If you run this query, you'll get back info on any serious problems, also check the alert.log file. The alert log is located in $ORACLE_HOME/admin/$ORACLE_SID/bdump

Using ctrl alt del and killing off a program through the gui is painful and takes many tries. Use taskkill /IM notepad.exe from the command prompt to kill off a process. To kill off firefox which is hung for example you would use taskkill /IM firefox.exe There is other other options for this command as well which are easily googled. Or contact barnettech for help if you like at barnettech@gmail.com

I was recently asked what is the best tool for working with XML and XSLT. Stylus Studio is an awesome tool. It will load up your xml document and will autocomplete the xpath for you. It will give you all your possibilities for each level of the xpath you're at making getting to the data needed very very easy. It makes using XPATH even fun if that is not too nerdy to admit.