On my recent trip to SQLBits with subsequent visits to Dublin, Cologne, and Malmo (southern Sweden), I enjoyed a chance to meet several SQL Server MVPs, including Peter Larsson and Thomas Ivarsson. Among them, I enjoyed Johan Ahlen's article on Pulling real-time data from Twitter using StreamInsi​ght.  You can Find Johan's blog ...

I first wrote about useful database maintenance scripts on my SQLBlog account way back in 2008. Hmmm - now that I think about it, I first wrote about my own useful database maintenance scripts in a journal called SQL Server Professional back in the mid-1990's on SQL Server v6.5 or some such. But I digress... Anyway, I pointed out a couple ...

Brent Ozar (blog | twitter) and I did an interview with TechTarget’s Brendan Cournoyer at last summer's Tech-Ed, which as turned into a podcast titled “Cloud efforts advance, SQL Server evolves.” The podcast covers all the major trends at the conference (like BI), virtualization features in Quest’s products (like Spotlight), Brent’s new book ...

Dream Team Forms Around Azure If you're wondering whether to hedge your long-term bets on cloud computing, this should help you solidify your thinking. Microsoft has been building a dream team for Azure, including the patriarch of Windows (and father of Windows NT) Dave Cutler.  Tweets from several Microsofties reveal that another revered ...

Before I jump onto the Goals and Themeword meme started by my buddy, Thomas LaRock (blog | twitter), I decided I'd spend a few minutes looking back on both the year 2009. (From a personal standpoint, the 00's were my most difficult decade yet.  Major problems of every stripe beset me on all sides and with alarming frequency throughout ...

Brent Ozar and I had an interview with Jeff James over at SQL Server Magazine.  The topic was virtualization, where Brent and I were able to riff extensively on the topic.  I encourage you to take a look here. And if you haven't already checked it out, look at Brent's excellent blog.  Here's a good place to start:  ...

Just in case you have too much time in your day, why don't you make sure that you're following all of the best blogs out there in the ether.  This list is all of the SQL Server MVPs that I'm aware of.  If you know of other worthy blogs, perhaps by non-MVPs, I'd love to hear about them!  Many SQL Server MVPs and bloggers have added ...

Join me tomorrow, along with Quest Domain Expert Brent Ozar and SQL Server MVP Ron Talmage, for a roundtable discussion on SQL Server virtualization.  We'll discuss a variety of issues that seem to come up constantly in the discussion forums - How are your virtualized SQL Servers going to be used?  Are they running production ...

If you've read SQL Server Magazine, then you know that I write a monthly column about free SQL Server tools called Tool Time.  I recently wrote about a set of automation scripts from Microsoft's internal MIS group that automates all sorts of regular tasks they perform on their SQL Server's. Today, I'd like to share some more scripts brought ...

We can all use a little help from our friends.  That's why I'd like to direct your attention to a few articles written by friends whom I trust and find very credible.  The first person I'd like to introduce you to is Denny Cherry.  Denny is a senior DBA and an extremely talented hardware person, which is a rare combination these ...