DotNetKicks.com : Stories kicked by Marlonr

Get A Second Shot On Microsoft Exam

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:11:46 GMT

There are many reasons why people do not take the Microsoft Certification Exams. Let's face it. Some people do not believe that taking these exams and passing them do not add value to their career. Let us not talk about these people right now. Let's talk instead about the people who actually believe in the value that these exams can add to their worth as professionals - about people who are continuously after the pursuit of perfecting their craft. If you can identify with the latter, we need to talk.

SSRS Weekday EMail Subcription

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:26:33 GMT

One of the most useful features of SQL Server Reporting Services is EMail Subscription. Managers want their critical reports delivered to them via email for one reason: convenience. They want daily reports delivered to them first thing in the morning. Some want the daily frequency for some other reasons. What is common among these guys is that they don't want to receive these daily reports on the weekend, which makes sense.

Today's Link: Free EBook Introducing SQL Server 2008 R2

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:40:55 GMT

Grab your FREE eBook now before it becomes unavailable online!

SSIS 2008 Variables 101

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:00:51 GMT

Sometimes it is easy to get confused with Parameterized Stored Procedures in Execute SQL Task in SSIS specially when dealing with multiple variables. In SQL Server 2000 DTS, executing multi-parameterized Stored Procedure is less confusing.

Some Notes On SQL Saturday #44

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:42:08 GMT

Few weeks after we officially announced SQLSaturday#44, a couple of event sponsors have signed up so far. 2 or 3 have signed up as swag sponsors (books and software). There are only 5 weeks to go before the event. This means we need an aggressive campaign to attract more event sponsors. In order for us to attract more sponsors, we need more attendees! So far we have 39 attendees and 10 sessions.

DBA Survivor: Name That Caption

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:08:10 GMT

So, the original SQL Batman, Tom LaRock ( Blog | Twitter) , has an upcoming book called "DBA Survivor: How To Become A Rockstar DBA". Also, I've been aware of Tom's "Name That Caption Contest" over at his book's website but I never thought of joining the contest until I read Jorge Segarra's entry. Basically, the contest is simple - you just give a caption to the header image of the book's website.

SQL Saturday Acquired By PASS

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:41:36 GMT

It is published in the Business Intelligence Developer Network (BIDN) today that the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS) has acquired the SQL Saturday brand. This marriage is a great big news for the SQL Server Community! This is a WIN-WIN for all.

DTS To SSIS Migration: Unable To Cast COM Object Issue

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:40:40 GMT

I need to migrate the exact package from SQL Server 2000 DTS to SQL Server 2008 SSIS. This particular package is OK to migrate using the "Migrate DTS 2000 Package" Wizard since I don't have those complicated tasks that won't simply migrate.

SSIS 2008 Flat File Source Issue

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:27:13 GMT

Ok, this might be my last post for this year, 2009. This is more of a note to myself than a blog post. Anyway, I want to document the issue that I have encountered and the solution that I have found through the help of Todd McDermid (Blog | Twitter) and Andy Leonard (Blog | Twitter), so that it might help those who might be in the same situation.

The Growth of the Professional Organization for SQL Server

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:28:21 GMT

The Professional Association For SQL Server (PASS) Election Committee needs to review its nomination process. It needs to be more transparent so the members can make better decision as to who to choose to be in the Board of Directors. The future of PASS is in the hands of this team. What path the organization decides to tackle will be decided upon by them.

SSIS 2008 Quick Notes

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:53:30 GMT

These are some of the few things I've learned. These are very basic but it should save some newbies some time specially when dealing with Flat file sources and stored procedures.

Now A Friend Of Red Gate

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:15:33 GMT

Software companies reach out to people or prospects in more ways than one. Cold-calling is a thing of the past. "Webvertisements" and other media of advertising have become commonplace. The goals of any software vendor are focused in two-fold pursuit: To give benefits to the customers through services or products on one hand and profit on the other. It should be in that order - customers come first before profit.

The Benefit Of Attending User Group Meeting

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:36:38 GMT

Why attend a User Group Meeting? The following are some of the many benefits of attending a User Group Meeting.

Today's Link: Index vs Primary Key

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:40:56 GMT

Denny Cherry ( Blog | Twitter ), observes that "There seems to be some confusion between what a Primary Key is, and what an Index is and how they are used."

Today's Link: Free Developer Version Toad For SQL Server

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:30:00 GMT

Toad for SQL Server Developer Version

SQL Server 2008 R2 bumps the database version

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:47:24 GMT

One word of caution: any database attached to a 2008 R2 server will have the database physical version number increased to 660. The database version number for 2008 RTM and SP1 is 655.

SQL Server Azure

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:12:05 GMT

I have availed of the free Community Technology Preview of SQL Azure Database. I have not actually done anything on it yet except that I have created a test database (the maximun number of database allowed for the CTP is 5). If and when I get a chance to play around it (but the question is "if I will actually play around it"), I'll probably post one or a couple of blogs about it (although I doubt that I will actaually have the time to do it).

Today's Link: How To Become a Microsoft MVP

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:08:06 GMT

So what does it take to be a Microsoft MVP? We've been hearing lots of things about this program - some bad, some good. But, how can you be one?

Today's Link: Understanding Microsoft Virtualization Solutions

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:36:24 GMT

Free eBook from Microsoft about Virtualization!

How To: Report Authoring in SSRS 2005 - Part V (Pimp Your Parameters)

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:08:07 GMT

Now we're going to explore a couple of techniques on how we use our Parameter. Make The Parameter Optional Make The Parameter Multivalued

Today's Link: Free eBook on SQL Server Backup, Recovery & Troubleshoot

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:48:08 GMT

SQL Server: A Practical Guide to Backup, Recovery & Troubleshooting

Revisited: Ola Hallengren's Stored Procedure Based SQL Server Maintena

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:55:08 GMT

A year ago, Ola Hallengren contacted me and asked if I can post in my blog a link to his home-brewed SQL Server Maintenance Solution. Well, I did not have the exact words to say on that post so I just posted the content of the email he sent me.

The Value of Becoming Certified

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:21:13 GMT

People that are already on the expert level and beyond may see no need for certification. Their experiences attest to their skills. If any, certification for them could just be embellishment on their résumé. In other words, they don't need any certifications to speak of their accomplishments or prove the depths of what they know.

Finally, I am now Microsoft Certified!

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:50:17 GMT

Although I have some actual experiences on the database (core maintenace & reporting services), I was not confident going for the exam. The main reason was SQL Server is a big thing. There is so much to learn. I know I had to focus on the essentials. But I did not know what was the scope of the "essentials". Yes, I have bought and studied the Microsoft Press Self-Paced Training Kit on 70-431 and spent substantial times studying on Microsoft SQL Server site, SQL Server Pedia, BOL, etc; but, in the end, I had to rely on my real world experiences on SQL Server.

Today's Link: Free eBook On SQL Server 2008

Thu, 28 May 2009 14:42:34 GMT

Last September MS Press offered a free ebook, "Introducing SQL Server 2008?. Once again, the same book is being offered free! Grab your copy now.