One trick I've had thrown at me in an interview was to be handed a very large chunk of the prospective employer's own code, and asked to explain what it did, and how to improve it. If you wanted to be totally fair, you could even give them access to all the facilities they'd usually have while working (like a syntax reference, and Internet access).

You run an proper database server on your laptop, as well as the web server, Cold Fusion server, and so on? I'm impressed. All I've ever managed on mine is Access.

I have a good strategy, but it may be unavailable to you. 1) Wake up to sound of coffee mug being placed on bedside table by husband. 2) Kiss husband. 3..7) This is a PG13 environment, right? 8) Say goodbye to husband as he departs in work-ward direction. 9) Coffee is now cool enough to drink. Do so.

Exactly: and to write that (not just copy&paste it), you need to know what a namespace is, what a class is, and the meaning of "Public" and "Shared". All very simple when you already understand them, but a pretty steep learning curve when you're totally new to programming.

I was thinking of Wales myself.

You do remember right, and I was trying to forget.

And that'll preserve all my access control and so on? OK, thanks - will do.

We have a database on a SQL 2005 server. We'd like to take an exact copy of it, on the same server (yes, I know this isn't the ideal place for a true dev system), giving the result a name such as mydbname_dev, so as to use it for test purposes. When I right-click on the database, I see under Tasks an option called "Copy database", which sounds perfect. Only, it doesn't work. Examination of log files tells me that "The login already has an account under a different user name." OK. More Googling suggests that I need to "remove the default associated objects transfer for LOGINS". This means using the "Select Database Objects" screen. Which I can't find... and further investigation shows that it doesn't appear if you're copying to the same server. Is it really impossible to use "copy database" to simply copy a database? Any suggestions as to a better way of going about this? I want the new copy to be identical in every way except name to the production database, so we can use it to test out some scripts before we run them on the real thing, and I'd like the copy method to be as simple as possible, to avoid the chances of me introducing an error by typo, or by omitting some vital step.

I see we had the same Latin text books at school. Ah, the nostalgia.

Ours includes another step, to help stop the spread of Swine Flu. Use a paper towel to turn off the tap. This generic poster is in every loo, including the small one that only has a hand-dryer, no paper towels...

I've done the latter, but not the former. Good job I'm not trying to be a man, real or otherwise.

"alter goto" Variables with two-character names An IT department that makes both of the above mandatory. Yes, I am that old, and the programs I was working on were even older.

There is probably a reason why we have a "Human resources" department rather than a "looking after our friends" department.

Yes, you should. Most good Italian places do a balsamic/oil mix to dip bread into as a pre-appetiser. Try it like that.

I used my Psion 5 until it literally fell apart. Before that, I had a Psion 3. Now? O2 XDA, at the moment, but the keyboard isn't as good. I'm still looking for a suitable replacement.

OO is good, and will open and save Doc files, but if you're after a "really good wp" it may not be up to it. It covers the 85% of Word that most people use, but you may find you needed that extra 15% - I do at times.

Since a "B" is a grade you'd get in an "A" level or below: no. Was that a reference to some other degree-level grading system? If so, which one?

Sourcesafe for code control, plus a home-grown change request system that stores all correspondence with customer, tests and results, etc.

"Pearl-diving" - what a lovely way of putting it! Thanks, as soon as I'm released from fire-fighting I'll go and do that.

You can tell I'm new to IE8, can't you? I'd overlooked that completely. I'll go and find out about the debugger and how to use it, I'm sure Google will show up a tutorial or two. Thanks!