Steve Jones - SSC Editor (3/26/2014)
Gary Varga (3/25/2014)
I use the connection colour option in SSMS. See 'Use custom color' and set up registered servers using the desired colours. I tend to give red to production, yellow(ish) to UAT etc and green to development instances. It works like traffic lights in that I don't remember checking most of the times when it wasn't an issue but I do notice the colour a lot of times when I need to be sure.
I think this works well for some people, but for others your muscle memory takes over and the colors blur into the background because you see them so often.
This is something EVERY dev should do as we rarely should be on production instances and I have found it is under these rare circumstances that the red comes up like a neon sign. I can imagine for DBAs it will be a kaleidoscope of colours 😉
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!