Opinion - Category Archive

The following is a list of all entries from the Opinion category.

SQL Server 2012 Certifications Revamped

Reprinted from my Database Weekly editorial. Forget what you thought you knew about SQL Server certification, as Microsoft has completely redesigned the SQL Server 2012 certification program, making is more difficult, costly, and time-consuming to attain. In addition, whether you like it or not, not only will you need to know how to administer SQL ...read more


When Will You Upgrade to SQL Server 2012?

This is a reprint from my editorial in Database Weekly. Also, check out the May Question of the Month, as it is also directly related to this topic. Often when I speak at user groups and conferences, I ask attendees what versions of SQL Server they are running. As you may expect, I hear from ...read more


DBAs and the Career-Life Balance

Reprinted from my editorial in Database Weekly. I know a lot of DBAs who make SQL Server the focus of their life. In many ways, if you want to be an exceptional DBA, and stand out from the crowd, you don’t have a lot of choice about devoting a lot of time to your career. ...read more


Does the Role of the DBA Need to Evolve?

This editorial was originally published in Database Weekly. The November 2011 edition of Popular Science magazine was devoted to data. In fact, the special issue was called “Data is Power: How Information is Driving the Future”. The focus of the issue was how we can use data to transform the world. According to the magazine, ...read more


What SQL Server Books Do You Recommend?

Reprinted and amended from my editorial at Database Weekly. For nearly 11 years now, one of the most common questions people e-mail me about is what SQL Server books do I recommend for the novice DBA. A decade ago, there were many, many titles available, and it was easy for me to recommend books. I ...read more


Where Do You Go for Authoritative SQL Server Best Practices?

Reprinted from my editorial in Database Weekly. In early 2000, I started a new DBA job with a large organization, as their first full-time SQL Server DBA. My first job was to clean up the mess left by several accidental DBAs who had gone before me, and who had implemented several SQL Server instances without ...read more


100% Microsoft?

Reprinted from my editorial in Database Weekly. When I was a junior DBA many years ago (even before the company I work for now, Red Gate Software existed), I ran across some third-party software for SQL Server that I thought could really benefit my productivity and save my organization money. I presented my case, proving ...read more


SQLskills SQL Server Immersion Training: A Retrospective

Last week I attended the inaugural training event of the new four-week SQL Server Immersion Training offered by Kimberly Tripp and Paul Randall of SQLskills.com. The four available training weeks include: Internals and Performance Performance Tuning High Availability and Disaster Recovery Security, PowerShell, and Development Support I attended the Internals and Performance class in Dallas, ...read more


Copyright 2009-2012 Brad M McGehee