Video: Ensure Optimal Performance When Deploying SQL Server 2005

Kevin Kline will offer insight into best practices for SQL Server 2005 set up, configuration and queries. He will also discuss tuning for both the server and hardware to help an application perform better after it is deployed. This presentation will offer a better understanding of several SQL Server performance related areas including: * Hardware design * SQL Server configuration settings * Database configuration settings * Application design * SQL Tuning Posted December 20, 2006. … [Read more...]

DBTA: The NoSQL Movement- Hype or Hope?

If you spend any time at all reading IT trade journals and websites, you've no doubt heard about the NoSQL movement.  In a nutshell, NoSQL databases (also called post-relational databases) are a variety of loosely grouped means of storing data without requiring the SQL language.  Of course, we've had non-relational databases far longer than we've had actual relational databases.  Anyone who's used products like IBM's Lotus Notes can point to a popular non-relational database.  However, part and parcel of the NoSQL movement is the idea that the data repositories can horizontally scale with … [Read more...]

Plays Well With Others – Can Integrity Be Learned?

In a past post , I talked about the work of Dr. William Cohen, a renowned expert on leadership.  In Dr. Cohen’s work, he describes eight frequently recurring characteristics among excellent leaders, one of which is “absolute integrity”. However, this characteristic got pushback from several readers.  The general thread seemed to be “You either have integrity or you don’t.  It’s not something that can be learned”.  So let’s take a step back and examine the idea of whether integrity can be learned. I think that some of the pushback that I got about learning integrity comes from people who … [Read more...]

Video: Data Modeling in the SQL Server Space

Join SQL Server MVP and President of PASS, Kevin Kline as he: * Identifies the issues that can arise from relying only on modeling tools * Discusses the 10 most common modeling issues you will face when transforming data models from logical (conceptual) to physical * Describes how to correctly identify and resolve serious problems * Provides best practices to resolve issues Posted June 14, 2007. … [Read more...]

DBTA: Forecasting SQL Server in 2010

After the misery  that was 2009, most of the SQL Server users I talk to are happy that 2010 started in languid fashion. Not that there isn't a lot of work to do; on the contrary, there's more work than ever. However, the long hours and multiple projects of 2009, compounded by freezes in all levels of spending, raised the general stress level to unhealthy heights. With the new year, stress levels dropped significantly, and many IT leaders see signs of improving prospects. What does that bode for 2010? I have a couple of predictions, though I doubt they'll surprise many people. [READ … [Read more...]

Paying It Forward With Project Phoenix

It seems like I've known Arnie Rowland (blog | twitter) since the dawn of time.  But it's really more like the last several years, or at least since Arnie achieved Microsoft MVP status, that I really got to know him.  Arnie has also been trying to get me to speak to the user group he leads in Portland, but coordinating it has been fiendishly difficult.  I hope to get out to Portland in 2011 (no promises, Arnie!!!). One of the activities that Arnie is leading that has deeply impressed me is Project Phoenix.  Described here: ...we are inviting unemployed or underemployed developers to … [Read more...]

Plays Well With Others – So You’re the Boss Now…

I’m frequently asked the following paraphrased question: I’d been happily plugging away in my job as a {DBA/Dev/Terminator/Warp Drive Engineer} for several years, when I applied for the manager position.  I was surprised and thrilled when I got the job!  But now that I’ve been in the job for a while, I find that no one on the team is thrilled with me.  I know that I made a lot of changes.  But they were all for the good of the team.  What should I do to reconnect with my team and rebuild my friendships? A common theme in this series, “Plays Well With Others”, is that the skills … [Read more...]

Video: Microsoft Master Certification Program

On this vblog entry on www.sqlserverpedia.com I describe and discuss the Microsfot MCP (Master Certification Program). I hope this helps anyone that is interested in this program. Enjoy and I look forward to your feedback! Posted September 09, 2008. … [Read more...]

Microsoft SQL Server High-Availability Videos and Q&A Log

You Want Videos? We Got Videos! I always enjoy getting the chance to catch up with author, consultant, and Microsoft Clustering MVP Allan Hirt.  Allan and I recently presented two sessions covering an overview of high availability in Microsoft SQL Server and, the following week, a demo of how to implement several different kinds of high availability techniques including database mirroring, transactional replication, and Windows clustering services. You can see videos of these presentations at the Quest Software Pain of the Week webcast site. Archives of other videos are here. We're … [Read more...]

DBTA: The Shape of Database Licensing Costs to Come

One fall semester many years ago, I was a university freshman.  Actually, I was anything but "fresh." I was dumb enough to think that 8 a.m. was a wonderful time to attend Economics 101. After staying up until the wee hours most every night, the "dismal science" took on more than one meaning as I set my clock just early enough to get to class on time.  Along with 30 other very naïve classmates, I staggered into class and did my bleary-eyed best to focus on the lessons at hand.  There were lots of Greek compound words and lots of graphs. I learned, for example, that the word economics … [Read more...]