time out in blocking

Hi,

I am experimenting with the serializable isolation level. If two
such transactions try to execute an UPDATE on the same record in
tandem, then the latter will be blocked forever until the former
rolls back or commits.

Is there any way to set a time out so that the latter will return
an error earlier? The rationale is that, if two users are trying
to edit the same record, then one of them will be kept waiting until
the other user OKs or cancels his own edit dialog. For the unforunate
user, the app will appear to have freezed. This creates a very bad
experience on the user.

Any idea to get this time out effect?

Thanks in advance!
--
Kent Tong, M.Sc., MCSE, MCP+I
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