Sql Data Partners Podcast

I learn things every day.  One of the great things about the SQL community is the willingness to share their learning experiences and today's episode is an example of this.  I chat with Mark Wilkinson about the SQL Server Agent--some best practices and MSX--a feature I have not used in the past.  If you are interested in expanding your SQL Server agent horizon, this episode is for you.  Check out the show notes for today's information at http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/11/03/sql-server-agent

Corporate culture is a BIG deal when it comes to job satisfaction, and it is interesting to see how different sectors can be.  Today we talk with Doug Purnell, DBA at Elon College in North Carolina and Jamie Wick, DBA at William and Mary in Virginia about their experiences working in the university system. Check it out compañeros, and have fun on the SQL trail.  As always, the shownotes are available at http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/10/28/working-at-a-university/.

Clustering is a now tried and true technology to help increase the availability of your SQL Server environment.  I talk with Paul Popovich about his experiences with clustering and how his approach has changed as the technology has evolved.  If you are looking for a good introduction to some concepts of clustering, this episode is for you!  It should be noted this episode does not include the new feature of Availability Groups. You can view the show notes for this episode at http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/10/03/clustering/

I attended Kevin Feasel's SQLSaturday session entitled Apply Yourself and thought it was pretty funny.  While not close friends, I have know Kevin for a while and knew he had good stuff.  He there shared this quote in his session.  “If you don't understand the APPLY operator, your skills are somewhere around the 50th percentile at best.” -- Adam Machanic.  I knew immediately I wanted to have him on the show. This episode will introduce some concepts, but you will have to do a bit a leg work if you want to start 'Applying' this into your code--I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. As always, you can check out http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/10/13/the-apply-operator/ for the show notes.  Have fun on the SQL trail!

Database corruption is something that will eventually come to all data professionals.  While I have been fortunate to only come across is a handful of times, I was glad that I was able to get back the corrupted data and get everyone back on track. In May of 2015, Steve Stedman set the data community ablaze with his database corruption challenge.  Some of the biggest names in the community jumped in with solutions to his challenge and I knew I wanted to have Steve on the show. If you are interested in hearing more about his experience and his suggestions for dealing with database corruption, this episode is for you!

So it turns out an old dog can learn new tricks--or at least that is what happened to me when I chatted with Grant Fritchey from Red Gate software about SQL Server Statistics.  Always taking an opportunity to teach, Grant talks about why statistics are important and we go over some fundamental items you may just want to know about.  As always compañeros, have fun on the SQL trail.   Be sure to check out the show notes at http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/09/29/statistics for information we chat about during the program.

We mix things up a bit as I chat with Thomas Frank from collegeinfogeek.com about test anxiety and test preparation.  Taking a test can be a big deal and it is always interesting to get other options on preparation.  As data professionals, of course we want a way to be able to advance our careers and a certification can play a role in that, but we might have a bit of anxiety around it.  The biggest take away for me from this session was Thomas's tool recommendation and how he was able to start better habits.  I took his advice and have seen some results I may share in a latter episode.  Have fun on the SQL trail compañeros! As always, you can check out links for the show on the website http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/09/23/episode-10-test-anxiety-and-test-preparation.

Joey D’Antoni has been doing quite a bit with database automation and I caught with him to discuss his experiences about how database automation has helped him be more efficient and have fewer support problems.  We discuss strategies for starting your automation techniques and he gives a few pie in the sky examples if you are running a large environment.  Compañeros, I hope you enjoy the program. Be sure to check out the show notes at http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/09/17/episode-09-database-automation

I chat will Louis Davidson about database design and get his thoughts on some strategies about how to go about making your design and what tools are available to help you.  It may surprise you that, according to Louis, the data type is not the most important component of database design.  I hope you enjoy the show. Be sure to check out http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/09/08/episode-08-database-design/for the show notes.

I chat with Microsoft MVP Chris Bell about database security and some seemingly cavelier attitudes some organziations have about keeping data safe.  We hit some of the methods SQL Server has to protect your data.  Chris also unveils his security analzyer you can use in your environment to see what areas might need to be addressed. You can check the full show notes at http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/09/01/episode-07-sql-server

Steve Jones, the editor from SQL Server central and I talk about the need to build your own brand and we share a few ideas on how to do that.  We talk about Steve's brand and how he built that over time and some options available to allow you the most opportunities possible.  This episode is a must have for those looking to kick it up a notch on the opportunity meter. Be sure to check out the show notes at http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/08/25/episode-06-build-your-personal-brand.

Robert Verell and I chat about good security practices and the principle of least privilege.  We discuss Robert's rule to never give anyone db_owner, other groups and Robert's home grown group to give instead of db_owner. Be sure to check out http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/08/19/principleofleastprivilege/ for the show notes.

We finish up our conversation with MVP Tim Radney on backup options with discussions on encryption and Azure.  Tim also shares his favorite tools and his super hero power of choice. Erik Véliz, the creator of SQL Server Booster is looking for folks to help with his lastest update.  Check out sqlserverbooster.com for more info. Also be sure to check out http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/08/11/episode04 for the shownotes and a chance to win Tim's book.

I chat with MVP Tim Radney about Backup and Recovery options in SQL Server.  We chatted for quite awhile and I ended up making two episodes out of our conversation.  This episode focuses on why we backup and some core ideas.  Advanced features will be in episode 04.  You can register to win a copy of Tim's book on Backup and Recovery by visiting sqldatapatners.com/podcast.  Also be sure to check out the very cool offer from SQL Skills at the end of the session. Be sure to check out http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/08/05/podcast-episode-03-backup-and-recovery/ for show notes

I was in Argentina for the SQLSaturday event in May of 2015 and made friends with Javier Villegas, a 20 year veteran in the DBA world.  While extended events have been around for some time, many are still getting used to this new feature and I talk with Javier about how he uses extended events and how we might get started.   Be sure to check out http://sqldatapartners.com/2015/08/05/podcast-episode-02-extended-events/ for show notes and links to content discussed in this episode.

Today I am super happy to announce the launch of my podcast and I start with episode 00. In this episode I take some time to go through my journey in becoming a data professional and how I think the podcast will be of value to you. We talk about why I am making the podcast and what kind of person will find it useful. I also discuss how you I want to be your compañero on your journey as a data professional. We discuss the following in today's episode.SQL CruiseApexSQL Refactor