Thoughts on SQLServerCentral, SQL Server, and other things interesting to the tech community.
IT Security, MySQL, Perl, SQL Server, and Windows technologies.
I'm Andy Warren, currently a SQL Server trainer with End to End Training. Over the past few years I've been a developer, DBA, and IT Director. I was one of the original founders of SQLServerCentral.com and helped grow that community from zero to about 300k members before deciding to move on to other ventures.
Right now I'm active with
I still write quite a bit for SQLServerCentral (here is my article list) and occasionally participate in the forums (which is where you get to see the community in action). My articles on SSC tend to focus on beginner topics (because we have a constant influx of beginners into our profession), replication (because I think it's under used due to it's perceived complexity), and professional development. It's hard to pick one article as my favorite, but When To Use Cursors was fun to write and generated a lot of discussion - the true measure of interest on SSC! So far I haven't done much really formal writing, my only commercially published work is the SSIS chapter in the Sybex Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Optimization and Maintenance (Exam 70-444) Study Guide. I've got a couple ideas in mind for book projects but haven't committed to one yet; hopefully I will find time this year to tackle one of them.
I blog here a couple times per week on stuff that I'm working on or think might be of interest to those of you that follow along. It will generally be about SQL Server, but it might well reach into tangential areas such as professional development, interesting uses of technology, or discussions around using IT effectively. I'll also post any time I have new content posted anywhere outside the blog. Eventually I'll probably split some of that into a separate blog because I know how frustrating it can be to find an interesting blog and then the next new post is about something you care nothing about. For now my goal is to build 'my voice', experiment with what works and what doesn't, and on the business side, provide prospective students/clients a chance to see my professional interests and passion. It's always nice to see posts get some reads, but I won't be posting just to drive traffic - it's not a commercial effort.
So why 'It Depends'? I teach a beginner to intermediate level performance tuning class and during the four days I probably say 'It Depends' about 50 times, because there just isn't a set of black and white rules for performance tuning, just some general guidelines. That philosphy tends to be true of a lot of decisions in our business and every blog needs a name, so for now - It Depends!
With 10 years experience in database design and administration my primary focus is on performance and ETL processing. As the lead DBA at Zillow.com I spend most of my time working on SQL Server and Mysql in a heterogeneous environment. An hour train commute gives me plenty of time to blog and hone my skills [:D]
Devin is a BI consultant at Pragmatic Works Consulting. Previously, he has tech edited the book Professional Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Integration Services and was an author in the book Knight's 24-Hour Trainer: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Integration Services. Devin has spoken at past conferences like PASS and at several SQL Saturday events. He is a contributing member to the Business Intelligence Special Interest Group (SIG) for PASS as a leader in the SSIS Focus Group. Making his home in Jacksonville, FL, Devin is a participating member of the local users’ group (JSSUG).<o:p></o:p>
I am passionate about my job and what I do and see myself as the eternal learner. When I started as a IT developer and learned SQL I knew this was my future. Unfortunately I have no tertiary qualifications but I learn as I go. Whoever appoints me as an employee in their company will not be sorry because I work and learn hard. I am also a Christian and dedicated my work and life to God through Jesus Christ.
I am working with Microsoft India R&D Pvt Ltd. I have almost 7 years of experience, mostly on Microsoft Technologies. As a SQL Developer and BI Developer lately I have been working on a Data warehousing project.
I am MCSD and MCITP: Database Administrator certified.
On educational front, I am an MCA(Master in Computer Applications) and MBA-IT.
I’m Wes Brown, currently serving as Chief Database Architect for eScan Data Systems http://escandatasystems.com and as happy as I’ve ever been in my professional career. Over the past decade or so I’ve been focused on enterprise systems and SQL Server in particular.That isn’t to say that’s all I’ve ever done just the thing that has brought me to this point in my professional career. I am also involved in building accelerators for SQL Server through another company that my friends and I are currently working to grow, Nitrosphere http://www.nitrosphere.net.If that wasn’t enough I still maintain a private consulting company Planetary DB http://www.planetarydb.com that I use to build tools and give paid advice not directly associated with ether eScan or Nitrosphere!I’ve also had the privilege to work with some outstanding companies and people along the way including Quest Software (litespeed product manager and SQL Server domain expert) and GoldenGate Software (SQL Server domain expert and professional services) that you may know as a database professional. Other companies like The SCOOTER Store (yes if they prequalify you, and you are turned down by Medicaid they will give you your scooter or power wheelchair) where I got to hone my SQL skills to a fine point.Through all that I’m also active in the SQL Server community mostly on a local level running the Austin, TX PASS chapter CACTUSS http://www.cactuss.org for the last 5 years I think, time has a way of playing tricks on your memory. I also started the San Antonio PASS chapter SALSSA http://www.salssa.com which is now in the capable hands of Jim Steiner.And that’s why I’m finally starting a blog in earnest. I’m always finding out things about technology and SQL Server that make me go “WOW! I never knew that.” As I find them I’ll post them up there is a chance you may not remember or didn’t know it ether. These little mysteries are what drive my passion to learn more and share with others.
A big fan of SQLServerCentral, I hope to add good posts for the general enjoyment of other readers at SQLServer Central. Also check my personal blog for additional comments, recommendations and such at SQLFave.blogspot.com.
Tim Mitchell is a Microsoft SQL Server database developer/analyst, writer, and speaker. He has been working professionally with SQL Server for over six years, and holds the MCTS and MCDBA certifications from Microsoft as well as a Bachelor's degree in computer science from Texas A&M University at Commerce. He lives in the Dallas, Texas area and is the owner and principal of Tyleris Data Solutions.
