Rick Heiges

I've used VPC technology for quite a while, but lately, I have been using it even more so.  As I prepare the demos for my upcoming sessions, I find m yself loving and hating VPC at the same time.  I love it because it is an isolated environment where you KNOW what is running in there.  I hate it, because of the performance problems any virtualized environment encounters and the occasional corrupted file plus the large amount of disk space used.

VPC sp1 now has a "precompactor" tool that allows the compaction of a ".vhd" to really work.  This improves the overall experience although it is a hassle at times. 

One of the first VPC images I created still works.  It is a Windows 98 SE VPC.  I use it sparingly, but it is kinda cool to be able to pull that up.  I still have a 8-year old PC with Win98SE on it.  The VPC does run faster than the old PC, but it can't see USB ports and a few other things.  I hear that many people like VMWare.  I have seen it in action and used an image on a lab PC once.  I have not created an image with VMWare, so my comparisons between the two products cannot be complete.

The PASS European Conference will be in Barcelona, Spain this February.  The Early Bird rate is still good - Register Now!.  There is also a pre-con available from the PSS team.  Check out www.sqlpass.org for more details.  I have an abstract accepted on the topic of Database Snapshots and also one as an alternate on the topic of BI for Beginners.  I hope to see you there! 

Practicing Spanish:  Hasta Luego!

 

I just read Pat Wright's blog.  He also received the MVP award.  Pat has been a key part of my Membership Services Committee for PASS over the past year.  I know that he will continue to support the SQL Server User community throughout 2006.

Pat, Congratulations!!!

I am pleased to say that Chuck Boyce was awarded the SQL Server MVP designation.  He truly deserves this recognition and has contributed so much to the community.  I am especially appreciative of his work on behalf of PASS.  I invite you to read his blog entry at

http://chuckboyce.blogspot.com/2006/01/i-got-email-today-from-microsoft.html

Congratulations Chuck!

Happy New Year!!!!

2006 is here!  SQL Server 2005 is now old news!

It took years for SQL Server 2005 to get here.  Hopefully, you have been keeping up with the latest on SQL Server 2005.  If you are using SQL Server 2000 currently, one of the big blocks in your way is the actual upgrade process.  If you haven't checked it out yet, download the Upgrade Advisor from www.microsoft.com/sql to see what efforts must be done in order to upgrade.  You can also submit a Trace file to the tool to analyze.

This time of year often has us considering a new challenge to undertake or a position to fill.  PASS has a new Job Board  and anonymous resume posting service.  If you are testing the waters, it is a great way to see what offers may come your way while masking your identity.  If your company needs to find SQL Server Professionals to fill a vacancy, it is a cost -effective way to help out with the search.  I hope that you will take time to find out more about this new feature of the PASS website at www.sqlpass.org.