Becoming an MVP
Steve Jones has a few thoughts on the Microsoft MVP program and the desire of many people to become an MVP.
Improving SSIS Update Performance
This article includes an examination of how I improved update performance. We examine four methods of loading data into a data warehouse.
Tuning Distributed Applications to Access Big Data
Distributed applications are just that: distributed across one or more hardware platforms across the enterprise. The database administrator (DBA) has the unenviable task of monitoring these environments and configuring and tuning the database server to meet multiple needs. As multiple distributed applications now require access to a very large data store, what tuning options are available to help?
Disk Is Cheap! ORLY?
People often conclude that the cheap price of storage is a license to use as much as possible, but there is a cost.
SQL Relay 2013R2
Come join in the SQL Relay in 2013, attending a user group the week of Nov 11, 2013 in the UK. There are some amazing speakers, so be sure to register and attend.
The ETL from Hell - Diagnosing Batch System Performance Issues
Too often, the batch systems that underlie a lot of database processing just grow without conscious design. When runs start to extend beyond their allotted time, and tuning no longer solves the problem, it is often discovered that batches are run in series, with draconian error handling. It is time to impose some rational design, and Nigel is a seasoned healer of batch processes.
Exporting Execution Plans - SQL Spackle
A short SQL Spackle article to fill in your knowledge of SQL Server. In this one, Jason Brimhall shows how to export execution plans when you ask for query tuning help.
SQL Saturday #248 Tampa
SQLSaturday BI & Big Data Edition is a free training event for everyone interested in learning about Business Intelligence & Big Data with a focus in the Microsoft SQL Server platform. This event will be held November 9th, 2013. In addition to our Saturday free event, we will also host four paid full day pre-conferences.
SQL Server Knockoffs
Will we see a low-cost SQL Server knock-off at some point? Steve Jones thinks it could happen as the RDBMS becomes a commodity product.
Blogs
PlanTrace Now Supports PostgreSQL
PlanTrace Now Supports PostgreSQL The same plan analysis you know from...
A New Word: the Kinder Surprise
By Steve Jones
the kinder surprise – . the point in your early adolescence when you realize...
Crash-Consistent Snapshot Cloning - Hyper-V Edition
If you’ve been following my T-SQL Snapshot Backup series, most of what I’ve covered...
Forums
SSRS Is Dead. Here Are Your Real Options
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SSRS Is Dead. Here Are...
The Distance Metric
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Distance Metric
The New Wave of Security Threats
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The New Wave of Security...
Question of the Day
The Distance Metric
In the new VECTOR_DISTANCE() function in SQL Server 2025, the first parameter is the distance_metric. What is this?
See possible answers