January 2008 - Posts

Learning Mandarin and Windows Vista

Published 27 January 8 12:25 PM | GregLow

Some readers will know that I've been learning Mandarin lately. It's been really interesting. Most people assume I want to do it because my wife Mai is of Chinese Vietnamese heritage. No such luck as her family speak Tieu Chow, a dialect spoken...

SQL Server 2008 now Q3

Published 25 January 8 9:49 PM | GregLow

SQL Server 2008 has now officially slipped to Q3 this year. Details are at: http://blogs.technet.com/dataplatforminsider/archive/2008/01/25/microsoft-sql-server-2008-roadmap-clarification.aspx

SQL Down Under show 29 - Richard Tkachuk - SQL CAT team and SQL Server Analysis Services

Published 24 January 8 3:6 AM | GregLow

SQL Down Under show 29 with SQL CAT team member Richard Tkachuk discussing the CAT team, working with Analysis Services and what's coming in 2008 for Analysis Services is now available for download from www.sqldownunder.com .

SQL Server 2008 - How effective was my backup compression?

Published 20 January 8 10:27 AM | GregLow

I've had a number of people ask me how you can tell if the backup compression in SQL Server 2008 really is effective. The easy answer is to try it and look at the results. To compress a backup, you need to choose the "Compress Backup" option...

Playing videos and sound in Windows Server 2008 using a Virtual PC (VPC)

Published 18 January 8 3:24 AM | GregLow

Over recent weeks, I've been involved in building some of the launch materials for the worldwide SQL Server launch events later this year. In the filestream section, I wanted to play a wmv file ie: a video. I thought "that can't be too hard"...

SQL Down Under show 28 - Ed Lehman

Published 18 January 8 3:22 AM | GregLow

SQL Down Under show 28 is now up on the www.sqldownunder.com download site. In this show, my guest Ed Lehman (the community lead for SQL Server at Microsoft) discusses the community around SQL Server, the MVP program, the Connect feedback site, the newsgroups...

SQL Down Under show 27 - SQL Legend - David Campbell

Published 11 January 8 10:17 AM | GregLow

Regular readers will notice that I've stepped up the pace of podcasts lately. I'm intending to maintain a one-per-week pace now. Last week, I was pleased to have had old friend Chris Randall on the show. Recording today's show was another...

SQL Server 2008 Readiness Events in Australia coming up

Published 10 January 8 3:6 AM | GregLow

Sharmilla Gosai and our friends at Microsoft Australia have announced SQL Server 2008 readiness events. These include jumpstart sessions specifically targets at administrators, developers and business intelligence professionals. These events offer up...

SQL Down Under show 26 - Chris Randall - SQL Server Certification

Published 5 January 8 12:31 AM | GregLow

Hi Folks, SQL Down Under show 26 with guest SQL Server MCT Chris Randall is available now from www.sqldownunder.com . In this show, Chris discusses the pros and cons of certification, its perceived value, the SQL Server certifications available and some...

New Australian SQL Server MVP

Published 3 January 8 1:12 PM | GregLow

I heard the great news tonight that our Canberra mate Jeff Wharton has been appointed into the SQL Server MVP program. Outstanding news Jeff ! Congratulations!

Free SQL Server 2008 Virtual Event

Published 3 January 8 6:34 AM | GregLow

Solid Q along with our friends and sponsors at SQL Server Magazine are running a free virtual SQL Server 2008 event. The aim is to show you ways to make better use of your existing investment in SQL Server 2000 or 2005 while finding out how SQL Server...

And a New Site for CodeCampOz

Published 1 January 8 1:35 PM | GregLow

Mai has also been helping me update the site for CodeCampOz. The updated site is still at: www.codecampoz.com . Again, it'd be great to have your feedback. CodeCampOz will be on again April 26th/27th (Saturday/Sunday) 2008. Be there!

A New Site For SQL Down Under

Published 1 January 8 6:30 AM | GregLow

I hope all readers are having a great start to the new year. We've been revamping a number of our web sites over the last few weeks. First off the block is the new site for SQL Down Under: www.sqldownunder.com . Hopefully it's easy to navigate...