Rambling about Data on Wheels – origins, branding, expansion
I have been asked many times about how the name “Data on Wheels” came to be. I decided that is a good topic to ramble about, so here goes....
2026-07-25
74 reads
DataOnWheels
Creating a SQL Stored Procedure to Load a SCD2
This is a blog that I am writing for future me and hopefully it’ll help a few of you save some time too! It’s not often that I get...
2026-06-24 (first published: 2026-06-11)
414 reads
The end of an era – why I chose not to renew my MVP
Two years ago, two things happened within a few days of each other. I retired from 3Cloud going on full time disability due to ALS, and I was awarded...
2026-05-26
46 reads
T-SQL Tuesday #197 – An impactful session or two from a conference – RECAP
Thanks to everyone who joined the blog party this month. I noticed three themes in the responses. Every response had one or more of these themes woven into their...
2026-04-17
19 reads
T-SQL Tuesday #197 Invitation – An impactful session or two from a conference
I am delighted to host this month’s T-SQL Tuesday invitation. If you are new to this blog party, I encourage you to check out the rules. If you are...
2026-04-07
34 reads
T-SQL Tuesday #196 – Two risky career decisions I made
The T-SQL Tuesday topic this month comes James Serra. What career risks have you taken? I started my career as a preacher and ended it as a director in...
2026-03-20 (first published: 2026-03-10)
402 reads
Ramblings about data communities and your contributions, no excuses
I have been active in the data community throughout my career. I have met people and made friends in the process. As I look back on it, I am...
2026-02-26
23 reads
SQL, MDX, DAX – the languages of data
Ramblings of a retired data architect Let me start by saying that I have been working with data for over thirty years. I think that just means I am...
2026-01-23 (first published: 2026-01-12)
489 reads
T-SQL Tuesday #193 – Notes to my past self and from my future self
It has been a while since my last T-SQL Tuesday blog. When I saw Mike Walsh’s topic for T-SQL Tuesday #193, I was intrigued and inspired – “Notes to...
2025-12-24 (first published: 2025-12-09)
249 reads
Power BI, Excel, OneLake – Dreams Do Come True!
I can’t believe it’s finally here! A way to have Excel live in OneDrive and access it from Power BI nearly live! We can officially short cut files to...
2025-12-26 (first published: 2025-12-05)
396 reads
Blogs
Microsoft Fabric OneLake Shortcuts: When to Use Them and When Not To
By James Serra
An architecture scenario Imagine separate Sales, Finance, Shared Data, and Executive Analytics workspaces. Sales...
SQL Server Security Hardening Guide Using the DoD STIG Checklist
Security on your SQL Server is important. That doesn’t need any explaining. But where...
EightKB 2026: Registration is Open!
It’s that time of year again! EightKB is back on August 20th at 13:00...
Forums
Backing Up a DMK
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Backing Up a DMK
Are You Working More Hours?
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Are You Working More Hours?
Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments Level 6 – Managing Changesets Over Time
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments...
Question of the Day
Backing Up a DMK
In SQL Server 2025, I have a database with a Database Masker Key (DMK). I want to back up this key and keep a copy offline. When do I have to open this key before running the backup?
See possible answers