Allen White

[Speaking] Manage SQL Server 2012 on Windows Server Core with PowerShell

AllenMWhite — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:26:00 GMT

This evening I'll be presenting a brand new session on installing and managing SQL Server 2012 with PowerShell. Here's the abstract: Windows Server 2008 introduced Server Core, the operating system without the Graphical User Interface. SQL Server 2012...(read more)

T-SQL Tuesday #25 Followup - Just in Time for the Holidays

AllenMWhite — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 21:21:00 GMT

T-SQL Tuesday #25 fell on the same day I brought my mother home from a 3-day emergency trip to the hospital. She's much better, now, but it was a bit crazy there for a little bit. Thanks for everyone's best wishes. Rob Farley kicked off the official start...(read more)

Speaking about Performance and PowerShell

AllenMWhite — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:37:00 GMT

I'll be presenting at the South East Michigan SQL Server User Group (SEMSSUG) tonight. The session will be Gather SQL Server Performance Data with PowerShell . We all know how important it is to keep a baseline of performance metrics that allow us to...(read more)

T-SQL Tuesday #025 - Invitation to Share Your Tricks

AllenMWhite — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:52:00 GMT

It doesn't seem that long ago that having cool little tidbits of information about SQL Server made a huge difference in how effective you could be. Well, that's still true, but let me give you an example. SELECT name FROM sysobjects WHERE sysstat &...(read more)

We Are SQLFamily

AllenMWhite — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:14:00 GMT

On Monday, Tom LaRock ( b /@sqlrockstar) presented his #MemeMonday topic as What #SQLFamily Means To Me . The #sqlfamily hash tag is a relatively new one, but is amazingly appropriate. I've been working with relational databases for almost 20 years, and...(read more)

For Servers the Command Line Rules

AllenMWhite — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:38:00 GMT

When I first learned to program, back in the fall of 1968, the first 'word' the computer I connected to said to me was 'READY'. That summed it up neatly. The computer was ready to do work, it was just waiting for me to give it instruction. As I progressed...(read more)

PASS Summit 2011 - The Final Day

AllenMWhite — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:19:00 GMT

Today's the last day of the Summit, and Rick Heiges introduced Rob Farley and Buck Woody, who sang Rob's "Query Sucks" song. As is everything done by these two, it was way too much fun. Rick also did a retrospective of Wayne Snyder, PASS Immediate Past...(read more)

PASS Summit 2011 Day 2 - Women In Technology & SQLKilt Day

AllenMWhite — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:57:00 GMT

The second full day at the Summit is the day we recognize Women in Technology, and (merely by coincidence) the day we wear kilts to the event. This latter tradition started two years ago when Grant Fritchey, Steve Jones and Bill Fellows wore their kilts...(read more)

PASS Summit 2011 Day 1 - At the Blogger's Table

AllenMWhite — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:23:00 GMT

PASS selected me this year for a seat at the blogger's table for the keynote address each day. This is a singular honor, to be able to share with you my thoughts almost in real time. (How close to real remains to be seen - I'm having a bit of trouble...(read more)

SQLBits Presentation Materials

AllenMWhite — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 03:35:00 GMT

After a week of data recovery (see my blog post here ) and travel via train with no internet access, I've finally been able to get my presentation materials together from the Training Day and two regular sessions I did at SQL Bits #9 in Liverpool last...(read more)

So Much To Do, So Much To See

AllenMWhite — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:11:00 GMT

After spending last week in England, playing tourist in London, then presenting at SQLBits #9 in Liverpool, I'm now in Portland, Oregon, getting ready for SQL Saturday #92 tomorrow, and the Portland Marathon on Sunday morning. SQL Saturdays are always...(read more)

SQLBits 9 - Disaster and Recovery

AllenMWhite — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:33:00 GMT

For those of you who weren't in my Saturday afternoon Service Broker session, the C: drive on my laptop crashed about 3 hours before that session and I was unable to boot my laptop from that point forward. Gert Drapers was kind enough to lend me one of...(read more)

Getting Excited: SQLBits is Coming

AllenMWhite — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:59:00 GMT

Other than changing planes once at Heathrow Airport, I've never been to England, so I'm getting really excited about traveling there next week for SQLBits 9 - Query across the Mersey ! My wife and I will be spending a couple of days in London first, and...(read more)

Be Careful How You Spend Your Personal Relationship Capital

AllenMWhite — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 01:11:00 GMT

In life as we develop personal relationships we build up what I'll call capital based on the value of that relationship to us and to the other person. Over time that capital builds up as that relationship grows, and it's this capital that helps you to...(read more)

Check the Default Database Setting for your Admin Accounts

AllenMWhite — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:30:00 GMT

Last weekend, as I was waiting for the start of the performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at its summer outdoor venue, Blossom Music Center , a client called with a problem. The databases on his principal production server had failed over to the mirror...(read more)