For years, I have been keeping an ear open on the local job market for SQL Server Professionals.  I live in the Triad Area of NC (Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem).  With many job hunting sites, you can set up alerts to send the various job postings.  I have done this just to try to keep my finger on the pulse of the local ...

PASS has launched its new website.  There has been a lot of hard work behind the scenes over the past year to be ready for this.  Nothing ever goes as planned, but I believe that you will agree with me that the improvements made are huge. If you are not a member, membership is now FREE at www.sqlpass.org.  The summit will be held ...

This past Tuesday, I was finally able to attend my local user group meeting.  My travel schedule never seemed to match up with the meeting dates this year.  It was good to see old friends and meet new faces.  John Welch, SQL Server MVP, from Mariner presented on SSRS 2008.  The audience had some good questions which made for a ...

It seems to be that time of year.  The time of year when conferences and speaking opportunities abound.  I have some events coming up.  If you are in the area, please drop in.  March 20 - 7pm - Triad SQl Server User Group - www.triadsql.com.  I will be delivering a session entitiled BI for the Relational Guy April 3-4 - ...

In the latest PASS Community Connector, there is a call for Speakers for this year's summit in Seattle in November.  If you have never been to Seattle in November, it really makes you want to learn more about SQL Server in the breakout sessions. ;-)   But seriously, it is a great venue to meet other SQL Server professionals and ...

3 weeks from today, the launch party for SQl Serve 2008 will be on!  If you are in Southern California, you will be in the ''happening'' spot.  Enjoy! Why have a launch without the release of the product?  SQL Server 2008 is more of an incremental release.  There are some great new features in the product, but the bulk of the ...

I started the Triad SQL Server User Group with several other folks back in 2002.  I led the chapter for 2 years before turning the reigns over to a Board of Directors.  I have only been to one or two meetings since the turnover mainly because I have been out of town when they have meetings.  But last night, I was in town and the ...

I spoke at the Charlotte SQL Server User Group last night.  Will Sweeny confirmed that MSFT will continue to offer the free trade-out to 64-bit licensing from 32-bit.  In other words, if you upgraded your 32-bit SQL 2000 to 32-bit SQL 2005 and are considering a new 64-bit server, you can simply swap the 32-bit license for the 64-bit ...

If you live near Charlotte, NC or are planning to be in the area, drop by the Microsoft Offices at 7pm on Oct 16, 2007 for the local user group meeting.  The topic will be ''The 64-bit Question'' which will discuss the options for moving to 64-bit for SQL Server Databases.  For  more information and also RSVP, check out ...