InstantForum.NET v2.9.0SQLServerCentralhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/notifications@sqlservercentral.comMon, 17 Jun 2013 22:48:20 GMT20http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxApologies. I should have posted here, but I was on holiday (still am).Wed, 22 Dec 2010 18:04:55 GMTSteve Jones - SSC Editorhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxWinners are posted on Steve's blog, here:[url]http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/steve_jones/archive/2010/12/20/and-the-winners-are_26202E002E00_-_2800_ipads-for-christmas-contest_2900_.aspx[/url]Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:51:16 GMTAndrew Schickedanzhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxMe too...... waiting!Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:38:16 GMTJ Thaddeus Klopcichttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxSo I am curious, who won? I didn't think I had much of a chance to win, but I threw my response with my reasons in the hat. Still I am wondering who won?BenMon, 20 Dec 2010 05:37:31 GMTbkubicekhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxCan an iPad make doing my job better? An iPad by itself cannot enhance my job performance, but an iPad as part of a solution can definitely make my job better and easier to accomplish. A solution that gives me real-time statistics and updates on my SQL servers. A solution that I can take into a meeting, allow me to take notes while also getting that important email about server performance. A solution that I can take home and allow me to do my job without turning on and waiting for my desktop or laptop to boot up and connect to the office. Convience is a huge benefit to allowing me to do my job. Something that is always on, lightweight, and portable. Those are characteristics of a great solution. The iPad is just one part of the whole solution.The benefit of an iPad are the apps. I could never get buy-in to purchase an iPad for my job, but it would be an easy sell if the iPad was just part of the overall solution. Selling the iPad as part of a solution would appeal to both Enterprise and SMBs. If the solution is right, what's an extra $500-$700? Trying to sell management on buying just an iPad though will be considered frivolous and not approved. The iPad can be a great tool and is a terrific platform. iPad specific apps can be created to duplicate most of today's Windows applications. A dedicated iPad app as the front end of a monitoring application would be a terrific solution. It would also allow me to do my job better.Fri, 17 Dec 2010 21:58:13 GMTjason-871583http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxHi Steve,I know my comment is cutting it to the wire, but since Monday I have been trying to think about what to write. I even took the time to look up the word synergy. I have heard this buzz word many times in the IT/Business world but never really took the time to look up the true meaning. (I have now done this - courtesy of {dictionary.com} 1. combined action or functioning; synergism. 2. the cooperative action of two or more muscles, nerves, or the like.3. the cooperative action of two or more stimuli or drugs. <--I find this one interesting, also would have been cooler to look it up on the iPad instead of my laptop.) As many people have already mentioned, the iPad would be a great addition for our technical options to remote login into work to resolve issues or check the status/health of our database servers. I also checked out the website and online demo for the SQL Monitor tools. It looks like a great tool which appears to provide the functionality needed to effectively monitor the health of your database server. The website says it can be used on mobile devices through the web-based monitoring. I recently entered the wonderful world of smartphones with my purchase of an Evo 4G, so it would be awesome to be able to monitor work servers from anywhere I choose to be. Now, the Evo has one of the largest mobile phone screen sizes, but I would probably prefer the real estate of the iPad or another tablet better (Of course testing this theory with one of the contest iPads would be a great exercise in test-driven development ;) <--see I'm bringing in a little synergy already).Anyway, I hope you consider me for an iPad w/ the Red Gate SQL Monitoring. Perhaps, we could take a picture of me testing it on a horse at the ranch with you (after we work on extending your wifi connection out there). Or perhaps, I could put on my Hawaiian shirt and you could put on one of your many Hawaiian shirts and we could head to Hawaii for the picture of us using the iPad & SQL Monitoring tools while on the beach sipping pina coladas. The sky's the limit and the synergisms are endless. Maybe I will start getting the pina coladas ready now in preparation.Cheers,John DempseyFri, 17 Dec 2010 20:37:29 GMTJohn Dempseyhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxI work for a software company, and one of the primary responsibilities of my job is helping with customer support issues that involve the database. As you might guess, customer problems don't only occur during normal business hours. For issues that occur in the evenings or on weekends, people call my cell phone, which is a Blackberry. In the event that I get a phone call while I am away from home, I am pretty limited in my ability to help unless I have seen the issue before or have a good idea of the problem. If a customer is seeing a SQL Server error that I don't know, or if I want them to gather information using a DMV for which I cannot recall the syntax, I'm at a disadvantage. While my Blackberry does have a web browser, it's difficult to use while also on the phone and the screen is pretty small. I do have a personal iTouch with Wi-Fi that I usually carry with me, but I have to be able to find free Wi-Fi where ever I am. In the event I can get online, I can search the web or utilize the #sqlhelp hash tag on Twitter, but the screen size is still pretty small.Enter the iPad. The iPad with 3G is something I could use to help troubleshoot customer database issues from anywhere, AND it has the nice large screen. I wouldn't have any issue carrying it with me because even though it's about 8x10 in size, it's less than two pounds and I have plenty of room in that big purse of mine. If I had the ability to search the web, utilize #sqlhelp on Twitter, and connect back to one of our test database servers at work for troubleshooting, I could provide help to our customers from virtually anywhere. Not only does this help me on nights and weekends, but when I'm traveling to customer sites I have more flexibility (airports don't always have free Wi-Fi) and if I run errands during the work day, I can still be reached to provide help. Ultimately, this ability provides value to my employer and our customers.Thanks!ErinFri, 17 Dec 2010 19:52:32 GMTErin Stellatohttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxFor me the blurring between work and personal time is already a reality-- more from my sense of responsibility to keep things running smoothly than from the business chaining me to the computer (I am already working remotely). Even though I can remote in with a laptop to troubleshoot a problem, I am less likely to go out to exercise or go to my daughter's school event because it means packing up and lugging around a laptop to be able to connect in to the office. A smart phone isn't a viable solution for remoting in because the screen interface is too small. So the iPad and SQL Monitor would be a freedom from dragging heavier/bulkier gadgets and would be an enabler for me to actually move away from the desk, get out on a bike to ride on a trail or down to a cafe, spend more time with my family. At present, the appeal of the iPad is the mobility and ease of use factor with a practical size screen. It will be interesting to see how the platform, apps and services evolve to make my 6 year old daughter wonder how we ever lived without such devices.Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:46:59 GMTFeifarekhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxWith an iPad, I would be free to work effortlessly with clients of my department, both internal and external. As a company that builds financial data software, we have internal analysts using our tools to audit our data. An iPad would help me in trouble shooting their problems as I could sit next to them (wherever they are), and see how their use of our tools impacts our systems – web servers, database servers, etc. Externally, I could use the iPad to demo our products to clients, while at the same time, easily be able to switch to monitoring our systems; hopefully illustrating the ease of use of products, as well as our commitment to up-time, and possibly generating new business. Of course this is all in addition to using the iPad to stay on top of email, blogs & twitter (#sqlhelp). At events like local SQL PASS meetings, SQL Saturdays, SQL Summit, an iPad can be used to help illustrate/explain database concepts to lesser experienced DBA/DBDs, as well as acting as a repository for my questions & supporting material to more senior DBA/DBDs.Happy holidays.Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:00:41 GMTStephen LaRochellehttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxI work for a member-based, not-for-profit organization. I am the iSeries system administrator, one of a team of Windows system administrators and the SQL Server DBA. Our company is really a conglomeration of many different lines of businesses for services that we provide for school districts in Texas. We have over 40 SQL server instances with upwards of 200 databases for production, test and development. It is often difficult to properly monitor and maintain this environment during business hours, much less during off hours. As is everyone, we are being asked to be more available than ever before, which causes conflicts in our personal lives. Taking time to fully participate in church, go to the movies, attend a sporting event or do other personal activities is getting more and more difficult. Having this iPad and SQL Monitor would allow me to provide my employer with greater service while allowing me to not be chained to the laptop at home all the time. Remote technology is a double-edged sword making you more available than ever on one side while allowing productivity away from the office and allowing a little more freedom on the other side.Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:51:40 GMTBarry Wright-268269http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxATM, going somewhere during a weekend when I'm on support leaves me with two options. I can either take the laptop with me or just carry a Blackberry and hope that nothing really urgent happens while I'm away (or that I can ask someone to jump in if really needed). I have to admit I often just go with the Blackberry. I'd be much more willing to take the iPad with me, because it is much smaller and lighter than the laptop (and much-much cooler, if I want to be really honest), so it'd be more likely that weekend support calls find me with proper equipment to remote in. My company would probably appreciate it. :) Better still, with a proper monitoring tool we could fight the issues more proactively and hopefully we'd have fewer urgent calls. Even happier company.The other advantage of the iPad is that it's much quieter than the laptop so I could probably solve most of the night support issues from bed without waking my wife up. ATM, I have to walk downstairs to fire the laptop up for every call out. Saving 5-10 minutes (few times) a night could be lifesaving and happier employees should make the employer happier as well, shouldn’t it?Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:43:46 GMTdidIheariPadhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxI'd love to use an iPad to monitor SQL Server, if only for the irony, and to shove iPad access to the domain down security's throat.Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:22:26 GMTVincent Centralhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxAn iPad (or other tablet device) paired with SQL Monitor would add an unimaginable amount of value. Honestly, since we really don't have any monitoring solution in place (outside of jobs that I have set up to email me when things are going badly), the SQL Monitor by itself would be a fantastic prize (and even without winning this, I am going to recommend purchasing it). We have 4 production SQL boxes and 2 dev SQL boxes operating right now, and with our IT staff of three people to support a 3PL warehousing company with almost 4 million sq ft, over 200 employees, spanning 13 buildings with another two slated to come on board in the next couple of months. We need all the tools we can get to be able survive, let alone be efficient!Personally, I manage the databases, develop in house applications, support two different Warehouse Management Systems, develop and train the trainers and end users, and back up our network administrator. All of us are on call 24/7 for pretty much anything you can think of.The iPad would offer a wonderful piece of hardware to balance portability and productivity. By adding Kindle or using built in Ebook Reader I can continue my education. Add on a dongle, and tie into projectors for presentations and training. Use it from the warehouse floor with rdp to run test/troubleshoot, as well as monitor the databases from anywhere without trying to find a place to sit down a laptop or plug in. The quick power up is great for answering questions quickly when there are no computers up (in bed, while watching tv, in the car, etc). So this would help us manage our SQL Servers better, support our internal and external clients quicker at any time of the day or night, will help me keep up to date with the newest technology and learn more about existing options (through ebooks, videos, and podcasts), and make me more effective while I am moving in and between facilities and campuses, while allowing us to keep from hiring on new personnel for a longer period of time.But the number one benefit which will add to the bottom line of our business is to conveniently watch "Voice of the DBA" from anywhere on a screen which is easier to see than my iphone! ;-)Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:29:34 GMTfreelancer317http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxWOW. The ability to VPN/RDP into work over a 3G network on a lightweight and truly portable device would be fantastic. Yes, 3G dongles abound, but the monthly commitments and having to lug a laptop around pretty much kills that idea. (I also couldn't get it past the family accountant. We are already paying for a smartphone, satellite TV and satellite internet connections as well.) I would drop the smartphone and go back to a basic phone and use the iPad for everything else.I monitor a couple of development database servers that host databases for several dozen DEV and QA environments. We have lots of jobs that run to monitor parts of the development process and notify by e-mail when things are out of sorts. It would be really nice if I could aggregate all those statuses into a single dashboard where I could see them all at a glance and drill down into those that need attention. For example, yesterday I had to change a password and I forgot that was the one associated to all my schema comparison jobs (Red Gate SQL Compare, of course!). This morning on my way to work I had 10 different e-mails that told me athere was a failure, but I couldn't get to enough info via my smartphone to know why.Actually, my biggest productivity gain would probably happen at the office. Our network security is ratcheted up to a pretty high level. We have WebSense blocking lots of sites (granted, most of which are not appropriate for work) and very often when trying to research solutions to a new problem I encounter possible solutions whose sites are blocked as "Social Networking". As a result, I bring a lot of my research home and problems may take another day to get resolved.Less work at home, more productivity at the office, and quick notification and ability to respond to issues when they do arise after hours, would make everyone around here happier.Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:06:00 GMTAndrew Schickedanzhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxHow would an iPad allow me to do my job better? There are a mind boggling number of possibilities, but there are two that stand out from all the others. First it would allow me to reduce the number of devices that interact with on a daily basis and save me time. I mean, everyone know that multi-tasking makes us more productive. Right? RIGHT?! If you were to walk into my office right now you would see a PC with two monitors, a wide-screen multi-touch PC, a nook with all my eBooks, an iPhone and of course my laptop. Offloading all my non-software development tasks to a single device would truly be life altering. No more fumbling or switching between different applications on different devices; most everything I would need would be on one single device.This becomes even more important to me in another month and half, when my employer will be moving my office to a new building about a mile away from my current location and I will still be required to visit both locations. Having one device that allows me to check on the status of all our applications and servers in production, while still being able to do many other things that come up on a daily basis is going to absolutely essential and will save me quite a bit of time every day. (In the new building, there is even a workout room. Being able to catch up on my technical reading while on a treadmill would be another big win.) The second area would be having a device to explore and test new applications for my employer. Currently, I am working on a multi-touch kiosk for one of our product lines that uses a local SQL Database for displaying product information and our current inventory. In the second phase of the project, I want to move the database to SQLAzure (synchronized with an on-premise install of SQL Server) and expose the data using OData so that I can start to build applications for other device platforms. My vision? To have an application platform that allows me to publish data for any type of device that salespeople would like to use. I could help move them out from behind their desks by giving them the means to view, search and display product information as they are working with customers in the office or out on sales calls. A device like an iPad would be phenomenal step in that direction because it would allow me to show others what is possible not by describing it, but by actually doing it.Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:26:35 GMTDoug Rhotenhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxHello Steve,Here's my response to the I-Pad discussion...I am often on call at the weekend, but I also have parental responsibilities as well. When I get a call it means I get dragged away from my parental responsibilities having to retire to my office, thus leaving extra strain on my wife. Similarly when I am working on something at home I find myself having to regularly pop back to my computer to monitor progress on the jobs that are running, again distracting my family focus. All this means that my family dread my work more than I do.So what I need is a device that allows me to keep an eye on my work whilst I-pad around the house after my enthusiastic daughter, a device that allows me to work and cook as I-pad about the kitchen chopping and washing at meal-times, a device that can go with me when I-pad through the garden trimming bushes and mowing the lawn. What I need is a device that I can slip out of my bag to check on my work as I-pad in and out of the shops in the name of Christmas shopping, a device that I can happily take with me when I-pad to the pub after family have gone to bed in the evening. In other words an I-pad would allow me to work, rest and play all at the same time.I-pads for Christmas!Happy Christmas to all at SQL ServerCentral!Fri, 17 Dec 2010 07:58:25 GMTrwilkes-1123382http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxHi, Since I am working in SQL server platform from past 5 years, I found this difficulty during the weekend/Vacation.Problem:1. As a admin, I normally do an MSTSC to the sql server box.2. Using Sql server 2005 Performance dashboard/ Activity Monitor, I narrow down the issue and find the related Application/team/session.3. Finally I have to send a notification mail to the related employees to kill/close the sessions established by them.Expected solution by using iPad/SQL Monitor:1. Based on sessions/queries, I should be able to find the related team and their members email id's, by using LDAP. 2. One click solution to send a mail which includes, I) Respective employees with an CC mail to their manager( Black berry/ iPad). Manager can get in touch with employee. II) Server issues in report format (.pdf or .xlsx) III) Severity of the mail. So, All we need to do is, provide an integration layer between LDAP, SQL Server and Outlook Mail configuration(DBA account).Also, we can think about the location(SQL) to maintain the hierarchies between the employees.Cheers,JeyFri, 17 Dec 2010 03:50:06 GMTJeyakumar-447522http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxHi Steve,With using a iPad, we can monitor several SQL server instances\databases healthiness in just 1 screen, when we are waiting for bus in the street, queuing for meals.What is more, it helps us create up-to-the-minutes performance reports (for example, using keynote), share these information easily to our colleagues with a few touches, that you may not even have to type a word.Fri, 17 Dec 2010 01:13:05 GMTStanley Chanhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxIn short an iPad would make managing and monitoring my SQL database a lot easier and more fun!! I can image it now as my family and I are camping we are sitting around a warm camp fire sipping on hot cocoa and roasting marshmallows. When all of the sudden my phone starts to vibrate! Being the only dba to support the company databases puts me on call 24/7. As I look at the phone I see my instance has lost network connection. Why here? Why now in the middle of roasting marshmallows is this happening I ask myself? Have no fear iPad is here. No need to lug around a bulky 19 inch laptop and wait 10 minutes for Windows to load. When sleek little iPad can quickly do the trick. As I pull out the iPad the kids are in ahhh as they watch me connect to the company network. Where you say can one find Wi-Fi in the middle of nowhere? Easy, from the motor home with satellite internet parked in the camp site to my right. My iPad in one hand and roasted marshmallows in the other fixing my sql instance is not much trouble.Thu, 16 Dec 2010 21:36:29 GMTcfmxhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxI like to be able to manage and do my work better by using sql monitor. The web-based monitoring is cool when it allows me to monitor the health of my servers over any internet web browser or mobile devices including the latest iPad. My job entails working with developing apps as well as supporting the crystal reports running on sql servers. Sometimes, when users run reports that takes up much time, I like to see how many deadlocks or how is the sql server doing during month-end closure. SQL monitor gives me just that functionality with lots of flexibility. I can easily get alerts through email and switch to a web browser to monitor the live stats of my server. I can also set thresholds to make certain alerts appear on the email to prevent false alerts. Another feature is the enabling of sql profiler trace which is handy for troubleshooting problems on sql monitor. SQL monitor is a handy tool for sql professionals who work hand in hand with sql servers. I hope to win a copy of this tool as I have tried the trial version. An iPad is a bonus to me when it allows me to remote desktop to the server or check sql monitor from safari browser. On a creative side, I can probably stick the ipad on my cubicle's wall so I can monitor my sql server stats while I work on my laptop. It will give me more advantage on the productivity side as I have two screens to see now and able to respond more quickly to problems when the need arises.Thu, 16 Dec 2010 21:15:35 GMTdaren-336294http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxMy commute kills me! It's one hour both ways, time spent in the car wrestling with the masses who are equally frustrated with their situation, both of us trying to get home to see our lovers and children. I'm able to ride the bus, but with the state of the economy and my wisdom in car purchase, it's slightly more expensive and makes the commute longer. If only I could make that time more worthwhile. What's this you say? An iPad? SQLMonitor? I could monitor my servers? I could read books? I could listen to my favorite internet radio? And I could do all of this at the same time and not have to drive? My wife would love a non-grumpy husband walking thru the door at night. My boss would love a chipper employee arriving to work in the morning. I'd have enough energy to finally sculpt that marble statue of Mother Theresa. And all of this from a small piece of technology. Amazing!Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:35:48 GMTSQLDCHhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxI would LOVE to have an iPad for Christmas. I already use my iPhone to the max for remote access to business resources - I use the Logmein Ignition and Citrix Receiver apps to remote control to my PC at the office and get work done (in a pinch). The iPhone screen is so small that my productivity plummets, but better than nothing when a critical system needs to be rebooted or diagnosed. My wife is going into the hospital for surgery, then at home for 2 weeks, and an iPad would allow me the flexibility of access at the hospital and running around town as I nurse her back to health. My work team is already stretched thin, so cross-training and documentation only go so far - I know I'll receive calls for systems assistance despite my attempts at knowledge transfer and documenting things.Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:05:22 GMTmurraydhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxHey Steve,At home every morning, I check my work email via my smart phone while having my breakfast and coffee to see if scheduled jobs failed or if developers/end users were having any problems the night before. This gives me a heads up and allows me to think about possible solutions on my drive in to work. We recently implemented SQL Monitor 2.0, and I can just imagine viewing alerts, viewing SSRS reports, and checking email on the iPad's huge, vibrant screen. Being able to perform these activities on an iPad every morning would allow me to be even more proactive, become more efficient for my employer, and ultimately, become a better DBA.Thank you for your consideration and Merry Christmas!AdamThu, 16 Dec 2010 11:58:46 GMTCheeseheadDBAhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspx1Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:44:17 GMTmike-719862http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxI do a lot of cycling and would like to ride more. Maybe I can start competing in the spring if I ride enough over the winter. Often I cannot get away from work long enough to get the long rides in. Even on the weekends. An iPad would make me more mobile and, therefore, my schedule more flexible for riding and monitoring my SQL Servers.Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:20:12 GMTJon Russellhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxI started as an accidental DBA a number of years ago, but my responsibilities have expand greatly including SQL clusters, TFS environment, development team support and even support for a rapidly expanding Business Intelligence (BI) environment. In addition to my DBA duties, I also handle IDM for the same educational institution (approx. 23,000 users) as well as DHCP/DNS and web servers. Our environment does not allow for on-call status. I currently use VPN at home with my laptop, but I can’t always have my laptop with me. I am able to check e-mail and do minor work via my personal smartphone, but I can’t do much more than the basics. I’ve never owned an Apple device, but I am intrigued and excited by the potential possibility to have an intermediate device that I can easily carry with me to get a better view of my environment both at work and in my personal life. When troubles arise or something needs watching, the ability to not be limited to home and still be able to respond to would be incredible. With tools the RedGate tool and an RDP or Citrix client I could free myself to go just about anywhere WiFi or 3G would provide. Aside from these issues, the ability to carry a device like the iPad when I meet with developers or the BI team would give me the ability to make easy adjustments on-the-fly and check status of systems without needing a full laptop available. I could pull up the same dashboards or web apps they are working on. The ability to carry with me eBooks/PDFs and documentation in a portable way would be valuable as well. Being able to rapidly respond, resolve (proactively even) and share and collaborate with others would make me a more valuable and dynamic employee. Thank you for your consideration!Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:49:06 GMTcgfsqlhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxI work for a small company and have become the accidental DBA. I also manage the network, develop our application, help out with sales, marketing, and support; basically I do a little bit everywhere. So my uses for an iPad would extend beyond SQL Server. For SQL Server I could see setting it up on my desk as another monitor that would, well, monitor SQL Server. As I divide my time between duties this would give me more instance access to the performance of our application. I could have it at home to monitor and check in as well. Along with the Redgate monitor, I could maintain lists of items like bad indexes and poor performing queries to see what to focus on next to improve the system; all at my fingertips, literally. I can also see using it for development meetings to take notes, since I'm often the note taker. Among the other uses would be using it to develop mobile support for our application, manage development projects while away from the office, and have a bigger screen than a phone to respond to email. Another use I see is watching training videos, like those from PASS, 24 Hours of PASS, independent webinars, etc. without having to sit at a desk. At work I'm always focused on the tasks of the day. With an iPad I could be on the couch, in a cafe, waiting for my car to be fixed, or on a plane and learn new things. I see passing the iPad around to all of the developers to have them brush up on the great ideas in these presentations, too. The list of uses goes on and on.Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:51:04 GMTcorderhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxWebex on iPAD allows VOIP for the audio, so you have a plan B if your phone is not working. As a DBA, we all know that Plan B is important. Citrix receiver on the iPAD allows you to get into your system securely. So you do not need to publish SQL Monitor data on the internet or open port on your firewall. 10+ hours of battery life is another plus. Another thing, we all know that how long it takes laptop PC to reboot and how frustrating it is to wait under some situations. With iPad, it is immediate-on.Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:08:38 GMTJG-270579http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxSteve, like you, being able to balance work and personal time is key to one’s success in life. I work to Live, not live to work. Using a portable device like an iPad lets me accomplish my goals.A nice synergy I like with Red Gate and iPad is their simplicity of use. The simplicity of these products helps me to efficiently monitor my database servers. The user interfaces in each of these products are thoughtful, concise and easy to use. One example of the iPad’s ease of use. Imagine you’re in the server room. Like many of the server rooms I have been in, there is no desktop space. The iPad’s touch interface allows you to easily monitor your server farm using Red Gate’s SQL Monitor application. With the next version of the iPad, I will be able to video conference with colleagues if a problem requires ‘face to face’ time.Another effective use of an iPad is the ‘eye candy effect’. Management loves to see graphs, charts, dashboards, etc. The iPad helps to deliver this message. I can dazzle them with statistics showing how we are proactively maintaining the uptime of our server environment.As backend guys, no one notices the databases until some goes wrong. The best compliment we as DBA’s can hear is ‘The database just works!!!’.Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,SteveThu, 16 Dec 2010 07:57:33 GMTSteve Romankiw-282395http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxInteresting Indeed. iPad is like carrying a novel PC with all accessories wherever I go and be in touch with all my favourite friends, interact with various tools and exchange extraordinary messages be it personal, official, trade and commerce. Fantastic fact but it is real. What to add, further.Thu, 16 Dec 2010 04:57:40 GMTanand_nhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxMy Apple iphone is all aloneso if I had an Ipad it would no longer be sad.For mobile support of SQL there is no equal.The screen is so large and it lasts hours without a charge.With wireless and 3G I would be set freeto enjoy my life with a lot less strife.SQL Monitor from Red Gate does highly rate.This monitoring toolis oh so cool.The web interfacemeans I could leave the rat raceand still perform my rolefrom some sandy atoll.So I beg you pleasefrom my bended kneessend my wayan Ipad today.:-DThat is my first ever poem so go easy on me!As a lone DBA looking after 430 application databases spread over 70 servers I need all the help I can get!I was a slow adopter of the iphone but am now inseparable from it. The main draw back of it is the screen size which is where the Ipad steps in. Having a portable, usable device would allow me to keep an eye on my server farm when away from my desk. Being able to monitor systems, access documents or emails during meetings would also be invaluable.I have implemented a mash up of David Bird and Rodney Landrum's monitoring tools to automate our SQL monitoring but SQL Monitor from Red Gate would take me to the next level and allow real time monitoring and obviously with the web interface is a perfect match with the Ipad.Thu, 16 Dec 2010 01:10:02 GMTCC-597066http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxHi Steve, I currently support several database instances on SQL 2000, SQL 2005 and as of this month SQL 2008 R2 in a clustered scenario. The geographical locations of my organization range from Camp Fuji, at the base of Mt. Fuji in mainland Japan to the tropical climate of Okinawa, Japan. I currently monitor with my Dell 820 laptop that is rather long in the tooth. At times I may be in remote locations such as the Jungle Warfare Training Center or at Ie Shima (Where the famous WWII correspondent was killed alongside the Marines with which he served). Our databases are essential to our business operations and keeping them running is my responsibility. Having an Ipad with SQL monitoring would allow me to remotely monitor from any of our bases as we provide wireless capability at each them. This would allow me to more proactively monitor without cutting into my family time or my time that is used as I am completing my masters degree. I could be at one of the beaches enjoying myself and still have the ability to monitor our servers.Wed, 15 Dec 2010 23:08:13 GMTreynoldsjhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxHaving an iPad would be cool, though it wouldn't bring much value to the workplace. Having a sql monitoring tool, such as SQL Monitor, does have great value to the workplace. Using the iPads ability to see that monitoring tool anywhere you have connection and potentially resolving issues creates a synergy of enormous value.How many times have you been told the app or database is/was SLOW, but by the time you get to your desk it isn't slow anymore. With SQL Monitor and an iPad, I would be able to pull up the web site drill down to the error and see that the disk IO spiked when a certain query was run. Then using something like iTap or a Citrix client, connect to my system to fix the problem. All this could be done while at the users desk, standing in line at a local restaurant, or sitting in the auditorium waiting for your daughter's play to start.In addition, using the iPad as a presentation tool would allow the ability to show SQL Monitor, SQL Reports, etc.. while using the iPads ability to zoom in so that even the people in the back of the room can read the information you just circled on your tablet screen.As another shop, that is currently evaluating sql monitoring tools, I see great value in being able to receive an alert, check the alert in SQL Monitor and resolve said alert in a timely manner, wherever you may be.Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:46:32 GMTJ DBAhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxI work for a company that provides warehouse automation systems. Every system is custom design and built and most of the software (including SQL) is tailored to mesh with their existing systems. We use all of the latest software, but we often install our systems at client sites that don't have many technical folks that can handle server administration. We do as much as we can to protect them from themselves, but that is not always enough. Because of this, we sometimes get frantic support calls. These calls could come in at any time as many of our clients run their systems around the clock. Generally, when they have a major problem, their entire business is essentially shutdown, and we have a fire drill to get them back up and running. Because of the timeframe for these calls and the urgency, an iPad would be a tremendous asset to help assist a remote client get back up and running quickly no matter the time as long as I had my iPad. (I'm not submitting under the work/life section as the iPad would tether me to work more easily.) Additionally, the SQL Monitor software could help us better proactively monitor our clients to eliminate some of these fire drills.Thanks for the consideration.Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:00:51 GMTJeremyWesthttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxI think it's very interesting to read all of the feedback. I thought about your question and it was funny how easy it was to relate the issue to maybe a proposed idea. I thought the same feedback could just about go to any of the 3 categories.I'm sure that just like everyone else there's always the frustration of feeling like you can't go anywhere or do anything because of the possible critical issue.Then there's the frustration of the helpdesk calling you while your away from any computer and a long way from either home or the office. The helpdesk says they don't have much in the way of information on the issue but there have been several calls regarding to problem. You can't tell them what to check because they can't tell you much about what's wrong. You arrive home after canceling all of your plans to find out that someone was running a query that created a blocking issue which has already resolved it's self.Information in today's world means more productivity, better response time, meeting SLA's and better overall happy customers. Having the means to resources at hand can be a life saver in today's world. Being able to check the SQL Monitoring and getting an idea of what the issue is could mean staying at the ball game and giving directions to a helpdesk person right away as opposed to the best case scenario of waiting for the laptop to boot, hoping the slow wireless card provided works and then getting to the actual issue.I asked my boss one time if I could take a 2 weeks vacation. He said are you going to be where you could help us with any issues that come up. It's nice to be needed but to feel like you can't leave the city gets old. Having around 50 SQL clusters and another 25 standalone SQL servers always provides a need for resources.Merry ChristmasWed, 15 Dec 2010 15:56:37 GMTRobin Hudsonhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxFor me the key is "information at my fingertips".I can't tell you how many times I've been in a meeting (maybe even an informal hallway meeting), and had unanswerable questions come up: * How much space is available on the data drive of [i]this server[/i] * What time did the backups finish last night on [i]that server[/i] * Anyone know if [i]this instance[/i] is still using over 50% CPU?to which the only possible answer is, "I don't know. Let me go to my office and check."A laptop just doesn't do the same thing, in terms of ease and quickness of startup and use, and how quickly you can get to the data. Its also cumbersome to haul around with you from place to place.An iPad, though, would be an awesome tool, especially in combination with the RedGate SQL Monitor tool, to whip out at a moments notice (even in a quick hallway conversation), and find the answers to these questions!Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:44:08 GMTbrad.corbinhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxThe combination of an iPad and Red Gate SQL Server Monitor offers mobility, ease of use, and increased visibility. Mobility is a given: the iPad is a lightweight and ultra-mobile option for computing on the go. You would be hard-pressed to find a device that offers the same functionality and features as the iPad. The ease of use is explained by SQL Server Monitor’s various dashboards and reports. It provides you with the tools you need to perform proper monitoring and analysis at your fingertips. The true value of the marriage of these two tools is in the improved visibility of often overlooked job functions. During the course of your work day, you might be asked what the typical CPU or memory load is on any given server. At the touch of a button, you can bring up analytical reports to show these usage statistics for the last few hours, the last few days, or the last few weeks. Given the portability of the iPad and the richness of SQL Server Monitor, you could realistically have this information available to you at all times. Using the union of these two tools, it becomes much easier to show your co-workers and supervisor the methods and processes you employ to monitor their most valuable of resources.Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:39:28 GMTMattrickhttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxHi Steve-I think the iPad and devices like it are taking something that has intrigued myself and some friends of mine. Basically my little smart phone seems "smarter" that my much more "powerful" laptop/desktop. With the introduction of "push notifications", apps that are always on and very little if any boot time for these devices it has become much simpler to use and respond to items in a timely fashion. Think about it when you turn on your phone or the iPad it just goes and gets your email, syncs calendars, gets push notifications from various apps that alert you to items you need to attend to. I think what is setting the iPad apart from other tablets (at this point at least) is the form factor in terms of actually using it. My daughter uses one at school for special education classes and it if a kindergartner with special needs is able to pickup an Ipad and just intuitively know how to use it just think what us "educated" folks should be able to do.As far as my employer, I think the big benefits are the following:1. Cheap in comparison to that of a corporate laptop and software in terms of functionally per dollar. 2. The ability to be mobile with out being weighed down is something that is big in terms of our transportation industry. When you have to go into a vehicle and boot up your laptop, connect to the network to show a demo to a driver that can be brutal 5-10 minutes.3. The ability to replace these "dashboard" computers that we have lying around that simply sit there and show updates to various administrators and tier systems are just a waste of space. If they are replaced with ipads they are mobile and take up less space.Just a few thoughts.-richWed, 15 Dec 2010 10:31:04 GMTrfantozzihttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxhi Steve...An iPad would probably not help my situation.My boss likes to see a warm body in the office, so even telecommuting is not an option (even though I regularly deploy application and database modifications remotely via our VPN after hours).The main thing an iPad would offer is possibilities: being able to demonstrate what can be done both for myself and for our field representatives. It might just start the revolution.Thanks...Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:58:03 GMTalan.gosarthttp://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1033365-263-1.aspxThe obvious advantage of device like iPad is that I'm not tied to my office desk anymore. The advantage that my employer or my business gets is that I'm not away from work and life doesn't get in my way. My employer doesn't have to worry about replacing me if I have to take my kids for doctor's appointment or something else that's important to me. As an employer, to justify the cost of iPad I would find out how much it costs me in terms of productivity and unhappy customer when my employee is away versus the cost of iPad. I would also account for the gain in terms of employee happiness and loyalty. It's almost no-brainer.Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:24:05 GMTRSAA