Melville Thomson's Blog

SQL Server Starter Data Schemas

I know this is a repeat of the post form Dan but as he is on MSDN and I am on TechNet blogs I think it goes to a slightly different audience.  I was asked about schema design by Andy from BETT 2007 where we did technical support for the Microsoft stand Eileen blogged about it previously.

Andy asked about sample schemas that they could use as a teaching tool.  We have released a whole set of schemas for SQL Express.  There were 10 when I looked last.  These give you a starting point and to support this there is a Webcast tutorial for beginners.  Each schema can be viewed or downloaded.  As a starting point I think these are really useful.

How Creative are You With System Designs ?

It seems a strange question, last year we started  DesignIT this is a design competition.for charity.  Last year it was a great success the aim is to design a solution to benefit a charity in the UK.  We will make sure the winning design is implemented up to a value of £15,000.  A lot of you spend an enormous amount of time working for a charity.  With this competition you can help much more.  All you need to do is send us a system design that will improve the IT infrastructure of a charity.  The entries can be formal or a sketch and can include more than just Microsoft technologies.

The ten most innovative solutions will be turned into artwork, to be exhibited in a top London gallery.  The top five entries will be put to a public vote to establish the winner.  To view some examples of DesignIT submissions look here.  To find out how to enter the competition  follow the link.  If you don't work with a charity you can still enter.  We have provided some real problems where you can provide the innovation.

This is a great way to highlight your favorite charity so have a go visit the site to register.

Looking for a SQL Server/Business Intelligence IT Pro Evangelist

Eileen is looking to extend her team and is looking for two new IT Pro Evangelists to join us in the UK.  One of these will be a SQL Server/Business Intelligence person.  The details for the job are here.  What we are looking for is someone who is technical and can enthuse others about the technology.  So please upload your CV through the tool .  We get to meet and work with some brilliant people.

You can view the team here.

SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition

I would just like to highlight the SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition.  The download page is here.   This is the latest SQL Server Compact Edition add-ins, updates, tools and all the parts to enable you to build occasionally–connected mobile and desktop applications.  To find out more about the product go to the SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Page.   There are product overviews, news and access to resources.  Links for some of the downloads are below.  The new Blog is for the product is sql server compact edition.

Download the SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Runtime Engine

This link prompts you to register before download.  You get lots of free stuff and you need to if you want to re-distribute with your applications.

Install the SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Developer Software Development Kit (SDK)

The software development kit has all the files required for installing onto mobile devices.

Read the End-User License Agreement for SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Device SDK

Additional

SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Books Online

SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Tools for Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1

SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Access Database Synchronizer

SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition Server Tools

Webcasts for SQL Server for Jan and Feb

Momentum Webcast: Microsoft Business Intelligence Solutions with SQL Server 2005 (Level 100)

Thursday, January 18, 2007

11:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. Pacific Time

TechNet Webcast: Protecting SQL Server with System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) (Level 300)

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

9:30 A.M.–11:00 A.M. Pacific Time

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032325176&Culture=en-USM

MSDN Webcast: Microsoft Visual C# 2005 (Part 3 of 4): ASP.NET 2.0 Data Binding (Level 200)

Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Pacific Time

Fritz Onion, Cofounder, Pluralsight LLC

The Microsoft Technical Roadshow 2007

Hi all now that the launch event is past and we are into a new year, the next Event to look forward to is The Microsoft Technical Roadshow 2007.  The show will visit 5 locations starting on the 20 Feb and finishing on the 20 Mar.  There will be sessions on Vista, Office and Exchange.  New for this year on the roadshow we are going to introduce an Ask the Experts section.  You can come along to ask a question or listen other peoples.  This session will be moderated by Phil Cross.  For details on the presenters go to the Meet the Team on TechNet.

SQL Server - Best Practices

This is a great resource and I would just like to highlight it in case you missed it.  Euan Garden mentioned it in passing before Christmas.  The SQL Server - Best Practices Site has loads of great information there are links to Technical White papers.  A whole heap of tools in the Best Practice Tool Box.  Which has scripts organised by subject area such as buffer cache or CPU and optimization.  You also have the Top 10 Lists which gives summary lists of best practices by customer scenario's.  This is well worth a look.

New Viso Diagrams for MOSS2007

I picked this up from Alexander Windel's Blog.  It reminds me of the conversation I had with Tony he was looking to set up reports using SharePoint for a customer.  These Visio diagrams are really useful and have lots of info on them.  If you don?t have Visio and want to look there is a Visio Viewer available.

SharePoint Database Administration

http://office.microsoft.com/search/redir.aspx?AssetID=AM101638931033&CTT=5&Origin=HA101639821033

SharePoint Application Security

http://office.microsoft.com/search/redir.aspx?AssetID=AM101638891033&CTT=5&Origin=HA101639821033

For the Visio viewer

Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007

After the launch event on Tuesday I have had a couple of questions about Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007.  While I was browsing Chris Webb's blog he highlighted a couple of blogs with info so rather than point you to the standard locations I will highlight those.  The first one is the Microsoft Business Intelligence Blog  by Patrick Husting.  The other is Charlie Maitland's Blog.  The third one is by Ian Tien.  This should give you a good indication of how the product can be used.  Chris also has a very nice link to a rather funny Santa Dashboard.

SQL Server Webcasts for the week of December 18 - 22

Momentum Webcast: Microsoft Business Intelligence Solutions with SQL Server 2005 (Level 100)

Date:  Thursday, January 18, 2007 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Momentum Webcast: Microsoft Business Intelligence Solutions with SQL Server 2005 (Level 100)

Migrate from Access to SQL Server

Migrate from Access to SQL Server

MSDN Webcast: Using Transact-SQL for Recursive Queries in SQL Server 2005 (Level 200)

Monday, December 18, 2006 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time

Itzik Ben-Gan, Mentor and Co-Founder, Solid Quality Learning

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032318784&Culture=en-US

MSDN Webcast: Overview of Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) Application Development APIs (Level 200)

Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time

Andrew J. Brust, Chief, New Technology, twentysix New York

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032318788&Culture=en-US

SQL Server Webcasts For Week 11 Dec 2006

TechNet Webcast: Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Report Builder (Level 200)

Monday, December 11, 2006 - 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Pacific Time

John Weston, TechNet Presenter, Microsoft Corporation

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032319566&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: Introduction to Data Mining with SQL Server 2005 (Level 200)

Friday, December 15, 2006 - 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Pacific Time

John Weston, TechNet Presenter, Microsoft Corporation

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032319568&Culture=en-US

TechNet Webcast: Excel Services Technical Overview (Level 200)

Friday, December 15, 2006 - 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Pacific Time

Chris Avis, TechNet Presenter, Microsoft Corporation

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032318455&Culture=en-US

MSDN Webcast: Integrating Data from the Business Data Catalog with Custom Task Panes in Microsoft Office Programs (Level 200)

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Pacific Time

Matt Hallett, Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032319120&Culture=en-US

Momentum Webcast: Reporting Challenges Faced by Corporate, Divisions, and Subsidiaries (Level 100)

Monday, December 11, 2006 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Pacific Time

Koi Setorie, Business System Advisor, Microsoft Corporation

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032317220&Culture=en-US

Scottish SQL User Group meeting next week (6th Dec) - Edinburgh

Hi all.  Earlier this year we tried to get a Scottish User Group for SQL Server.  Martin Bell has agreed to try and kick start it of again.  Tony Rogerson is supporting Martin.  Please come along and show your support for this.  There will be a prize for the best subject idea for future sessions.  If anyone wants to speak even 15 - 20 mins anything you think might be interesting.

Bring your problems or just share your experience.  The evening is hosted in the Microsoft office on George Street.  if you wish to attend please register, tony is hosting that through UK SQL Server group

1800 till 2130

Location
========
Microsoft Edinburgh
127 George Street
Edinburgh EH2 4JN

Directions
==========
Directions can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/about/map-edinburgh.mspxLocation
========

SQL Server Manageability Team Blog

Changing the location of Log files for SQL Server Reporting Services

SQL Server Webcasts for December

Here is a list of SQL Server Webcasts for December.  For links to previous webcasts and labs see my previous post.

 Introduction to SQL Server 2005 report Builder

Join us as we illustrate the architecture behind Report Builder, demonstrate its capabilities, and explain how it helps you to build business data models for users with ease.

Monday, December 11, 2006 1:00 P.M.–2:30 P.M. Pacific Time

TechNet Webcast: Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Report Builder (Level 200)

Introduction To Data Mining in SQL Server 2005

Tune in to learn how Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services is meeting the demands for self-service reporting with Report Builder, an ad hoc reporting tool that enables business users to create their own reports and explore corporate data.

Friday, December 15, 2006 11:30 A.M.–1:00 P.M. Pacific Time

TechNet Webcast: Introduction to Data Mining with SQL Server 2005 (Level 200)

Using Transact-SQL For Recursive Queries In SQL Server 2005

Join us as we explore recursive CTEs and demonstrate how to use them to answer common requests against graph structures.

Monday, December 18, 2006 11:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. Pacific Time

MSDN Webcast: Using Transact-SQL for Recursive Queries in SQL Server 2005 (Level 200)

Overview Of Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) Application Development APIs

Tune in as we cover the ADOMD.NET object model for OLAP data access, the Analysis Management Objects (AMO) library for OLAP database management, and XMLA for SOAP based combination of the two.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006 11:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. Pacific Time

TechNet Webcast: Introduction to Data Mining with SQL Server 2005 (Level 200)