#SQL101: Installing a Baseball Database

Earlier, I wrote about how I installed SQL Server 2016 on my machine.  In this article, I talk about creating and populating a baseball database. I am a huge baseball fan.  I started following the New York Yankees when I was about 12.  (In an act that is likely anathema to religious fanatics, I married …

#SQL101: Installing SQL Server 2016

In an earlier article, I discussed how to get started with SQL Server.  I mentioned downloading a copy of SQL Server Developer Edition and installing a sample database. It had been quite some time since I performed a SQL Server installation (my current job only requires that I know T-SQL, not how to install or …

Ben Franklin had it wrong

"Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes, turn and face the strain" -- David Bowie "Change changing places, root yourself to the ground; word to the wise, well you get what's coming; one word can bring you round: changes" -- Yes When I was in grad school, I once wrote this in a paper for class.  (It's been a long time …

Mark your calendar: SQL Saturday #513, Albany, July 30

The calendar for SQL Saturday #513, Albany, NY is out. And I'm on it! I'll be giving my presentation, "Whacha just say?  Talking technology to non-technical people."  This is the same presentation I gave in Albany last year, and I've made some improvements since then.  I've also given this presentation a couple more times since last …

Two books that influenced my life

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -- Martin Luther King, Jr. "Hold me now; it's hard for me to say I'm sorry; I just want you to stay..." -- Chicago, "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" I play the piano in a …

SQL Saturday #517

Hi folks . . . I'll be on the road today.  I'm traveling down to southeast Pennsylvania for SQL Saturday #517 in Philadelphia, where I'll be giving my presentation, "Disaster Documents: the role of documentation in disaster recovery."  Come check it out! See you on the road!

The importance of accepting critical feedback

A few weeks after giving two presentations at SQL Saturday #526 in Rochester, I received my session evaluations. I was quite happy with my evaluations for my presentation on how to talk to non-technical people.  I received mostly positive reviews and high scores. My disaster recovery presentation? Not so much. My presentation got low scores.  …