I've always set scripts that check the actual backup files on the disk. That way I can be sure I have a backup file, get it's size (useful for growth...

Might have lost the secure channel with the domain controller. I've seen this happen, though you usually see an SSPI error when it occurs.

Can you log in with any domain...

It can be annoying to not have local admin rights on Windows, but it's never been a big deal to me. If there are things I need done, then someone...

If your indexes are up to date, count(*) works great. I'd take the performance hit and use every measure you can think of to verify the data is there. A...

Do you mean the binding of two NICs to increase bandwidth? Never had that much traffic and with GB Ethernet, you'd really have to be pumping data.

I have done multi-homing...

I like Michael's advice, though it doesn't help recoverability if a schema change happens at 5pm and you've got 60-some off logs to restore. One thing you can add is...

All of the above thoughts are good ones, in my opinion. And 64-bit should definitely be considered if you can buy new hardware.

The reason you don't see much written on...

I'm not sure I've seen recommendations for sizing with a particular file. Usually it's because of space recommendations. It's also a nice tool if you have sections of read-only data....

This violates a cardinal rule of data sets in that you are now having the first column, column one, representing data from different physical columns. I suppose you could have...

Good for you Matt. And if you get up for it, use a human bike a few days. I used to ride 12m (about 20km?) to work each way. I...

Thanks David, and for the record, I pinged him on this. He's a SQL Ranger, a highly specialized consultant for MS that's gone through a 6 (or 8?) week intensive...

Glad you liked it and I wish MS maintained it. Definitely a pain for me.

I'll check on the proc generating the threads. Might have a bug.

For personalization, not sure what to do here. We send 230k+ a day out and the engine to build...

While I think the XBOX hardware loses money, live and the games make it up. Especially with the micropayments system they have with points, it's pretty slick.

I'm also seeing some...

I'm ok with not having Windows admin privileges IF those that do have them are on call and responsive when I need something done.

I'd be more concerned over having Windows...