Sql-Server

Windows 7 GodMode

OK, I’m sure many will have already seen this but if you haven’t:

Create a folder in Windows 7 and rename it to: 

_GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}_  

Then check out it’s contents. That’s seriously geeky and cool.

2010-01-09

Frankly Speaking

Hi Folks,

I was recently interviewed by Andrew and Michael and their Frankly Speaking podcast. Was great fun. The show is here: (Download no longer available)

Greg

2010-01-06

StreamInsight and Reactive Extensions to .NET

I’ve been doing a lot of work lately with StreamInsight, coming in SQL Server 2008 R2.

There are three development models you can use with StreamInsight: Implicit Server, Explicit Server and IObservable/IObserver.

When I was working through material on the IObservable/IObserver pattern, it wasn’t immediately apparent to me where it had come from. It’s based on the Rx Framework for .NET (Reactive Extensions). I finally got to watch the PDC Online session from Erik Meijer on the Rx Framework a few days ago and so many things suddenly fell into place for me.

2010-01-06

OT: Green Science and Bogus Mathematics

With the climate summit in Copenhagen now finished, I wanted to make a few comments about a trend that really annoys me. I’m fairly “green oriented” in my outlook but amongst “green” scientists and advocates, there is an endless desire to make each cause sound much stronger than the facts permit. I think this does their support more harm than good. The recent expose on modified emails bore that out only too well but I want to show a few simpler examples.

2009-12-20

Should IT Professionals Refuse to Implement Scams (and MYOBFail)

Not long back, it became very common for dodgy domain registration companies to send letters to domain owners that they weren’t dealing with. Rather than saying “hey we’re a great registrar and here’s why you should switch to us”, the common ploy was to send out something that looked like a renewal notice, hoping that the receiver would just authorize and pay it without thinking. In Australia, the ACCC (basically the consumer watchdog) has been chasing down and taking action against such practices.

2009-11-09

SQL Down Under show 45 - Jamie Thomson - SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)

SQL Down Under show 45 - Jamie Thomson - SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)

Sorry that shows have been slow coming this year. That’s about to change (famous last words).

The good news is that show 45 with guest SQL Server MVP Jamie Thomson discussing SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is now available for download from https://sqldownunder.com . In the show, Jamie discusses lessons he learned while moving from DTS to SSIS and covers off many best practices for working with SSIS.

Enjoy!

2009-11-09

Book: SQL Server MVP Deep Dives - Launch at PASS Summit USA

Book: SQL Server MVP Deep Dives - Launch at PASS Summit USA

This is no ordinary book. Paul Nielsen took up Bill Gates’ challenge at a recent MVP summit to do something notable to give back to the community. He organised a large group of SQL Server MVPs to create a unique book and worked with Manning to get it published. The money made on the book was to go directly to a charity and the charity chosen was WarChild.

I had the privilege (along with Kalen Delaney, Adam Machanic, Kimberley Tripp and Paul Randall) to be one of the editors on this book but the magic contribution has come from the 53 SQL Server MVPs involved with the book.

2009-10-31

OT Book: On the Origin of Species - Charles Darwin

Given my interest in science, I’m ashamed to say that I’ve only just got around to reading Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life”. What prompted me to read it this time was watching two episodes of “The Genius of Charles Darwin” while flying across to the U.S. It’s an excellent documentary by Richard Dawkins. Dawkins can see overbearing at times but in this series, he’s measured, accurate and inspiring. In the documentary, he showed one of his most prized possessions: a first edition copy of this book.

2009-10-31