15Nov 2010 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

ScaryDBA Blog Reboot

Misc
After all the conversations at FreeCon last week (more on that later, when I've assimilated it better), I finally decided to make some changes. The list of things I'm hitting is extremely long, but I'm going to be going through them a few at a time. First, and easiest, was getting moved off the WordPress domain to my own, hosted, domain. You're seeing the results. This is the new ScaryDBA blog. I suspect the theme may change once or twice over the next week, but basically, all the functionality that has been added, better feeds, conversation tracking, other stuff, will remain. Thank you for visiting in the past. I intend to provide you with plent of reasons to visit in the future.
Read More
12Nov 2010 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

The New Path To MCM

SQL Server
Microsoft has announced changes to the MCM program. This page shows all the ways that you can become an MCM without having to spend a month at Microsoft. I'm interested in this for two reasons. First, I'd love to have the opportunity to try to become an MCM. Making it easier to make the attempt, hopefully without dumbing down the curriculum, is a great idea. Second, scroll down to the books section. That's right, my book is one of the suggested books for learning enough so that you can pass the MCM test. I'm gob-smacked and honored and jazzed and I'll stop gushing now.
Read More
11Nov 2010 by Grant Fritchey 6 Comments

PASS Summit 2010, Day 3 Key Note

PASS
Today is Dr. Dewitt. The ballroom, where the keynotes are held, is filled with extra chairs. The Summit organizers expect extra attendance today, and well they should. Dr. Dewitt was amazing last year. I suspect this year will be more of the same. Rick Heiges is introducing the day (waiting for Dr. Dewitt). Lynda Rab is leaving the board. Sad. I started volunteering for the PASS organization working for Lynda. She's great. The new board members are Douglas McDowell, Andy Warren and Allen Kinsel. The spring SQL Rally event was announced. I'll be presenting a full day session on query performance, Query Performance Tuning, Start to Finish. Look for (a lot) more blog posts on this. The Summit next year has been moved to mid-October. WHOOP! This is great because…
Read More
10Nov 2010 by Grant Fritchey 3 Comments

PASS Summit: Day 2 Keynote

Misc, PASS
Today is Kilt Day at the PASS Summit. We're going to try to arrange a group photo at lunch time. The network connection is extremely slow. I suspect the tweeting about the kilts. Bill Graziano is leading the key note and he started off with having all the kilted stand. Only about 12-15 of us, but that's five times better than last year. Then it was time for the volunteers to stand up. It was excellent to see so many people. The Outstanding Volunteer of the Year was Lorie Edwards. The PASSion award went to Wendy Pastrick, who really earned it. Unfortunately the next segment was on governance... blech! But necessary. Everyone here is a member, so they should know how the money is spent. Luckily Bill is not digging…
Read More
09Nov 2010 by Grant Fritchey 3 Comments

PASS Summit: Day 1 Keynote, Part 3

PASS
Ted Kummert is still talking. For the cloud, of course, they're talking about SQL Azure. Microsoft really is throwing themselves into the cloud, completely. The emphasis is that they offer both a cloud and an on-premises solution. I don't mind saying, I'm still trying to get the full business proposition for an old school, fat, business like the one I work for. What should we be doing with the cloud. I just haven't seen the magic. I see where smaller businesses, or start-ups, or temporary surge capacity for businesses that may have that type of thing can use the cloud, but... traditional work, it just doesn't seem to jive yet. We're going to see some made-up scenarios for how Azure can manage Contoso Bikes. He shows how the report can…
Read More
09Nov 2010 by Grant Fritchey 1 Comment

PASS Summit: Day 1 Keynote, Part 2

PASS
Mark Souza from the SQL CAT Team, some of the smartest & most capable of MS consultants in SQL Server, is presenting how his team is offering a health check for people's SQL Server systems. There going to actually be using some technology to do this little event called SQL PASS It On, using Twitter. Twitter is become more and more of a major part of the event. If you're not at least monitoring Twitter, you're missing out. It's a busy day with the SQL Clinic, the Exhibit Hall, Community Learning Center, Birds of a Feather Lunch, Regional Mentors, Book Signing and Exhibitor Reception. That's not mentioning all the sessions. The key notes will be Ted Kummert today, Quentin Clark tomorrow, and David DeWitt (YAY!) on Thursday where he will…
Read More
09Nov 2010 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

PASS Summit: Day 1 Keynote, Part 1

PASS
Sitting at the big kids table at the PASS Summit, ready to rock and roll. The Summit has not officially started yet, but it's been a fantastic ride already. I'm getting to meet a bunch of great and amazing people. I made my very first trip out to the Microsoft campus yesterday. Last night was the SQL Server Central party. This is just a great organization and a great event. Right at the start, the tweeting is hot & heavy. Hmmm... OK, starting off with a Tina Turner impersonator. She's extremely good, but I have to ask, what were they thinking? Her name is Truly Tina. She was outstanding. Just a bit odd. Rushabh Mehta is introducing the PASS organization. He's showing off the Board of directors and the executive…
Read More
03Nov 2010 by Grant Fritchey 1 Comment

SQLServerPedia Award Votes

Uncategorized
This is just another reminder to please vote for my blog post on using PowerShell Remoting with SQL Server. It's a post I'm proud of. Also, I think that Gail Shaw (blog|twitter) is one heck of a great blogger. She has multiple posts in several categories. She's extremely deserving of your vote. She might even get the most votes overall, another thing I think she deserves. I've learned tons and tons from all the information she puts out there. The least she deserves is a little chunk of plexiglass for all that hard work. So vote for all her posts.
Read More
03Nov 2010 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

Kilt Day

PASS
A week from now will be Kilt Day at the PASS Summit. It's probably way too late to order a kilt at this point. But, don't despair. You can still take part. Just a short walk from the Summit is the headquarters of Utilikilt. These are not classic tartan wraps with sporans and socks. They're the modern equivalent, come in fun fabrics & colors and are actually pretty practical. So if you still want to participate in Kilt Day, and we'd love to have you, plan a trip to Utilikilt. And no, they're not sponsoring me or anything (more's the pity). I just like them.
Read More