SQL Sentry Countdown to SQLCruise Contest

This Sunday, a couple dozen database geeks and their loved ones will board the Norwegian Pearl for a week of SQL Server training, professional development, networking, fun, and relaxation.  It’s a truly unique event where we get to learn AND teach – everyone involved in the cruise shares things they’ve learned in their daily life.  The presenters learn just as much as they share, and that’s what makes SQLCruise my favorite week of the year.  I just can’t wait until it starts.

SQL Sentry has been with us right from the start as a top-tier sponsor.  I know the guys at SQL Sentry, and they share our passion for having fun while you learn and get your work done.  For our very first cruise, they gave away not one, but FOUR cruises to community members! Who could forget Jorge’s hilarious Old Spice video, Erin’s daily job video, or Matt’s heart-string-tugging video?  What a great time.

This year, SQL Sentry is helping us count down to SQL Cruise.  Here’s our schedule:

  • C-4: Wednesday (today)
  • C-3: Thursday
  • C-2: Friday
  • C-1: SQLBBQ in Seattle
  • C-0: Departure Day: Sunday

And we’re going to be giving away something fun here in the blog every day.  Today, we’re giving away three prizes, each a SQL Server book:

Yes, Chinese

Ooo, free learnin!

We’re giving away a copy of Securing SQL Server by Denny Cherry, Performance Tuning with DMVs by Louis Davidson and Tim Ford, and SQL Server 2008 Internals and Troubleshooting – but not just ANY copy of that last book, the Chinese translation!  Yes, you can wow your friends with your knowledge of Mandarin.  (I’ll autograph it in plain English though.)

To win, enter a comment on this post answering this question: “When looking at a SQL Server execution plan, how do I determine which operations are using the most CPU?”

Not sure what the answer is?  We’ll actually give it to you on our free performance tuning webcast today.

Fine print – the contest is open to US residents only.  (International shipping is painful.)  Comments must be received before 6:00AM Eastern Thursday morning.  Winners will be drawn Thursday morning and announced here on SQLcruise.com.  If you prefer one of the three books, include the book name in your answer, and I’ll give priority to whoever gets drawn first.  Good luck!