01T04:06:00.001-07:00

Following my previous post on compiling assemblies dynamically. Here is how we load them and call their methods once compiled successfully.

include these files

using System.Reflection;
using System.Security.Permissions;

Here is the code:

Assembly myAssembly = Assembly.LoadFrom(myAssemblyPath);

BindingFlags flags = (BindingFlags.NonPublic | BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Static | BindingFlags.Instance | BindingFlags.DeclaredOnly);

Module [] myModules = myAssembly.GetModules();

foreach (Module Mo in myModules) {

if (Mo.Name.Equals(myAssemblyName)){

Type[] myTypes = Mo.GetTypes();
foreach (Type Ty in myTypes){
if (Ty.Name == TypeName) {
MethodInfo[] myMethodInfo = Ty.GetMethods(flags);
foreach(MethodInfo Mi in myMethodInfo){
if (Mi.Name == MethodName) {
Object obj = Activator.CreateInstance(Ty);
Object response = Mi.Invoke(obj, null);
}
}
}
}
}
}

Best Regards,
Faran

How to get System 32 Directory

2008-08-29T04:44:00.000-07:00

I was reviewing an internees code few days back. He had hard coded directory oaths throughout the code. So for all the newbies this is how you get system directory and special folders.

string s = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.System);

Please do explore Environment.SpecialFolder

Best Regards,
Faran

Compiling Code at runtime in C#

2008-08-29T03:47:00.000-07:00

Recently I had to compile a DLL in run time. Its extremely easy in C# and with just a few lines you can compile a code on the fly and dynamically call all its methods and access member variables via reflection.

Here's the drill:

First you need to include these two namespaces in your code

using Microsoft.CSharp;
using System.CodeDom.Compiler;

The first step is to instanciate a CSharpCodeProvider and create a Compiler with that CodeProvider.

CSharpCodeProvider myCodeProvider = new CSharpCodeProvider();
ICodeCompiler myCodeCompiler = myCodeProvider.CreateCompiler();

System.dll assembly has core .NET classes. You can include others as per requirment
String [] referenceAssemblies = {"System.dll"};

With that basic parameters you can create the CompilerParameters object.
CompilerParameters myCompilerParameters = new CompilerParameters(referenceAssemblies, myAssemblyName);

If this option is set to false a DLL will be generated if set to true an executable will be generated

myCompilerParameters.GenerateExecutable = false;

You can choose whether you want to generate your assembly in application directory or in memory

myCompilerParameters.GenerateInMemory = false;

CompilerResult object has the results of your compilation
String CsharpSourceCode = GetCode();
CompilerResults myCompilerResults = myCodeCompiler.CompileAssemblyFromSource(myCompilerParameters, CsharpSourceCode);

if result size is zero we have success
Console.WriteLine("Result Size :"+myCompilerResults.Output.Count);

Best Regards,
Faran

How to get list of SQL Servers on the network

2008-08-21T04:17:00.000-07:00

in VS 2005 its quite simple

using System.Data;
using System.Data.Sql;

SqlDataSourceEnumerator servers = SqlDataSourceEnumerator.Instance;
DataTable serversTable = servers.GetDataSource();

foreach(DataRow row in serversTable.Rows)
{
string serverName = string.format(\"{0}\\\\{1}\", row[0], row[1];
// Add this to your list
}

for VS 2003 you will have to do a bit of socket programing. I had to face this problem becuase i was working on debugging of a code written in VS 2003. And it could not be ported to VS 2005.

Best Regards,
Faran

A Tutorial on Facebook Application Development PART - 4

2008-08-20T05:13:00.000-07:00

This is the final part of the tutorial. It contains a brief intro of FBML

Facebook Markup Language

Facebook parses your server's response to a request and displays FBML markups

Its really helpful as it preserves the look and feel of facebook in your application and shortcuts to a lot of facebook information and functions

Usage Sample

This example shows the facebook "Invite your friends to join this application" page which is usually shown when you add a new application.

Here are some other useful FBML functions

fb:name
renders the name of the uid passed in and offers many options related to displaying names, including firstnameonly, lastnameonly, linked

fb:friend-selector

renders an ajax predictive friend selector input. It is often used in request forms

For further help please explore the Facebook API documentation () and the online FQL and FBML testers ().

Best Of Luck :)

Best Regards,
Faran

A Tutorial on Facebook Application Development PART - 3

2008-08-20T05:05:00.000-07:00

FQL

Facebook query language

Mostly similar to SQL, with a few restrictions.
1- you can only select from one table AND
2- query must be indexable.

Table of Tables

Here is a list of tables available for use in FQL

album
group
cookies
group_member
event
listing
event_member
page
friend
page_fan
friend_request
photo
friendlist
photo_tag
friendlist_member
user

Usage of FQL

api_client->fql_query($query)

parameters: query string
returns: the results of the query

Eg:
$query = “SELECT first_name,last_name
FROM user
WHERE uid='554331703'”;

$this->api_client->fql_query($query);

Example return value dump:

Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[first_name] => Adrian
[last_name] => Quek
)
)

Best Regards,
Faran

A Tutorial on Facebook Application Development PART - 2

2008-08-20T04:50:00.000-07:00

Getting the API

1- Download http://developers.facebook.com/clientlibs/facebook-platform.tar.gz
2- Extract the tarball.
3- You will get the directory “facebook-platform”.
4- The following are the files you will need, relative to the abovementioned
directory

facebook-platform/client/facebook.php
facebook-platform/client/facebookapi_php5_restlib.php

5- Create a “facebook” directory in your “app/vendors” directory and put those
two files into it.

Using The API With Cake PHP

And so we are done with the configuration. The rest is your application logic and facebook api functions. From here onwards i will just explain a rough idea of the usage of these functions.

Facebook Client Functions

facebook->require_login()
parameters: none
returns: the current user's facebook id
behavior: redirects to app login page if user has not logged in to app

facebook->require_add()
parameters: none
returns: current user's facebook id
behavior: redirects to add app page if user has not added app

Eg:
$user = $this->facebook->require_login();
$user = $this->facebook->require_add();

Different Kinds of Facebook API

Controller API, Logical layer
facebook->api_client, facebook object's api_client object

Model API, Database layer
FQL, facebook query language

Presentation API, View layer
FBML, facebook mark up language

Useful Client Functions

api_client->friends_get()

parameters: none
returns: an array containing the ids of the user's friends

Eg:
$friends = $this->api_client->friends_get();
Example return value dump:
Array
(
[0] => 773208042
)

----

api_client->friends_areFriends($uids1,$uids2)

parameters: two similarly-sized arrays of user ids
returns: an array containing pairs of ids and a bool indicating if they are friends

Eg:
$uids1 = array('773208042');
$uids2 = array('554331703');

$uidpairs = $this->api_client->friends_areFriends($uids1,$uids2);

Example return value dump:
Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[uid1] => 773208042
[uid2] => 554331703
[are_friends] => 1
)
)

Best Regards,
Faran

A Tutorial on Facebook Application Development PART - 1

2008-08-20T04:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

I have many friends asking me how I set up a face book application. Its a good thing to have and if your idea is a hit it can be source of quick easy money. So i thought of writing a tutorial for newbies. So here is a kick start for face book application development. For ease of understanding I will mostly be using snapshots.

prerequisites

1- A developer (that be you)
2- Basic understanding of PHP (you will have to do this yourself too)
3- A facebook account (Duh)
4- The Facebook developers application ().
5- A web server to host your application (e.g. XAMPP)
6- A bit about cake PHP

The facebook developer application

Creating an Application

Go to developer application and click on create a new application. Here is what you should see:

----

----

Best Regards,
Faran

Generics In Java

2008-08-20T03:17:00.000-07:00

A sample method to convert a string to integer would be like :

public T convertThis(Class argType, String argSomething)
{
if (argType == Integer.class)
{
Integer test = new Integer(argSomething);
return argType.cast(test);
}
// this line may not work!!!
return argType.cast(argSomething);
}

and we can call it like

Integer myInt = test.convertThis(Integer.class, "2475");

The last line wont work unless T is of type Object.

Best Regards,
Faran

Give a wake up call to your PC

2008-08-19T03:34:00.000-07:00

Remote Wake technology - the ability for a computer to be turned on from sleep mode remotely.

Intel will soon begin shipping out technology that allows users to remotely activate their computers from sleep mode by way of a VoIP call. Remote Wake, will enable a user to download a movie before arriving home, for example.

Users of computers with Remote Wake will not have to keep their computers on 24/7 to use a particular service or product. In short, it gives Intel and its partners a powerful sales pitch: You can save money on electricity bills by leaving your computer in sleep mode until needed.

Other than power saving feature I personally cannot see any other technological advantage this technology can offer to any services provided by Intel partner companies.

In our part of the world this technology can offer some advantage where the PCs have to slumber 1/3rd of a day, EVERYDAY.

But Bunty Cant Dance ...

2008-08-17T22:30:00.001-07:00

*** DISCLAIMER -- from the CT3Team ***

This is just a joke. But Still....

All characters and names mentioned in these scripts are not at all fictions and imaginary.

And any resemblance to many people living or dead is purely intentional and not at all regretted.

P.S: Left out people may mail me so that I can include them in my mailing list for "Chronicles of Timmy the tester" A.K.A CT3

You may also find complete collection of CT3 at my blog: http://devchronicles.blogspot.com

[in the lower right menu select the category "Timmy the tester" to exclude other posts]

**********************

But Bunty Cant Dance ...

Timmy the tester, Tot Batot the S.T.U.D, and B.U.N.T.Y (Bachelor UNTil Year ....) the Developer were discussing the merits and demerits of having a girl friend.

Timmy tells of the passion, the thrill which comes with the risk of being discovered.

Tot Batot warns of the difficulties. It can lead to guilt, bankruptcy getting beaten up half to death by your girl friend. Not worth it. Too many problems. Besides there are other easy going and cheaper alternatives.

Bunty the developer says "It's the best thing that's ever happened to me. My mom thinks I'm with my girl friend.
My girl friend thinks I'm home with my mom, and I can spend all night on the computer playing war-craft!"

Moral Of the Story

"Bunty Kuriyon may craze hai...
Bunty ki diet Corn flakes hai ...

Bunty Ka lunch box super small ...
Bunty Portals Main taiz hai ...

But Bunty Cant Dance Sala.... "

Yours Sinfully,
Badtameez

Identifying A Cell from BCCH, BSIC and Lac

2008-08-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

Another simple fact that I learned few days back. A Cell can be identified by using its BCCH and BSIC. Many Sites share a BCCH for efficient usage. To identify sites using same BCCH we use BSIC. i.e. Base Station Identifier Code. It comprises of NCC [Network Color Code] and BCC [Base station Color Code].

The drive test I got did not have CIs of neighbors. So I used BSIC and BCCH AND LAC to get Cell Ids.

Yours Sinfully,
Faran

Dear Readers ... I Need your Support

2008-08-07T01:38:00.000-07:00

I am conducting a poll on http://devchronicles.blogspot.com/

Recently there have been some issues which have me thinking whether we should continue the CT3 series or not.
I need your support to determine what should be done. Kindly participate in the poll. Your feedback is totally anonymous
and no one can make more than one poll from one machine.

I will not cast any vote.

Waiting for your feedback.

The poll will close on 4th September.

Thank you all for you support.

P.S: If there are any suggestions. you can leave them as comments to this post. These comments can be totally anonymous too.

Yours Sinfully,
Badtameez

Tim Tim takes S.H.I.T

2008-08-04T04:25:00.000-07:00

*** NEWS Flash ***

Dear Readers,

Today a very special member has joined the CT3 authors team and this script is his debut story idea.

I hope you will appreciate the new guy. DD A.K.A Taimur Sarwar. Welcome to the CT3 Family.

********************

*** DISCLAIMER ***

This is just a joke. But Still....

All characters, names and events (even those based on real people) mentioned in these scripts are not at all fictions and imaginary.

And any resemblance to many people living or dead is purely intentional and not at all regretted.

P.S: If anyone was left out of the mailing list kindly forward this mail to that person.

Or left out people may also mail me so that i can include them in my mailing list for "Chronicles of Timmy the tester" A.K.A CT3

you may also find complete collection of CT3 at my blog: http://devchronicles.blogspot.com

[in the lower right menu select the category "Timmy the tester" to exclude other posts]

**********************

Tim Tim takes SHIT(Special High Intensity Training):

Since our hero, Timmy is going abroad to test "the perfect Doctor" that LMKR has developed. He is giving loads of
S.H.I.T (Special High Intensity Training) to his L.O.O.S.E.R.S (League Of Ostentatiously Sharp & Effective ResourceS).
So here goes a brief of how it all went...

Tim Tim was asked to report to Timmy for an assignment.

Timmy said, “We have a critical shortage of cranky email writers. I'll give you a little test. Type this,” he ordered, giving Tim Tim a
pamphlet to copy and a sheet of paper, and pointing to a desk across the room that held a typewriter and an adding machine.

Tim Tim, quite enthusiastic to become a clerk e-mail typist, made a point of typing very swiftly,
and saw to it that the work contained as minimal errors as possible.

Timmy gave the typed copy not even a brief glance. “Pathetic,”" he said. “Your smoke has been failed. You cannot clear the test.”

“But aren't you going to even look at the test?” tim tim asked.

Timmy grinned. “You failed the test,” he replied, “when you sat down at the adding machine instead of at the type writer.”

--
Yours Sinfully,
Badtameez

Tim-Tim Vs Badtameez

2008-07-27T23:25:00.001-07:00

*** DISCLAIMER -- from the CT3Team ***

This is just a joke. But Still....

All characters and names mentioned in these scripts are not at all fictions and imaginary.

And any resemblance to many people living or dead is purely intentional and not at all regretted.

P.S: If anyone was left out of the mailing list kindly forward this mail to that person.

Or left out people may also mail me so that i can include them in my mailing list for "Chronicles of Timmy the tester" A.K.A CT3

you may also find complete collection of CT3 at my blog: http://devchronicles.blogspot.com

[in the lower right menu select the category "Timmy the tester" to exclude other posts]

**********************

Tim-Tim Vs Badtameez:

Badtameez the developer was a very impish guy and a talented ventriloquist. He used to have a small dummy on his knee, and would go on with his usual tester jokes during the tea breaks at work. One day when he was performing one of his usual jokes Tim-Tim the assistant tester came up to him and started shouting

"I've heard enough of your stupid tester jokes. What does a guys profession (The testing) has to do with his worth as a human being? Its guys like you (The developers) who keep people like me (The testers) from being respected at work and in the community and from reaching our full potential as a person. Because you and your kind (The developers) continue to perpetuate discrimination against us (The Testers) and all in the name of humor"

Badtameez was very embarrassed at this. Just as he began to apologize, Tim-Tim the tester yelled at him "You stay out of this, mister!
I am talking to that little shit head on your knee."

Yours Sinfully,
Badtameez

CT3 Announcement

2008-07-27T23:10:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

The hero of our comic has decided that LMKR is developing a lot of innovative products and he alone cannot manage them all. So he has decided to formulate a special team for these purposes. This team will be taking a lot of SHIT (Special High Intensity Training) from all of LMKR. So that they can do SHIT (Strong High Intensity Testing) properly.

The new team consists of:

Timmy the tester
Tim-Tim the assistant
Totbatot the S.T.U.D (Special Testing Ultimate Director)
Miss Mogambo (The manager)

Yours Sinfully,
Badtameez

*** DISCLAIMER -- from the CT3Team ***

This is just a joke. But Still....

All characters and names mentioned in these scripts are not at all fictions and imaginary.

And any resemblance to many people living or dead is purely intentional and not at all regretted.

P.S: If anyone was left out of the mailing list kindly forward this mail to that person.

Or left out people may also mail me so that i can include them in my mailing list for "Chronicles of Timmy the tester" A.K.A CT3

you may also find complete collection of CT3 at my blog: http://devchronicles.blogspot.com

[in the lower right menu select the category "Timmy the tester" to exclude other posts]

**********************

Timmy and the Magic Mirror

2008-07-22T21:34:00.000-07:00

*** DISCLAIMER -- from the CT3Team ***

This is just a joke. But Still....

All characters and names mentioned in these scripts are not at all fictions and imaginary.
And any resemblance to many people living or dead is purely intentional and not at all regretted.
P.S: If anyone was left out of the mailing list kindly forward this mail to that person.
Or left out people may also mail me so that I can include them in my mailing list for "Chronicles of Timmy the tester" A.K.A CT3
You may also find complete collection of CT3 at my blog: http://devchronicles.blogspot.com
[in the lower right menu select the category "Timmy the tester" to exclude other posts]

**********************

Timmy and the Magic Mirror

LMKR developed a magic mirror. If anyone told a lie in front of it, it would suck them in.

So for thorough testing LMKR gave it to Timmy the tester and his new assistant Tim-Tim.

They devised a testing plan which involved a developer (pink panther), a manager (Miss Mogambo) and (obviously, our night in the shining armor) Timmy the tester.

So the developer walked up to the mirror and said 'I think I am HOT' and with a SWOOOOOOP the mirror sucked him in.

Next, the manager walked up to the mirror and said 'I think I am the supreme incharge & savior of LMKR’s furniture, ball pens and writing pads and I am always on my seat' and with another SWOOOOOOP the mirror sucked her in too.

Finally Timmy stood up to the mirror and said 'I think...' and SWOOOOOP went the mirror and sucked him in too.

So Tim-Tim wrote in TD:

“We (The Magic Mirror Testing Team) on 23/07/2008; Wednesday at 15:00 Hrs before 17:30 Hrs COB have tested the product (The Magic Mirror) and have found that half of the flow works fine (The sucking in part). But we (The Magic Mirror Testing Team) consider the smoke FAILED because there is no way to get them (The liars) out of the mirror. Also you (The manager) kindly ask him (The developer) to give us that (The SRS), so that we can finish This (The Testing cycle)."

Kindly llok into the matter (The crashing of the servar).”

With Due Respect and Best Regards,
Timmy
&
Tim-Tim

----

Yours Sinfully,
Badtameez

--

Speed Racer Timmy

2008-07-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

*** Announcement ***

We have a new Author in the CT3 league. Faheem Ud Din Ghauri (A.K.A Missile Bhai) has joined the band.

And this script's plot idea is the new author's debut.

I hope everyone will appreciate the effort.

And others are welcomed to join us too.

**********************

*** MEGA Announcement ***

CT3 team has now formal heads of board of directors. I cannot offer anyone these posts because these were reserved seats.

Also highly qualified personnel are reuired to carry out these delegate responsibilities.

I am proud to announce M Faisal A.K.A George and

Asfand Yar A.k.A John as heads of board of directors of CT3 Team

**********************

*** DISCLAIMER -- from both the authors ***

This is just a joke. But Still ....

All characters and names mentioned in these scripts are not at all fictious and imaginary.

And any resemblance to many people living or dead is purely intentional and not at all regretted.

P.S: If anyone was left out of the mailing list kindly forward this mail to that person.

Or left out people may also mail me so that i can include them in my mailing list for "Chronicles of Timmy the tester" A.K.A CT3

you may also find complete collection of CT3 at my blog: http://devchronicles.blogspot.com

[in the lower right menu select the category "Timmy the tester" to exclude other posts]

**********************

LMKR developed the perfect car. And gave it to timmy the tester for rigorous testing.

Timmy took the car out on the highway for a smoke test.

Developers waited anxiously for his return.

Minutes turned into hours and hours turned into days but there was no sign of timmy.

Atlast every one gave up on timmy. The car was lost but still there was a sense of joy in the atmosphere.

But miraculously/Unfortunately After 2 long days timmy came back with the car and failed the smoke.

He wrote in TD:

"The car is not consistent, it has five gears to go forward but only one gear to come back."

P.S: Miraculously because the car didn't have a scratch on it and
Unfortunately because it came back.

Yours Sinfully,
Faran

Timmy at the Pole

2008-07-10T21:34:00.001-07:00

*** Announcment ***

We have a new Author in the CT3 league. KK(Khurram Khokhar) has joined the band.

And this script's plot idea is the new author's debut. I hope everyone will appreciate the effort.

And others are welcomed to join in too.

**********************

*** DISCLAIMER -- from both the authors ***

This is just a joke. But Still ....

All characters and names mentioned in these scripts are not at all fictious and imaginary.

And any resemblance to many people living or dead is purely intentional and not at all regretted.

P.S: If anyone was left out of the mailing list kindly forward this mail to that person.

Or left out people may also mail me so that i can include them in my mailing list for "Chronicles of Timmy the tester" A.K.A CT3

you may also find complete collection of CT3 at my blog: http://devchronicles.blogspot.com

[in the lower right menu select the category "Timmy the tester" to exclude other posts]

**********************

WAPDA gave LMKR a project to measure the height of their electricity poles.

A lot of people tried to climb the poles. But it was really troublesome and inefficient.

One brave soul [Tot Batot] nearly died while trying to get to the top of the pole.

So the big brains at LMKR decided to lay down the pole and do the measurments.

After the task was completed Timmy the tester was given a detailed description

of the project and the procedure for aggressive testing.

But LMKR had to suffer a great loss and WAPDA couldnt get the poles to work becuase Timmy failed the smoke and

wrote in TD.

"Requirment was to measure the height of the pole NOT the length of the pole".

Moral of the Story: "Pakistan is facing electricity crisis these days because of our 'knight in the shining armor', Timmy the tester".

Timmy in a financial crisis

2008-07-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

Timmy desperately needed some money, so he decided to kidnap someone. So he went to the park and grabbed this kid.

Then he wrote a note saying, "If you ever want to see your child again, leave 10,00,000 Rs/- in a paper bag in the northwest corner of the park."

then he signed it 'Timmy the tester'

and told the kid to give it to his parents.

The next day he went to the northwest corner of the park and got the paper bag. It had the money in it and a note from the father that said,

"How could you do this to another TESTER - signed Tot Batot?"

The first commic

2008-07-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

Timmy -- premier

2008-07-09T03:27:00.001-07:00

LMKR once developed a frog. Timmy the tester was given the frog for rigorous testing.

Timmy put the frog on the ground and told it to jump. The frog jumped four feet.

So timmy wrote in test director, "Frog with four feet, jumps four feet."

timmy then cut off one of the frogs legs. timmy told the frog to jump. Frog jumped three feet. So timmy wrote in testdirector, "Frog with three feet, jumps three feet."

So timmy cut of another leg. He told the frog to jump. The frog jumped two feet. So timmy wrote in test director "Frog with two feet, jumps two feet."

Timmy then cut off one more leg. He told the frog to jump. Frog jumped one foot. So timmy wrote in test director, "Frog with one foot, jumps one foot."

So timmy cut off his last leg.

"He said, "Frog jump. Frog jump. FROG JUMP!"

So timmy wrote in test director, "Frog with no feet, goes deaf."

Pizza boy timmy

2008-07-09T03:26:00.000-07:00

LMKR keeps on exploring diverse fields. So this time they decided to invest in the food industry. After much hard work the perfect vegetable pizza was developed and given to the Timmy the tester for quality assurance.

After rigorous testing the smoke for the vegi pizza was failed.
Here is what Timmy the tester wrote in test director:

“Smoke is declared failed because of total absence of chicken from the pizza”

*** DISCLAIMER ***

This is just a joke.
But Still any resemblance to many people living or dead is purely intentional and not at all regretted.

If anyone was left out of the mailing list kindly forward this mail to that person. Or left out people may also mail me so that i can include them in my mailing list for weekly comics "Chronicles of Timmy the tester"

**********************

Timmy with the gun

2008-07-09T02:55:00.000-07:00

*** DISCLAIMER ***

This is just a joke.
But Still any resemblance to many people living or dead is purely intentional and not at all regretted.

If anyone was left out of the mailing list kindly forward this mail to that person. Or left out people may also mail me so that i can include them in my mailing list for weekly comics "Chronicles of Timmy the tester"

**********************

LMKR decided to venture in fire arms. The perfect gun was crafted and given to Timmy the tester for detailed testing.

With the gun he was given a detailed set of instructions, the rifle and bullets. He fired several shots at the target.

The report came from the target area that all attempts had completely missed the target.

Timmy looked at his rifle and then at the target again.

He looked at the rifle again, and then at the target once again...

He put his finger over the end of the rifle barrel and squeezed the trigger with his other hand.

The end of his finger was blown off, whereupon he wrote in test director:

"It's leaving here just fine. The trouble must be at target end!"

Conversion Error setting value ''{0}'' for ''{1}''

2008-06-22T23:11:00.000-07:00

This is a major problem with Java Server Faces. Most of the time errors don't make any sense. They don't directly point to the source of the problem. This one is the relatively simple one It is actually a String literal parsing error rather than a value binding error.

for example if you are trying h:selectItem value="{page.value}" or "{#page.value)" than such parsing errors occur.

Yours Sinfully,
Badtameez.

GSM Specifications

2008-06-11T04:12:00.001-07:00

RF Spectrum
GSM 900
Mobile to BTS (uplink): 890-915 Mhz
BTS to Mobile(downlink):935-960 Mhz
Bandwidth : 2* 25 Mhz

GSM 1800
Mobile to BTS (uplink): 1710-1785 Mhz
BTS to Mobile(downlink) 1805-1880 Mhz
Bandwidth : 2* 75 Mhz

Carrier Separation : 200 Khz
Duplex Distance : 45 Mhz
No. of RF carriers : 124
Access Method : TDMA/FDMA
Modulation Method : GMSK
Modulation data rate : 270.833 Kbps

Components explaination Contd.

2008-06-11T04:08:00.000-07:00

NSS

Mobile Switching Center (MSC)

Heart of the network
Manages communication between GSM and other networks
Call setup function and basic switching
Call routing
Billing information and collection
Mobility management
- Registration
- Location Updating
- Inter BSS and inter MSC call handoff
MSC does gateway function while its customer roams to other network by using HLR/VLR.

Home Location Registers (HLR)

- permanent database about mobile subscribers in a large service area(generally one per GSM network operator)
database contains IMSI,MSISDN,prepaid/postpaid,roaming restrictions,supplementary services.

Visitor Location Registers (VLR)

Temporary database which updates whenever new MS enters its area, by HLR database
Controls those mobiles roaming in its area
Reduces number of queries to HLR
Database contains IMSI,TMSI,MSISDN,MSRN,Location Area,authentication key

Authentication Center (AUC)
Protects against intruders in air interface
Maintains authentication keys and algorithms and provides security triplets ( RAND,SRES,Kc)
Generally associated with HLR

Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
- Database that is used to track handsets using the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)
Made up of three sub-classes: The White List, The Black List and the Gray List
Only one EIR per PLMN

Components explaination Contd.

2008-06-11T04:06:00.000-07:00

BSS

Base Station Controller (BSC)

Manages Radio resources for BTS
Assigns Frequency and time slots for all MS’s in its area
Handles call set up
Transcoding and rate adaptation functionality
Handover for each MS
Radio Power control
It communicates with MSC and BTS

Components explaination

2008-06-11T04:03:00.000-07:00

MS

Mobile Equipment

Simply put its our cell phone
Portable,vehicle mounted, hand held device
Uniquely identified by an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)
Monitoring power and signal quality of surrounding cells for optimum handover
Power level : 0.8W – 20 W

Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

Smart card contains the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)
Allows user to send and receive calls and receive other subscribed services
Encoded network identification details
- Key Ki,Kc and A3,A5 and A8 algorithms
Protected by a password or PIN
Can be moved from phone to phone – contains key information to activate the phone

How To Create JSF Customize Validator Tag

2008-04-29T00:42:00.000-07:00

One of the major benefits of Java Server Faces (JSF) in comparison to other View frameworks is its easy extensibility. UI Components can be incorporated, custom converters and page-life-cycles can be defined and of course Validators can be developed an integrated into JSF applications. Although there is a number of tutorials and articles available on line on creating new custom Validators, they do not seem to discuss the creation of a validator that deals with more than one component (’s value). For example I would like to have a Validator that enforces that one component can only have a value that is larger than the value of some other specified component.
Basically I want to be able to specify something like:

"
value="#{SalaryBean.oldSalary}"/>

id="newSalary">

"

Hence my tag prevents new salary to be less then old salary
The steps for implementing this type of Custom Validator are fairly straightforward:

1. Create a class that implements the Validator interface
package lmkr.moit.gui.validator;

import javax.faces.application.FacesMessage;
import javax.faces.component.EditableValueHolder;
import javax.faces.component.UIComponent;
import javax.faces.context.FacesContext;
import javax.faces.validator.Validator;
import javax.faces.validator.ValidatorException;

import org.apache.log4j.Logger;

import com.lmkr.commons.log.LogMgr;

public class GreaterThanValidator implements Validator {
private static Logger log = LogMgr.getLogger(GreaterThanValidator.class);
String greaterThanId;

public GreaterThanValidator() {
}

public void validate(FacesContext facesContext, UIComponent uiComponent,
Object value) {
log.info("GreaterThanValidator validate method starts");
if (null == value) {
return;
}
UIComponent greaterThanComponent =
uiComponent.findComponent(greaterThanId);
if (greaterThanComponent != null) {
if (greaterThanComponent instanceof EditableValueHolder) {
Object greaterThanValue =
((EditableValueHolder)greaterThanComponent).getValue();
if (null == greaterThanValue) {
return;
}
if ((value instanceof Comparable) &&
(greaterThanValue instanceof Comparable)) {
if (((Comparable)value).compareTo((Comparable)greaterThanValue) < message =" new" greaterthanid =" greaterThanId;"> Create a class for this Validator that extends the ValidatorTag class; this class supports a custom JSP tag for this validator (as opposed to using f:validator with validatorId)
package lmkr.moit.gui.tags;

import javax.faces.validator.Validator;
import javax.faces.webapp.ValidatorTag;
import javax.servlet.jsp.JspException;

import org.apache.log4j.Logger;

import com.lmkr.commons.log.LogMgr;

import lmkr.moit.gui.validator.GreaterThanValidator;
public class GreaterThanValidatorTag extends ValidatorTag{
private static Logger log = LogMgr.getLogger(GreaterThanValidatorTag.class);
String greaterThanId;

public GreaterThanValidatorTag() {
setValidatorId("GreaterThan");
}

public Validator createValidator() throws JspException {
log.info("starts");
GreaterThanValidator validator = (GreaterThanValidator) super.createValidator();
validator.setGreaterThanId(greaterThanId);

return validator;
}

public void release() {
greaterThanId = null;
}

public void setGreaterThanId(String greaterThanId) {
this.greaterThanId = greaterThanId;
}

public String getGreaterThanId() {
return greaterThanId;
}
}

3. Register the validator in the faces-config.xml .Like in this case we have

GreaterThan

lmkr.moit.gui.validator.GreaterThanValidator

4. Create an entry for the validator tag in a tag-library .Like in this case we have
"

1.0
1.1
greater

Custom tags for MOIT applications
Author: Waqar Ahmed

Validator - Enforce that Component’s value is GreaterThan other Component’s Value
greaterThan
lmkr.moit.gui.tags.GreaterThanValidatorTag

greaterThanId

empty

Waqar Ahmed/I...
value="#{SalaryBean.oldSalary}"/>

id="newSalary">

"

Regards
Waqar Ahmed

accessing value of outputText in java script

2008-04-28T06:15:00.001-07:00

Today at office i discovered a funny thing about JSF. value of an inputText can be accessed easily as follows :

var val = getElemenById('idOfInputText').value;

but to access value of an outputText in java script you have to use innerHTML attribute like this.

var val = getElemenById('idOfOutputText').innerHTML;

Yours Sinfully,
Badtameez.

Architecture of a GSM Network

2008-04-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

As a concluding post for all the basic domain study we were up to I shall discuss the architecture of the GSM Network. I have also included a nice figure i found on the internet. This shall help explain much about the basics.

Here is a birds eye view of a GSM network.

Now I shall explain the functions and responsibilities of each of the following elements in the subsequent posts.

1- Mobile Station (MS)

Mobile Equipment (ME)
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

2- Base Station Subsystem (BSS)

Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
Base Station Controller (BSC)

3- Network Switching Subsystem(NSS)

Mobile Switching Center (MSC)
Home Location Register (HLR)
Visitor Location Register (VLR)
Authentication Center (AUC)
Equipment Identity Register (EIR)

Yours Sinfully,
Badtameez

More Definitions

2008-04-25T04:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some more definitions

EIRP:

Effective isotropic radiated power is the amount of power that a theoretical isotropic antenna (that evenly distributes power in all directions) would need to emit to produce the peak power density observed in the direction of maximum antenna gain.

MCC:
Mobile Country Code

MNC:
Mobile Network Code

Azimuth:
It is defined as the angle between a reference plane and a point.

Yours Sinfully,
Badtameez

Some Basic Definitions

2008-04-25T00:03:00.000-07:00

Looking at the data we have I decided i should start by defining the various parameters we have. Once we understand them well than we can analyze them well.

Parameters regarding to Antenna:

Gain/Loss:

RF antennas do not radiate equally in all directions. It is found that any practically RF antenna design will radiate more in some directions than others.

In theory an antenna that radiates equal amount of power in all directions is said to be isotropic antenna and its gain is measured as dBi (decibels over isotropic). For other antennas with directional patterns more power will be radiated in some direction as compared to others. Now this fact that more power is radiated in some direction can be considered as a gain.

Here is the textbook definition: "The gain can be defined as a ratio of the signal transmitted in the "maximum" direction to that of a standard or reference antenna."

BeamWidth:

Simply width of the major beam. Here is the text book definition:

"his is taken to be angle between the two points where the power falls to half its maximum level, and as a result it is sometimes called the half power beam-width."

Yours Sinfully,
Badtameez

Introduction

2008-04-24T23:54:00.000-07:00

Salamz,

I took up another project at my company. Its about localization in GSM networks. I have done some similar work as my final year project. There some members in the team including me who do not know even some of the basic definitions so i will be posting all i go through from the top in this thread.

Yours Sinfully,
Badtameez

Eclipse Plug-In Development

2008-04-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

Salamz,

Few days back i was looking at the tremendous growth of facebook application. Looking at the trend at which new applications are coming up every day I started working on a RAD tool dedicated to facebook application development.

For this purpose I choose eclipse as IDE and started writing plug-ins for it. So this thread will be covering my chronicles with eclipse plug-in development.

Plug-ins are building blocks of eclipse. A plug-in resides in the directory X:\eclipse\plug-in in the eclipse installation directory. It has a manifest file i.e. "plugin.xml" that introduces the plug-in to the eclipse runtime. Apart from these a plug-in may contain Java libraries as jar files. Java source code, Java class files, images, icons, properties files. etc. etc.

a detailed post on the anatomy of an eclipse plug-in will be coming soon.

-
Yours sinfully,
Badtameez.