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Data Modeling Is Dead; Long Live Data Modeling!
Data modeling is dead. It is a product of an era that has passed; that of corporate silos that created their own versions of software to suit their own needs. That is no longer the world in which we...
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Book Review: Pro SQL Database for Windows Azure
Earlier this year I wrote a blog series on the system tables available in SQL Azure. It was not long after that series was done that I was asked to be the technical reviewer for a book about SQL Azure....
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The Accidental Architect
Most readers of this blog are likely to be familiar with the term accidental DBA. It is meant to describe someone that ended up in the role of database administration by pure chance. They simply...
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Do You Have A Big Data Problem?
Still don’t think you have a big data problem? I’m here to tell you that you’re doing it wrong. Everyone has a big data problem, they just don’t know it yet. Two weeks ago at the PASS Business...
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Doing It Wrong: Virtualizing SQL Server
I’ve been involved in a virtualization projects for almost ten years now. In that time I’ve had the opportunity to track my own list of “best practice” items. It’s a list I share freely with clients...
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Top 7 Things You Want To Do In Windows Azure SQL Database, But Can’t
I’m a huge fan of Windows Azure SQL Database (WASD), I really am. I know there are other fans out there as well. With each passing day we help transport more of the old-school DBAs into the 21st...
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Why Windows Azure SQL Database May Be Right For You
Grande. Bold. No room. It’s my standard order when at Starbucks. Despite there being thousands of ways to have my coffee prepared I prefer the simplest. It’s probably why I enjoy working with Windows...
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The Future Is Already Here
This isn’t a real post, just a bunch of loosely connected thoughts I’ve been having. I purchased some software recently. I have done this hundreds of times in my life. When the package arrived it...
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Windows Azure SQL Database Strategies
I’ve been working with Windows Azure SQL Database (WASD) on and off for about three years. This past year I’ve been a bit more involved. I did the technical review of Pro SQL Database for Windows Azure...
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Live Webinar Next Week! – Expert Database Design Tips for SQL Server and Azure
Next week I am taking part in a webinar along with Karen Lopez where we will discuss database design tips for SQL Server and Windows Azure SQL Database. This is not the debate format we have done...
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How To Avoid Butchering Your Windows Azure SQL Database Designs
I met a man once who told me how he wanted to be a butcher but his hands weren’t steady enough. So, he decided to become a dentist instead. The man, of course, was my dentist. And he said those words...
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HOW TO: ALTER TABLE in Windows Azure SQL Database Without Filling Up Your...
One of the things I love most about Windows Azure SQL Database (WASD) is that you don’t have many options when it comes to performance tuning. WASD makes you focus on code and design in order to...
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Access Trumps Ownership
I once bought a car so I could drive to work every day.Not exactly a crazy thing to do as most people own cars for one reason or another. Getting to work each day is as good a reason as any other. I...
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HOW TO: Connect To A Windows Azure VM Using SQL Server Management Studio
In 2013, right before I was helping to deliver a precon seminar at TechEd on Windows Azure SQL Database, Microsoft made available the ability for customers to use virtual machines running in Windows...
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Choosing The Cloud Solution Provider That’s Right For You
It’s hard to talk architecture these days without a mention of the Cloud finding it’s way into the conversation. Everyone wants to know “is the Cloud right for me?” Unfortunately a lot of people have...
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The Top 5 SQL Server Features You Aren’t Using And Why
I’m throwing my money away.I know I am, and yet I still do it. It’s not a lot of money though.See, I pay for a services bundle (phone, internet, cable television) from the one-and-only provider for my...
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The Problem With SQL Azure
The problem with SQL Azure is that it’s not named SQL Azure. It used to be named SQL Azure, but in May of 2012 Microsoft announced that after 2 years of branding efforts they were going to put all...
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Microsoft Azure SQL Database Data Compression
Back in March there was an announcement that data compression was available for Microsoft Azure SQL Database (MASD). This was met with much rejoicing. You can read more about the announcement here.Oh,...
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SQL Server Configuration Check
I was going through some old files recently and I came across a folder that was essentially a junk drawer of scripts I’ve put together over the years. I don’t know what to do with most of them now. For...
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HOW TO: Know What That Installer Did to Your Database
Remember when I told you I had come across and old script that checked your SQL Server configuration setting? Well, here’s another old script of mine I think is worth sharing. The idea was that I...
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