Andrew Karcher's Bits o' Data

New SQL Server User Group in Orange County - First Meeting on 8/14/2008

2008-08-13T06:08:48Z

For all my Orange County readers you might be excited to know that you now have another great option for getting your SQL content. Reza Madani is starting a new Orange County SQL Server Users Group and their first meeting is this Thursday, August 14th. Plus, they are bringing in a heavy hitter for their first meeting in the form of Lynn Langit giving a presentation on Business Intelligence in SQL Server 2008. Here are all the details for the meeting:

SQL Server User Group SIG:

Date/Time:

August 14th, 6:00PM

Presenter:

Lynn Langit, Author, Business Intelligence Expert, Microsoft Certified and Evangelist

Topic:

Business Intelligence with SQL Server 2008

Location:

Microsoft Offices, 3 Irvine Plz, Irvine, CA 92614

Meeting Agenda:

    * 6:00p Mixer/Networking/Pizza
    * 6:30p Presentation Starts
    * 7:15p Break
    * 7:30p Presentation Resumes
    * 8:45p Raffle

Session Abstract:
In this demo-filled session, Lynn will explain architectural considerations around implementation of OLAP cubes and Data Mining models using the SQL Server 2008 product stack. Here she will demonstrate SSAS, SSIS and SSRS. Her talk will include research for her new book, along with lessons learned from the real world (from her previous practice as BI architect).

Presenter Bio:
Lynn Langit is a developer evangelist for Microsoft. In addition to presenting information about new .NET developer technologies, such as WCF, LINQ and Silverlight, Lynn speaks about SQL Server Data Warehousing and Data Mining. She also speaks about SharePoint. She has been a Microsoft Certified Trainer for 9 years and holds these certifications: MCP, MCT, MCSD, MCSE, MCDBA, MCITP (SQL Admin/Dev/BI) and MSF. In April 2007 Lynn published “Foundations of SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence (APress)” and plans to publish “Smart Business Intelligence Solutions with SQL Server 2008” in November 2008.

San Diego Code Camp Resources

2008-07-01T03:58:12Z

Wow! San Diego Code Camp was awesome! Over 300 people over two days, 90 Sessions, Free Geek Dinner, Awesome Music, what a weekend. Big plug to my co-organizers Woody Pewitt, Daniel Egan and Mark Rosenberg.

I wanted to get my slides and sample code for all my talks. Luckily, my voice lasted through all three sessions. It died shortly there after and was pretty rough all weekend.

You can find all my sample code and slides below.

Into to the ADO.Net Entity Framework

We had a good crowd for this one. People were dragging in chairs from other rooms to make up for the lack of seats. It is obvious that everyone is interested about the topic and we had a lot of good discussion. I hope everyone came out of the session with a beginning understanding of the Entity Framework and encouraged to learn more.

Slides: http://shrinkster.com/zz0

SQL 2008 New Data Types

Another capacity crowd.

Slides and Sample Code: http://shrinkster.com/zyz

SQL 2008 Policy Based Management

A little bit smaller crowd, but was definitely the most interactive session of the day. Lots of good discussion about implementing PBM and lots of interest among the attendees. It seems like a feature that has kind of flown underneath the radar, but I think will be really useful of SQL Server Environments.

Slides: http://shrinkster.com/zyy

All in all, a great weekend and I am looking forward to up coming Code Camps in L.A. and San Luis Obispo.

SharePoint Developer Resources

2008-06-09T05:43:25Z

If you are interested in SharePoint Development there are a couple interesting items care of Lynn Langit's blog. We recently had a SQL Server FireStarter event here in SoCal a few weeks ago. Keeping the Fire going Mithun Dhar is hosting a SharePoint FireStarter event on Wednesday, June 11th up in Redmond. Can't attend the event in person? You are in luck all the events will be broadcast via Live Meeting.

In addition, there is a new website dedicated to building applications on SharePoint.

Enjoy!

SQL Server 2008 is the owner of a brand new Logo!

2008-06-06T17:30:34Z

They announced at Tech-Ed this week that SQL Server 2008 is the owner of a brand new logo.

I am liking the new "dynamic grid symbol" that will be used on products in the Server and Tools Division. Check out the Data Platform Insider post for more info on the larger branding strategy using the grid symbol

Slides from SQL Firestarter Event

2008-05-31T20:55:01Z

It has been a really busy couple weeks, so my apologies for getting these slides up a little late. The Firestarter event has a great turnout. You can find all my content here:

SQL 2008 New Data Types

SQL Server Reporting Services

It was a great event, so a big thanks to Lynn, Joey and Stephen for helping to organize the event.

I am going to be on MSDN geekSpeak!

2008-05-31T20:30:16Z

If you are interested in talking about SQL Server 2008, be sure to tune in on Wednesday, June 4th when I will be a guest on MSDN geekSpeak with Lynn Langit and Mithun Dhar. We will be talking about some of the new features of SQL Server 2008 and taking your questions. Hopefully, we will be able to answer all them as well. I am really excited to able to participate in the event. Be sure to tune in at 12pm if you are interested in SQL 2008 development.

MSDN Webcast: geekSpeak: T-SQL Tips and Tricks in SQL Server 2008 with Andrew Karcher (Level 200)

Southern California Events

2008-04-28T06:40:22Z

There are a bunch of really great events coming up in the Southern California region that I wanted to get on everyone's calendar if they are not already.

SQL Firestarter Learning Event

This event will be held on Saturday, May 17th at the Microsoft MTC up in Irvine. Registration still looks like it is open. I would register soon as there are a limited number of attendees for this event. If you are Developer or IT Pro for SQL Server there are some great sessions at the event. There are also some great (wink, wink) speakers at the event. Get more info and register here: http://www.firestarterevents.com/

Team System Education Day

The San Diego .Net User Group is proud to be hosting Chris Menegay from Notion Solutions for our Team System Education Day taking place on Saturday, May 31st at the AMN Healthcare Conference Center. This will be an all-day session dedicated to giving you the education you need to know about Team System. You will be walking away from this conference with a wealth of knowledge about Team System. The price for the conference includes Continental Breakfast, Lunch and snacks throughout the day. There is something here for developers, testers, and architects alike. If you are doing any team development you will want to attend this conference. Get more details and register here: https://www.123signup.com/event?id=tjnyb

SoCal Rock & Roll Code Camp

Make your plans now to attend the latest and greatest version of the SoCal Rock & Roll Code Camp to be held on June 28th-29th on the UCSD Extension Campus in La Jolla. There is always an impressive lineup of speakers and a wonderful variety of topics. Also, there is also an awesome Geek Dinner on Saturday night featuring great food and live Rock and Roll. Be sure to sign up and attend. Also, if you are interested in speaking sign up to deliver a session. It is fun and educational, and you are helping support the local technical community. You can get more information here: http://www.socalcodecamp.com.

Honored to be joining such an Elite Group

2008-04-03T04:27:02Z

I am honored to have been chosen as a SQL Server MVP for the upcoming year for my work in the SQL Server Community. When I look at the list of MVPs I am truly humbled to be joining their company. I am looking forward to joining them in a couple weeks at the MVP Summit up in Seattle. Participating in your local communities is such a great and rewarding experience, I would recommend that everyone look for ways that they can contribute to their own communities.

I am also looking forward to Partying with Palermo

Rock and Roll Code Camp Recap

2008-01-29T23:07:55Z

First things first, hats off to the wonderful team that put together the Code Camp again this year in Fullerton. Many thanks to Woody Pewitt, Michele Leroux Bustamante, Daniel Egan and Mark Rosenberg for a great Code Camp in Fullerton.

I came up from San Diego to give a talk on Delivering Data with SQL Reporting Services. This is obviously a topic that has a ton of interest as there were about 45 people in the room and there were a lot of great questions. For those of you that were at the session, or had a conflict with another session you can download the slides and code HERE.

There was one example that we were not able to get to that I thought might be interesting showing a bit more regarding the power and flexibility of drilling through to other reports. There is an alternate report for the last example that uses a calculation to dynamically calculate a range and send via parameters to the drill through report. They are the same reports, but with the filename suffixed with RangeParam.

There were a bunch of questions that I will answer in follow up posts within the next week. I wanted to get the slides and sample code out to everyone as soon as I could.

If you were at the session or not, feel to send me any questions via the contact form. Looking forward to the next Code Camp in June in San Diego.

The West Coast Code Trip

2008-01-17T20:37:45Z

So the local Developer Evangelists out here on the West Coast managed to somehow get marketing and their bosses to approve The Code Trip. The idea is that our esteemed Evangelists will be packing up and going around and visiting 28 cities traveling around in a pimped out RV spreading cheer and good tidings to developers along the way. Sounds like a recipe for some very interesting podcasts, blogging and demos along the way.

They are still in the planning phase so if you want them to come to your city (or avoid it ;-) ) let them know by submitting your ideas via the website. You can also subscribe to their RSS Feed.

As for ideas, their definitely needs to be a stop in San Diego which happens to be right across the border from Tijuana. I wonder what the border agents would think of this thing rolling across the border. I am sure you can follow each of the evangelists individually as well via their respective blogs:

Architecture Journal Reader - Beta Released

2008-01-17T07:19:14Z

I love reading the quarterly Microsoft Architecture Journal. In the past I have usually read the PDF version of the Journal although sometimes I would read the print version as well. It's great for its lack of advertising meaning if I am carrying the print version I am not carrying around half a pound of advertising.

In November (so I am a little behind - with good reason though), Microsoft released a WPF Architecture Journal Reader that you can download that allows you to read every issue of the Architecture Journal along with searching. Even better it synchronizes with the content feed to automatically download new issues when they are published. You can also get some more information from the blog of the Editor-in-Chief Simon Guest.

Overall, I would welcome this format for all my publications. I am not sure that I would want a separate application for every magazine, but if I could get all my print subscriptions in this format I would love it. There are certain times when I would not be able to use the format (plane takeoff and landings, probably being the main one), but for those certain circumstances I could print out a few articles to read during that time. Moving subscribers over to a medium like this would seem like a win-win for magazines. Lower (read: none) printing costs, lower distribution costs and a much more flexible format in terms of the number of articles and layout of the magazine.

I would love for some of my other publications to be distributed in this format.

Southern California Code Camp - Jan 26th/27th - Will you be there?

2008-01-14T06:56:39Z

The 5th Southern California Code Camp is happening on Jan 26th & 27th on the campus of Cal State Fullerton in Fullerton, CA. The Code Camps keep getting better with more attendees, more speakers and even better Geek Dinners. There is already a large number of registered attendees and a VERY impressive lineup of presenters on a wide range of topics. There is truly something for everyone at this Code Camp.

I will be up giving a talk on SQL Reporting Services that was a big hit up at the Silicon Valley Code Camp so I am looking forward to bringing it to Southern California. I am really looking forward to attending and meeting all the great speakers and attendees in the community. I look forward to seeing everyone there and be sure to stop by and say hi.

My greatest SQL Query Ever!

2008-01-07T05:11:32Z

I have been away for a little bit, but with good reason. I have been working on a SQL Query for the past nine months and I finally finished.

Select
    m.genes + f.genes
From
    Mother m
Inner Join
    Father f

My wife and I welcomed our first baby Melea on December 15th, 2007. It was a very exciting and amazing experience and we are now getting adjusted to life as a family of three.

Look for more blogging in 2008 as SQL Server 2008 makes its debut as well.

Because we all need a laugh sometimes...

2007-12-04T09:17:45Z

I normally do not post things like this, but I just could not resist as this one hits home as my wife and I are currently going through the baby naming process right now. Got this link from Woody and just could not resist posting. Originally posted on http://www.xckd.com/

SQL Server 2008 - November CTP Release

2007-11-19T22:48:00Z

I know that Visual Studio 2008 is getting most of the press today for releasing, but there was also a big CTP release from the SQL Server Team as well. The November CTP was released today in all its glory. This is a big release and there are a bunch of new features included in this release.

The list of features in this release is long, so if you are looking for a quick view of the features included the Connect Site has a nice graphic with the list of features by CTP Release. You can download the November CTP via the Microsoft Download Page. You do not have to be participating in the SQL Server Connect CTP program to have access to this CTP, although registering for the program will get you notifications for CTP resources such as White Papers, Webcasts, Chats, and other CTP goodness along with participating in the forums and giving feedback to Microsoft about the CTP.

Looks like I know what I will be doing this Thanksgiving!