DotNetKicks.com : Stories kicked by Marlonr

Finally, I am now Microsoft Certified!

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:50:17 GMT

Although I have some actual experiences on the database (core maintenace & reporting services), I was not confident going for the exam. The main reason was SQL Server is a big thing. There is so much to learn. I know I had to focus on the essentials. But I did not know what was the scope of the "essentials". Yes, I have bought and studied the Microsoft Press Self-Paced Training Kit on 70-431 and spent substantial times studying on Microsoft SQL Server site, SQL Server Pedia, BOL, etc; but, in the end, I had to rely on my real world experiences on SQL Server.

Today's Link: Free eBook On SQL Server 2008

Thu, 28 May 2009 16:42:34 GMT

Last September MS Press offered a free ebook, "Introducing SQL Server 2008?. Once again, the same book is being offered free! Grab your copy now.

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Is Here!

Wed, 27 May 2009 15:21:49 GMT

In few months a new version of Windows, Windows 7, will be released. Nonetheless Microsoft has not given up on Vista yet. On May 26, Microsoft has released a second service pack for the *unpopular Vista*.

SQL Server Management Studio COM Error

Fri, 22 May 2009 07:41:31 GMT

PROBLEM: You have an instance of SQL Server running on a Windows Server 2008. But when you connect to the engine via SSMS, you get this error:

Free SQL Server 2008 Powerpoint dark template

Thu, 07 May 2009 19:25:59 GMT

Just what the title says.

Checking SQL Server Database Option Settings: Quickie Again

Mon, 04 May 2009 14:11:52 GMT

Suppose you "inherited" databases and you want to just quickly go over the databases' properties. This one particular database caught your attention. This database is a backend of the biggest and busiest system in your company. You are intrigued in what are the options set for this particular database.

Roadmap of Microsoft Certifications - SQL Server Certifications

Tue, 05 May 2009 11:31:14 GMT

In these times of economic slowdown and uncertainties, more and more IT professionals are concerned about their job security and their qualifications. With job insecurity looming on their minds, it is a common trend for developers to start hunting for ways to update their skills. Sound knowledge and real world work experience are always a good way to help secure your future. However, a great way to demonstrate knowledge and competence is by having a certification in the technology one claims to be proficient in.

How To: Report Authoring in SSRS 2005 - Part IV (Adding Parameters)

Sun, 03 May 2009 04:24:32 GMT

After a long break on this series, I am finally continuing to Part IV. This SSRS How-to is just an introduction to the Reporting Services and never intended for the advanced users. This was clearly stated in Part I of this series. In Part II I showed how the Report Wizard can be used to build a decent report. Part III demonstrated how to manually build a report. In this part, I'll show how a simple parameter can be added to the report we have built so far. Let's get started

Checking The Status Of SQL Server 2005: Another Quickie

Sat, 02 May 2009 16:26:31 GMT

Here's another quickie. If you liked my Monitoring SQL Server Performance Quickie, I'm sure you will love this yet another quickie. Suppose you want to check the status of a particular database (Online, Offline, etc), there's a quickie for that.

No Brainer SQL SERVER Log Shipping With Quest's LiteSpeed

Fri, 01 May 2009 15:35:00 GMT

I am doing some dabblings on Quest Software's LiteSpeed. It's cool that LiteSpeed can give you familiar options in its GUI. If you're new to Log Shipping, instead of reading pages after pages of tutorials, take a look at the script that LiteSpeed created and see how it is being done. (See Codes!)

Monitoring SQL Server Performance: Quickie Edition

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:27:47 GMT

There are various mechanisms to measure the performance of your SQL Server. An efficient way to do it is through digging in with Performance Monitor. But how about if you only need a quick and dirty way of monitoring your SQL Server right now? There are built-in functions for that one.

Automated SQL Server Backup: Poor Man's Edition

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 07:08:43 GMT

Small companies that cannot afford high-end appliances and software are resorting to custom solutions for their daily needs. One of the very important, if not the most imporant, asset of any company is their stored data. Big-time companies spend millions of dollars just to maintain their stored data. They acquire expensive software to make sure that they backup their data efficiently. Luckily for those that can't afford to backup their data using the above mentioned scheme, codes are existing to help them toward this end.

Today's Link: Free Windows Management Tools

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 04:50:30 GMT

Here's a love from Quest Software: Free Tools! Includes: - Object Restore for AD - PowerGUI - ReportADMIN for ACS - And More !

Today's Link: The Red Gate Million Dollar Challenge

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:13:39 GMT

Developers: This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Get to the link and you will find out how you could be the next Superstar in the Tech World!

How To Become A Microsoft Evangelist

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:22:04 GMT

Maybe you already heard about the "Microsoft Evangelists". These are good guys and girls helping technology people use the Microsoft stack. Generally they are good people. I tried to post a tweet in Twitter to see how people will answer my simple question: "How to become a Microsoft Evangelist"?

Free eBooks On Windows Server & Visual Basic 2008

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:06:39 GMT

Download these legal ebooks while they are still available online. Register to be able to download the entire ebooks. These eBook offers are free. Thanks to Microsoft Press.

Twitter Beyond The 'Social'

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 07:06:09 GMT

I'm sure you have heard about 'twitter'. You might have thought that Twitter is just another Social Network Service. Indeed, Twitter is just another Social Networking tool. But there's more to it than what meets the eye.

Free eBook: Mastering SQL Server Profiler

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:48:02 GMT

"..The 283 page book is titled Mastering SQL Server Profiler, and as you can guess from the title, the focus is on learning how to use SQL Server Profiler..."

How To: Report Authoring in SSRS 2005 - Part I (The Database)

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:19:12 GMT

This is an introduction to SQL Server Reporting Services 2005. I am not going to explain the architecture and concepts around the Reporting Services (MSDN will do a great job on that). If you're following my "How-To" articles, all the examples are outright step-by-step of the "how's" and not the "why's". This series will demonstrate how to create report from ground up. We'll start from creating our database and the tables and gradually progressing towards creating our simple report to the advanced report design. Knowledge of SQL Server and TSQL is required.

Today's Link: How to Hone Your DBA Skill Set

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 02:27:49 GMT

The values, or the "ingredients", that this article partake will always hold true for all DBA's, more specifically to aspirants like myself.

Hello World: My Windows 7 Experience

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:26:57 GMT

Here's the snapshot of my Windows 7 Experience. More to follow...

Windows 7 Beta Reviews And Related Articles

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:10:42 GMT

I am planning to install the beta version of Windows 7. But before I do that, I would love to see how the community is receiving (or rejecting, which ever applies) this release of yet another Windows. I intend to be Windows-Forever so I am closely watching the progress in Windows 7.

Today's Link: FREE SQL Server Crib Sheet Compendium

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:15:32 GMT

"A collection of crib sheets from Simple Talk including: SQL Server security Cribsheets on Backups, Performance, Replication 6 others on assorted topics Part of the Red Gate SQL Server eBook Selection"

Windows 7 Beta Reviews And Related Articles

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:49:58 GMT

Creating SQL Server Login From A Domain Account To Access OS Files

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:36:18 GMT

I was having a problem accessing a folder via an extended procedure. The extended procedure accepts a DirectoryInfo variable (File Path) and it returns the File Size and File Count within the folder (much like right-clicking a folder and choosing the "Properties" from the context menu). I need the info to monitor the file size of specific folders for a SSRS report.