Microsoft SQL is a Relational Database Management System. Relational database use tables with data (think of Excel table, for instance) along with relationships that are built between this data. The purpose of the relationships is to bring data together in meaningful ways. For example, if you wanted to bring customer names and orders together, you would build a relationship between these two tables. The purpose of SQL is to store and retrieve data for other applications. SQL may be used as a database for an ecommerce website for instance. When users enter data into input forms they can they be inserted into the database and queried for reports later on. SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is its own programming language and can even be nested into other programming languages.

SQL is based around queries. A query is a formatted statement that can be used to simply displays data from tables and inserts data from a database. You can create a SQL query that will create a database. In Microsoft SQL, you have many options for creating queries. For example, you could use a notepad++ editor to create an SQL query, save it as an .sql extension file, and then open it in the Microsoft SQL Management Studio. This is as simple as selecting File > Open... and selecting the file you created.

You can also create SQL queries within Microsoft SQL Management Studio by clicking the Create New Query button near the File menu, or using File > New > Query. When you do this you are presented with a window to begin entering your query script.

Your scripts can be used to create, delete, and alter databases as well as the data contained within them. Microsoft offers a trial of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and we recommend if you are not familiar with MS SQL, but have any interest whatsover you check it out.

However, by default you are unable to drag this application to a folder or remove it from the home screen.

There is a workaround where as you create a new folder, you can VERY quickly drag the Newsstand app into the folder. It's recommended you have two apps that are close together to make this a smooth and successful process. This at least allows you to get it off your main screen (Note: you cannot drag it to other folders, unless you go through the same process and create a new folder.)

Once you have a login (Currently this is available through invitations only), you need to download the software client. This software feels very familiar, it's look and interface are very similar to iTunes (Preferences are even under the Edit Menu). It will even bring in your local music into the application for playing and you can create playlists using your existing content and new music you find through search.

Searching for artists and songs is quick and easy to play. You can also "star" albums or just songs to put them into a favorites list for easily recalling them later.

Although you can simply search for a song and play it or queue it up next. There are plenty of options to share what your listening to on Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, and Messenger. The focus of the application seems to be creating playlists and sharing them.

Stop listening to those iTunes and Amazon previews and try it out!

Bandwidth usage for a typical song (using 10Mbps DSL)

In order to use the feature on AT&T's iPhone 4 you will need to have Version 4.3.3 iOS

In addition, you will need to either call AT&T (611) or use the website.  Note that as of this writing the phone states it could not be enabled from the Phone itself without either of these two options.

To upgrade to this feature on AT&T's website you will need to login to your account and go to Manage Features and add the iPhone 3G Tethering Feature "DataPro 4GB for iPhone" option for $45.  This will replace your 200MB($15) or 2GB($25) iPhone data plan.

Performance seems unusually sluggish - much worse than anything we have seen on the iPhone 4 itself.  However, you do get internet access for wi-fi capable devices such as the iPad in our test.  Even though we need to wait a bit longer for content, it is still better than no content at all.

Wow.

This is a very slick product and while its not a "must have" device, it definitely is a welcome transition from our ASUS netbook. Those familiar with iPod and iPhone devices will have the same great iOS experience.

The interface is very very snappy and the interface is a pleasure to use.

For our review we selected the black, 16GB, wireless only model.

Why do you need an iPad? This is the question every potential customer will most likely ask.

The experience is very similar to the iPhone 4. Which is great in itself, but the new iPad specific apps make certain tasks much more enjoyable. Reading twitter feeds and news from Flipboard is a superior way to view and share Information. The general web browsing is better with a larger screen in comparison to the iPhone and more responsive than a netbook. The photo app is much more interesting to pass around between people at a gathering.

The cameras are not great, it'd expected they will match or exceed the iPhone 4 camera in the next iteration. They work fine for FaceTime and quick snapshots but don't expect album quality.

It's expensive, but it Is superior in all ways to it's competitors.

And yes this review was typed on the iPad 2.

Below is a cheat sheet with the more common commands. (And the Ford Sync manual is located here)

Let us know in the comments if you found this useful and what other commands you have found.

The Xbox 360 S first impression was that this is a polished Microsoft product (Not polished in the Apple sense, but still very good).

Price:

The price is excellent for the $199 for the 4GB Xbox 360 S.  This means there is no harddrive which will be a problem for some applications and games.  Accessories seem to be overpriced, but this is where Xbox makes its real money.  We recommend waiting for clearances on the old white Controllers and headsets.  Harddrive prices are way overpriced and we recommend using eBay or other markets to find AGPTEK branded drives or other knock-offs in the $50 and under range for 250GB HDD.  Games are always priced at $50 initially and can drop down to half after the first few months.  Its recommended to by games at Game Stop to get the same media at a used, discounted price unless you absolutely need to have it.  In that case there is usually the option to download the games - but the cost of a hard-drive again may be off-putting.

Games:

First of all the games, we tested Call of Duty Black Ops, Grand Theft Auto IV, Halo Reach, and Medal of Honor.

All games were a blast to play and looked fantastic in Single Player.  Multiplayer was tested in both CODBO and Halo Reach.  The menu's can be a bit confusing at times, especially when you attempt to invite other players to a party to play along with.  There seems to be delays between inviting someone and actually getting them to join.  You can't join games already in progress in these titles.  So you may end up sitting for 15 minutes or just joining a different game because of the wait.  This appears to be due to the points system in place and Microsoft wanting to encourage people finishing matches before moving onto the next one.

Controls:

The Xbox 360 controller is excellent.  The grip and buttons all are placed in a well thought-out way.  No complaints.

Voice:

Voice quality is not great with the Xbox 360 official headset - the first one was even returned as it was suspected to be defective.  It turns out they are just poorly constructed.  Our previous multiplayer game experience on the PC was complimented by a Plantronics Gamecom 777 Dolby Surround sound headset.

Because sound is now coming from the TV sound system, it seemed to make sense to continue to use this in combination with a headset just for chat.  There are other 3rd party products that have been reviewed with better quality results.  It's just surprising there are many reviews complimenting the official headset from Microsoft.  For our use, it seems we either need to be talking unusually loud or chewing on the microphone to get other party members to hear.

Video:

The Xbox 360 S worked seamlessly with our HDMI switcher and Harmony remote setup was a breeze.

Menus and Applications:

This is where Microsoft seemed to get it wrong.  In the age of "Apps", the "applications" available such as Zune, ESPN, and Netflix are way to slow.  They appear to need to do a lot of chatting with the Internet/Xbox Live, but even so.  There seems to be too much lag even while in the applications.  Also, the menus seem to be messy, very similar to Windows Media Center - there is just to much going on.  The Xbox button on the controller seems to provide the most intuitive menu for access to the Xbox 360 and we found that rather than exit back out to the dashboard this was a much quicker way to jump into a game.  Media Center on the Xbox, when in extender mode is also a slug.  It's nice that they made it available, but I would hope they would try it themselves before they implement it.

Xbox Live:

Xbox Live, why do they make this service such a mystery?  It is a great service to have and I like to think that my $60 per year is going towards making the system better.  However, when you by an Xbox you are told by store staffers that you only get Xbox Live Silver version(AKA Live free).  This essentially means you can only download game demos and Zune content and that is it.  The Xbox Live "Gold" version is what costs $60 per year and allows you access to online multiplayer games and ESPN, Netflix, and addition. Basically, your going to end up with an Xbox Live Gold account sooner or later.

Future:

The future of the Xbox looks very good.  We have tested the Kinect and think its a great concept.  While the games are not stellar they certainly prove their point:  This has potential for customers with 10' X 10'  of clear floorspace to interact with their Xbox games.  The games need to improve as right now they are poor imitations of Wii Sports or proof of concept

demos with additional graphics added on top, however, the Dance Central is a game that really starts to show potential when you get a group of people playing.

In addition, Xbox has the support of Microsoft.  There should be potential for additional software updates.   Improving the applications performance should be possible and adding additional features should increase the usefulness of the Xbox.  I would expect that with all the money they are collecting from the Xbox live service they will be able to do some fantastic things.

The latest update allows for using the Xbox 360 to function as a Uverse Set Top Box.  Read more http://www.att.com/u-verse/explore/xbox-receiver.jsp#fbid=NnOUiQIkmAS

While this is a great feature, it again seems poorly implemented.  First of all, why do they require a CD to be shipped out.

While companies like Apple, Netflix, and Amazon are able to

send streaming content, digital files, and applications directly to our devices - Microsoft and AT&T decide that the best way to get software onto their Xbox, with its Online Marketplace already available, is to send a CD.  Not only that, but they HAVE to send a technician to place that CD in your Xbox for you and of course they require you have a Xbox Hard drive already in place and pay $100 for the visit.  This seems ridiculous for requiring this much unneeded time and effort.

We know exactly what you mean. It appears this excessive beeping is by design. Some SD cards(ifit) have been said to calm the beeping down. But we wanted silence without having to buy something extra.

Take out the batteries at the bottom of the unit.

On the back of the control unit there are six black screws that hold the two plastic handle pieces together.

Once the screws are out you should be able to separate the halves. With the circuit board and wires exposed you should be able to find a two wire connector towards the bottom of the board. The connector will be white and the wires will be black and red. Simply disconnect this cable, labeled "right" on the board - as there is only a right speaker(mono). Note: in the picture the connector is at the top. "Left" on the board has no connector or port to connect anything.

Enjoy the silence.

Note: this also removes the "mp3 input jack sound - but its just a single crummy speaker anyway.

Enjoy!

OnLive is a fairly new service that could be put in the same arena as Steam (http://www.steampowered.com/) or Direct2Drive (http://www.direct2drive.com/).   Its technology is most similar to Quake Live (http://www.quakelive.com/), which was released in open Beta in 2009 purely as a First Person Shooter (FPS) and seems to have the most similar resemblance.

Where Steam and Direct2Drive are different is that they offer games for download and their online presence serves as a way to update games and support the DRM (Digital Rights Management) or Copy Protection required by the game companies.  This is where many big stories come out of these companies - usually DRM servers getting flooded on release day for games and only people who purchased them online have to wait to play due to the service not being available.

OnLive is different as the gameplay is instant.  This is "cloud gaming" as their site mentions and the way it works is a little hard to believe.  It's easy to believe that this will eventually be the future of gaming and computers in general.  While its available right now, even after using the service, I am not completely sure I would want to sign up just yet.

OnLive is the first service we know of that offers such an immediate time for sign-in to game time. Similar to a Netflix Instant for PC Games(but not Gamefly...)

To begin, you create an account on the site and then download their software client. (Software client is about 5MB, installed).

Once you launch the client, you sign in with your username and password.  If you are using wi-fi as of this writing their is a Beta service to try(otherwise you may need to connect directly).

Below is the message we received on our first attempt at reviewing the service. (3Mbps DSL) and using a Wi-Fi card.

Then, if your internet connection is worthy(we upgraded internet access to 12Mbps and the Wi-Fi Beta option became available), you proceed to the main menu.  Note that all the whiz bang visuals of this animated sequence and menus are being streamed(hosted on 'the cloud').  This means that big servers are doing all the heavy lifting and your computer is just a simple input and visual output device.  Very interesting.

What was really surprising as how well it works and the variety of titles available.  However, in this case are interest was distracted by the curiosity of what this was doing to our PC.

First the bandwidth, receive utilization was at a consistent 5-6mbps transfer rate during menus and game-play.

Bandwidth During Menu Sequence

Regarding CPU and memory: The memory footprint of the client held at about 25MB in the processes tab.  The client appears to play well with multiple cores and adjusted its process to average out of them(about 25% over each core). We also switched the affinity of the client to a single core to view the results.  It appears that running only 1 processor may put your PC to work.

Quad-core utilized during Menu/Gameplay

Single core used for OnLive during Menu/Gameplay

The gameplay was fine.  Again, we were testing on the wi-fi beta (not that we actually consider this an excuse) and the gameplay was smooth for the most part.  The graphics were average, I wouldn't expect anything more at this point, because the service is so new.  It was definitely playable.  A few of the titles we sampled (free trials for 30 minutes!!!)  were Dirt 2, Red Faction: Guerrilla, and Just Cause 2.  All game were fun to play which meant that the service was not a show-stopper.  There were times when hick-ups were noticed or aiming with the mouse felt like it should've been more responsive or accurate - but it's hard to tell if its the service or the game itself.

We really recommend at least trying the service for yourself and we love this idea of bring PC and Mac gamers together on the same playing field.

Also, the company plans to release a console-like device that will include a gamepad.  We like where this is going, it's scary to think that when the internet is out - your games are gone with it

http://www.onlive.com/service