SQL Server 2014 New Defaults
SQL Server 2014 is being released and a change in the defaults will ensure that more instances will run smoother.
Database Master Key Error After Database Restore
When restoring a database to another server, you may get a master key error if using symmetric keys
David McCandless Keynoting at PASS Business Analytics Conference 2014
Bringing together business analysts, data scientists, and business intelligence and IT pros, the PASS BA Conference will feature 65+ best-practices, how-to, and strategy sessions by top BA/BI experts. Keynoting this year is Information Is Beautiful author David McCandless.
IT Skills Shortage? No, Just Looking in the wrong place
In which Phil ruminates on the ridiculous idea that we in the West suffer from an IT skills shortage. In truth we have a very blinkered idea of the sort of person who would succeed in an IT Development role
X in Technology
Steve Jones talks about the women in technology, and other efforts to help minorities.
Applying The Scientific Method to SQL Server Performance Tuning
A relational database is a complex machine that is asked to deal with intricate problems. When things go wrong, it usually takes knowledge, deduction and a systematic approach to track down the root core of problems and to determine the best fix, Joshua Feierman illustrates how this can be done.
Solid State Tapes–Prelaunch News!
In the world of data it’s always been about speed. SSD’s have become very common on consumer machines and not unusual in corporate datacenters.
The Perfect Environment
All our environments for SQL Server are different, but Andy Warren wonders if each of us might have a "perfect environment." Would things be standardized to make administration consistent? Or perhaps flexible to allow each instance to be tailored to its own needs.
The SQL Server 2008 Datetimeoffset Data Type
The Datetimeoffset Data Type was introduced in SQL Server 2008 (and .Net Frameword 3.5) and is the most advanced date and time date type available.
Transactional Replication and the Ballooning Log File
A drive on a mission-critical server is reaching capacity, and the new DBA is panicking. How do you approach a ballooning log file that won’t stop growing?
Blogs
Moving On-Prem PostgreSQL to the Cloud: Picking the Right Path for Big Tables
Every PostgreSQL migration eventually hits the same fork in the road. The database is...
A Spread of Vacation
By Steve Jones
I’m off on vacation today. Which is a little weird as I just got...
How AgentDBA Identifies Backup Failures
By Arun Sirpal
Every DBA has a box like this. Sitting untouched for months. Nobody’s proud of...
Forums
Have you done a Mid year check in?
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Have you done a Mid...
From SQL Server On-Premises to Claude Desktop: How I built a Full MCP Pipeline
Comments posted to this topic are about the item From SQL Server On-Premises to...
Independence Day 2026
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Independence Day 2026
Question of the Day
Independence Day 2026
In the original Independence Day movie (1996), what type of computer did Jeff Goldblum use to connect to the alien mainframe? Take a guess, don't look it up or ask AI.
See possible answers