Use Your Tools
It's easy to get stuck in a rut and not learn to use the new features and capabilities of your tools are they evolve. Steve Jones reminds you it's worth a little time investment to learn about your tools.
What's the Point of Using VARCHAR(n) Anymore?
The arrival of the (MAX) data types in SQL Server 2005 were one of the most popular feature for the database developer. At the time, there was a lot of discussion as to whether this freedom from having to specify string length came at a cost. Rob attempts to give a final answer as to any down-side.
A Guide to Installing SQL Server 2008 R2 Reporting Services
This document shows how to install a Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Reporting Services instance.
A Valentine for the Community
This Valentine's Day Steve Jones wants to thank everyone in the community for their efforts.
Buck Woody's Cloud Howlers
We asked Buck Woody to come up with his favourite 'Cloud' Howlers. After 'Howler' monkeys, we are faced with Howler letters. Buck dreams of sending Howler letters to the folks who dreamed up the marketing hype around 'cloud' services, who misunderstand services, who don't prepares applications for distributed environments and so on.
Still Time to Register for SQL Bits X
If you will be in London on Mar 29th, come to the official UK launch of SQL Server 2012 at SQL Bits X. Saturday is sold out, so if you registered and cannot come, please cancel. There are still a few spots for Thur and Fri.
An Overview of Memory Architecture - Oracle for the SQL Server Guy
A look at the memory architecture of SQL Server and Oracle, for those of you that may need to provide support for Oracle databases.
Anonymous Research
Anonymizing data is hard, and Steve Jones talks about some of the problems with trying. Is this something we should be more concerned about this with our corporate data?
SQL Server 2012 Active/Active Cluster in Hyper-V
Learn how to create a SQL Server 2012 Active/Active cluster in Hyper-V using an iSCSI SAN
Upgrading Your Career
Certification is on Steve Jones' mind this week after quite a few training opportunities have popped up lately.
Blogs
ISACA AI Material/Exam Prep Discount (May 18 – June 30, 2026)
By Brian Kelley
If you are considering any of the ISACA AI certs like the Advanced Artificial...
A Fabric solution can be very cost effective
By ChrisJenkins
Are you currently using Microsoft Fabric or considering migrating to it? If so, there...
Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log
By SQLPals
Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log If you...
Forums
We Are Eating Our Own Seed Corn
Comments posted to this topic are about the item We Are Eating Our Own...
Before Using AI with Business Data, Read This
Artificial intelligence tools are quickly becoming part of daily business operations, from document analysis...
Designing SQL Server ETL Pipelines That Don't Break at Scale
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Designing SQL Server ETL Pipelines...
Question of the Day
Detecting Deadlocks Quickly
In the Database Engine, when a deadlock is detected, what does the detection interval shrink to (in time)?
See possible answers