TNS_ADMIN not respected, or how do I get sql developer to see my tnsnames

Question

When I installed sql developer at home with a 'static' tnsnames.ora file, sql-developer picked it up right away, and I was able to use the 'connect identifier' pull down menu.
However, at work, all of developer's computers have a TNS_ADMIN registry set pointing to a network share. Sql developer fails to recognize that. The purpose of this is central administration of the file (changes happen at least once a month)
Is there are a way to make it see our tnsnames.ora file? Is there are some kind of workaround (besides copying the file locally)
Thanks.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, because SQL Developer is set up to allow an install without any local Oracle client, it is not wonderful at picking up some things from the local Oracle client when it is there - such as the TNS_ADMIN setting.
Assuming you are on an Windows box, rather than having your TNS_ADMIN set in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Oracle registry 'directory', you need to have a Windows environment variable set for TNS_ADMIN (it doesn't matter if this is a User environment variable or a System environment variable). I assume (but don't know) that on a Linux based version you need a Unix environment variable set.
For example on Windows XP, right click on My Computer and select the Properties menu option. On that page, select the Advanced tab and then the Environment Variables button. Then click on the New button (in either the System or User section) and enter the variable name TNS_ADMIN and the variable value that you are using in the registry (ie z:\orant\network\admin).