SQL Saturday #741 Albany — the debrief

Once again, we had another great SQL Saturday here in Albany this past weekend!  I don't know how many people attended, but by my estimate, we had well over two-hundred people.  I had a great time (as usual), and it serves to remind me why this is one of my favorite events. My own presentation …

Don’t keep an idea to yourself

My friend Greg Moore recently commented on a Facebook post regarding our upcoming SQL Saturday (tomorrow!) in which he credited me for my idea about a forum about women in technology.  The idea had occurred to me when I saw that Rochester SQL Saturday was doing such a forum, and I suggested that we should do one …

#BI101: The need for having both a DW and cubes

This is part of a series of articles in which I’m trying to teach myself about BI.  Any related articles I write are preceded with “#BI101” in the title. This morning, this post from my friend and fellow SQL Saturday speaker, James Serra, crossed my inbox.  (Hope you don't mind me sharing, James!)  Because it …

SQL Saturday #741, Albany, NY — Come to upstate New York!

On Saturday, July 28 (a week from tomorrow as I write this), our local Albany-area SQL user group will host our fifth SQL Saturday!  I have participated in all five; I worked as a volunteer at the first one, and I presented at the other four (including next Saturday).  This is one of my favorite …

The document development life cycle

A recent work request reminded me of production life cycles.  I got an email regarding a user guide for an application that I had written earlier this year.  She said she was looking for something similar.  She asked me how long it would take.  I told her that I would need to look at the …

Want to get ahead? Don’t get comfortable

"Moving me down the highway, rolling me down the highway, moving ahead so life won't pass me by..." -- Jim Croce, "I Got A Name" "It's important to be able to make mistakes.  If you don't make mistakes, it means you're not trying." -- Wynton Marsalis "Don't look back.  Something might be gaining on you." …

Instant decisions

(Source: New York Times) A NY Times recap of a ballgame got me thinking about instant decisions. I watched this game on a TV at a restaurant where I was having dinner with my wife.  I remember watching Brett Gardner getting thrown out as he was caught in a rundown between third and home.  I …

#BI101: Some SQL Saturday speakers to check out

This is part of a series of articles in which I'm trying to teach myself about BI.  Any related articles I write are preceded with "#BI101" in the title. As a speaker on the SQL Saturday circuit, I've had the honor and privilege of having met, connected with, and even befriended a number of experts …

#BI101: Introduction to data warehousing

This is part of a series of articles in which I'm trying to teach myself about BI.  Any related articles I write are preceded with "#BI101" in the title. Because this is a new (to me) topic, it's possible that what I write might be inaccurate.  I invite you to correct me in the comments, …