July 20, 2009 at 9:02 am
I have an awesome opportunity to attend an advanced SQL Server class - 5 days covering index tuning, query plans, optimization, concurrency, locking and debugging. It's all the deep internals that I enjoy working with and promises to be a lot of fun. However, it is expensive and I think for around the same price, I could attend PASS Summit in Seattle - including airfare, hotel, food and the conference. Which do you think would be more beneficial? I'm leaning toward the class, but haven't attended Summit before so it's a tough call to make.
Here are some of the factors I've thought of:
*PASS is only 3 days where the class is a full 5 days (+1 for class, more training)
*There is a greater variety of classes at PASS, but they don't have a schedule up for the classes, so I'm sure that some of the classes I want will be taught at the same time and I won't be able to attend them both (+1 for variety/-1 for not being able to fully schedule with the classes I want, so it nets out)
*At PASS I would meet and network with a variety of individuals from all over the world (including the cool people I've "met" here at SSC). At the class, I would meet and network with the influential people in my local area who are more directly involved in local employment and could stop by to review something if we need a consultant (seems balanced to me again).
*I could probably get some coworkers/acquaintances to attend the class, but I doubt they would go to the Summit (+1 for class, raises the level of expertise here)
*I enjoy going home to the fam every night, there is no travel required for the class (beyond slightly worse traffic. +1 for the class).
I guess I'm leaning heavily toward the class and will maybe try to attend Summit next year. What do you think? Have I missed something I should consider? Thanks!
July 20, 2009 at 9:13 am
Who's teaching the class?
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
July 20, 2009 at 9:37 am
As Gail has mentioned it might depend on who is teaching the class.
Here's my take otherwise.
If the main thing you are interested in is learning and getting in-depth knowledge, then I would take the class, depending again on the resume of the person teaching the class. Why? Because you have a set curriculum so each day should build on the previous day, whereas the PASS Summit (or any conference) is a little more random.
If the main thing is networking, then I'd go to the PASS Summit. Odds are you can meet people from your area/region, plus most of the people who go to PASS are people who want to meet and help others. That's not to say people in your class won't be helpful, I just think the folks at the Summit make helping colleagues a priority.
My 2 cents worth, and it may not even be worth that much.:-P
Jack Corbett
Consultant - Straight Path Solutions
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July 20, 2009 at 10:06 am
I'd say PASS, but get a list of questions on internals that you want to learn more about. Have a notepad, and ask a few of the experts or MS people those questions and get answers. I think you'll get enough information (and contacts) to learn more on your own.
Plus you'll be exposed to more than just that at PASS. You can also look at the pre-post cons, which are great one day classes.
Also, don't forget the SSC3D code and come to our party 😉
July 20, 2009 at 11:14 am
The teacher is a long-time SQL Server guru, MVP, and author, so the class should be well taught. It's a private class and someone sent out an email blast about the class and got in a little bit of trouble, so I'm a little gun-shy to go into more detail since I'm not sure what line was crossed and don't want to cross it myself. I'll say this though - I knew the name without having to look it up.
I more interested in the learning/education benefit, but that might be because I don't understand the value of networking. Jack, when you mention the networking at PASS Summit, are you talking about the type you leverage to get help with SQL Server issues you have later, or the type that helps you get speaking engagements, positions at large companies and progress toward MVP? I don't have a lot of desire toward the latter and feel like I get sufficient help on SQL Server issues here at SSC.
Is my concern about classes I want to attend being taught at the same time valid? I went to a medical conference a number of years ago and had that problem - one hour I had three classes I wanted to attend, another hour I sat in on a class just 'cause I had nowhere else to go. On the PASS site, they have the tracks and classes listed, but not the time/location, so it is tough to know what I would be able to take away from the conference.
If I do go to the Summit I'll be sure to attend the SSC party - I don't gamble though, so I'd likely just wander around and look for people I recognize from the forums - that would be cool enough.
July 20, 2009 at 11:22 am
They do repeat some popular sessions at PASS on the last day, but no guarentee they'll be the ones you want. They record all sessions, and they offer some online or DVD access.
I think that if it's a well known MVP/author, I might be able to guess, but most of them that teach the private classes are pretty good.
I think it depends on whether you want specific information on that topic, or if you want to gain knowledge in a few areas and meet people that might able to answer more questions. At PASS I usually ask for a business card or email from someone if they've answered part of a question. Most of the MS people or MVPs are happy to oblige, or give you their blog URL for followups.
July 20, 2009 at 11:48 am
Let me preface this by saying that I have not yet attended PASS, will be this fall, but I have attended other conferences that have a similar format.
For the PASS Networking opportunities it really is both for me with probably the opportunity to have some of the top SQL Server people as resources when I do have an issue I don't understand as the first reason. Sure you can use Twitter/LinkedIn/Forums, but a an email to a specific person with expertise in the area would probably be the fastest way to get an answer. Of course, you have to be just a willing to help out when you are perceived to be the expert.
Based on what you have shared, if I had to choose one, I'd take the class. For the original reasons I shared.
Jack Corbett
Consultant - Straight Path Solutions
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July 20, 2009 at 11:52 am
I didn't think about the DVD - that's a good point and does make it more worthwhile.
Steve, I notice SSC will be in force at the Connections in Vegas, is there a large difference between Connections and Summit besides the size? If I only got to pick one, it would seem that I should always pick the Summit becuase there is a greater variety of SQL events, unless the small cost differences made a concern (hotel/flight, the Connections seems to be more expensive)? It looks like at least some of the classes are the same.
Thank you all for your responses, this really does help quite a bit.
July 20, 2009 at 12:04 pm
This is my first time to Connections, so I can't answer. You might ping Brad McGehee from his blog and ask him.
I think that most conferences have a lot of the same speakers sessions, and from what I've heard not a lot of overlap from attendees.
The big thing with PASS is that it's in Seattle and tons of MS folks come over. So you can talk to many of them, which can be a great experience.
July 20, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Also, if there's something specific you are wondering about, let me know. I've written some updates from past summits, but I'm not sure I'm capturing the event. My blog here at SSC has some writeups from last year, but it would be nice to know if there are things you'd like to hear about or learn about this year.
July 20, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I remember that, and I'll have to go back and look at your blog again. At the time I read through a few and it was fun to hear what was going on, but I was thinking "Sounds great, I'll probably never get to go". It looks like there is a chance now, so my perspective is changing.
July 20, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I suspect I know who's teaching it (will PM you). If it is the class will be awesome. Regarding PASS, you can buy the DVD even if you don't attend the conference. It won't get you the networking side of the conference, but it will the technical.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
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