I think the naming and style are related, but not necessarily the same, especially when looking at tools. Naming should be standardized within your organization so code can be easily...

The server should always respond to both the windows server name and (local). You don't remove or rename a default instance.

If you are talking about the client tools, follow Tommy's...

You can install the client tools only. I believe all you need is a CAL for the server to be licensed.

Perhaps you have duplicates in the source data.

Thanks and this is an interesting feature.

Confirmed and I have a final note from MS:

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We have recently discovered an issue with SQL Server 2008 CTPs that result

in SQL Server 2008 not starting or installing on...

Someone mentioned that you should report this on Connect as something to get fixed/changed. Or moved to a DMV.

Also check for open transactions. I've seen those cause issues.

Look for someone building large temp tables as well.

If you need a basic plan to check for integrity, use the Database Plan Maintenance Wizard.

I could go either way, though I tend to favor Matt's view.

Communicate with them and work it out with managers. Let managers know that there are dangers, and that if...

I like the 1 file per core rule as a guideline. Each separate file should get a separate thread to handle it's IO work, so if you go with that,...

Sorry, the only thing I've hard back is use a CLR procedure to log this information, which seems overly complicated.

I can get the data out in SQLCMD, but I get...

The person in the article didn't necessarily want to get promoted. They weren't that type of person. It didn't have to do with overtime.

It's hard to say why this person...

Please explain the details of what you did as Scott asked.

I'm not sure the service account needs SA rights, especially the SQLAgent account, but it does need rights to connect...

One per database unless you have space issues.