At PASS I am giving a presentation on Denali SQL Server 2012 - What's New in Engine and Tools. In previous blog posts I've compiled a list of resources and, now that CTP3 is out, I thought I'd compile a much larger list that flows somewhat like my slide deck. Here is the deck and sample files:http://bit.ly/AB-PASS-2012   The second demo ...

I received a lot of grief at SQLRally when it was revealed that I have never submitted to speak at the annual PASS Summit. Well, this year, I did submit. So if you are planning on going, and you'd like to see me speak about SQL Server ''Denali'' or about Bad T-SQL Habits to Kick, please vote for my sessions here (login ...

Every few days I see the following question being asked on #sqlhelp, on forums, or in person at various SQL-related events: Q: When will Denali be released? A barrage of similar questions actually occurs for every major release (and often for service packs of well) of just about every Microsoft product. And the answer never ...

Yesterday I spoke at SQLRally in Orlando on new engine and tools features in the next version of SQL Server - codenamed Denali. We nearly filled the room with 70+ people, and I got to hand out a slew of cool giveaways from the SQL Server team - coffee decanters, umbrellas, backpacks, and this cool recycled notebook modeled by Jason Strate (blog | ...

The keynote starts off with a tine Turner impersonator (or maybe it really was Tina?):   Rushabh Mehta (donning the Tina wig) delivers the first segment of the keynote, telling the SQL Server community that we are ''simply the best.'' He then introduces the Board of Directors and founding partners.  He tells us the Board of Directors ...

Every year at PASS, I do the same thing. I hmm and haw over which sessions I want to go to, and I end up making some tough choices at game time.  This year I believe I'll be pretty busy, so my typical pie-in-the-sky view of how much I'll be able to attend just isn't going to pan out.  Instead, I have selected 5 sessions that I really ...