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 the servers, I can’t really act as a hands-on production DBA, but in more of an advisory capacity. Red Gate has its own in-house IT staff that maintains the servers day-to-day.
Author Archives: Brad
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 a great way to get speaking experience.
Free Tool for SQL Server Encryption Key Management
Devenius Software is offering a free tool to help you manage SQL Server encryption keys. Its called the SQL Encryption Assistant (Basic Edition), and it allows you to create, modify, and drop encryptions keys and certificates. There are two versions of the software, one each for SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008.
Devenius Software is also the company behind the website Snipstorm.com. This is a brand new community website where SQL Server DBAs can share snippets of their T-SQL code with other members of the community.
Are You a Giver or a Taker?
I have been involved in the SQL Server community since 2000, and during the past nine years I have seen hundreds of volunteers donate large amounts of their time to the community. For example:
- DBAs who answer tens of thousands of questions on SQL Server news groups and forums.
- DBAs who write blogs and articles for no pay.
- DBAs who volunteer for the PASS Community Summit. Most Summit attendees don’t realize the thousands of hours that are donated to putting the conference together.
- DBAs who volunteer to run their local users group.
- DBAs who volunteer to organize local events, such as SQL Saturdays, TechFests, CodeCamps, among other similar events.
- DBAs who volunteer their time to speak at local, national, and international events, often spending their own money out of pocket to attend.
- DBAs who volunteer to mentor others, whether it is someone at work or across the world.
- SQL Server MVPs who contributed their time to write the MVP SQL Server Deep Dive book for the financial benefit of War Child International.
- And much, much more.
There are lots of reasons DBAs volunteer their time. Some do it for the networking and camaraderie; others because it’s fun to help others, some do it to learn new skills, and others to market themselves. Whatever the personal motivation, the SQL Server community would not be what it is today without volunteers who step up and take to help others.
If you are one of those volunteers, I want to thank you personally. I have met many of you, and corresponded with many others, and I greatly appreciate your time and effort.
If you are not a volunteer, I would encourage you to give some of your time to the SQL Server community. Yes, there are lots of reasons why you might not have time to give; but there are hundreds of DBAs who do find that time, even if it means giving up their evenings and weekends to participate. Volunteering can be very rewarding, and I suggest you give it a try.
(Originally appeared in the November 30, 2009 issue of the SQLServerCentral.com Newsletter.)
PASS European Conference 2010 Call for Speakers is Open
If you are interested in speaking at the PASS European Conference 2010, to be held in Neuss, Germany, April 21-23, 2010, the call for speakers is open at this link, and will close 1-7-2010.
If your not interested in speaking, but would like to attend the event, PASS is offering a 30% discount if you register by December 5, 2010.
Planning Your 2010 Professional Development
Virtually all successful DBAs I know put a lot of focus on education, and the best way to make it happen is to create your own professional development plan for the new year. This way, you will be better able to find time (and resources) to accomplish your learning goals.
Brad M McGehee 