March 2005 - Posts

2 Day SQL Server 2005 Ascend Training Classes

Published 24 March 5 4:3 PM | GregLow

The site to register for the two-day SQL Server 2005 mini-Ascend training classes is now up and available. There are 3 types of class: one for developers (I'm running this one), one for business intelligence and one for database infrastructure. Info at...

Typing - two fingers, four fingers, etc.

Published 24 March 5 3:50 PM | GregLow

They always say ex-smokers are the worst people at badgering smokers. Fortunately, I've avoided that path. However, one I am going to have a little rant about is typing. And yes, I'm a reformed two/four finger typist. I'd been in the industry since the...

April Update

Published 24 March 5 3:37 PM | GregLow

I really enjoyed the sessions at the security summit around the country. Also had a fun session with the Sydney SQL Server User Group folk last Tuesday thanks! Well, around the country we go again. This time it's the April Update sessions (like an MSDN...

A Tool I Really Want

Published 13 March 5 7:43 PM | GregLow

One of the suggestions I've been working on with the INETA and MSDN Connection folk is a professional coding competition. The Imagine Cup is a wonderful competition for university students but I keep thinking the code that is created just doesn't seem...

Australia vs England Rugby

Published 9 March 5 5:57 PM | GregLow

It seems the folk in Wembley (England) are voting for a name for a new pedestrian bridge. The poll is up at: http://www.lda.gov.uk/server.php?show=ConForm.9 The suggestion is that in the tradition of our rugby rivalry, all Australians should vote for...

Security Seminar Webcasts

Published 8 March 5 10:38 AM | GregLow

Andrew Coates and I each rerecorded one of our security summit webcasts last night. The atmosphere's not the same as a crowded room packed with developers (actually just the empty kitchen at home for me) but hopefully those that missed the sessions will...

Protect the master database part 2

Published 4 March 5 1:8 PM | GregLow

I got lots of good feedback from the last post. As I mentioned, I really think the upcoming DDL_ALL will make it almost trival code. Also, just a note: I went for CHARINDEX rather than an XML query for performance and simplicity. What I've also suggested...

Protect the master database in SQL Server 2005

Published 2 March 5 5:4 PM | GregLow

Over the years, I've accidentally run scripts in the master database more times than I care to remember. I mentioned it in the Ascend class that Bob Beauchemin was running today and everyone went “oh yes, we do that all the time“. I then realised...