Toad's Gone All Sci-Fi on us. Engage, Number 1!

Quest Software is proud to announce the launch of the Toad for Cloud Databases community site.  You can also get the free Toad for Cloud product here.  It’s in beta, but definitely worth a try.

If you’ve wondered what’s over the horizon, I encourage you to take a look at this interview with Billy Bosworth, the head of Quest’s database tools group.  (Yes, he’s the guy who signs my checks).  We are now experiencing more disruptive technologies in the world of data than we have seen in nearly two decades. Perhaps your database is better suited for the cloud or maybe you want to investigate using a data store as part of your application architecture that isn’t even relational.  Imagine if you were empowered to take advantage of these new database technologies, when and where it makes sense.

Believe me, cloud databases and the NoSQL movement is not a passing fad.  It will have an impact on the way you do business – maybe not today, but not as far in the future as you might think.

Check it out.  And as always, I welcome your feedback.

Enjoy,

-Kev

Twitter @kekline

In enterprise IT, database professionals face a mixed-bag of platforms within their environments — and the overlapping duties that go along with them. Whether you like it or not, you get asked to support Microsoft SQL Server operations even though you’re an Oracle DBA.

In this instructive webcast, experts from Microsoft and Quest with years of experience in both platforms will discuss the biggest issues and areas of interest for Oracle DBAs who need to work on Microsoft SQL Server. You’ll learn their tips and tricks for efficiency and gain a deeper understanding of SQL Server to help you add more value than ever to your organization.

Of course, there are always questions and we aim to please.  Here are the transcripts of the Q&A chat session (below) that accompanies the presentation.  The only editing I did was to remove blank questions.  If you’re not familiar with Live Meeting, there’s always a [Q&A] menu on the top session bar where you can ask a question.  Quick Tip – The Live Meeting Q&A queue is one question deep, meaning that if you write a question and then write another before the first question is answered, your original question drops out of the queue.  Here’s the transcript:

Meeting Questions and Answers:
Subject: Pain of the Week Webcast - May 27, 2010
Start Time: Thursday, May 27, 2010 10:00:00 AM GMT-5:0

Gabe Kovacs Asked: Do I need to call the hear the audio for this presentation?

Christian Answered: Yes, you will need to call the toll free number – 1888-253-4037 PC: 319874

Luis Cardenas Asked: Morning could you kindly tell me which is the passcode for teleconf?

Christian Answered: 319874

Jossy Tonio Asked: Is it started?

John Allman Asked: What is the PASS CODE for the audio?

inho Asked: To provide similar service level for Oracle database recovery using EMC SRDF and VCS/GCO, for

inho Changes Question To: To provide similar service level for Oracle database recovery using EMC SRDF and VCS/GCO, what similar DR solution(automatic failover, synchronous data replications) is available with SQL Server ?

Roy McBroom Asked: Who’s Pat Boone?

Luis Cardenas Asked: Is there any chance we could get the slides? They seem useful.

John Allman Asked: What is the PASS CODE for the audio?

hre Answered Privately: Toll-free: +1 (888) 253-4037 Toll: +1 (719) 867-0591 Participant code: 319874

Luis Cardenas Asked: Is there any chance we could get the slides? They seem useful.

hre Answered Privately: yes. they will be sent out to all attendees after the live event.

Jerry Mu Asked: I know sql server only has one tempdb that is public to all session. Oracle can create all temp tablespace. is there bottleneck in sql server if application is bigger and busy?

Jerry Mu Changes Question To: I know sql server only has one tempdb that is public to all session. Oracle can create all temp tablespace. is there bottleneck in sql server if application is bigger and busy?

inho Asked: To provide similar service level for Oracle database recovery using EMC SRDF and VCS/GCO, what similar DR solution(automatic failover, synchronous data replications) is available with SQL Server ?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: clustering, mirroring, replication and identical EMC features

Roy McBroom Asked: Who’s Pat Boone?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: A 50′s and 60′s era singer renown for his appeal to white middle-class americans

Jerry Mu Asked: I know sql server only has one tempdb that is public to all session. Oracle can create all temp tablespace. is there bottleneck in sql server if application is bigger and busy?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: tempdb can be tuned to allow multiple filegroups and, thus, multiple IO paths

DBA_Joseph Asked: What portions of the Oracle SYSTEM tablespace live in the MS-SQL “master” database, and what pieces of that info live elsewhere in MS-SQL?

Ray Herrera Asked: Can you customize the model database?

Wayne Starnes Asked: dive a little deeper into ORACLE ‘user’ being a schema object, vs SQL database and the users as the schema

Ray Herrera Changes Question To: Can you customize the model database?

Jerry Mu Asked: You mean muilple file? like how many CPU and we can create files to match CPU. But I think that will create file fragmentation, is that right? Any plan for sql server to support muilple tempdb, like sybase did?

DBA_Joseph Asked: What portions of the Oracle SYSTEM tablespace live in the MS-SQL “master” database, and what pieces of that info live elsewhere in MS-SQL?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: It’s about equal. SYSTEM + SYS on Oracle = MASTER on MSSQL

Ray Herrera Asked: Can you customize the model database?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: absolutely!

Moorthy Rekapalli Asked: Can you please expand on the concept of user and schema in SQL Server and please relate that to Oracle as I am more familiar with that.

Wayne Starnes Asked: dive a little deeper into ORACLE ‘user’ being a schema object, vs SQL database and the users as the schema

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: sorry Wayne, not enough time. links for that at the end.

Robert Stewart Asked: does the master database corralate to the sys user in Oracle

Moorthy Rekapalli Asked: Can you please expand on the concept of user and schema in SQL Server and please relate that to Oracle as I am more familiar with that.

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: Sorry Moorthy, not enough time. But there are links for that at the end.

Robert Stewart Asked: does the master database corralate to the sys user in Oracle

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: SYSTEM + SYS on Oracle = Master on MSSQL

Jerry Mu Asked: You mean muilple file? like how many CPU and we can create files to match CPU. But I think that will create file fragmentation, is that right? Any plan for sql server to support muilple tempdb, like sybase did?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: Yes, you can correlate CPUs to files. It does not contribute to unusual file fragementation.

rick stehno Asked: you don’t want to use OPS$ because it is not as secure as the other methods and you indicated that sql server access is similar to OPS$. this isn’t a good thing is it?

Luis Cardenas Asked: what about synonyms, in oracle we use to managa certains aspect of sucurity do they exist in SQLServer?

rick stehno Asked: you don’t want to use OPS$ because it is not as secure as the other methods and you indicated that sql server access is similar to OPS$. this isn’t a good thing is it?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: Ops$ is similar but not as comprehensive as Windows authentication

Luis Cardenas Asked: what about synonyms, in oracle we use to managa certains aspect of sucurity do they exist in SQLServer?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: Coming in the next release

DBA_Joseph Asked: Just to clarify:: For efficiency ++ To reduce I/O, I take it, that DB-changes are cached in MEMORY, (like Oracle’s SGA) as well as the transactin log… and the MS-SQL then migrates those changes to Database storage… To clarify earlier statement about user writing to LOG and then another process reads log and writes to database…

Ray Herrera Asked: Does MSSQL have something similar to the Oracle’s archive log mode operation?

Jim Rice Asked: does the full method emulate the oracle archive log process

Ray Herrera Asked: Does MSSQL have something similar to the Oracle’s archive log mode operation?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: I think we’re touching on that now

Jim Rice Asked: does the full method emulate the oracle archive log process

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: similar indeed

DBA_Joseph Asked: Just to clarify:: For efficiency ++ To reduce I/O, I take it, that DB-changes are cached in MEMORY, (like Oracle’s SGA) as well as the transactin log… and the MS-SQL then migrates those changes to Database storage… To clarify earlier statement about user writing to LOG and then another process reads log and writes to database…

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: yes, they’re cached in ram until checkpoint

PB Asked: Can SQL Server do block/page level recovery if a corrupt block/page is found on a datafile?

bhupendra Asked: How is the transaction log size determined

Chakrapani Asked: Is there any tool like RMAN in SQLSERVER for backing deltas?

PB Asked: Can SQL Server do block/page level recovery if a corrupt block/page is found on a datafile?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: It’s possible, but not easy. see the dbcc page command on-line

bhupendra Asked: How is the transaction log size determined

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: there are defaults, but it’s easy to change

Chakrapani Asked: Is there any tool like RMAN in SQLSERVER for backing deltas?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: The native backup supports deltas, called differentials. It’s much easier IMO than Oracle’s RMAN

Michael Asked: about user you mentioned, is it the same as Login account? How do you link login account or user to database, schema,..?

DBA_Joseph Asked: DB=Consistant as of finish… this means that backup also pulls info from LOG file, as part of backup set?? Is there an MS-SQL equivalent to Oracle “Recover Database” or is this just so transparent & automatic that it transparent?

Suresh Asked: Good point Kevin …i know Oracle DBA ‘s are very fond of RMAN

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: thanks! =^)

DBA_Joseph Asked: DB=Consistant as of finish… this means that backup also pulls info from LOG file, as part of backup set?? Is there an MS-SQL equivalent to Oracle “Recover Database” or is this just so transparent & automatic that it transparent?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: the recovery process will roll forward any transactions directly from the transaction log as needed

Michael Asked: about user you mentioned, is it the same as Login account? How do you link login account or user to database, schema,..?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: sorry, too many questions to keep up with your reference to “user”. could you restate?

Kenny Smith Asked: Do you know of a website or resource that will compare/contrast task details in Oracle to the similar task in SQL Server?

djb Asked: Isn’t it true that SQLServer benfitted from all the lessons that Oracle learned as it was developed earlier. For example, Oracle didn’t have a hot backup faicilirt at first. SQLServer was developed with that from the start.

Vladimir Lugo Asked: Can you explain a bit about clustering differences?

Carmen Asked: Our backup of master fails because of a single-user mode error. Is there something special that should be done to include master in the backup plan?

Haridas Asked: Is it possible to add Disk space without much re-org ? (In oracle SAN disk space re-org is quite a challenge)

Kenny Smith Asked: Do you know of a website or resource that will compare/contrast task details in Oracle to the similar task in SQL Server?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: nope. no one goes that deep

Michael Asked: In the security slide, User is mentioned, is it the Loing Account?

Kenny Smith Asked: How can you audit active directory user “BuckWoody” and his actions through a database role via a Active directory Group on database objects?

Suresh Asked: what about BI tools in comparison to Oracle’s? SQL BI in 2005 seems very famous now?

Vladimir Lugo Changes Question To: Can you explain a bit about clustering differences?

Haridas Asked: Is it possible to add Disk space without much re-org ? (In oracle SAN disk space re-org is quite a challenge)

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: absolutely – alter database supports this

Robert Stewart Asked: does the index rebuild do so online?

Mauricio Lopez Asked: Hi, will you put the presentation file as a Handout file or where can we download it ? Thanks

Michael Asked: In the security slide, User is mentioned, is it the Loing Account?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: Login and User are actually distinct, though usually linked

DBA_Joseph Asked: For all USERS of this Q+A screen… It is not allowing users to Select+Copy the text. Is there a way to save this list of DBA questions, so we can paste into a file, to remember/review other peopel’s questions later?

Mauricio Lopez Asked: Hi, will you put the presentation file as a Handout file or where can we download it ? Thanks

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: Of course – you’ll get a follow up email!

Bob Asked: will running select statement lock a table on the page level? or only DML will lock the table?

Bob Changes Question To: will running select statement lock a table on the page level? or only DML will lock the table?

djb Changes Question To: Isn’t it true that SQLServer benfitted from all the lessons that Oracle learned as it was developed earlier. For example, Oracle didn’t have a hot backup facility at first. SQLServer was developed with that from the start.

Bob Changes Question To: will running select statement lock a table on the page level? or only DML will lock the table?

sharath Asked: Is it possible to have data replication like in oracle for example materialisezd views or streams or data guard?

Luis Cardenas Asked: Excellent webcast thanks!!

Kenny Smith Asked: How can you audit active directory user “BuckWoody” and his actions through a database role via a Active directory Group on database objects?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: Check out a feature called CDC “change data capture”

sharath Asked: Is it possible to have data replication like in oracle for example materialisezd views or streams or data guard?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: All of those are features in SQL Server = indexed views, replication, and clustering/mirroring

DBA_Joseph Asked: For all USERS of this Q+A screen… It is not allowing users to Select+Copy the text. Is there a way to save this list of DBA questions, so we can paste into a file, to remember/review other peopel’s questions later?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: I’ll get them sent to you

Robert Stewart Asked: does the index rebuild do so online?

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: In Enterprise Edition, but not in lower editions

Luis Cardenas Asked: Excellent webcast thanks!!

Kevin Kline (Qsft) Answered: Thanks!

An Osborne Executive portable computer, from 1982, and an iPhone, released 2007. The Executive weighs 100 times as much, has nearly 500 times the volume, cost 10 times as much, and has a 100th the processing power of the iPhone.

Two recent developments are helping to change that equation.  First, solid state drives (SSDs) are having a dramatic impact many IT scenarios. My friends, Brent Ozar and Paul Randall, have each written about SSDs here and here, respectively.

Second, database vendors are supporting relational database systems that run entirely in system RAM.  If you’d like to learn more about in-memory databases (IMDB), read more in my new article in Data Management Magazine.  As we look to the future, I expect to see a lot more of both technologies in the data center.

And give me your feedback here! Thanks,

-Kev

Jack Handy, famous from Saturday Night Live

Just wanted to let you know that a TechNet Radio episode and interview I did about cloud computing is now live on TechNet Edge. It was the featured spot on Thursday, June 3^rd and is also featured on the TechNet homepage.

I’ve been trying to wear more of an analyst’s hat these days, so this webcast has a lot of my “deep thinking” on issues related to cloud computing – hopefully at a higher level of quality that Jack Handy.

A salient point that I think many analysts are overlooking is the changing nature of data as it exists in the cloud.  For decades, data has primarily been about people (and their activities) for consumption by other people.  The cloud is enabling a major shift in data generation and consumption where data is produced by machines for consumption by other machines.  We’ll soon be looking at situations, now rather rare, in which sensors are extremely commonplace.  These sensors, whether they be in traffic signals or high-end medical devices, will create enormous amounts of data far more frequently than ever before, loading that data directly into cloud databases.  The cloud databases will consume and process the data and, when automated analysis (made all the easier through features like StreamInsight in SQL Server 2008 R2) will flag important findings for review by a real-live human being.  Check out the interview for several real-world examples being played out even as we speak.

Here is a direct link:

http://edge.technet.com/Media/TechNet-Radio-Microsoft-SQL-Azure-Growing-Opportunities-for-Data-in-the-Cloud/

Or  if brevity is your thing and you prefer a surrogate key over a natural key:

http://bit.ly/cdLTeP

Perhaps I can persuade you to blog, tweet, or place a link to it in your Facebook or team newsletter?  Maybe with a few deep thoughts? Please?  Pretty please?

And I welcome your deep thoughts and responses here.

Enjoy,

-Kev

Check it out at http://www.sqlmag.com/blogs/tool-time.aspx.  Be sure to let me know what you think and if you have your own unique methods for automating the control of Windows services!

Many thanks,

-Kevin
-Twitter @kekline

Join Us for 24 Hours of SQL Server Training

(with a special focus on SQL Server 2008 R2)

Did I mention that your Cohorts in Crime (that be me and Brent Ozar) are presenting?!?

The FREE 24 Hours of PASS event is bringing an exceptional lineup of SQL Server and BI experts to your computer starting at 12:00 GMT (UTC) on May 19.

Get an in-depth look at the hottest SQL Server and BI topics, including (but not limited to!) – the new SQL Server 2008 R2, with its business intelligence and data management innovations, and much more.

When does it start? 12:00 GMT (UTC):

New York: 08:00
Chicago: 07:00
San Francisco: 05:00
London: 13:00
Paris: 14:00
Moscow: 16:00
Mumbai: 17:30
Singapore: 20:00
Sydney: 22:00

The roster of phenomenal speakers features many MVPs and top-rated presenters, including Adam Machanic, Andy Leonard, Brad McGehee, Brent Ozar, Brian Knight, Chuck Heinzelman, Dean Richards, Don Kiely, Don Vilen, Donald Farmer, Glenn Berry, Greg Low, Jacob Sebastian, Jessica Moss, Kevin Cox, Kevin Kline, Louis Davidson, Maciej Pilecki, Peter Myers, Peter Ward, Rushabh Mehta, Sean McCown, Simon Sabin, Thomas Grosher.

Check out all the great SQL Server sessions you can attend for FREE. Share this information with a friend or colleague.

PASS is looking forward to having you join us all for this exceptional event. Please contact us at 24hrs@sqlpass.org with any questions.  You can also find lots of general details at http://www.sqlpass.org/24hours/2010/.

Everybody Needs Training

Everybody enjoys a little free training now and then.  I’ve got mountains of free training in the works.  Some of it is in-person and local while some are in webcast format.  Please join me as you’re able!

Tomorrow – Wednesday!

Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 12 pm (noon) MST – PASS DBA Virtual Chapter; Top 10 Administration Mistakes on SQL Server

There are a short list of mistakes that, if you know of them in advance and prepare for them, will make your life much easier.  This presentation shows you these mistakes, the “low hanging fruit” of database administration.  Once you apply the lessons learned from this session, you’ll find yourself performing at a higher level of efficiency and effectiveness than before.  Quest is sponsoring this and raffling off a copy of my book, SQL in a Nutshell, and O-M-G a KINDLE!!!  (Free, but registration required.)  And if you haven’t already done it, join PASS!

Day After Tomorrow – Thursday!

Thu, Feb 11, 2010 at 11 am EST – Quest Software Pain of the Week; Understanding & Preventing SQL Injection Attacks – with Kevin Kline and K. Brian Kelley

SQL Injection attacks is the most common hacker trick used on the Web and yet, one of the easiest to prevent. Learn what they are and why you need to be concerned about them. In this webcast, I and SQL Server MVP K. Brian Kelley (blog | twitter) will demonstrate different types of SQL injection attacks. You’ll learn how to find and block them to keep your databases safe, preventing disruptions to your organization. Quest is sponsoring this as well and raffling off more goodies.  (Free, but registration required.)

Thu, Feb 11, 2010 at 6 pm CST – Nashville .NET User Group; Ten Things DBAs Want .NET Developers to Know

Stereotypes abound for different types of people in the IT world. Developers think DBAs are control freaks. DBAs think developers are unruly cowboys. How do we overcome these differences? If you’re a developer, your best strategy is to manage your DBAs’ anxieties and demonstrate your competence and credibility. Attend this session to learn about 10 techniques that developers can apply to their code which will calm your DBAs’ fears and earn their admiration. Techniques include how to analyze a query plan and how to make sure your query is taking advantage of the best available indexes.  Attendance is free although registration is encouraged so we can get a good count for the food, plus there’s free pizza and a raffle at the end.  Drinks afterwards at Chilis.

Coming Soon

Mar 03, 2010 >>>FULL DAY OF FREE TRAINING!<<< – Quest Software SQL Server vConference; Troubleshooting and Performance Tuning with Kevin Kline, Brent Ozar, and Ariel Weil

Join SQL Server MVPs, Kevin Kline and Brent Ozar (blog | twitter), along with Quest Product Manager Ari Weil —all from Quest Software—as they interactively present tips and tricks to help you monitor your SQL Server environment with ease. You’ll learn how to use Dynamic Management Views (DMVs) to simplify troubleshooting and significantly enhance SQL Server performance. The day consists of eight sessions with live Q&A – a great way to get answers to your questions straight from the source. Chat live with Quest experts. Plus, you can visit the Quest booth to download helpful resources like white papers, watch demos and more.  This virtual training day is free and you can attend the sessions that fit your needs – perfect for tight budgets and busy schedules.

Mar 06, 2010 – PASS SQL Saturday, Charlotte, SC

The SQL Server Community will experience an event like no other in the Southeast region. Renowned speakers from around the world will gather in Charlotte, NC to share their knowledge on Microsoft SQL Server. This is your opportunity to meet, network with and learn from the SQL Community leading experts such as Andrew Kelly, Rick Heiges, John Welch, Brian Knight, Geoff Hiten, Andy Warren, Jessica M. Moss, Rafael Salas, Sergey Pustovit and Tim Ford. Also scheduled to present are current SQL PASS President Rushabh Mehta and former SQL PASS Presidents Wayne Snyder and Kevin Kline.

Mar 24, 2010 – PASS DBA Virtual Chapter; SQL Internals & Architecture

Apr 08, 2010 – Quest Software Pain of the Week; The Admin’s Guide to SQL Server w/ Buck Woody

Apr 12, 2010 – PASS Chapter, Houston; topic TBD

Apr 17, 2010 – PASS SQL Saturday, Chicago; Keynoting w/ Brent Ozar

May 13, 2010 – Quest Software Pain of the Week; SQL Server for the Oracle DBA w/ Buck Woody

May 13, 2010 – PASS Chapter, Louisville; topic TBD

May 15, 2010 – PASS SQL Saturday, Louisville; topic TBD

May 22, 2010 – Indy Tech Fest; SQL Internals & Architecture

"Richard, wasn't that an awesome interview?!?" "Carl, I could've danced, er, talked all night!"

In addition, I’m honored and amazed that the team at RunAsRadio invited me to participate in interview #143.  These are the same guys who also put together one of the best and longest running IT podcasting shows – .NETRocks.  Unlike a lot of interviews, it seems like we had too little time to cover all the topics.  I’d love to hear your feedback!

Thanks,

-Kev

Twitter @kekline

SQL Server: We live it.  We love it.

When Jimmy May talks, I listen.  Not just because he’s a personal friend, but also because he knows what’s what, if you’ll pardon the expression.  So when Jimmy says “I believe xPerf will fundamentally change the way I do my job”, then I want to know what the heck this free xPerf management tool is and how I can best leverage it.  Check out Jimmy’s blog entry on xPerf here.

Devices & Gadgets: Usually making our lives better, sometimes not so much.

Ever wonder what’s inside one of those tiny USB hard drives?  No?  Not even a little bit?!?  When I started in IT, hard drives where as big as washing machines and cost $60,000 running at speeds in the 100′s of RPMs.  My how times have changed.  Here’s a fun hack of a USB hard drive – http://www.dansworkshop.com/electricity-and-electronics/usb-hard-drive-hack.htm.

Futurewatch: Important issues just over the horizon.

There are a lot of standard elements of society being rebranded as the “2.0″ version of itself.  The 2.0 moniker was first put forward by visionary Tim O’Reilly (blog | twitter), of the eponymous media company. Whenever you see the 2.0 moniker added to the end of something, most famously Web 2.0, then you know that it will include the characteristics of collaboration, interoperability, and user-centered designs.  So, whereas the first go at the web in the mid- to late-1990′s was about enabling information retrieval such as transforming printed catalogs into on-line catalogs, Web 2.0 enables all of its participants to comment on, review, rate, and otherwise participating with each other in the use of such a catalog.  In the last FutureWatch blurb, I pointed out work on Grid 2.0, centered on efforts to update the USA’s electricity grid.  I’m going to do a much more detailed post in the near future about emerging 2.0 efforts, but one to point out now is Gov 2.0.  Under this broad set of initiatives, governments from the lowest to highest levels of responsibility are opening up their public databases for consumption by the public.  An example of Gov 2.0 in action comes with the President’s SAVE Award, in which the public is invited to vote on their pick for the best money saving tip put forward by federal government workers.  Read all about this year’s SAVE Award here.

Humor: I haz da funny.

Weird products in Japan have their own name – chindogu.  Most of these are crackpot inventions that everyone knows will never see the light of day, such as these these featured here.  However, some of these products DO get marketed and, more amazingly, purchased.  Check out the product reviews of this totally bizarro chindogu here at Overstock.com.

Professional Development: Because there are two words in “database professional”.

There are mountains of great websites with tips on how to be a better speaker.  Some day, I’ll write a long blog post about my favorite sites for learning how to improve your oration.  But if you’re in a hurry, and who isn’t these days, then this blog post at TechRepublic succinctly sums up the advice you’ll find from many other web sites, articles, and blogs.

Society: Important issues to discuss with your friends and family.

One of the most remarkable things about the USA, as a rather biased citizen, is our ability to suck up our pride, admit a mistake, and try to prevent it from happening again.  One way that the USA tries to prevent future occurrences is to convene a commission of some kind.  I found this analysis by David Leinweber, a Haas Fellow in Finance and Founding Director of the Center for Innovative Financial Technology at UC Berkeley, on the commission studying banking market reform in the USA to be quite intriguing and, frankly, upsetting.

WorldView: If James Bond knows that the world is not enough, then so should I.

I’m always on the lookout for issues related to safe and clean water.  If you think people can be grumpy when oil is in short supply, imagine what it’s like when there’s not enough drinking water for everyone.  See how India is dealing with enormous water issues in this revealing article from the Economist.  And I’d be interested to hear what our Indian blogger friends thoughts are on this topic, folks like Rushabh Mehta, Jacob Sebastian, and Pinal Dave.  (Water issues have remained one of my passions ever since my years working for NASA developing the water recycling systems for the International Space Station, in which we made water of the H20 that passes through the human body re-drinkable.  And it tastes good.  Incidentally, all of the technology we developed for this project, as with all non-classified government projects, became public domain.  ECLSS technology is now used in hundreds of commercial products ranging from household detergents to commercial solvents to filtration systems.)

Thanks!

-Kevin

Twitter @KEKline

If someone in your company is pushing you to examine this very expensive technology, please give my article a gander and let me know what you think.  I also encourage you to take a look at Brent Ozar’s excellent post on the topic located here.  Remember that when in the right hands, as with all technologies, they can be used to solve tricky business problems.  But in the wrong hands, they may be a square peg pounded into a round hole … or even worse.

Feedback always welcome!

-Kevin

Twitter @kekline