Heh, that's OK Tim. Everyone knows that I'm a tough customer sometimes myself, so fair's fair. ...

james.douglas (12/4/2009)

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The only thing that I was that was incorrect was the part about 'Getting your company to send you to training'! I worked at a HUGE company for 11...

Alan Vogan (12/4/2009)

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Wow! A lot of reaction to this article! Barry, I just want to say thank you for the 60 seconds. I'm looking at getting certified next year and...

kpeters-1146392 (12/4/2009)

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seriously these suggestions will not steer you wrong, but i would think there are more then 5 steps. after being a dba for 15 years on most of the...

petertrast (12/4/2009)

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Anyone who has earned a Microsoft certification knows that there are some questions on the test that have more to do with Microsoft "best practices" than actual field experience....

Good point, Dave.

Jeff Moden (12/4/2009)

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Grant Fritchey (12/4/2009)

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Great primer Barry. It covers the basics of what's needed very well. Since so many questions come through on the board around the concept of "How...

SuperDBA-207096 (12/4/2009)

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Barry,

Pretty good article - it could launch someone down the path of becoming a DBA. Lots more to becoming a DBA, but it's a start.

I like the idea...

sibir1us (12/4/2009)

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Jerry! Yes you are right! A good mentor is the best thing for a beginner DBA. I remember my first days starting with SQL Server: afternoon beer with a...

Jerry Sommerville (12/4/2009)

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Barry left out one suggestion I would make. try and find a mentor! If there are other DBA's in your company, go to one that you...

Grant Fritchey (12/4/2009)

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Great primer Barry. It covers the basics of what's needed very well. Since so many questions come through on the board around the concept of "How do I...

jts_2003 (12/4/2009)

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I've been struggling to learn the ropes as a DBA for nearly a year now and a simple quick intro like this would have been useful to me when...

Gamberoni (12/4/2009)

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I'd have to agree with this too. I thought it spoiled what was actually not a bad and reasonably informative article. I think as well, if you're...

Dude76 (12/4/2009)

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well... i can't agree this one.

study through them, yes, learn throught them also, understanding, learning mechanisms is right.

Learning answers and become a...

Jeff Moden (12/4/2009)

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RBarryYoung (12/4/2009)

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And frankly, this makes no sense at all, who said any thing about Compact Edition...