SimonS' SQL Server Stuff

Katmai - Connecting from SQL2005

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UNfortunately you canot connect from SQL2005 to SQL 2008 (Katmai) from management studio, or can you. It appears the validation code is in the main connection dialog. However if you use SQLCMD mode you will be fine.

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SQLBits Registration is open

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We have now opened the full registration for www.SQLBits.com

You will need to register on the site and then select the 10 sessions (http://www.sqlbits.com/information/PublicSessions.aspx)  you would most like to see. We will use this voting to help decide which sessions are to be run. We have 36 sessions and only 20 slots. Even I can do those maths.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/SQLBits Registration is open

Remote destop across multiple screens.

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Do you have multiple screens attached to your computer.

If you want a remote desktop connection to open and cover all the screens then you can use the /span option. To do this create a shortcut or edit the existing one for remoe desktop and add /span after %systemroot%\system32\mstsc.exe.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Remote destop across multiple screens.

What is the position of a row ?

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The simple answer is there isn't one.

If you insert 1000 rows into a table and then want to get back the 43rd row you inserted you can't. You can read through all rows and return the 43rd one that the database reads from the table but that is not the same thing.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/What is the position of a row ?

SQLBits - Sessions and speakers are now available

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We ave now published the sessions tht have been proposed, we have yet to finalise the agenda but at least you can see whats might be going on.

The event registration site won't be available for a few days, but in the mean time if you register on the site then we will email you the registration link first so you can make sure you get your place.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/SQLBits - Sessions and speakers are now available

Whats in URL?

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Folowing on from my previous post about BOL URLs I thought it would be a good idea for there to be an option in BOL to display the web URL for a page as these are much easier to provide to people.

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Whats in a BOL link?

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In using BOLyou will have noticed that the links in BOL contain some lovely guids. I often want to reference BOL in documents, forum posts etc but was concerned that the guids might change. So I asked Alan Brewer whether they change or not. He gave me a great response which I've got his permission to publish here.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Whats in a BOL link?

Data Dude : Database Documentor

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If you want to document your database you've got to see Gert Drapers on Channel9. Data Dude is answering so many of those questions/challenges I've been trying to solve for database builds over the past decade. I am so pleased to see the database references in the service release and the dependecy tool just rocks.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Data Dude : Database Documentor

How big is your procedure cache?

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There have been continuing reports by most people I speak to about theire procedure cache becoming huge. Especially on 64 bit systems with lots of memory. Memory that you want for your data.

The issue is due to the storinging of compiled adhoc plans. They just aren't getting aged out of the cache.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/How big is your procedure cache?

Do you want custom reports to run against SQL2000

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I personally get realy annoyed that I have to go back to Enterprise manager to be able to run the taskpad report.

If you agree then make sure you vote on it here

https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=240476

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Do you want custom reports to run against SQL2000

It all depends

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I often get asked what server to buy. My latest article talks about this and has been published on simple-talk http://simple-talk.com/sql/database-administration/what-specification-server-should-i-buy/

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/It all depends

Data Data everywhere even when you think its gone

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The biggest problem I have faced in IT over the last decade has been loss of data.

I have had the problem at work where servers have crashed and lost data, more often than not due to failure of disks. I have also personally felt the pain in a hard disk losing its partition information, and frequently my wife's laptop dying and windows not being able to boot.

Whilst many businesses have been aware of the criticality of data for a while, data is becoming more critical to everyone. Many people don’t have address books anymore, and if they do, do they contain mobiles, IM addresses, email address etc. If you lose data the inconvenience and the pain is often great.

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Office - Excel impressions and tip

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I've been using Excel 2007 for quite a while now and am I am starting to love it.

Ok so I suffered from the "Where the hell do I find option x" syndrome due to the new ribbon bar, but as I had heard before this is a short term issue, you will eventually understand how the options are configured and be able to find things very easily.

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Office - Excel impressions and tip

Debugging on x64 machine

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One of the things I love about this industry is that there is always more you can learn.

Running x64 is meaning I am hitting a few hurdles which result me having to figure out whats gone wrong and thus I end up learning something new.

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Katmai - July CTP is now available

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Contrary to the home page of Connect which says June CTP. The July CTP is now available.

Some of the features in this CTP are

·         Large User defined types

... To read the complete version of this post go here, http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons/Katmai - July CTP is now available