SQLServerCentral.com Content tagged Editorial

Trusting Systems

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

The trust we build by ensuring our computer systems work is important. If we can't maintain that trust, Steve Jones sees a problem for our careers.

Understanding HA

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

Dealing with disaster situations or trying to maintain an HA environment can be stressful. However knowledge about your goals and the capabilities of each technology, along with practice, can make things much easier.

Top 5 hard-earned Lessons of a DBA
New! Part 4, ‘Disturbing Development’ by Grant Fritchey, features the return of Joe Deebeeay and a server-threatening encounter with ORMs - read it here

How do you solve T-SQL problems?

Tue, 21 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

It's good to have a methodology for solving problems, and T-SQL is no exception to this. Steve Jones notes that all too often we look at solving a problem, but only doing half the job.

Top 5 hard-earned Lessons of a DBA
New! Part 4, ‘Disturbing Development’ by Grant Fritchey, features the return of Joe Deebeeay and a server-threatening encounter with ORMs - read it here

Morphing Microsoft

Mon, 20 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

Is Microsoft trying to move away from just being a software vendor? It seems they'd like to and that's a goal, but are they moving in the right direction? Steve Jones has a few ideas to help them.

The Control Poll

Fri, 17 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

Do you use version control for your databases? For your application code? Is there a time when you think it's not needed? Steve Jones asks the question today.

Honeywords in SQL Server

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

There's an idea of using false passwords with real accounts, honeywords, that can help us detect security issues with our servers. Is that worth implementing in SQL Server?

The Challenger

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

There is plenty of competition in the database platform space for SQL Server. There's a new NuSQL platform, whose vendor hopes will replace SQL Server as the platform of choice in the cloud. However Steve Jones isn't sure this will be the case.

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The Platform Problem

Tue, 14 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

Steve Jones sees a problem with the Azure platform. It's one that he thinks is limiting adoption, and may become a big problem for Microsoft at some point.

Better Coding, More Savings

Mon, 13 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

The way we write code impacts our users, but it can also impact our wallet, especially in cloud computing. Steve Jones wonders how many people bother to profile and test their code.

Visualizations

Fri, 10 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

A picture can express a thousand words. That's a phrase that many of us understand well, and one we embrace when we try to present large amounts of data in reports and dashboards. This week Steve Jones asks you what visualizations you use.

A Broken Data Model

Thu, 09 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

After a recent trip, Steve Jones noted a problem somewhere with the way airlines are handling passenger data.

Our Race with Machines

Wed, 08 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

A future world where the machines rule, as shown in films like Terminator and the Matrix, isn't what most people want. However the fears of machines taking over much of our world are very real. Steve Jones thinks it's not as bad as you might believe.

Small Data

Tue, 07 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

With all the talk about Big Data recently, Steve Jones looks at some of the issues with Big Data and how small data might be more important to you.

Microsoft Research

Mon, 06 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

Research in industry can help a company leap ahead of it's peers. Steve Jones thinks this is a good idea for many companies to engage in and highlights some of the great work being done at Microsoft Research.

The Security of You

Fri, 03 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

There is a lot of data out there that is specific to an individual, none more important perhaps than biometric data. Steve Jones writes a bit about the security implications involved in working with this data. (This editorial was originally published on Nov 10, 2008. It is being re-run as Steve is at SQL Bits.)

Managing Your IT Data

Thu, 02 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

A new application manages data from your IT machines and software, but doesn't use a database. Steve Jones talks a little about this. (This editorial was originally published on Jan 20, 2009. It is being re-run as Steve is at SQL Bits.)

If you're confident about a change in your DB, triple check

Wed, 01 May 2013 06:00:00 UT

Even planning allows for failure, sometimes you can't see everything else where you're standing.

Most important DBA Skill?

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

What is the most important DBA Skill?

Factivism

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

There are many people trying to make the world better for others. Bono is one of them, with the elimination of hunger as his goal. He calls himself a "factivist" trying to use data to inspire others to join him.

The Vacation Dilemma

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

Does vacation cause extra stress at your job before or after you leave? Steve Jones asks a poll question this Friday to see how you feel. This editorial was originally published on June 12, 2008. It is being re-run as Steve is traveling.

Flight Data

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

Travel can be stressful and complicated. As much as computer systems have made things easier, when they fail, your trip can turn awful in a hurry.

Natural Data

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

Can you own data itself or patent it? There's a Supreme Court case dealing with this right now. Steve Jones notes that the outcome could affect our jobs as we deal with more and more data and laws to control data are enacted.

‘Disturbing Development’
Grant Fritchey & the DBA Team present the latest installment of the Top 5 hard-earned lessons of a DBA – read it now

Accelerating Your Career

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

There are any number of ways to help your career move forward. Steve Jones talks about one way you might not have thought about today.

A Billion Transactions

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

A billion transactions is a lot of activity on your database, however Steve Jones thinks more and more of us might see this on a regular basis. Microsoft's facilities group shows this to be the case.

Upgrading to 2012

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

Are many people upgrading to SQL Server 2012? Is it worth the cost for your company for any existing instances? Steve Jones asks the question this week.

Asking for Interview Questions

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

When someone asks for interview questions on the web, it seems many people are upset. But should they be? Steve Jones points out there are different sides to this.

The Patch Wild, Wild West

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

Microsoft might be changing their patching process for applications. This has Steve Jones worried they may move towards an Apple/iOS like model, which would not be good for server systems.

Don't Be a Ghost

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

If you want to further your career, you can't be a ghost. Steve Jones talks about the ways in which so many people might end up hurting their careers by trying to keep their lives too private.

Modeling the Earth

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

Microsoft Research has a variety of interesting projects underway, including one to try and model the Earth. Many of these involve lots of data in some way, and would be interesting projects to work on, according to Steve Jones.

The DBA Office

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 06:00:00 UT

The environment in which we work can have an affect on the way in which we work. Steve Jones asks today if you have a preference for your environment.