SQLBits

The next SQLbits

simonsabin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:43:08 GMT

We'll be announcing the date and venue for the next SQLBits on Monday

So keep posted, we've got some really exciting news.

I am really excited about the whole event. Its going to be bigger and better than the others.

SQL Server 2008 May edition of books online is out

simonsabin — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:44:54 GMT

As the title says the May 2009 edition of SQL 2008 books online is now available for download.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=765433f7-0983-4d7a-b628-0a98145bcb97

Martin Bell has started blogging (at last)

simonsabin — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:46:41 GMT

A fellow MVP and member of the SQLBits organising committee has finally pulled his finger out and started blogging.

http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/martinbell/archive/2009/05/08/have-i-missed-the-party.aspx

He's starting with a great intro to Table Valued Parameters

http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/martinbell/archive/2009/05/10/Table_2D00_valued-parameters-in-SQL-Server-2008-_2800_Part-1_2900_.aspx

[Update 11/5/2009 19:44 oops wrong link]

SQL Usergroup starting in Cambridge

simonsabin — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:22:32 GMT

I have decided to start a usergroup in Cambridge, England. With Redgate based there it would be mad not to.

The first meeting will be on the 20th May (just over a week away). We know there are lots of SQL bods around Cambridge so spread the word.

Come along to the first meeting. I've got some friends to come along and cover Integration Services and Reporting Services. The event will be hosted by me and we will be covering SSIS with Darren Green and SSRS with Peter Blackburn. The evening is great chance to socialise with like minded inviduals over some beer and pizza.

To register go to http://sqlserverfaq.com/events/176/Cambridge-SQL-UG-SSIS-and-SSRS-sponsored-by-Redgate.aspx

I look forward to seeing you there.

Usergroup meeting in Reading

simonsabin — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:04:24 GMT

The next SQL usergroup meeting in Reading will be next Wednesday (13th May).

We have Mike Taulty from Microsoft presenting on "Understanding ADO.NET Data Services" and we have James O'Niell and Viral Tarpara both IT Pro Evangelists for Microsoft taking us through the features in the soon to be released windows 7 in-depth.

http://sqlserverfaq.com/events/167/Sessions-on-Understanding-ADONET-Data-Services-Windows-7-features-indepth-and-the-usual-SQL-Nuggets-and-Networking.aspx

SQLBits feedback

simonsabin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:35:50 GMT

If you went to SQLBits, then please complete the feedback survey as this is used to make the next one even better.

http://www.sqlbits.com/information/ConferenceFeedback.aspx

You will need to login to complete the survey, this is to make sure we don't get duplicates.

Thanks

SQLBits IV - a big thank you

simonsabin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:45:25 GMT

I would like to thank everyone that turned up on Saturday to make SQLBits IV the biggest SQLBits so far. We (the oganisers) have all been amazed by the turn out. We will be soon planning the next one and so if you attended we would appreciate it greatly if you will complete the feedback we will send out in the next few days. With it we can make the next one even better.

We are sorry for those wanting to watch online, due to a network problem beyond our control we coudn't stream most of the day. We did however record all the sessions and these will be available in about 5 weeks (mid May).

If you didn't attend then you might like to look at some of the pictures Brad has put on his blog

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/aloha_dba/archive/2009/03/29/sqlbits-a-smashing-success.aspx

Once again thanks for attending and we look forward to seeing you at the next one.

Get 40% off books at SQLbits

simonsabin — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:57:58 GMT

On of the companies exhibiting at SQLBits is Mcgraw Hill .

They are offering 40% off books bought on the day.

So make sure you bring a big bag, with this off, the stuff we are giving you and all the prizes on offer you could have a lot to take home.

Build your SQLbits Schedule

simonsabin — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:37:27 GMT

The schedule builder is now on the SQLBits site. http://www.sqlbits.com/schedulebuilder/

If you want to plan your day then this is for you.

Whilst you can print in Firefox we have an issue with printing in IE. One option is to do a screen grab using OneNote.

Last chance for Wifi at SQLBits

simonsabin — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:49:52 GMT

If you want to have internet access when attending SQLBits then you have to let us know by Wednesday morning. These have to be setup by the university in advance. There will be a £1 charge for this which you can pay when you turn up.

Following on from the mad Tweeting at the MVP summit i've (@simon_sabin) got a bit hooked on Twitter and it would be good to get people tweeting whilst at #SQLBits. If you are going to #SQLBits and you tweet, then post a comment or tweet me

Update travel details for SQLBits

simonsabin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:25:12 GMT

I've just updated the details for the parking at SQLBits (http://www.sqlbits.com/information/Travel-Manchester.aspx). It will be first come first served. I've been told that if people park sensibly we will get 220 cars in the car park. So everyone should fit in. If you look at the location on live maps it looks like the car park is a building. I can assure you the building is no longer there which can be seen with the birdseye view (http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=sxbgcmgtd27d&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=42616211&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1&cid=23F84F550F04B3D1!195)

I've also updated the SQLBits collection on live maps with walking routes and the location of the car park.

http://maps.live.com/?v=2&encType=1&cid=23F84F550F04B3D1!195

I've also added the route to the hotel car park. DO NOT try to go down Travis Street from London Road you need to come in from Fairfield street.

Last chance on Saturday to get £50 off

simonsabin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:23:46 GMT

Don't forget Saturday its your last chance to get the early bird discount for the SQLBits training days

Advanced TSQL and performance tuning for scalability with Simon Sabin Understanding TSQL performance is crucial to building a successful scalable database solution. In this session we will cover the fundamentals of performance tuning your SQL to ensure your application can scale. We will use query plans, sql profiler, dmvs, resource utilization and contention to diagnose performance and scalability issues. We will then look at using advanced TSQL techniques and indexing to show you how to improve your performance and scalability.
Introduction to MDX with Chris Webb If you want to get the most out of your Analysis Services cube it’s essential to know and understand MDX: you need it to be able to write queries and calculations, and also to be able to use more advanced features such as cell security. This one-day seminar, aimed at those with little or no previous MDX experience, will teach you the basic concepts of the language as well as show you how to write common queries and calculations. The seminar will be taught by Chris Webb.
Advanced Troubleshooting Workshop for SQL Server 2005 with Christian Bolton The Advanced Troubleshooting Workshop for SQL Server 2005 provides attendees with SQL Server internals knowledge, practical troubleshooting skills and a proven troubleshooting methodology. The workshop will enable attendees to tackle complex SQL Server problems with confidence.
Implementing and Maintaining Reporting Services 2008 with Chris Testa-O'Neil This seminar will provide you with the information required to implement and maintain reporting services . You will start by exploring the different installation options for reporting services. Create compelling reports, manage and distribute the reports. You also explore how to manage the reports effectively and maintain the reporting server

SQLBits Site

simonsabin — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:17:19 GMT

If you've been trying to register on the site today you will have notice a problem. The site wasn't available.

We had a slight problem with our hosting which has now been resolved.

You can now register by going to http://www.sqlbits.com/beta/information/Registration.aspx

SQLBits Hits 330 registrations

simonsabin — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:14:10 GMT

We've already hit 330 registrations of which 30 are for online viewing.

We still have more places but make sure you register quick to avoid disappointment.

If you are in Manchester have you seen there is a usergroup meeting startin up. The first meeting is on next Thursday (26th Feb)

http://www.sqlserverfaq.com/events/149/Tony-Rogerson-talks-on-Bits-and-Bobs-to-help-the-developer-and-DBA-with-TSQL-Martin-Bell-looks-at-Table-Valued-Parameters-new-to-SQL-2008.aspx

Want to know who else is going to SQLBits

simonsabin — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 14:00:23 GMT

Well not exactly who (data protection and all that) but we can show you where people are coing from

http://sqlbits.com/information/wheredidtheycomefrom.aspx

If you click on the map you can plan your route and find others that are within a certain distance or your route.

We hope to get some car sharing suff going on using this stuff shortly.