25 Years of SQL Server Central

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25 Years of SQL Server Central

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

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Points: 740898
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February 2, 2026 at 12:00 am

#4714248

Comments posted to this topic are about the item 25 Years of SQL Server Central

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bradford_ayers Ten Centuries Points: 1167 More actions · Answer 1

Steve,

That was great to hear stories from the early days. I'm not even a DB guy but I always appreciate your Voice of the DBA write-ups and I always give the Question of the Day a try. Your email is a bright spot in my Outlook InBox. Thanks for sticking with it all these years.

Brad

David.Poole SSC Guru Points: 76342 More actions · Answer 2

I've been using SQLServerCentral almost from the beginning. Without this site, my career would have taken a different trajectory and direction. I have had two long-running jobs because someone who became my employer had read an article I wrote here.

I learned much from Andrew Clarke (Phil Factor) when he edited a couple of my articles on the SimpleTalk website. I only wish he were still with us.

I can remember the nervousness when SQLServerCentral was bought by Redgate. A better custodian couldn't be wished for.

I feel that the site has set the tone for the SQL Server community. It is a kinder, more tolerant community than most.

One thing puzzles me. SQLServerCentral is not behind a paywall; it is the de facto SQL Server knowledge site, has a huge number of readers, and many of them will use a range of technologies. Yet there seems to be an absence of imitators in other areas. Why?

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Brent Ozar SSCrazy Points: 2457 More actions · Answer 3

Brent Ozar

SSCrazy

Points: 2457

February 2, 2026 at 12:38 pm

#4728433

Congrats on the anniversary!

Audionova Old Hand Points: 354 More actions · Answer 4

Audionova

Old Hand

Points: 354

February 2, 2026 at 1:24 pm

#4728450

Happy Birthday SQLServerCentral!

Jedak SSCertifiable Points: 5732 More actions · Answer 5

Congratulations on the anniversary! It is truly an amazing achievement! Thank you for all the wonderful, pertinent, and helpful content over the years! SSC has been a staple in my career and has contributed to my professional career. I am one of those people who looks forward to the newsletters!

donald.parish SSC-Addicted Points: 453 More actions · Answer 6

donald.parish

SSC-Addicted

Points: 453

February 2, 2026 at 3:11 pm

#4728517

Thanks! 25 years is a long time in this business!

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 740898 More actions · Answer 7

bradford_ayers wrote:

Steve,
That was great to hear stories from the early days. I'm not even a DB guy but I always appreciate your Voice of the DBA write-ups and I always give the Question of the Day a try. Your email is a bright spot in my Outlook InBox. Thanks for sticking with it all these years.
Brad

Thanks, got a few more coming this month, or at least more details

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 740898 More actions · Answer 8

David.Poole wrote:

I've been using SQLServerCentral almost from the beginning.
...
One thing puzzles me. SQLServerCentral is not behind a paywall; it is the de facto SQL Server knowledge site, has a huge number of readers, and many of them will use a range of technologies. Yet there seems to be an absence of imitators in other areas. Why?

We've never wanted a paywall, or felt it was worth the trade for a few $$ and less of a community. The only thing we've done is require a registration to post.

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 740898 More actions · Answer 9

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

SSC Guru

Points: 740898

February 2, 2026 at 4:00 pm

#4728539

Brent Ozar wrote:

Congrats on the anniversary!

Thanks

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 740898 More actions · Answer 10

Audionova wrote:

Happy Birthday SQLServerCentral!

Appreciate the sentiment

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 740898 More actions · Answer 11

Jedak wrote:

Congratulations on the anniversary! It is truly an amazing achievement! Thank you for all the wonderful, pertinent, and helpful content over the years! SSC has been a staple in my career and has contributed to my professional career. I am one of those people who looks forward to the newsletters!

You are welcome and thanks for the support

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 740898 More actions · Answer 12

donald.parish wrote:

Thanks! 25 years is a long time in this business!

It is. I was amazed to think about how much time has passed

Mandeep Dulai SSC-Addicted Points: 427 More actions · Answer 13

Congratulations Steve to you and the whole team! I've been reading the SQL Server Central articles/posts since 2001/2002 on a daily basis, helped me immensely over the years to learn new technologies, solve problems and implement solutions. Has been and still is a valuable resource for me personally. Thank you for all your efforts in running this site!

David.Poole SSC Guru Points: 76342 More actions · Answer 14

Steve Jones - SSC Editor wrote:

David.Poole wrote:
I've been using SQLServerCentral almost from the beginning.
... One thing puzzles me. SQLServerCentral is not behind a paywall; it is the de facto SQL Server knowledge site, has a huge number of readers, and many of them will use a range of technologies. Yet there seems to be an absence of imitators in other areas. Why?
We've never wanted a paywall, or felt it was worth the trade for a few $$ and less of a community. The only thing we've done is require a registration to post.

I meant, why has someone not looked at success in plain sight and emulated it?

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