Quickie: 10 hiddens gems in SQL 2k5

I know its been so long since I last blogged, but I've been extremely busy. I promise to come back, with a vengeance.

Meanwhile, enjoy this wonderful article Top 10 Hidden Gems in SQL Server 2005, courtesy of my MVP friends Moustafa Arafa and Alirez Aliabadi (who's now in Canada).

Enjoy!!

Links:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/bestpractice/gems-top-10.mspx

New SQL Server in 2008?

Microsoft is trying to make good on its promise of introducing a new version of SQL Server every two to three years.

SQL Server 'Katmai', which is the upcoming version of SQL Server, promised in 2008, has many new enhancements, including but not limited to the ability 'to handle, store and manage all data types natively rather than converting them into Binary Large Objects (Blobs).'

This sends SQL Server beyond relational data to include 'documents, geographic information and XML.' Which means you 'could search YouTube based on an image rather than keywords, or a shopper wanting a red, V-neck T-shirt could search multiple sites using a scanned image rather than typing a bunch of keywords into a search engine.'

Other new stuff includes 'emphasis on scalability for BI,' while that doesn't say much, it still remains to be seen what else will the new version bring in.

Enjoy!

Resources:
http://www.crn.com/software/199500344
http://www.regdeveloper.co.uk/2007/05/10/microsoft_bi_conference/
http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/business_applications/katmai_to_anchor_microsoft_bi.html
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/may07/05-09KatmaiPR.mspx
http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=52147
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/futureversion/default.mspx

Quickie: SQL 2005 Service Manager

Remember the service manager in SQL 2000. Yes, that nice little icon near the clock in the system tray that showed the status of the SQL Server service. Well, it went missing in the 2005 version of SQL.

Well, some cool dude has created one for SQL Server 2005. I have to say, WOW! It looks absolutely astounding and supports versions 2000 and 2005 of SQL.

Now, this guy is an SQL expert and he's even posted a few articles such as 'SM0 2005 - Populating a list of SQL Servers' which I've always wanted. How cool would it be to add it to your application?!

Enjoy!

Links
http://www.sqldbatips.com/showarticle.asp?ID=46
http://www.sqldbatips.com/showarticle.asp?ID=45

Quickie: SQL 2000 with SQL 2005

Here's a quickie; if you need to interoperate two SQL servers, one version 2000 and the other version 2005, then you must ensure that Service Pack 4 is installed on the 2000 version.

Otherwise it won't be able to recognize the other SQL server.

Just thought I'd let you know.

Thanks!

Back from the dead!

It is amazing how big an effect jet lag has on ones body. Ever since my return from Seattle I've only come around to blogging, today!

Enough said. When I'm coding (and I'm doing a lot of that nowadays) I always have a problem with connection strings. I cannot seem to remember the darn things. A quick search on the Internet later and viola! www.connectionstrings.com. It is amazing how many database servers there are out there (and I thought I knew them all!); what in the world is Mimer SQL?

Anyway, the site also provides connection string information on how to connect to data files such as Excel and FileMaker. Plus other database structures such as Active Directory and Exchange. Cool!

On other news, I was chatting with brother (he's in Jordan) and I mentioned the fact that a friend of mine bought a Zune and an Xbox from the States. And he asks me; what's a Zune? Gasp!!! Whats a Zune!!! My own flesh and blood! Nooooooooooooooooooooo!

For all of you out there who don't know what a Zune is, its the latest ubber hot gizmo from Microsoft that's gonna kick iPods !censored!. Check it out online at www.zune.net

No, really, its got 30GB, comes in 3 colors, black, white and brown(?), has a 3 inch screen for video and pictures and wireless connectivity. Plus its the only one (thus far) that works well with Windows Vista (of course).

Oh yeah, it retails for around US$ 250.

Enjoy!

SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2

Yes, SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 is available for download. You can get it here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2005/downloads/servicepacks/sp2.mspx.

For what's new in SQL 2k5 SP2, click here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/b/5/2b5e5d37-9b17-423d-bc8f-b11ecd4195b4/WhatsNewSQL2005SP2.htm.

Enjoy!