Wednesday Quest: On-Line Demos for Toad Data Analyst and Benchmark Factory

February 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

If you've attended any of my public sessions about SQL Server technology, then you might remember that I extend a standing offer to provide a free, long-term license to any of several products from Quest Software, such as Toad for SQL Server (including the SQL Optimizer), Toad Data Analyst, Toad Data Modeler, and the awesome performance and scalability testing tool Benchmark Factory. If you've ever wondered about these tools and why I tout them, why don't you take a couple minutes to look at the on-line demos available at each of the preceding links?  If you like what you see, drop me a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Administration, Cool Technologies, IO, Performance, SQL Server, Tool Time Tagged With: , , ,

Totally Awesome and Totally Free Training SQL Server Training

February 21, 2011 by 1 Comment

One of the things that I enjoy about working for Quest Software is that we give back copiously to the community.  From activities and offerings like SQLServerPedia, to our free posters mailed anywhere in North America (and don't forget the free hi-res PDFs for the rest of the world), Don't forget that free DVDs of our virtual conferences featuring me, along with Buck Woody (blog | twitter) and Brent Ozar (blog | twitter) will be mailed anywhere in North America free of charge, now available at this link. Enjoy! -Kevin Twitter at kekline More content at http://KevinEKline.com … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Administration, Challenges, On-Line Resources, Presentations, Professional Development, Tips & Tricks, Video Tagged With: , , , ,

Back in Atlanta! Wed, Feb 9 2011

February 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

I always enjoy spending time with my friends from Atlanta, as well as meeting folks and making new friends. If you live in the Atlanta area, I hope you'll join me on the evening of Wednesday, February 9th, 2011.  Details are at the Atlanta SQL Server user group website. It's common knowledge that I have a terrible memory for many things.  However, one of the few things that my memory is usually really good at is remember names & faces (and remembering stories, but that is another story as well). It's only in the last couple years that I've gotten to know Atlanta-area folks like Aaron … [Read more...]

Filed Under: PASS, Presentations, SQL Server, SQLMag, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: , , , , ,

Education and Career Resources from Microsoft and the Community

January 28, 2011 by 1 Comment

Sometimes I'm timely in getting the news out on useful resources.  And, other times, I'm a bit slower on the draw.  As I told friends back at New Year's Day, "As an official member of the Procrastinators Club, welcome to 2008!"  On the other hand, it's always good to remind folks of great resources that are still available and on the shelf.  Why?  Well, the Internet hits us with such a deluge of constantly new material, that we often forget about the old(ish) stuff that's still really useful. Quest vConference for SQL Server One of the most popular teaching sessions I ever engaged … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Administration, Databases, On-Line Resources, PASS, Presentations, Professional Development, SQL Server, SQLMag, SQLServerPedia Syndication, TCD blog post, Tips & Tricks, Video Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Azure, a Beautiful Color, and So Much More…

January 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Windows and SQL Azure Resources Cloud computing is more than just the latest buzz word in the IT trade papers.  It is a remarkable paradigm shift with as much potential to "turn over the apple cart" of IT computing as client-server had for the world of mainframe and minicomputers.  If you're not spending time to learn about cloud computing, in general, and SQL Azure, in particular, then you're missing the boat in a big way.  (Ha! Two big metaphors in one afternoon. My high-school English teacher would be proud.) There are mountains, literally MOUNTAINS, of free and high-quality content … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cloud, Cool Technologies, Databases, On-Line Resources, SQL Server, SQLMag, SQLServerPedia Syndication, TCD blog post, Tool Time, Video Tagged With: , , , , ,

Video: Where are good SQL Server resources?

January 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Kevin discusses resources online that he uses and considers to be excellent destinations for SQL Server professionals. Kevin will discuss each site he uses in detail - check it out! Posted August 15, 2008. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Databases, On-Line Resources, Presentations, SQLServerPedia Syndication, Tips & Tricks, Video Tagged With: , , , , , ,

DBTA: Growing Like Weeds – Explosive SQL Server Grassroots Growth

December 21, 2010 by Leave a Comment

One thing I really enjoy about the SQL Server community is its vibrancy.  I'll give you details on the SQL Server community's explosive growth in a moment, but let's start by comparing Microsoft SQL Server's user community with those of other significant database platforms. [READ MORE] Posted May 10, 2010 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Conferences, DBTA, Opinion, PASS, Professional Development, SQL Server, Trends Tagged With: , ,

Video: Ensure Optimal Performance When Deploying SQL Server 2005

December 16, 2010 by Leave a Comment

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...]

Filed Under: Databases, IO, On-Line Resources, Performance, Presentations, SQL Server, SQLServerPedia Syndication, Video Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

DBTA: The NoSQL Movement- Hype or Hope?

December 14, 2010 by Leave a Comment

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...]

Filed Under: Challenges, Cloud, Databases, DBTA, NoSQL, Opinion, SQLServerPedia Syndication, TCD blog post, Trends Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

DBTA: Forecasting SQL Server in 2010

December 7, 2010 by Leave a Comment

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...]

Filed Under: Challenges, Cloud, Databases, DBTA, Opinion, SQLServerPedia Syndication, TCD blog post, Trends Tagged With: , , , , ,
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