Here is the second in a series of TechNet podcasts focusing on SQL Server 2005. In this podcast, the TechNet team talks about Managing and Administering SQL Server 2005. This session runs about 45 minutes and is available both mp3 and wma formats....

In a previous post I mentioned that I would be presenting at the SCM '05 Symposium in Toronto. I had the good fortune of running into a couple of people that I hadn't seen in quite a while. It seemed as though the conference was well attended and everyone...

I have just finished reading a great blog post over on Tom Kyte's blog ( http://tkyte.blogspot.com/2005/09/most-incredible-statement-i-heard-this.html ) regarding database performance and the attitude to what the database should be able to deal with....

If you are currently working with SQL Server 7 or SQL Server 2000, you may be asking yourself what you need to know in order to upgrade to SQL Server 2005 once it launches. The TechNet team has put together an audiocast that talks about upgrading to SQL Server 2005. These audiocasts are a great way to learn about products and technologies during your commute to work, or any other time you might have to listen to them. ...

If you're going to be in the Greater Toronto Area, and are interested in Supply Chain Management, I'll be speaking at the Third Annual Symposium on Supply Chain Management at the Wyndham Bristol Place Hotel on Thursday September 29th . The title of...

It looks like the team that runs all of the Microsoft.com sites have started a blog ( http://blogs.technet.com/mscom/default.aspx ). Their first post has some great information on the number of servers they are running, the number of hits on www.microsoft...

The Canadian Launch Team here at Microsoft has put together a blog where we can publish all thing related to the upcoming SQL Server 2005 / Visual Studio 2005 / BizTalk Server 2006 Launch. Take a look at http://blogs.msdn.com/canadian_launch_tour_2005...

One of my colleagues out in Calgary has already got this info posted, so I won't duplicate the information. Take a look at Dan Sellers Blog Post: http://blogs.msdn.com/dansellers/archive/2005/09/06/461448.aspx to find out when we will be in your city...

If you weren't able to make is out to the Windows Vista Install Fest that Bruce ran last weekend, but you do have a copy of Vista Beta 1 (either via TechNet or MSDN), then you may want to take a look that the self guided tour document . The guide is...

This past Saturday one of my colleagues - Bruce Cowper - hosted a Vista Beta 1 Install Fest at the Microsoft office in Mississauga. I was there to help out as well as document the event. If you were at the event and are looking for the photos that...

I have just found a great article over on an O'Reilly site that talks about the steps that you can go through to deliver RSS content to your SPOT watch. For those of you that haven't heard of SPOT before, SPOT stands for "Smart Personal Object Technology...

Here's your chance to save yourself a few dollars and get a copy of the June CTP of SQL Server 2005. If you haven't yet had a chance to look at SQL Server 2005, we are rapidly approaching the launch of this great new version on SQL Server. While supplies...

I’ve just got back from a lovely two week vacation that included a 7 day cruise up into Alaska. All I can say is WOW! The scenery is beautiful. I took all of my Canon equipment with me (EOS 20D, EOS D60, S500) and took hundreds of photos. Now that I’m...

I just came across a post from the Exchange team that explains the issues with trying to run current versions of Exchange on Windows Server 2003 x64. To quote their blog ( http://blogs.technet.com/exchange/archive/2005/07/11/407529.aspx ): In...

Outside of Microsoft, one of the things that keeps me busy is digital photography. I have been taking pictures for many years, and of lots of different activities. This weekend I'm heading downtown to the Molson Indy Toronto. I usually get a Super Photo...

Hot on the heels of the TechNet Spring Tour where we talked about both IT Pro and Developer topics, I will be giving a presentation and demo for the Toronto SQL Server User Group. We'll spend an hour or so talking about the x64 (Intel and AMD 64-bit)...

Having completed four of the five cities on this tour, I find myself sitting in a hotel room in Montreal catching up on my email. I have received some great questions and comments from attendees in the various cities so far. The most common question...

The Technet and MSDN teams have teamed up for this tour to bring you a day full of SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005 presentations and demos. We will be kicking off the tour in Ottawa on June 2nd and will be heading out to 4 other cities after...

Be one of the first technology professionals to take advantage of the SQL Server 2005 readiness labs! Organizations today are facing several unique data challenges: the proliferation of data and systems across their enterprise; the need to provide employees...

Improve the performance, serviceability, and enhance the security of your SQL Server 2000 installations with SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4. · SP4 adds platform support for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition allowing 32-bit SQL Server applications to...

Well, the first week of the tour is complete, and I'm just sitting at the airport waiting to fly out to Calgary. Bill Hilf and I have already completed 3 cities, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. I'm heading out west to visit Calgary and Vancouver on this...

This morning, Steve Ballmer announced the beta release of Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1). We are very pleased to tell you that SP1 is now available on Microsoft Beta Place. To participate in the beta program, you need to: ...

According to industry analyst firm Gartner, the technology industry has entered a period of high commercialization of Linux. Many acknowledge that Linux may have a place in their organizations, but many questions remain – questions about the business...

One of my colleagues, Rick Claus, is currently posting a series on migrating your enterprise from NT4 to Active Directory. He currently has posted parts 1, 2, and 3 of a 7 part series. The posts so far: NT4 to AD In-Place Migration - Are YOU...

Thanks to all that attended the BAM and BI session last night. Also, thanks to Scott Cairney from Cactus Commerce . For more information about BizTalk Server 2004 head over to: http://www.microsoft.com/biztalk/default.mspx For more information about...