RC4 Encryption in a Stored Procedure
Joseph gathered together some various bits of code and came up with a solution that lets you do RC4 encryption via the sp_oa~ procedures.
Alert! Alert! Backup and Restore Baby!
Are you using alerts to help you keep track of things? Are you using as many alerts as you should be? Jeremy has a great list of alerts that he considers so important they are on his 'best practice' list. Definitely worth reading.
Indexing Strategies
Ramesh writes about various indexing strategies that you might use to improve performance.
Using Bits to Store Data
David recently worked on a project where it turned out storing the answers to a survey using bitmapping was a good approach. He was good enough to write some of it down and share. As he notes bitmapping isn't used as often as it used to be, but it can still be a useful technique to have around.
Using xp_cmdshell
Haidong continues to point out ideas that might get you thinking about ways you can do more administration with less work. In this article he demonstrates a couple useful tasks you can do with xp_cmdshell.
Introduction to MDX
New Author! This is an introductory level look at MDX geared toward intermediate or higher SQL users. The rate of OLAP usage is lower than it should be - maybe this will be what gets you started using it. Or thinking about it at least!
Top 100 things you don't want the sysadmin to say
Hopefully you never hear any of these from your sysadmin...
Building SQL Server Central
Ever wonder how SQL Server Central.com was built? Ever wonder why the three founders made the decisions they did? Here's a look at some of the choices that were made early on with the discussion forums.
TSQL Virus or Bomb?
Joseph discusses some common and not so common security threats including the possibility of a TSQL virus and bombs planted from within the organization.
Yukon News
This article on CNET has some info about how Yukon affects the MS strategy in other areas.
Blogs
The Book of Redgate: Spread across the world
By Steve Jones
This was Redgate in 2010, spread across the globe. First the EU/US Here’s Asia...
Merry Christmas
By John
Today is Christmas and while I do not expect anybody to actual be reading...
Self-Hosting a Photo Server the Whole Family Can Use
By Bert Wagner
Until recently, my family's 90,000+ photos have been hidden away in the depths of...
Forums
UNISTR Escape
Comments posted to this topic are about the item UNISTR Escape
Celebrating Tomorrow
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Celebrating Tomorrow
SQL Art: I Made a Christmas Card In SSMS
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Art: I Made a...
Question of the Day
UNISTR Escape
In SQL Server 2025, I run this command:
SELECT UNISTR('*3041*308A*304C\3068 and good night', '*') as "A Classic";
What is returned? (assume the database has an appropriate collation)
A: 
B: 
C: 
See possible answers