SQL Aloha

Top 10 Lists for SQL Server

I have always liked information presented to me in lists. Lists are simple, straight-forward, and to the point. If you are like me, then you may want to check out two sources of top 10 lists on SQL Server.
The first one is from PASS, while offers top 10 SQL Server links to articles on specific ...read more

The Exceptional DBA’s Code of Conduct

This is a reprint of chapter 11 of my book, How to Become an Exceptional DBA, 2nd Edition, which is available as a free e-book here.
Physicians, attorneys, accountants, engineers, realtors, and many other professionals have written guidelines designed to discourage misconduct and illegal activity, and to promote the ethical conduct of their members. In fact, ...read more

Handling Inconvenient Requests

"You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." – Zig Ziglar

Early in my career, I read a lot of books by self-help gurus, seeking advice on how to make my career successful. While I learned a lot ...read more

Travel Recap for 2009

Starting Wednesday, December 9, 2009, I am on vacation until Monday, January 4th, 2010. Instead of traveling somewhere else for my vacation, I will be staying home in Hawaii, catching up after a busy year of travel.
I was just compiling my travel statistics for the year, and this is what I discovered (somewhat to ...read more

Challenging the Tyranny of Third-Party Vendors: A DBA’s Manifesto

Over the years, I have dealt with a lot of third-party applications (and their vendors) that use SQL Server as their back-end databases. It has often been an uneasy relationship, fraught with pain and tribulation. The overriding feeling I have gotten from most of these vendors is that they could care less about the DBAs ...read more

Getting the Most Out of SQL Server Profiler Using Templates

In case you haven’t discovered this for yourself, SQL Server Profiler is one of the most powerful tools that come with SQL Server. It has the ability to gather huge amounts of data you can use to help you identify and troubleshoot many different SQL Server problems. In fact, Profiler can capture about 180 different ...read more

Upgrading the SSC SQL Servers: Part 1

While I have been working for Red Gate Software for nearly three years, it was only until this year that I have begun to get actively involved with their SQL Servers, specifically the SQL Servers used as the back-end to the www.SQLServerCentral.com (SSC) and www.Simple-Talk.com (ST) websites. Given that I live 8,000 miles away from ...read more

Have You Checked Out the Upcoming SQLSaturday Events for 2010?

2010 is beginning to look like a great year for SQLSaturday events this year. Already, there are nine planned, and many more in the works. These free, one-day events are a great way to hone your DBA knowledge, and to develop new contacts. If you are interested in speaking at an event, its also ...read more