Join me tomorrow for the PASS DBA Virtual Chapter meeting SQL Server Internals & Architecture. It's the most fun you'll ever have learning about the inner workings of a relational database - I promise! Click here to register. You don't have to register to attend. But if you register today, you'll be entered into the drawing to win one two copies of my bestselling reference SQL in a Nutshell, covering the ANSI standard plus Oracle 11, SQL Server 2008, MySQL 5.2, and PostgreSQL 8.3. I've put the slide deck up in my Slides area of the website. However, because it contains a lot of … [Read more...]
Good News for Women in Technology – Barbie Has Joined the IT Scene
March 10, 2010 by 3 Comments
I'm happy to report that Barbie is now a cognizeti, a digerati, ... yes even an IT Professional! This year's new Barbie is Computer Engineer Barbie. Several months back, I encouraged all my friends and followers on Twitter to vote for the IT job for Barbie in Mattel's recent public job selection for the eponymous doll. That encouragement was founded in an experience I'd had years earlier - becoming a dad to a very beautiful baby girl. When I was growing up as a kid, I clearly recall how odd it was for a woman to have a career outside of a handful of "traditional feminine jobs" like … [Read more...]
If I Were King, March 2010 Edition
March 7, 2010 by Leave a Comment
It wasn't too long ago that I heard about an 80 year old woman who went in to a Florida Department of Motor Vehicles office, renewed her drivers license, and promptly slammed her enormous Cadillac into a large tree at the edge of the parking lot. Inspectors on the scene said that she had to be going at least 50 mph to inflict that much damage to the car and to the tree. I repeat AT LEAST 50 MPH IN A SMALL PARKING LOT!I've often maintained that driving, though ingrained into the American psyche, is a privilege and not a right. Part of that privilege is maintaining your skills and not being a … [Read more...]
New On SQLPASS.ORG – Dealing with Micromanagers
February 24, 2010 by 1 Comment
In my regular professional development column for the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS), Plays Well With Others, check out my latest post on dealing with micromanagers. If you've ever dealt with a manager who questioned your every move, hijacked meetings, nit-picked over inconsequential details, or made you jump through endless hoops of administrivia, then you know what I'm writing about. This article is part one of a two part series. Part one deals with identifying how and why managers become micro-managers. Part two, coming in the next issue of the PASS Community … [Read more...]
OMG! Em’s Driving!
February 3, 2010 by 1 Comment
Yep, baby number two is now legal behind the wheel.She did very well while we were practicing. So I've felt pretty good about turning her loose on the world. She still needs more practice in reverse and in tight parking situations which, I remember with great clarity, where areas where I too needed practice as a teenager.She's driving the old Bonnie. We'll need to replace the ol' vehicle pretty soon. It's got a bazillion miles on it and it's getting more and more expensive to keep running properly. I'm a big believer in preventative maintenance. But there comes a point where, when too … [Read more...]
