The Default DBA
Defaults are important since so many people just accept them. Steve Jones thinks that SQL Server needs to add more defaults to the setup program that might help DBAs better manage their systems.
Using SSIS to export data from a 64 bit server to Excel 2007
Instructions on how to set up the connection string and SSIS package to allow a 64 bit server to export to a 32 bit version of Excel
Free eBook: SQL Server Execution Plans, Second Edition
Get a free ebook from Red Gate Software and SQLServerCentral from MVP Grant Fritchey. Learn how to read and interpret execution plans.
Report Building 3.0: Adding Maps to Your Reports
With Report Builder and SSMS, there isn't much you can't do in the way of the common reports and visualisations. One of the more interesting visualisations uses maps, and that, combined with layers, makes for an impressive way of representing data.
Feedback is Encouraged
Microsoft is asking for feedback, more and more from customers. Steve Jones sees that as a good thing.
Grow Your Skills
The idea of moving to the cloud is scary, but it will happen for many of us. If not at this job, perhaps at the next. Learning more about the cloud is something Steve Jones thinks you should consider.
Tip: Resetting Identity Fields
How to reset an identity field to the next contiguous value, after deletions.
How to Identify and Backup the Latest SQL Server Database in a Series
I have to support a third party application that periodically creates a new database on the fly. This obviously causes issues with our backup mechanisms. The databases have a particular pattern for naming, so I can identify the set of databases, however, I need to make sure I'm always backing up the newest one. Read this tip to ensure you are backing up your latest database in a series.
SQL Saturday #172 - Washington, D.C.
A free day of training in the US nation's capital. Come join in if you are nearby.
Auditing SQL Server 2012 Server Roles
My organization is looking at SQL Server 2012 and I know that the ability to create roles at the server level is a new feature. Since this is new and impacts security, how do I handle them and how do I audit them?
Blogs
“We love to debate minutiae”
By Brian Kelley
I am guilty as charged. The quote was in reference to how people argue...
Advice I Like: Knots
By Steve Jones
Learn how to tie a bowline knot. Practice in the dark. With one hand....
Shifting Mindsets: Why FinOps is Essential for Cloud Efficiency
By HeyMo0sh
As a DevOps practitioner, I’ve always focused on performance, scalability, and automation. But as...
Forums
Windows logins for users migrated from DomainA to DomainB
Hi, I have a SQL Server instance where users connect to via Windows Authentication,...
Multiple Deployment Processes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Multiple Deployment Processes
How to Use sqlpackage to Detect Schema Drift Between Azure SQL Databases
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How to Use sqlpackage to...
Question of the Day
Upgrading Admin Queries
I have a query from a former DBA that we run on SQL Server 2025 to check on database metadata. This query references sys.sysaltfiles. I want to refactor this code to be more modern. Which DMV should I reference instead?
See possible answers