Click here to monitor SSC
SQLServerCentral is supported by Red Gate Software Ltd.
 
Log in  ::  Register  ::  Not logged in
 
 
 

Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc.

Marlon started working with SQL Server 2000 writing ad-Hoc queries as part of his tasks doing IT Support in a small document and information management company. In that same position, he also supported few software development projects as tester and troubleshooter (database connectivity issues between client & server, dataset queries, etc). In April 2007, he joined a Boeing Company subsidiary focusing on engineering data analysis. He is a Microsoft Certified Professional - MCTS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Implementation and Maintenance. As an active member of the SQL Community in Southern California, he co-organizes SQL Saturday events in the Los Angeles/Orange County area. His online presences include: Tech Blog: Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. Productivity & GTD Hack Blog: Productivity Bits Twitter: @MarlonRibunal

Rated R (A Teaser)

How many lines of TSQL codes and Window Functions you need to come up with this?

With R, it takes about 2 commands:

> order <- as.matrix(sqlFetch(ch,"SalesDetails")
> summary(order)

To give you an idea, I prepared the dataset into a view like this:

CREATE VIEW SalesDetails
AS
SELECT
 soh.OrderDate…

Read more

0 comments, 132 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 16 May 2013

Non-Tech Books On My Desk

This post is inspired by Andy Warren’s ( b | t ) “Books On The Desk” post.

I’ve got plenty of SQL Server books at home (physical and Kindle versions). But if I’m not in the mood of reading a tech book but itching to read anyway, I’d… Read more

0 comments, 233 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 10 May 2013

Visionary: Seeing Through Defects

Joe Lacob bought the struggling Golden State Warriors NBA franchise in 2010. He has been the most hated man by the Warriors fan base since then.

Lacob promised the fans he would turn the franchise around and get it back to the winning edge.

To set the wheels in motion,… Read more

0 comments, 160 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 3 May 2013

SQLMentor: Do you have a mentor?

I’ve been looking for better ways of learning and improving my SQL Server skills. Blogs, BOL, webcasts, and training videos are great learning aids. Having the right tools and method makes a lot of difference. Building a SQL Server VM Playground to put the lessons in practice is a vital… Read more

2 comments, 19 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 13 April 2013

SQL Saturday #177 – Silicon Valley

There is something about the Silicon Valley that attracts the innovative and creative individuals. The “misfits, rebels, troublemakers, and the round pegs in square holes” come here as dreamers and leave the valley as billionaires world changers. The Silicon Valley provides the opportunity and platform to make a difference for… Read more

0 comments, 186 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 20 February 2013

I’m dropping the book project

Update:

This book project got its second life. I am now collaborating with another author to bring this book to completion.

*****

I was super excited when I received an invitation to write a book on SSRS 2012. Writing a book has been in my bucket list for as… Read more

4 comments, 209 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 16 February 2013

My Writing Toolkit for the book project

I’m in the middle of writing the first chapter of my book. I’m not just ready to announce the working title yet. I’ll probably wait until I finish the 5th chapter (total of 10 chapters).

I thought it would be fun if I open up my writing process so… Read more

0 comments, 253 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 5 December 2012

Choose specific folders to sync with SkyDrive

Every time you run the SkyDrive Client on your device, a laptop in my case, all your files from the cloud are downloaded to your device locally. That is cool because you can still work on your files even when you’re offline.

The thing is I don’t need all the… Read more

0 comments, 299 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 26 November 2012

I’m Thankful for 978-1-84968-508-5

There are things that I’m thankful for this year. Yes, I also got a lot of setbacks but that wouldn’t make me less thankful.

I’m thankful for my family as always. No words can ever describe how thankful I am for the gift of family.

I’m also thankful for my… Read more

4 comments, 239 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 22 November 2012

Tools of the Trade

I needed to upgrade my tools. It was not a matter of “want” but of “need”. It’s no longer enough to have just the bare minimum, specially when you need to test or study about certain features of SQL Server that require multiple servers in a network environment.

My current… Read more

0 comments, 289 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 19 November 2012

SQL Server Express with complete SSMS

Developers will love this latest improvement, specially those that have SQL Server Express installed on their laptops or workstations but still work with full versions of SQL Server on their network.

In the past you have to have at least the Developer Version of SQL Server if you also wanted… Read more

0 comments, 402 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 15 November 2012

Agile way of acquiring SQL Server skills

You probably heard about 7 Days To OLAP by Simon Doubt. It’s Simon’s experiment on learning OLAP during his stay on the PASS Summit. This is a very interesting concept and you should try it. The experiment has four key elements:

  • Focus on one goal
  • Isolation from regular work/life responsibilities

Read more

1 comments, 931 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 10 November 2012

Attendant’s checklist to a SQL Saturday event

Weeks Before The Event

  1. Check for conflict in Schedule
    • Family Activities (Y/N)
    • Business Appointment (Y/N)
    • Other Commitments (Y/N)
  2. Plan the Trip
    • Distance (calculate travel time)
    • Budget $ (Gasoline, food, etc.)
    • Airline/Hotel Booking (if applicable)
  3. Want to Volunteer for the Event (Y/N)

Few Days Before The Event

  1. Check If Schedule is…

Read more

0 comments, 287 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 15 September 2012

SQLskills joining Pluralsight is a good news for all

Many can boast that they were trained by Paul and Kimberly Randal at SQLskills. That company is so highly regarded in SQL Server circle that having undergone training with them is considered a great privilege.

Not all of us will have the same privilege of sitting in an Immersion Event Read more

2 comments, 337 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 6 September 2012

Demonstration of a simple dashboard created with the Tableau Software

Like I said on Twitter, here’s the post about the dashboard I created using Tableau, a BI visualization software. I’ve been hearing good things about Tableau from different people and from the social networks. A couple of friends from Twitter encouraged me to try it and see if I… Read more

0 comments, 627 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 1 September 2012

Digging deeper into SQL Server

I’m nowhere near where I needed to be. I am not digging enough. I’m not learning enough. Learning opportunities are not landing on my lap.

I have to go out on my own and learn SQL Server on my own time and resources.

This blog was never meant to become… Read more

4 comments, 392 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 25 August 2012

Lenovo’s Cancellation Policy is not consumer-friendly

I recently placed an order for a ThinkPad W530 from Lenovo. One day before the estimated shipping date, I noticed that I inadvertently picked the integrated wireless card that I didn’t want (ThinkPad B/G/N 1×1). I wanted the Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (or at least Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205) instead. Read more

5 comments, 427 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 9 August 2012

Getting to the next level in your SQL Server career

Jen McCown (Blog | Twitter) wrote about an interesting topic on the different levels of database professionals. In her article, Jen identified the three levels as Junior, Mid-Level, and High-Level.

I’m not repeating here her descriptions of the different levels, so go and read her article (link… Read more

1 comments, 570 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 4 August 2012

Learning solid SQL Server and Business Intelligence skills through online training

I have just signed up for a one year standard subscription of Pluralsight Hardcore Developer Training. I’m focusing on SQL Server and Business Intelligence. My training goal is to improve my technical knowledge and gain new industrial skills to get myself ready for opportunities now and the future.

I… Read more

4 comments, 614 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 28 July 2012

This week’s links on monitoring SQL Server performance

From time to time, I will be posting links that I encountered during the week. This is also one way of tracking blog posts that I liked. I hope others will find values in these links.

The Scene Behind NOLOCK – Take another look on the behind the scenes of… Read more

2 comments, 415 reads

Posted in Marlon Ribunal - SQL, Code, Coffee, etc. on 6 July 2012

Older posts