Blog Post: Using the new Qlik Sense Desktop
To all of my regular readers, I apologize for the lack of activity on this blog the last few months. With moving, new jobs, and and a new city I haven’t quite found the time to be doing writing, but...
View ArticleBlog Post: Tuesday Tips: Answering the What and When of Baselines
In recent months we’ve posted about baselines, including our homage to Derek Jeter as he nears playing in final professional game – Read it here . Expect more on the topic coming soon. Why? Quite...
View ArticleBlog Post: All About SSIS Variables Part 2 Objects
My last post looked at a simplistic example of using an SSIS variable in a row count transformation and then using the variable in a precedence constraint expression to direct the flow of the package....
View ArticleBlog Post: SQL Server 2014 Sample Databases Now Available
SQL Server 2014 has been available for some time now, yet until now we have not had any sample databases available. I say until now because on August 27th Microsoft released the AdventureWorks 2014...
View ArticleBlog Post: No transaction is active message when accessing Linked Server
Last week I had worked on an issue related to Linked Server. The customer had migrated the SQL Server Instances to Virtual Servers. They had quite a few Linked Servers setup. After migration any...
View ArticleBlog Post: What I know about batch files
For a SQL Server guy it sometimes amazes me how often I’m in and out of batch files and how truly useful they can be. To that end here is all that I can remember about batch files (basically a text...
View ArticleBlog Post: Let your burdens drive you forward
A few nights ago my wife and I were talking over dinner. We were discussing her co-worker’s behaviors regarding stress and deadlines. For the sake of this post let us call this person Jill. Jill is...
View ArticleBlog Post: @SQLLive360 Count Down!!
Only 53 days until SQL Server Live in Orlando at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios. If you are still looking for a reason to attend let me help you. Microsoft MVP and author Edwin...
View ArticleBlog Post: Vote James Rowland-Jones For The PASS Board Of Directors
I apologise for two posts in a row on PASS politics, but this will only be a short one and normal service will be resumed soon. If you’re a member of PASS then it’s likely you’ll have received an...
View ArticleBlog Post: PASS Elections 2014: my personal thoughts
Disclaimer I am not endorsing any particular candidate I will not endorse any particular candidate I've written this out in the order of the NomCom ranking I wasn't asked by anyone to write anything I...
View ArticleBlog Post: All About SSIS Variables Part 3 Variable Assignment
The sample package outlined in this post can be downloaded here . While my last post discussed SSIS object variables this post will look at variable value assignment. There are several ways that a...
View ArticleBlog Post: Presto Chango
About six months ago, I wrote a post reviewing a book titled The Phoenix Project . In that post, I compared the events in the book to my experiences in my role as a production DBA. I also shared some...
View ArticleBlog Post: Convert UK Postcode to Latitude/Longitude/Northing/Easting using...
Just a quick post this time. I had a requirement to convert a small number of UK based postcodes to their latitude/longitude locations so I could use that data within some Tableau dashboards that I’m...
View ArticleBlog Post: A Bad Day with Backups
I learned a hard lesson when I first started as a DBA. Although to be honest, it’s not a lesson I should have had to learn (I’ll keep you in suspense). I work for a large Fortune 100 company and as...
View ArticleBlog Post: Using SSIS To Get Data From a Web Service
The sample package outlined can be downloaded here . SSIS has a web service control flow task that allows you to call a web service and store the results. This can be very useful if you need to call...
View ArticleBlog Post: Friday Followup For September 26, 2014
It’s Friday, time to look back at the most popular RealSQLGuy posts of the week. Because it’s Friday and you’re not doing any real work anyway. Posts That Were Popular This Week Don’t Get Slimed By...
View ArticleBlog Post: Reblog: September 19 to September 25
Photo credit – Mike Lynch A good cure to a creepy doll is a good old post that is still useful. In this post, I’m going back over some of the posts that came out in this week in previous years. Having...
View ArticleBlog Post: Slow Down and Communicate!
Earlier this week I ripped a headline for blog post inspiration. Looks like the week will end that way, too. Before you ask – this isn’t about the PASS organizational struggles – though I think it...
View ArticleBlog Post: Jen's Diary: Figuring it out - Virtual Chapter Pathways
Ok. Here goes. Disclaimer: I don't speak on behalf of PASS, only the Exec Committee can do that. I want to thank everyone, just from myself, for all their patience and support for the past week. You...
View ArticleBlog Post: Advanced Options For Loading Data From SQL Server With Power Query
Loading data from SQL Server using Power Query is fairly straightforward, and the basics are well-documented (see here for example). However there are a few advanced options, not all of which are...
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