Category Archives: Training
Saturday SQL Schoolhouse
SQL Schoolhouse!
In our second installment of the Saturday SQL Schoolhouse for February, I wanted to share a comprehensive website that teaches you SQL Server with numerous screenshots and detailed instructions. It is called Fianga.com, check it out.
Enjoy!
Upcoming Training…Yeah Baby
I’m stoked! My upcoming training class has been approved and my registration submitted! The class is three weeks away and I’m like a kid at Christmas waiting to open his present. Oh, it’s not your run of the mill Microsoft SQL Server training class….which would be great because I love training! This is Paul Randal’s (blog : twitter) Immersion Event for Internals and Performance (IE1). I cannot wait to blog about that class in three weeks!
Enjoy!
Saturday SQL Schoolhouse
In our first installment of the Saturday SQL Schoolhouse for February, I wanted to share a blog post from SQL guru Paul Randal (blog : twitter) regarding shrinking your data files. Since this day is reserved for learning on this blog, I hope that every DBA will learn this fundamental lesson: DO NOT SHRINK YOUR DATA FILES! Read the following and talk amongst yourselves: In Recovery… | Why you should not shrink your data files.
Enjoy!
Saturday SQL Schoolhouse
In our fourth installment of the Saturday SQL Schoolhouse, I wanted to share with you a neat little beginner’s resource for learning SQL Server 2008.
The site is called Quackit.com. It is a simple website that is aimed primarily for beginners. Enjoy!
Saturday SQL Schoolhouse
In our third installment of the Saturday SQL Schoolhouse, I wanted to share with you a neat little beginner’s resource for learning ANSI SQL.
The site is called SQLCourse.com, Interactive Online SQL Training.
There is also a “sequel” to this course which is a little more advanced called SQLCourse2.com. Give them a try, and enjoy!
Saturday SQL Schoolhouse
SQL Schoolhouse!
In our second installment of the Saturday SQL Schoolhouse, I wanted to share with you one of the most amazing resources I have ever discovered thanks to the fine folks at SQL Skills: the SQL Server 2008 Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) Readiness Videos. These videos are amazing and contain such SQL superstars as Brent Ozar (blog : twitter), Paul Randal (blog : twitter), and Kimberly L. Tripp (blog : twitter). Enjoy!
MCITP: The Long Road Ahead…Step Two
As you may already know from my blog, I have started down the path moving towards my MCITP for SQL Server 2008. Now I have some logistical quandaries and maybe some of my #SQLFamily can provide some insight or opinions.
The first item I was looking at, was which class to take. Obviously, there is a Global Knowledgeboot camp entitled: MCITP: Database Administrator, SQL Server 2008 Boot Camp. This class covers the 70-432 and 70-450 Microsoft exams needed to obtain the MCITP. I have alreadypassed the 70-432, but they are rolled into one course which is fine by me because you can never receive too much SQL knowledge. Other than that course, I have not really seen any other MCITP specific courses in my area. However, someone had mentioned to me that taking one or more of the SQLskills immersion courses would be great in this case. I asked this question a couple of times on twitter yesterday and did not receive any response. Any ideas?
Next up….test prep. I have never really been a big proponent of the test prep software. I have always bought books and taken classes and studied that material. Is that a good idea with the MCITP or does this particular exam need test preparation software?
Finally, are there any MCITP books that are better at preparing you for this exam? I have heard that the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Bible and the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Unleashed books are excellent sources for study information. Amazon has a book specifically for the MCITP, called Real World Skill for MCITP Certification and Beyond. Anyone used it?
This journey is starting to come together, I just need a few more tools. Enjoy!
MCITP: Moving Forward!
Yesterday I attended a Brent Ozar PLF webinar with Kendra Little (blog : twitter). The webinar, Anatomy of the SQL Server Database: Settings and Secrets, was great, as per usual. What transpired at the end of the training was magical. As you know, if you have been reading my blog, I have been contemplating moving forward to pursuing my MCITP for SQL Server 2008. Kendra made an announcement that Brandon Leach (twitter) was forming an MCITP study group of like-minded professionals to get together online and help each other out. Hey that is exactly what I have been looking for! My #SQLFamily is really an amazing group of people, and I wish I had discovered them years ago while banging my head against the wall upgrading SQL 6.5 to 7 and then on to 2000. At the time, I was an accidental DBA. Those days have long passed, thanks to my MCTS. MCITP: Here I Come!
Enjoy!
Saturday SQL Schoolhouse
SQL Schoolhouse!
For the first Satuday of 2012, I thought I would try a new feature for this blog…Saturday SQL Schoolhouse. In the spirit of SQL Saturday, I will discuss some interesting learning websites or send out some training links.
My first offering….The Microsoft TechNet Virtual Labs for SQL Server 2008, a great resource for learning!
Enjoy!
MCITP…Should I do it?
I have been contemplating my next move for SQL certification. Last spring, I earned my MCTS for SQL Server 2008 Implementaion and Maintenance passing the 70-432 exam after a couple of months of preparation and a TechSherpas course. The next logical step is the 70-450 which is Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administrative Solution using Microsoft SQL Server 2008. The title alone is impressive. I think with this budget year I will have the opportunity to take a bootcamp for this certification.
Should I wait before pursuing this level? Is it recommended to have more experience before taking this exam? What do you think?
SQL Swampland 