Gary Pronych

Gmail Chat Bug: Excessive CPU Usage when Chat is blocked

Gary Pronych — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:15:00 GMT

For those of you using Gmail and the integrated Gmail chat client you could be affected by this bug if access to the Google talk server is blocked by a firewall or another method.

The past 2 weeks I noticed that Gmail is using 100% of one of my processors when I am at the office.
Access to the Google talk servers is blocked at our firewall so my Gmail integrated chat client is disabled when in Gmail, at least that is what Gmail tells me.
See the attached picture on the right.

However, when the integrated chat is expanded (+) it uses 100% of one processor even though it reads 'chat is disabled'.
If I collapse the chat module (-) this problem goes away, processor usage goes to normal levels.

I assume the Gmail chat client is unneccessarily trying to connect to the chat server even though the client is 'disabled'.
Fail!

I have posted this bug on Google forums and I will update this post once I have been notified this has been resolved.
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/gmail/thread?tid=4ba2c7660e1a21d6&hl=en

For now, if your chat client is disabled, collapse the feature or else you will be running with one less processor.

*Gmail integrated chat client expanded

I have confirmed this a problem with
- FireFox 3.5.2
- Chrome 2.0.172.43

Gary Pronych

Regina Technology Community Launch: Sept 16th – SQL 2008 R2 and Project Madison

Gary Pronych — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:12:54 GMT

The Regina Technology Community welcomes Nick Nastic!

Topic: SQL Server 2008 R2 and project codename "Madison"
SQL Server 2008 R2 is the next generation of the Microsoft SQL Server database platform, planned for release in the first half of 2010. SQL Server 2008 R2 expands on the value delivered in SQL Server 2008 to help organizations improve IT and developer efficiency with:

new and enhanced tools for the management of applications and multiple servers
master data services
complex event processing

Nick's presentation will cover the new Self Service Business Intelligence (BI) capabilities that empower end users to access, integrate, analyze and share information using business intelligence tools they already know - Microsoft Office. Nick will also discuss the "Madison" Project and the Microsoft Data Platform roadmap.

Speaker: Nick Nastic
Principal Technical Solution Professional for Microsoft Data Platform, Western Canada
Location: University of Regina
Event: Classroom building, room CL 126 (North-West end of campus)
Map: pdf
Date: Wednesday Evening, September 16th, 2009
Cost: Free

Schedule:
5:30 pm: Food and social - please register if you are joining us for dinner
6:00 pm: Welcome and opening announcements
6:15 pm: SQL Server 2008 R2 and project codename "Madison"
8:15 pm: Closing

Registration:
We need to know how much pizza to order! :) If you're joining us for dinner, please register through the Regina Technology Community website.
Registration deadline is Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 12:00 pm.

Sponsors:
A big thank you to our Facilities Sponsor, the University of Regina!
We've just begun our sponsorship drive for the 2009-2010 season. Want to invest in your community? Check out our sponsorship page.

Regina Technology Community: Many Technologies. One Community.

Gary Pronych — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:08:08 GMT

I am happy to announce the launch of the Regina Technology Community.
The Regina Technology Community has formed from a consortium of local special interest groups:
• .NET User Group
• IT Pro User Group
• SQL Server User Group
• SharePoint User Group

We recognize that no technology is an island. We work in technological ecosystems that requires an understanding of many disciplines. Having one community allows us to deliver a wide spectrum of content to our members. It also provides the forum for additional topics such as development methodologies, business analysis, project management and information technology management.

The Regina Technology Community is organized by a team of local volunteers. We currently have over 300 members and are growing. The community is composed of developers, analysts, testers, architects, administrators (systems, applications, servers, databases) and students. Many different industries and local organizations are represented.
The community is scheduling monthly events in the above disciplines for IT professionals.

We encourage people interesting in the community and our events to join our newsletter at our website
http://www.regina-technology-community.ca/

Special thanks to Carlin Pohl and Chantal LaPlante that have been champions in developing this new community.

Developer Evangelism at the Office

Gary Pronych — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:01:13 GMT

I was reading the Developer Evangelist Handbook which is a good guide for public facing developer evangelists created by Chris Heilmann of the Yahoo Developer Network.
Check out the online handbook here
http://developer-evangelism.com/

In this handbook there is some great advice for people who complete public presentations or someone who want to expand their current speaking engagements.
In reality many developers are evangelists (or should be) at there places of employment. Developers often feel pain in their ecosystem, the only way to change it is to deal with it.
I will take a twist on this article and talk about what developers can do to promote developer evangelism at the office.

First, what do I mean by developer evangelism?
- Someone who is passionate about continuous improvement through process, technology or development strategies
- Speaks with experience or knowledge
- Trusted by developers and employers

How is developer evangelism accomplished?
- Being a proprietor for continuous improvement.
Mediate with the technical staff and determine areas for improvement.
- Introduce new practices, design patterns and technologies.
Note: What was considered 'best practice' last year may be considered harmful today.
- Find an avenue to promote your suggestions such as blogs, speaking or tutorials.

Many employers and project managers do not like change, they like to see consistent progress so they can predict release dates. They consider changes as a risk of failure which complicates the prediction process.
However change requests happen regardless, success can be found through failure.

You may have a meeting with your employer somewhere along these lines
Your Employer: 'Tell me why we should change our development environment from VB6 to Visual Studio 2008?'
Well, if you have this exact conversation, you have other issues.

Typically you may need to sell why you need to upgrade from VS 2005 to VS 2008, SQL 2005 or SQL 2008, etc.
There are times when you may need to sell installing a Service Pack (SP). For example, VS 2008 SP1 included new functionality such as Entity Framework or breaking changes in SQL 2000 sp3.

An example of what is harmful today includes using SourceSafe source control when you have many other free options that will support tagging, branching and Continuous Integration (CI).
Not having these features will cause you pain, that is where the next section comes into play.

How to remove pain from your development ecosystem.
What cause you pain in your current development practices? Is there a better way to complete a task?

Do your research, find out how introducing a practice or technology to ease your pain.
Create a demo project in a timebox (a few hours or days) and demonstrate how this functionality increases productivity.

Know your audience and their needs
Your boss does not want to spend money or delay current progress.
However, if the investment increases productivity those are well spent dollars.
Do the above, do your research and propose your changes.

What is not developer evangelism
Developer evangelism may lead to the 'ooo it's shiney' developer or a Magpie developer.
By the definition above, evangelism comes from experience. If you feel your new process is worth merit, do your diligence, follow the steps in 'How to remove pain'.
Prove this solution is viable solution that meets your project needs and corporate politics.

Providing a list of 5 things your team needs to improve on is a good to note but that introduces major change. Remember, your employer does not like change.
My experience has been to introduce new processes as needed. Select the easiest attainable improvement and work you way to completing that change. Then you can carry onto the next area for improvement.

Sometimes no change is the best change
Keeping up with industry changes can be a daunting task. But is change even necessary?
Will that new design pattern really benefit the team or will it just cause confusion?

An veteran knows that you need to pick and choose your battles; you don't need to win every battle to win the war.

Tether your BlackBerry for Internet Sharing

Gary Pronych — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:20:39 GMT

There is some confusion in how-to setup a BlackBerry in tether mode to share internet with your laptop or PC so I would like to share my setup process.

Overview:

Since you are already paying for a data plan why not take advantage of this data connection when you are away from home? Hotels and other facilities can charge you $15+ per day for Internet access.
BlackBerry and other hardware providers allow you to tether your smart phone as a modem to your laptop or computer.

Keep in mind that your tethered modem will not operate any faster than your data plan.
GPRS and EDGE will give you 2G speeds of approximately 56 – 114 kbit/s depending on signal strength; which will be similar to a dialup modem connection.
3G can provide up to 14.4 MBit/s download and 5.8 MBit/s upload.

RIM has provided instructions on how-to connect to the Internet using a GPRS, EDGE or UMTS smart phone as a tethered modem.
I had to make some modifications to these instructions to allow my smart phone to properly allow tethered access to the Internet. It is possible that each smart phone provider has slightly different setup so these instructions may not work for you.
These instructions work on the Rogers Canada wireless network, in particular, a BlackBerry Curve 8300.
These instructions should work with other data devices in tether mode.

Setup:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 1) Download the Software
Do this first, Download the BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 or later which will install the USB and virtual com ports.
Otherwise your computer will not discover your mobile device.

The desktop software will allow you to copy files to your smart phone such as MP3, videos and load applications.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 2) Setup an APN (If Required)
Task 2 of the RIM instructions states you need to setup an Internet APN (Access Point Name), some data providers may not require an APN.
I found an APN is not needed as part of the Rogers wireless network. Do not setup an APN if you use Rogers or else your tethered modem will not work.

If you do not know your Internet APN or have connection troubles, contact your service provider.

To Set up Internet APN
From your PC:

Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel
Double-click Phone and Modem Options
In the Phone and Modem Options window, click the Modems tab
Select Standard Modem and click Properties
In the Standard Modem Properties window, Click the Advanced Tab
In the Extra initialization commands field, type the following: +cgdcont=1,”IP”,”your Internet APN”
ie. +cgdcont=1, “IP”, “Internet.com”
Click OK
In the Phone and Modem Options window, click OK

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 3) Configure Dial-up Network

Windows Vista

Click Start.
Select Connect To.
Click Setup a connection or network.
Click Setup a dialup connection.
In the Dial-up phone number field type *99#.
Type the user name and password provided by your service provider.
In the Connection Name field type BlackBerry (or any name you wish).
Click Dialing Rules.
Make sure the APN profile created in Step 2 has been selected (if required), and then click OK.
Select Connect to establish an internet.

Windows XP operating system

Click Start > Settings > Network Connections.
Double-click New Connection Wizard. The New Connection Wizard opens.
Click Next.
Select the Connect to the Internet option. Click Next.
Select Set up my connection manually. Click Next.
Select Connect using a dial-up modem. Click Next.
If the Select a Device screen appears, select the Modem - Standard Modem check box. Click Next.
In the ISP Name field, type a name for your connection. Click Next.
In the Phone number field, type *99#. Click Next.
Indicate which users will have access to the connection. Click Next.
Type the user name and password provided by your service provider. Click Next.
Click Finish.
In the Connect window, click Properties.
In the Properties window, verify that Modem - Standard Modem appears beneath the Connect using heading, and then click Configure.
In the Modem Configuration window, clear the Enable hardware flow control check box and make sure none of the other check boxes are selected. Click OK. In the Properties window, click OK.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 4) Connect to the Internet using Dial-up Network

Power on your BlackBerry smart phone and connect it to the computer / laptop.
Open BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
Click Start > Settings > Network Connections > <name of your new connection>.
Type the user name and password provided by your service provider.
Click Dial.

The user name and password for the Rogers Wireless network is
user name: wapuser1
password: wap

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Troubleshooting:

There are all sorts of posts on various forums looking for setup instructions and APN values.
Be sure to contact you data phone provider for APN settings, it is very likely they will offer you very little to no support on this setup process (I have been told by family and friends).

Common problems I found are
- APN issues
- Desktop Manager must be running in order tether your device

Happy Tethering!

Gary Pronych

Vista SP2 Release, Evaluation Build 6002 Removal

Gary Pronych — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:54:00 GMT

Last year Microsoft pre-released SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 as build 6002.16497 under KB948465.

One of the most annoying features of using this build is that it would apply an evaluation watermark to the bottom right hand corner of each of your desktops (if you have 2+ monitors it will appear on both screens).

Honestly, for months I thought the watermark meant my license was detected as a evaluation license but I know I am using an OEM license.

Afterwards I found some guides to remove the watermark by making some system changes.
I am not one to download DLL’s to override OS libraries for security reasons so I just accepted this annoyance.

April 30th 2009 Microsoft released Vista SP2 RTM to TechNet subscribers.
As KB948465 describes, you need to uninstall any pre-released versions of SP2 prior to the RTM installation.

If it wasn’t for the evaluation build watermark, I may have neglected to update to the RTM build since the pre-release build does not expire until May 1, 2010.
I couldn’t find any other way to detect I was using a pre-RTM build although I only did a couple minor checks;
- Computer | Properties show Service Pack 2.
However, On the same screen Help | About may show a version number; my RTM reads ‘Version 6.0 (Build 6002: Service Pack 2)
- Programs and Features | View installed updates; showed ‘Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB948465)’

If you download the 1.4 GB SP2 ISO from TechNet it will tell you if you need to uninstall a previous installation of SP2, it will also tell you if you have the correct build installed.
I am sure their is a better way to detect your build

The x64 SP2 is 591 MB, the x32 SP2 is 356 MB, the I64 SP2 is 461 MB; the TechNet ISO contains all three versions of the KB.

Update:
-------------------------------
As of May 25th 2009, Vista and Windows Server 2008 sp2 downloads are now available.

x86 at this link
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=656c9d4a-55ec-4972-a0d7-b1a6fedf51a7&displaylang=en
64 bit at this link
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=656c9d4a-55ec-4972-a0d7-b1a6fedf51a7&displaylang=en

Regina Events

Gary Pronych — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:55:13 GMT

We have been busy organizing a number of community events.
I would like to share some events Regina.NET has been working on and other community events.

All the below events are free and open to the public.

Regina.NET
Date: April 8th @ 6 PM

Speaker: Rod Paddock
Topic: JQuery with ASP.NET

Web 2.0 is here to stay. jQuery is a JavaScript library that abstracts away all of the gory details of working with JavaScript for web applicatons. This session will demonstrate how to add jQuery to your ASP.NET applications today. This session will focus on proper uses of jQuery including how to organize your JavaScript code, how to use selectors in jQuery and how to manipulate your web content dynamically. Along with uses of the standard jQuery library, time will also be spent exploring some of the most useful jQuery plugs-ins.

More details and registration
http://reginadotnet.blogspot.com/2009/03/rod-paddock.html

Thanks to DevTeach we will be giving away a conference registration worth $1249 CDN!

-----------------------------------
TechNet
Date: April 21th @ 6 PM

Speaker: TBD
Topic: From the Client to the Cloud

Windows 7. Windows Live™. Windows Azure. The Microsoft-based platform presents a bevy of opportunities for all of us. Whether you are an IT Manager, Developer, or IT Pro knowing how these will impact you is critical, especially in the new economic reality.

This session will allow you to understand Microsoft’s Software+Services vision through a combination of presentation, demonstration, and discussion. Learn how you can collaborate more effectively and take your small and mid-sized business to the next level and accessible from virtually anywhere using the Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite. You will see Windows 7 in action and gain insight into how you can harness it in your environment. We will demonstrate how Windows 7 and Windows Live allow you to connect and collaborate with friends and family in ways you may not have thought of before. Find out how to develop applications that take advantage of Windows Azure Services providing new levels of scalability. Finally, discover how bringing together the power the Desktop with the flexibility of the Cloud will provide amazing opportunities for you to solve some difficult challenges ahead.

From the Client to the Cloud is your opportunity to learn how to harness the power and flexibility of the Microsoft-based platform from the client to the cloud.

Registration Information
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032405565&Culture=en-CA
Community Link
http://reginadotnet.blogspot.com/2009/02/technet-community-event-energizeit.html

-----------------------------------

Regina.NET
Date: May 5th @ 6 PM

Speaker: Uwe Schmitz
Topic: Introducing SOLID Object-Oriented Design Principles and Microsoft Unity

SOLID is an acronym for

Single Responsibility Principle,
Open/Closed Principle,
Liskov Substitution Principle,
Interface Segregation Principle, and
Dependency Inversion Principle.

In this session, we’ll introduce SOLID principles which help developers to

simplify the implementation,
minimize the impact of change, and
facilitate testing

by emphasizing high cohesion and low coupling using techniques centered around abstraction, inheritance and polymorphism. In addition, we’ll introduce the Microsoft Unity Application Block, a lightweight, extensible dependency injection container for applying the Dependency Inversion Principle.

More details and registration
http://reginadotnet.blogspot.com/2009/04/uwe-schmitz-solid.html

GreenIT Communities and Events

Gary Pronych — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:26:09 GMT

Taking a GreenIT approach does not mean that you have to scrap entire projects.
As IT professionals it is native for us to look for the most efficient way to complete tasks; why not take this skill to the next level?

Everyone in the IT community can participate in GreenIT. Here are some roles and how they can contribute

Architect : Green design, integration
Developer : Reduce the "energy footprint" of your applications, CPU cycles, bandwidth/traffic
SQL Professional : Performance tuning, indexes, Access to SQL back-end as hugely green
DBA : balancing the other 3 and managing actual execution of the green data center
Network / Hosting Environment : Designing, building, maintaining the green data center through virtualization, terminal servers, power management.
Procurement : Small form factor computer components, LED LCDs, Energy Star, RoHS compliance
Everyone : Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Stakeholders : The more of the above you implement, it reduces your energy footprint which saves $$$$

DevConnections is now offering GreenIT tracks starting with their Orlando conference March 22, 2009.

I met Kathy Malone at DevConnections in Las Vegas 2008, she runs the Green .NET User Group.
Kathy will be hosting 3 of the Green IT sessions

What Green Means to IT Professionals and Why You Should Care
Green Across the Supply Chain: A Global Perfect Storm is Brewing for Chemicals. Will You Ride the Wave or be Washed Away By It?
Greening Your Business Case and Your Corporate Culture: Using Green to Support Your Projects

For those that cannot attend DevConnections there are resources for you as well.

Florida.NET is hosting a Live meeting for anyone Feb 18th on Does Green IT Matter?
Check out Kathy Malone’s blog
Check out the Microsoft Sustainability Panel at TechEd Online
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/events/teched/cc676818.aspx put in keyword “sustain” and it should get you there (low resolution mp3 gets all the content).
Hypothesis on GreenIT
Green Computing on Wikipedia

Stay green,

Gary Pronych

NFL: Story behind the Pittsburgh Steelers Logo

Gary Pronych — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:29:58 GMT

As I work in the steel industry, working with individuals wearing hard hats is common in my daily activities.

You can easily point out a consultant from Pittsburgh when you see the black helmet and the yellow strip; I get a kick out of seeing these helmets when compared to the plain helmets we are commissioned with.
With the Super Bowl right around the corner, I would like to share this factual story with you.

Article Source: American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI)

-----------------------

What do Troy Polamalu, Coca-Cola and Steel have in common? As fate* would have it, Steelers safety Polamalu will appear in a Coca-Cola ad Super Bowl Sunday — and not only bring back memories of the 1980 commercial where “Mean Joe Green gets comforted by a kid who hands him a coke(1)” — but will carry two strong brands and the crushing strength of the Steelers’ defensive line with him.

The Pittsburgh Steeler’s famed three-star logo is one of the most familiar symbols in sports, partly because steel’s inherent strength and toughness is a perfect match for the Steelers’ highly-touted, bone-crunching defense. Only the Steel trademarked logo found on the Steelers helmet brings worldwide recognition and appreciation for these strengths.

Seven decades after Art Rooney purchased the NFL franchise and five Super Bowl victories later, it has come to symbolize the strength of the team and the Steel City it represents. But how many fans know what the starlike figures mean and where the logo came from?

In fact, the three four-pointed starlike figures within the circle, called hypocycloids for their geometric origin, made it to the NFL in 1962, when Rooney adopted the Steelmark for his football team. The Steelers logo is based on the Steelmark logo belonging to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). The Steelmark was originally created for United States Steel Corporation to promote the attributes of steel: yellow lightens your work; orange brightens your leisure; and blue widens your world. The logo’s meaning was later amended to represent the three materials used to produce steel: yellow for coal; orange for iron ore; and blue for steel scrap.

Back in the early 60s, the Steelers had to petition the AISI in order to change the word “Steel” inside the Steelmark to “Steelers” before the logo was complete. Cleveland’s Republic Steel suggested to the Steelers that they use the Steelmark as a helmet logo.

The Steelers are the only NFL team that sports their logo on only one side of the helmet. At first, this was a temporary measure because the Steelers weren’t sure they would like the look of the logo on an all-gold helmet. They wanted to test them before going all-out.

Equipment manager back then Jack Hart was instructed to put the logo only on one side of the helmet — the right side. The 1962 Steelers finished with a 9-5 mark and became the team with the most wins in franchise history to date. The team finished second in the Eastern Conference and qualified for the Playoff Bowl. They wanted to do something special for their first postseason game, so they changed the color of their helmets from gold to black, which helped to highlight the new logo.

Because of the interest generated by having the logo on only one side of their helmets and also due to the team’s new success, the Steelers decided to leave the helmet that way permanently. Today’s helmet reflects the way the logo was originally applied and it has never been changed.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 25 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 130 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. AISI’s member companies represent over 70 percent of both U.S. and North American steel capacity. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s Web site at www.steel.org.

*Coca-Cola planned the commercial before they knew the Steelers were going to the Super Bowl.

(1) USA Today, Troy Polamalu is the New Mean Joe Greene, by Tom Weir, November 21, 2008.

---------------------

Regina.NET Event January 22nd: SQL 2008 Community Launch

Gary Pronych — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:32:12 GMT

Regina.NET is participating in the INETA SQL PASS sponsored SQL 2008 launch.

We have 2 sessions at this years event on January 22nd at the University of Regina.

What is a community launch?

Microsoft and others provide registered speakers with Web Casts, PowerPoint, code sample and / or hands on labs for a number of areas in the promoted product.
The beauty of this type of event is that ANYONE can qualify to be a speaker. As a registered speaker, you are provided guidance in the launch topic.
Speakers can provide the sessions verbatim, but the samples are often from beta software may be to general or specific for your needs. I typically get ideas from the web casts and create my own schedule.
Occasionally Connected Systems (OCS) is something that adds value to me personally and I can see it being very useful to others, so that is my topic of choice for this event.

These launch events have been great for small communities that do not have access to many local speakers such as my community, Regina.NET.
Regina.NET and Regina IT Pro participated in the Windows Server 2008 / SQL 2008 / Visual Studio 2008 community launch back in May 2008; it was an excellent cross community event.

Regina.NET SQL 2008 Launch

For the SQL 2008 launch, we are holding 2 sessions.
Vance Petriew and I have been invited to give these sessions at the Saskatoon .NET user group; we haven’t confirmed any dates yet.

ADO.NET Sync Services using SQL 2008 and Visual Studio 2008
Presented by: Gary Pronych .NET User Group Leader (Me)
Abstract:
Do you have client applications that are not always connected to the network? Do you develop using smart clients?
Do you have large tables that contain static data or Slowly Changing Dimensions? What methods do you use to cache this data?

There are time consuming manual methods you can implement to replicate data to these systems but then you must also handle conflicts and sharing cached data.
In this presentation, we will discover how we can use SQL CE 3.5 in standalone and smart client development.
We will advance this topic and discover how SQL CE allows us to develop occasionally connected systems and synchronize changes from the client cache back to the source database.

What's new in SQL Server 2008 for DBAs
Presented by: Vance Petriew, SQL Database Analyst
Abstract:
In this session we will provide an overview of the important new features found in SQL Server 2008.
Then we will dive into feature examples including data compression, encryption, filestream objects and spatial indexes.

How to find Events in your area?

There is a listing for SQL 2008 Launch events located here http://www.microsoft.com/sql/experience/Events.aspx?loc=en
For the previous community launch there was a web site that you can search for an event in your area, it was to the point and easy to use.
I think they dropped the ball this time, the site is quite painful to use and they missed my submission somehow (Bastards!).
Coordinating international events can be difficult so I can give them some slack.

Helpful Links

If you are interested in great SQL 2008 material here is another resource I found; you just need to skip through the cheesy ‘Get on the Case’ theme.

http://www.isvinnovation.com/SQL/Challenge.aspx

Gary Pronych