I know a lot of DBAs fall into the category of part-time DBAs, because they work in small IT shops and they often have to wear many hats. I have actually never shared this secret before, but I was an Exchange Administrator before became becoming a full-time DBA, back in… Read more

In a recent poll at www.bradmcgehee.com, I asked website visitors if they had any Microsoft SQL Server certifications, and if so, which certification. I also asked how many people who weren’t certified wanted to become certified, and how many people who weren’t certified didn’t have any interest in… Read more

This is an excerpt from my free eBook, Brad’s Sure Guide to SQL Server 2008, which can be downloaded here.

As DBAs, one of our goals is to separate OLTP (On-Line Transaction Processing) and OLAP (On- Line Analytical Processing) activity, preferably onto different servers. This is because performing… Read more

As most of you know, the Icelandic volcano has played havoc with travel plans for speakers coming from the US to speak at European PASS, and many of us will not be able to attend in person, including myself. Fortunately, I have found someone to take over my presentations for… Read more

As most of you know, the Icelandic volcano has played havoc with travel plans for speakers coming from the US to speak at European PASS, and many of us will not be able to attend in person, including myself. Fortunately, I have found someone to take over my presentations for… Read more

AlantaMDF SQL Server Users Group. Photo courtesy of www.sqlvariant.com.

I have just finished up a three event speaking tour that, which unfortunately, should have been a four event tour, but my flight to Germany (via London) was cancelled, and I was unable to attend European PASS as I had… Read more

Just as a reminder, if you have registered to attend SQLBits this Friday, April 16, at the Church House Conference Centre in Westminster, London, be sure to confirm your registration if you have not done so already. And if you have registered and been confirmed, but now can’t attend, please… Read more

In March, I ran a Question of the Month that asked, “What is the biggest mistake/problem you ever found on a SQL Server instance, and how did you fix it.” There were so many great responses that I thought I would summarize many of them here, as this list provides… Read more

David Walker, the organizer of the popular Tulsa TechFest, is organizing the first annual NWA TechFest, to be held Thursday, July 18, in Rogers, AR. The event will cover numerous Microsoft technologies, including SQL Server. The call for speakers is now open, and registration will begin… Read more

As DBAs, we are often put in the position of purchasing software from third-party vendors. If you are like me, you are probably amazed at the wide variation in software prices, and how the price of a product seems to bear little relationship with its actual cost. For example, why… Read more

Registration for the 24 Hours of PASS is now open. This free, online training event will be held starting 12:00 GMT on May 19, and include 24 live presentations on a wide variety of topics, with a special emphasis on SQL Server 2008 R2.

Speakers include Adam Machanic, Andy… Read more

The March SQL Aloha contest had a total of 25 entries, and all of them were great responses to this month’s question, which was:

What is the biggest mistake/problem you have ever found on a SQL Server instance, and how did you fix it?

If you haven’t read them… Read more

April will be a busy month for me as I will be speaking seven different times, on seven different topics, at four difference user group and conferences. Here’s my lineup:

Baltimore SQL Server Users Group
Monday, April 5, 2010, 7:00-8:00PM
”How to Use the SQL Server 2008 Performance Data Collector… Read more

Post your responses to the above SQL Aloha Question of the Month in the comments section below (at www.bradmcgehee.com if you are viewing this from a syndicated newsfeed). And don’t forget to enter your e-mail address when you post your response, so I can contact you if you win.

I’ll… Read more