PASS has structured its registrations to give the best deals to those who register the earliest.  The current rate of $1395 expires June 30th.  As Greg pointed out in his blog, community speakers have been announced.  Register for the summit at http://summit2008.sqlpass.org/ now to beat the price increase.  Come to the ...

March Madness is here!  If you are interested in Joining in on the fun, follow the link below. http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/register/joinprivategroup_assign_team?GID=91191&P=sqlblog Group: 91191 Password: sqlblog Enjoy! Share this post: email it! | bookmark it! | digg it! | reddit! | kick it! | live it!

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 - ...

It's Official, today! We have a party for SQL Server 2008 in LA!  The product may not be shipping, but that won't stop us from having our party. Seriously, Today marks the beginning of a more useful Launch than the 2005 launch.  What am I saying?  The Launch Events will probably be more educational for you this time around because ...

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 ...

On Jan. 24, there is a FREE virtual conference focused on SQL Server 2008.  This is not just a webcast that you can view online.  The sessions are scheduled at specific times with Live Q&A following the session from the speakers.  Grab one of your SQL buddies and sign-up to attend virtually on Jan. 24! Register Here: ...

  In case you have not heard yet.......   SQL Server 2008 CTP5 Beta Now Available for Free in a Secure Hosted Environment! PASS, MaximumASP, Dell and Intel have partnered to offer this advance preview... Try out real-world data online in a secure, hosted environment - you don't have to download or install a thing - and your feedback ...

The old Hardware Compatibility List which was renamed the ''Windows Catalog'' is no more.  When creating a Clustered Solution, you need to have a system that is Certified for clustering or there will be no official support.  This has been a point of pain in the past as organizations purchased a clustered solution and then one 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 ...