Does the service account the SQL Server Agent is running under have a login (even if it's through a group) to the SQL Server instance and does this login have...

Yes, and yes.

Seriously, though. Certifications, whether we try to discount them, do give some level of credibility or people wouldn't pursue them....

We've taken a look at Argent, HP OpenView, and some others in the space. HP OpenView is nice, but pricey. Argent isn't exactly cheap, but it does a lot of...

You should really get some help for those voices you're hearing. My voices keep telling me I should, too, but I keep putting them off.

The Microsoft Certified Architect certification is very, very different from any of the other Microsoft certifications. It requires not only putting together a case study (with the help of a...

I tend to agree on the cost of the cert. I've been an infrastructure architect (according to MS' classification) now for the last 5 years. And while I'd love to...

I'm probably not the poster boys for certs since I have an NT 4.0 MCSE and never did complete my MCDBA, for many of the same reasons you've listed. I...

I call it expressing my opinion that I earned carrying an M-16 for 6 years. 

See, Brian, that's where you went down the wrong path... M-16 or the stick of an...

RHCE - Red Hat Certified Engineer

CCIE - Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert

Both have a written exam just to get to the lab test. Cisco's CCIE lab used to have a reported...

No fair! Since we've been talking about conspiracies, I sense a Steve conspiracy!

The last part I wholeheartedly agree with in most cases. The Microsoft certifications certainly. However, should someone have completed a RHCE or a CCIE, then I know they've got to...

I disagree... you can know the codes and you can read the file format, but you have to understand what they are telling you. The 401 example is one good...

To your point about checking skills, that's what the tech interview/lab is supposed to do if it's part of the interview process. Over the last few years I've helped interview...

There may be, but surely not without some risk. But I guess that goes without saying...

We're required to keep "monthly" backups for quite some time. "Yearly" backups as well. In a large company it's probably more feasible than in a small company. However, this level...