08Apr 2009 by Grant Fritchey 15 Comments

PASS Summit 09 Call For Speakers Deadline Extended

PASS
It's now running until Friday April 24th. That's good news if you couldn't get yourself together by this Friday. However, I wonder if they're also extending the time for the committee to make it's decisions? That means extended worry and sweat for those of us who have already submitted abstracts. But, on the other hand, if they haven't extended the committee's deadlines, then that means those guys are going to be working their behinds off to meet the original date (end of May). I also wonder if it means that they're not getting enough abstracts or if the quality of the abstracts has slipped? New this year you can check out the abstracts to see what others have submitted. That makes for some interesting reading, but now I'm wondering if it's…
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07Apr 2009 by Grant Fritchey 3 Comments

SQL Server Standard Article Available

PASS, SQL Server, T-SQL
Unfortunately PASS decided to put the SQL Server Standard to sleep right after I got an article published in it (and no, it wasn't my fault). However, PASS, being the service oriented organization that they are, has decided to make back issues of the magazine available online. So, to read the article I wrote comparing various methods of retrieving versioned data using different TSQL constructs, click this link. Go to page 14. Oh yeah, and you can see other peoples articles here too. There are other things coming out of the editorial committee soon (although I need to get one of them done myself... yikes).
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24Mar 2009 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

Community

Misc, PASS
I'm always impressed and amazed with what happens in the SQL Server community. If you need help, there almost always seems to be a willing and able hand that reaches down to pull you up. It happens again and again, all around. I take part in SQL Server Central, one of the best, and biggest, communities out there for SQL Server. The people that pitch in every day are some of the nicest you're ever going to meet, but they're also extremely well informed. I regularly benefit from people swinging by this blog to offer suggestions or solutions or improvements to my ramblings. I've been making friends and developing contacts at the PASS Summit for the last four years and at my local user's group for the last two.  I've also been…
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20Mar 2009 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

PASS Call for Speakers

PASS
Yeah, everyone has a blog post up about it. Who am I to buck the trend. The call for speakers is officially open. You will need to set up a PassPort if you don't have one already (a wise move, whoever thought of it). Get on over there and register.
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11Mar 2009 by Grant Fritchey 8 Comments

PASS Call for Speakers, March 20th

PASS
In case you don't read the Connector when it comes out (and delete it like I used to), they've announced that the call for speakers is going to open on March 20th and close on April 3rd. No links to the web site yet. That will be in the Connector and on the PASS web site when they open it. I've got three presentations that I'm putting in. I hope everyone else is ready with theirs.
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23Feb 2009 by Grant Fritchey 34 Comments

Public Speaking

PASS
A great post on the how's, why's, etc., of presenting by Paul Randal. I found it because of Database Weekly. Some of the discussion are things I've read about in other places with more more or less detail. But please, don't think I'm knocking it in any way. It's a unique look at presenting from someone who does quite a lot of it. There were a number of topics and ideas that I hope I can apply going forward. I understand that PASS is going to open the gates for abstracts soon. I think I've got three ready this year, although one of them is a bit rocky. Still, armed with a more knowledge than I had, thanks to Paul Randal's help, I think I can do better.
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19Feb 2009 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

Networking

Misc, PASS
Andy Warren has just posted the last entry in a very interesting set of posts about building and working your own network. I think they're all worth a read, especially if you've been thinking about blogging, Twitter, LinkedIn or just volunteering at your local users group.
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11Feb 2009 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

PASS Editorial Board: Blog Directory

PASS
Andy Warren and the PASS Editorial Board have posted their first delivery, a blog directory of SQL Server blogs. That's as complete a list as you're likely to see, anywhere, on blogs related to SQL Server. Well done everyone. This is just the beginning of a new and growing set of services from the PASS organization. If you're not a member, get on over there and join up. It's free. While you're there, get hooked into the  PassPort networking service. Now I need to get more work done on my part of the deliverables.
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29Jan 2009 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

PASS Board Summary

PASS
Andy Warren posted a summary of how he saw the PASS Board Meeting that recently took place. If you're a volunteer for PASS, I'd strongly suggest going over and reading it. SQLBatman also posted on this a few days ago. It's absolutely worth a read too. As a volunteer, I have to say, I really enjoy having some knowledge of what's going on, the processes behind the decisions, and the intent of those decisions. This knowledge makes it easier to maintain a level of enthusiasm that will help to keep me involved. I'm sure it'll work the same way for others. By the way, helping the community is one reason to get involved, but an even better reason is the great people you'll have an opportunity to work with.
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