Author Archives: Brad

Josef Richberg Voted Exceptional DBA of the Year

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image For the second year in a row, SQLServerCentral.Com and Red Gate Software have sponsored the Exceptional DBA of the Year awards. DBAs are nominated by the SQL Server community, and the top five finalists are selected by a panel of judges. These five finalists are then voted on by the SQL Server community, and a winner selected.

This year, the top five finalists included Stuart Cianos, Chuck Lathrope, Raymond Laubert, Josef Richberg, and Alex Rosa.

The winner of the 2009 Exceptional DBA award, selected by popular vote was Josef Richberg. As the winner, Josef will receive a trophy, a license for Red Gate Software’s SQL Toolbelt, a full conference pass for the 2009 PASS Community Summit, and travel expenses to attend the summit.

To read an interview with Joseph, and to find out about his perspective of what it means to be an Exceptional DBA, visit this link.

24 Hours of PASS was an Adventure

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On July 21, just a few short weeks ago, I got an e-mail from Rick Heiges, who is on the Board of Directors for PASS, asking me if I was willing to participate in the 24 Hours of PASS virtual conference, to be held on September 1, 2009. This was the first I had heard of this new project, which by the way, was Rick’s idea.

I wrote him right back, saying yes, and offering several different sessions I could do, and he picked one on “How to Use SQLDiag to Troubleshoot SQL Server Problems”. Fortunately, I had done the same presentation earlier this year in Vancouver, at SQLTeach, so I didn’t have to start from scratch, creating a new presentation. The only problem was that my original presentation was designed for 75 minutes, and I would only have 40 minutes to give my presentation at the 24 Hours of PASS session.
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Have You Checked Out the SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP Yet?

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Ever since the Community Technology Preview (CTP) of SQL Server 2008 R2 became widely available for download on August 12, I haven’t seen much discussion of this new version in the SQL Server media, websites, or blogs. Yes, there has been some coverage, but not to the level I would have expected for such a major announcement about SQL Server.

SQL Server 2008 R2 includes many new enhancements, a few of which include: Continue reading →

Microsoft Has Newly Updated Public MVP Website

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Microsoft has recently unveiled their newly updated, public MVP website, that does a great job of explaining exactly what a Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) is, along with lots if interesting tidbits about the program, such as the fact the MVPs live in 90 different countries, speak nearly 40 languages, and collectively answer more than 10 million questions a year in public forums about Microsoft technology. Continue reading →

SQL Down Under Code Camp to be Held in October

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If you live in Australia, or are just looking for an excuse for a vacation in Australia, sign up for the free SQL Down Under Code Camp, to be held Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 2009. The event is being held at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, which is about a six hour drive from either Sydney or Melbourne.

Speakers include Peter Ward, Rob Farley, Greg Low, Grant Paisley, Ron Dunn, Adam Cogan, Justin King, John Walker, Milind Kukday, Darren Gosbell, Julia Heather, Kasim Wirama, and myself, who will be making two presentation.

The event is being sponsored by Charles Sturt University, SolidQ Australia, Microsoft, and Red Gate Software.

Visit the website to find out more information, and to register.