Separation of Duty
We want to ensure that the data we gather accurately reflects the state of some system or event. The analysis should decide how we interpret the data gathered. Neither should influence the other.
An Introduction to Windows Azure BLOB Storage
Azure BLOB storage is persistent Cloud data storage that serves a variety of purposes. Mike Wood shows the basics of how to use it, from start through to snapshots and metadata; both from .NET, and by using the free tool, Cerebrata Azure Explorer.
SQL Saturday #240 Curacao
QL Saturday is coming to Curacao, Netherlands Antilles for a free day of SQL Server training and Networking on August 17. There will also be a pre-conference session on Practical Self-Service BI with PowerPivot for Excel.
Changing SQLServerCentral - Initial Thoughts
We have been considering lots of changes at SQLServerCentral, but we would like to get comments and feedback from the community as we move forward. This is the start of an series looking at potential and current changes.
DEF CON SQL
An impromptu hacking session, in response to an inexplicably-changed password, reminds Rodney Landrum of some valuable lessons for every DBA.
Using Microsoft Excel to Retrieve SSAS Tabular Data
Although it is well-known how to create a tabular database in PowerPivot, it is less obvious that there are several useful options for retrieving SSAS tabular data into Excel. This provides an easy way of manipulating, visualizing and analyzing the data without needing to know the details of SSAS and the tabular model.
The School Year
This Friday Steve Jones looks forward to the rest of the year. It's almost time for school and do you have plans? Should you be making some plans?
New SQL Monitor Custom Metric: Failed SQL Server logins
This metric returns the number of ‘login failed’ error messages found in the SQL Server error log file in the last hour.
SQL Saturday #235 New York City, NY
Come to SQL Saturday New York on August 17 for a day of free SQL Server training and networking. Some of the speakers at this event include Chris Bell, Ben DeBow, Ashish Sharma, and Hilary Cotter
Blogs
Funny Money: #SQLNewBlogger
By Steve Jones
While wandering around the documentation looking for some Question of the Day topics, I...
Why Database AI Agents need Layers?
By Arun Sirpal
Third part in my Ai series with databases. When building AI solutions within the...
Un-Migrating From the Cloud: T-SQL Tuesday #199
By Steve Jones
This month we have a very interesting invitation from Koen Verbeeck. He has hosted...
Forums
How Do the Experts Become Experts?
Comments posted to this topic are about the item How Do the Experts Become...
Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments Level 4 – Preparing for Production Deployment
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Stairway to Reliable Database Deployments...
Secure Communications
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Secure Communications
Question of the Day
Secure Communications
As of June 2026, what is the best version of TLS to use with SQL Server?
See possible answers