SQL Learning – SQL Swampland

A Handful of SQL PASS #Summit15 Tips

SQLGator — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 17:15:42 +0000

The annual SQL PASS international conference will be here in less than a week. OMG!!! It’s been a year already? First of all, if you haven’t registered yet, then why not? It is THE event for the SQL Community or #SQLFamily as we like to refer to it. Still not sure about attending, then check out this page. I promise that you will not be disappointed.

For those of you who have registered have you looked at the schedule yet? Do you know all of the great speakers that you want to see? Are you coming to see me compete in the Speaker Idol contest? I will be up in the first round on Wednesday from 03:15 PM – 04:30 PM in TCC 101. If I survive (and win) round one, then I will be competing in the final on Friday from 03:30 PM – 04:45 PM in the same room. Come see eleven other great speakers compete for a chance to receive a guaranteed speaking slot in next years Summit, but mainly come to cheer me on with three hundred of my closest friends.

Now with the shameless plug out-of-the-way, on to the main purpose of this post. Here are my tips for enjoying #Summit15:

Meet people! Shake hands, but more importantly give them a big #SQLHug. We (well most of us) love #SQLHugs. Find me, give me a #SQLHug. I will be glad and happy to meet you! Standing in line for a coffee at the conference? Say hello to someone, introduce yourself. Set aside your introverted ways for this week!!
Follow people on twitter before hand and let them know you’d like to meet them in person. Ask them where they are going to be during the week and setup a rendezvous point with them. Discuss some ideas and share a frosty beverage.
Speaking of social media…if you setup your avatar to be a cute little ninja character, then do not be disappointed when no one knows who you are in real life. If I see that cute ninja, I am sure to say hi but I don’t think I will see him there. Use your real photo so I can find you!
Go to as many networking events as you can possibly fit into the week. If you are turning in at 9 o’clock, then you are missing the best part of the conference. I have made so many lasting friendships over the years mainly because I went to the networking events and to the impromptu ones at Bush Gardens and the Tap House (not sure what those are, then bingle it with #SQLFamily and/or #SQLKaraoke).
When NEW friends ask you to miss a session to go plant some gum on the Bubble Gum wall, go! Enjoy yourself, this conference is fun! Purchase the sessions and watch the ones you missed when you get back!
Charge your phone, better yet carry a charging battery in your pocket and keep it charged throughout the day. You do not want to miss that great photo-op with your favorite speaker because of a dead battery.
Ask questions. Don’t understand something, ask questions. Go home with answers to your problems!
Go sight seeing, explore the city! Go a day early and stay a day later and check out the Pike Place Market, find the first Starbucks in that same area, visit the EMP Museum, view the skyline from the top of the Space Needle, and many, many more.
Hang out in the community zone as its always an epi-center of fun!
Wear a kilt! Thursday is kilt day to support the Women in Technology luncheon (which you should go to as well)!

See you there!!!!

Branching Out in Louisville

SQLGator — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 15:00:30 +0000

This weekend I will be branching out and presenting a business intelligence (BI) session at SQL Saturday Louisville. By profession, I was a programmer turned DBA turned SQL Server consultant. As a consultant, I have done a lot of BI learning and a lot more SQL Server development than previously as a database administrator. In essence, I have broadened my skill set taking advantage of my previous skill set. Therefore, it is only natural that I present a learning session on BI, or in this case Introduction to SQL Server Integration Services. This session is great for the beginner to SSIS. I have presented this at a user group in Atlanta earlier this year, but this will be my first BI session at a SQL Saturday. Come on out to Louisville and learn about some SSIS with me! Register here.

Presenting for SQL Saturday Nashville

SQLGator — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 20:21:30 +0000

Recently, I was humbled to be selected to speak at SQL Saturday Nashville over the Martin Luther King, Jr weekend. I will be presenting “Backup Strategies Are For Losers” at 10:30AM. This will be my first presentation in Nashville, and I am excited to expand my geographic range. In addition, I was excited to see some of the big names coming into town. Don’t believe me? Check out the schedule for yourself.

Do not forget that there are some excellent pre-cons that start on Friday, January 17th by Denny Cherry, who is presenting “SQL Server Performance Tuning and Optimization” and David Klee is presenting “Virtualization for SQL Server DBAs.” Please check those out as soon as you can while space is still available.

If you haven’t registered yet, please do so now! See you there!

Presenting at Summit 2013

SQLGator — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 14:00:05 +0000

Today I was thinking about the SQL PASS Summit which begins next Tuesday and I just realized that I have yet to announce that I was chosen to speak for the very first time at the Summit. I am so humbled and excited at this opportunity. I cannot begin to thank the program committee, PASS headquarters, and the SQL community enough for everything they have done for me in the past few years. At this point in my career, I truly feel that my career has exploded thanks to my involvement with SQL PASS.

Rob Volk (b|t) and I had this idea to do a humorous session where we play Laurel and Hardy depicting the interactions between junior and senior DBAs. It should be a good time for all. Our session is Wednesday at 3pm, come by and say hi. Enjoy!

Presenting for SQL Saturday Orlando

SQLGator — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 14:50:32 +0000

This Saturday, I will be presenting “Backup Strategies Are For Losers” at 7:30AM in Orlando. It should be noted that my first ever SQL Saturday that I attended was in Orlando, so I have a special place in my heart for this event. In addition, I have never presented a session this early in the morning so hopefully there is a Starbucks close by to the campus of Seminole State College. Do not forget that there are some excellent pre-cons that start on Wednesday (tomorrow) so please check those out as soon as you can while space is still available.

If you haven’t registered yet, please do so now! See you there!

The Chocolate Beach: SQL Style

SQLGator — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 15:00:06 +0000

I am humbled and honored to have been selected to present my “Backup Strategies are for Losers” presentation at the inaugural SQL Saturday for Cocoa Beach, Florida. This is SQL Saturday #231 as well as being the first for the Space Coast SQL Users Group, so please make your way to the chocolate beach on July 27th for a great day of SQL Learning.

You can register here, come on you know you want to hit the beach for the weekend. There is also a group rate code for the Hilton (SQLP), where the event is being held, that expires tomorrow (June 28th). You can reserve your room here. However, I will be staying just down the road at the Courtyard where my wife and I stayed on our wedding night before our honeymoon cruise to the Bahamas. I look forward to seeing you there. Enjoy!

The Chocolate Beach courtesy of Space Coast SQL User Group

SQL Saturday 192, Tampa Has Come and Gone But Left Its Mark!

SQLGator — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:17:30 +0000

This past weekend was SQL Saturday 192 in Tampa. Being my home user group event always makes this event special, however this was the first time I spoke at my home SQL Saturday and that made it an event that I will always cherish. In addition, this year, I took in a full day pre-con training on Friday with Buck Woody (b | t) and quite frankly it changed my life. How many times can you say that about a SQL training, let alone a $99 training?

I know what you’re thinking, believe me I do. How can a one day training change your life? I have spoken at two SQL Saturdays prior to this event and a couple of times at a couple of user group meetings so to say that I was a speaking novice would be an accurate term in my eyes anyway. In addition, I have had no formal training in public speaking except for the semester speech class that I nervously tried to avoid and almost vomited every time I stood up in front of the class.

This journey began in 2011 as I resolved myself in Andy Warren’s Professional Development Plan session at the Tampa BI SQL Saturday. I wanted to conquer this fear of public speaking and give back to the community. It seemed pretty simple. I had no idea how hard it would be and with my fight or flight instincts many times I wanted to just run away, but I did not want to embarrass myself in this community and that held me accountable.

After taking Buck’s class entitled “Creating Your Best Technical Presentation: A Speaker Workshop,” I now feel that I have the skills necessary to put together a decent presentation and deliver it without embarrassing myself. The presentation this past Saturday went well considering that I did not rewrite it, I also did not want to run or vomit and those are great things in my book. Now I have to go back and rewrite my presentation with the skills that I have learned. If you ever get the opportunity to take this class at a local SQL Saturday near you, do it!

Enjoy!

SQL Saturday Updates

SQLGator — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:16:55 +0000

It is an honor and privilege to be selected to present at SQL Saturday Tampa on March 2, 2013. We will be at a new location this year, Hillsborough Community College in beautiful Ybor City, due to our growth over the last couple of years. In addition, we have three pre-cons this year and I will be attending the “Creating Your Best Technical Presentation: A Speaker Workshop” by Buck Woody (b|t). Hopefully, after this session, my presentation skills will continue to improve before my session on that Saturday. If the winter blues got you down then head down to beautiful Tampa for a warm weekend of SQL learning and register for SQL Saturday #192.

This year I will finally get to attend two other SQL Saturdays that are in the relative vicinities. In the past there was always something going on during those two weekends. As it stands, I am planning on submitting my newest session, Backups: Getting the Most Out of Your Storage, to both of those events. Curious as to what they are?

SQL Saturday Jacksonville (#SQLSat215) will be April 27th and SQL Saturday Atlanta is tentatively scheduled for May 18th. Come on out and join me at all three of those events and maybe one of them will have some SQLKaraoke for the after event! Enjoy!

70-457 and 70-458 Game Plan Part Uno

SQLGator — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:38:06 +0000

Being methodical and logical as I am, I have set forth a plan to achieve my Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate as noted earlier in my goals for 2013. Having not found much in the way of preparation material as noted in this post , I decided to rent the 70-462 Training Kit from Amazon and transpose some of the objectives there to fit the 70-457 and 70-458 since I am taking the upgrade exams the materials for the regular exams should suffice in preparation.

Now I have outlined a calendar below and the hard dates to hold me accountable to the task especially since the book has to be returned in June. Let the journey begin!

70-462 Training Kit – 70-457 Objectives
Objective	Chapter	Lesson	Date
Install and Configure
Plan Installation	1	1	1/20/2013
Install SQL Server & related services	1	2	1/20/2013
Implement a migration strategy	4	1	1/27/2013
Configure additional SQL server components	3	1	1/27/2013
Manage SQL Server agent	11	1	2/3/2013
Maintain Instances and Databases
Manage and configure databases	3	3	2/10/2013
Configure SQL Server Instances	2	1	2/17/2013
Implement a SQL Server clustered instance	8	1	2/24/2013
Manage SQL Server instances	2	2	3/3/2013
Optimize and Troubleshoot
Identify and resolve concurrency problems	10	2	3/10/2013
Collect and analyze troubleshooting data	9	1-6	3/17/2013
Audit SQL Server instances	6	3	3/24/2013
70-462 Training Kit – 70-458 Objectives
Manage Data
Configure and maintain a backup strategy	11	2	3/31/2013
Restore databases	11	3	4/7/2013
Implement and maintain indexes	10	1	4/14/2013
Import and Export Data	4	2	4/21/2013
Implement Security
Manage logins and server roles	5	1	4/28/2013
Manage database permissions	6	1	5/5/2013
Manage users and database roles	5	2	5/12/2013
Troubleshoot security	6	2	5/19/2013
Implement High Availability
Implement AlwaysOn	8	2	5/26/2013
Implement database mirroring	7	1	6/2/2013
Implement replication	7	2	6/9/2013

70-457 Course of Action

SQLGator — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:57:04 +0000

Today I thought I would set forth a course of action in order to accomplish my goal of passing the 70-457 (and eventually 70-458) in order to achieve the Microsoft Certified Solutions Architect (how hard is it not to say Systems Administrator). I know what you are thinking, experience is the best trainer, but I like to be well prepared before I spend money to take an exam.

Sadly, Microsoft’s page for this exam has no content as far as a book, training, or even practice tests available for either exam. I understand that I could use the limited materials for exams 70-461, 462 and 463, but those are all assuming that you do not have an MCTS. I would like to limit my preparation to only what I need to pass the exam. I was able to find one book on Amazon, but I am not sure of the series. I have never used one of these books before. I think I will rent the 70-462 book from Amazon and that will force me to finish it by June.

Now in order to accomplish this goal I need to set aside at least four hours a week in preparation with book learning and using my 2012 Developer license at home. That will be tough, but now I have told you so I am now accountable. Please let me know if you have any tips for studying for this exam, I would appreciate your input. Enjoy!

Additional Goals for 2013

SQLGator — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:00:05 +0000

Yesterday I posted my personal development plan for 2013. After reading a few other similar blogs by colleagues yesterday, one haunting thought stayed with me all night that I couldn’t quite put my finger on until this morning. My goals were lofty, but they were no more so than last year. That would not be stepping out of my comfort zone. There was really no challenge in the list when compared to 2012, where there were some serious steps on the ledge for me.

How do I resolve this? Not sure at this point, but I have some ideas so this may evolve over the next week. The first idea I had would be to upgrade my SQL Server 2008 MCTS to the new MCSA 2012 (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate). This would consist of two exams, 70-457 and 70-458, both aptly titled ‘Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA SQL Server 2012, Part 1 and 2.’ I waited for all of the dust to settle with the new certifications before I pursued moving forward in my personal growth as it does not appear that I am anywhere ready to tackle the MCM, thus I have made it a five-year goal. This would put me on that path and force me to commit to the preparation needed to pass these exams. Now that I have talked this out with you here I think I will add these to the list! Enjoy!

Personal Development Plan for 2013

SQLGator — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:56:31 +0000

After yesterday’s review of 2012, it is time to set the bar a little higher for 2013. Let’s soar to new heights!

Community

I will post daily during the work week to this blog in order to give back to the SQL community. Last year I had planned to blog 365 days of the year, but there were many days when the content was less than stellar because I was on vacation, holiday, or simply having fun with my family. I think this year if I limit it to the days that I am actually working on SQL Server then the content should stay consistent.
I will spend time daily helping people on twitter, SQL blogs, and various SQL-related websites such as SQL Server Central. This was hard to do last year but it is still a noble goal and thus should be listed.
I am setting a goal of 600 followers on Twitter which would increase my existing followers 33%.
I will attend at least ten of the twelve Tampa Bay SQL Server User Group meetings.
I will attend three to five other User group meetings, such as the Tampa BI group, Orlando’s MagicPASS, or the Tampa VMUG.
I will attend at least one other event that interfaces with SQL Server such as the Orlando IT Pro Camp.

SQL Conferences & Training Events

I will attend at least one formal Microsoft SQL training course this year.
I will attend every SQL Saturday offered in the Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville areas. I would also like to attend some others, if possible, within driving distance.
I will volunteer to help with at least one SQL Saturday this year.
I will attend the SQL PASS Summit in Charlotte.
I will submit to at least two different SQL Saturday events in addition to SQL PASS. Hopefully, I will get the opportunity to present somewhere in 2013.

Health

I will be in better physical shape in time for Summit 2013.
I will lose 100 pounds by the end of the year.

Five Year Goals

I will continue to take at least one to two classes a semester online in order to complete my degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. All those Engineering and Computer Science classes I took 20 years ago are not relevant today and I would like to possibly return to consulting in five or ten years and that degree would be more beneficial in that long-term goal.
I would like to become a Microsoft Certified Master within five years.

Live from Tampa Hillsborough User Group meeting

SQLGator — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:11:21 +0000

Tonight I am blogging from our Hillsborough Tampa User Group meeting being held at Computer Associates. Fargham Butt from Microsoft is presenting on Profiler Tricks and this is the best turnout for this group since it started a couple of months ago. I am glad that Pam Shaw decided to create a second group as there are many new faces in the room of probably 40 people.

As of right now, I am going to go back and play with the deadlock graph feature as I have never seem that before. I did it the old way with the trace flag viewing the information in the error log. This is a fantastic visual and I may blog about it later.

If you are not going to your local user group then you need to get out there and get some free SQL learning and networking. It is worth the time investment. Enjoy!

Updating SQL Server 2012 to SP1

SQLGator — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:42:16 +0000

With service pack 1 being released during SQL PASS Summit 2012, I did not get the chance to update my personal laptop. This is great timing as I have just purchased developer on my laptop. You can download the slipstream version or just the service pack separately. Are you curious as to what is new in SP1, then check this link out? It is also a good idea to read the release notes, which I always recommend but rarely do, unfortunately. It is similar to reading the directions, men rarely do that.

Here is the visual upgrade guide, quite simple really, so much so that even I can do it.

The update completed easily and successfully. Enjoy!

Hidden Gems for SQL 2008r2

SQLGator — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 14:43:45 +0000

Today I am going to bring you a great site, SQL Customer Advisory Team (SQLCAT) presents the Top Ten Hidden Gems in SQL Server 2008 R2. If you haven’t perused the SQL CAT website, do yourself a favor and check it out. Enjoy!

T-1 Days Until the PASS Summit, Time to Pack!

SQLGator — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 20:02:55 +0000

With the DATEDIFF script returning 1 today, I am bouncing off the walls with excitement for tomorrow morning at 2:30 am I head to the airport en route to Seattle for the PASS Summit 2012. The week-long SQLpalooza kicks off for me on Sunday when I board the plane at 5:30 AM ET and does not end until I return late the next Saturday night. I am busy going through my checklist and ensuring that my suitcase is packed properly and thoroughly for I am paranoid that I am going to forget something crucial. See you on the other side, tomorrow.

Haven’t registered for Summit yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! Enjoy!

T-2 Days Until the PASS Summit, Almost Time To Go!

SQLGator — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:02:43 +0000

With the DATEDIFF script returning 2 today, I am like a little kid off on Christmas break staring at the presents under the tree while my parents are at work wondering if I could open the presents early. The Christmas I am referring to is the PASS Summit 2012. The week-long SQLpalooza kicks off for me on Sunday when I board the plane at 5:30 AM ET and does not end until I return late the next Saturday night. Are we there yet? Are we? ARE WE?

All I have left to do is some finalized last-minute packing and check-listing. I am all set to go otherwise and just staring at the clock. I will see you all next week! I hope everyone has safe travels and see you in Seattle!

Haven’t registered for Summit yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! Enjoy!

T-10 Days Until the PASS Summit, More Scavenger Hunt Ideas

SQLGator — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:20:43 +0000

With the DATEDIFF script returning 10 today, I thought I would continue with yesterday’s blog idea of a scavenger hunt for the PASS Summit 2012. Here is an updated list with new items in bold:

Get a picture with a Brent Ozar PLF employee (each one counts separately)
Get a picture with Grant Fritchey
Get a picture with Steve Jones
Get a picture with both of the Midnight DBAs (at the same time)
Get a picture with Buck Woody
Get a picture with two or more Pragmatic Works’ employees (at the same time)
Double points if the Midnight DBAs make faces or other gestures such as rabbit ears
Get a picture with Robert Davis
Get a picture with Argenis Fernandez
Get as many pictures as possible with other MCMs
Get a picture of an MCM or MVP sleeping during a session
Get a picture of a presenter sleeping during their own session
Negative points if the person is a Sharepoint MCM or MVP
Double points if any of these people are in kilts or mullets
Double points if any of these people are wearing costumes such as StrateSQL’s Unicorn
Get a picture with five or more MVPs in the shot
Get a picture with five or more people holding Starbuck’s cups
Get a picture with a 2012 Summit Presenter
Get a picture of your tweet popping up on a presenter’s screen while he/she is presenting
Get a picture singing #SQLKaraoke with any of the people on this list
Get a picture with an Ambassador giving you directions when you cannot find your session
Get a picture at a bona-fide tourist location with any of the people on this list

Therefore if you sang a song with five MVPs, had your picture taken during the process, all five of them had their MCMs and were wearing a kilt or mullet during the process you could end up with 12 points unless one of the five were listed specifically on this list which would be an additional point for each person. Sound like fun?

Haven’t registered for Summit yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! Enjoy!

T-11 Days Until the PASS Summit, Scavenger Hunt?

SQLGator — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:50:28 +0000

With the DATEDIFF script returning 11 today, I thought I would share a fun idea that I had last night while discussing the PASS Summit 2012 on twitter. Several people were discussing that they had a list of people that they wanted to meet up with in Seattle. An idea was hatched, a plan, a scheme…I thought I would take it to the next level and turn this into a scavenger hunt, mainly because I am competitive and I try to make life fun at every turn possible. Maybe we could even get a sponsor, who knows. Here is a starting list:

Get a picture with a Brent Ozar PLF employee (each one counts seperately)
Get a picture with Grant Fritchey
Get a picture with Steve Jones
Get a picture with both of the Midnight DBAs (at the same time)
Get a picture with Robert Davis
Get a picture with Argenis Fernandez
Get as many pictures as possible with other MCMs
Double points if any of these people are in kilts or mullets
Get a picture with five or more MVPs in the shot
Get a picture with a 2012 Summit Presenter
Get a picture singing #SQLKaraoke with any of the people on this list
Get a picture at a bona-fide tourist location with any of the people on this list

Haven’t registered for Summit yet? Why not? Come on you know you want to! See you there! Enjoy!

Growing or Dying? Your Choice!

SQLGator — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:00:08 +0000

This morning as I return back to my SQL boxes after a week of unrelated vendor training, I ponder the truth from Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now “every minute I stay in this room, I get weaker, and every minute Charlie squats in the bush, he gets stronger.” In other words, every minute I work on some other task, my SQL Server skills are diminishing. This is a sad truth mainly because some tasks are inevitable and must be completed. However, we must combat the atrophy with additional training and flexing our proverbial SQL muscles at every opportunity within an adequate life balance, of course.

How can I flex my SQL muscle today? I think I will watch some MCM videos to thoroughly work out the muscles. Enjoy!