SQL Sentry

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SQL Sentry Countdown to SQLCruise Contest (Day 2)

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It’s three days until SQLCruise Alaska. That means that a bunch of database geeks are getting ready to fly to Seattle and hop on a boat. This is, by all accounts, a fantastic event where we all get to a chance learn and teach.

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

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

Yesterday’s Winners

Yesterday we asked you how to find the highest-CPU-consuming parts of an execution plan.  Some of you just said “estimated CPU cost,” but that’s not enough – we wanted you to explain how to find the highest CPU consumers, because that’s where the process starts to suck.  We randomly drew three correct answers this morning:

  1. “Mouse-over elements of the Execution Plan and look for the Estimated CPU Cost.” Matthew Clyman – wins the Mandarin Chinese version of our book
  2. “Load the plan into SQL Sentry Plan Explorer. Select the Top Operations tab and sort by CPU cost.” – Mark Johnson – wins Performance Tuning with DMVs
  3. “I throw the Query into SQL Sentry, F5 it… go to the Top Operations tab, order by Est CPU Cost… then cry(when working from home).” – Rob Sullivan wins Securing SQL Server

Congratulations, guys!

Today’s Contest

In the spirit of learning and teaching, we decided to give everyone a chance to share something that’s helped them. You see, we here at Brent Ozar PLF love learning and we love sharing what we’ve learned over the years. We do that, in part, by sharing great articles we’ve found in our weekly newsletter (sign up here). This contest is your chance to share a favorite article.

To enter, share a link to one of your favorite SQL Server articles (not written by you) in the comments below. We’ll sift through the entries and pick our top 10 favorite articles, then we’ll run them in the June 6th edition of our newsletter attributed to you.  The winner is the person who gets the highest number of reader clicks on their favorite article. What do you win, you might ask? One lucky winner will get the contents of this crazy pinata!

ZOMG, It's fulla prizes!

To win, enter a comment on this post with a link to your favorite learning resource and a short blurb about why people should read it.

Fine print – the contest is open to US residents only. (International shipping is painful.) Comments must be received before 6:00AM Eastern Friday morning. Pinata not included. The highest-click winner will be announced in the Brent Ozar PLF newsletter on Monday June 13th.

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SQL Sentry Countdown to SQLCruise Contest

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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!

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SQL Sentry Ships Aaron Bertrand Off on SQL Cruise

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In our continuing series of interviews with guest speakers on our Alaskan SQL Cruise I sat down recently with Aaron Bertrand (twitter|blog) of SQL Sentry to discuss everything from Canada to Foo, to Foo.  Amazinging the phrases “Rush Rules”, “How’s it Goin’, Eh?”, and “Touque” were never raised during the conversation.

TF – Aaron, thank you for joining us on what I’m sure will be memorable event on SQL Cruise Alaska.  Can you tell us a little about what you’re looking forward to on the cruise?
 

AB – It’s a part of the country I’ve always wanted to see, and I’ll be able to enjoy that with both my wife and a bunch of fellow SQL nerds that I adore and respect. I think it’s a win-win opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it, especially after hearing all the great things that previous cruisers have had to say.

 

TF – What do you plan on presenting while on the cruise?

AB – My cruise presentation is a run-through of the new engine and tools features in SQL Server “Denali.” The content will be based mainly on CTP1, and while I won’t be able to demo everything or answer questions about certain features or release dates, I still think it will be enough to get people excited about the upcoming release. I’m as excited about Denali as I was about SQL Server 2005, because of the value of new features.

 

TF – Can you give us some insight on what you’ve been up to since joining SQL Sentry last year?  When that was announced it was one of those “that should be a great fit” moments.

AB – I’ve been all over the map, both literally and figuratively. I’ve seen you at several SQL Saturdays, went over to England for SQL Bits last month, and have just returned from SQLRally in Orlando. Clearly I’ve been able to elevate my community presence significantly in this new role, and I think that benefits myself, the company, and the community as a whole. When I’m not traveling, speaking and manning our booth, I’m working on several exciting projects for the company, including a benchmarking study that should be released soon. I’ve also been involved in customer engagements and helping drive new features in our products.

 

TF – Are you going on any excursions while on SQL Cruise Alaska?

AB – We’d definitely like to go on a few excursions, I’m a little embarrassed to admit that we haven’t booked any yet. While I’m a little concerned about the cold, I’m really thinking about the snorkeling you guys have planned, and I suspect we’ll need to act quickly. So I know what’s next on my to-do list.

 

TF – Thank you for SQL Sentry’s continued commitment to SQL Cruise.  What drew SQL Sentry to partner with SQL Cruise?

AB – SQL Sentry has a long-standing commitment to the SQL Server community, and continuing our involvement in SQL Cruise just seemed like a no-brainer. It’s beneficial exposure for us, obviously, and it’s supporting an innovative method of training that benefits all attendees in multiple ways. As an added bonus, I was able to weasel my own way on board.

 

TF – Let’s geek out for a moment if you don’t mind.  I remember seeing you present in early 2010 on SQL Server Management Studio and you’re always the first source for information on new things in SQL Server.  If you could go to the product team for SQL Server and make one suggestion for Management Studio enhancements what would that be?

 AB – That’s a tough one, as I have no shortage of ideas. Last week alone, I had 44 SSMS-related bugs and suggestions closed as “won’t fix” on Connect. I guess in lieu of improving the toolset, I would ask them to expose the code better so we can extend it ourselves. In previous versions add-ins have been, let’s say, an interesting challenge. Denali’s merge into the VS shell *should* make this easier, but time will tell.

Aaron Betrands & Co. While Still Living In Canada

 

TF – You recently became a citizen of the United States, congratulations!  What is the thing you miss most from your native Canada?

AB – That’s an easy one: my family. Close seconds, in no particular order: poutine, Hockey Night in Canada, butter tarts, and ketchup potato chips.

TF – OK, I’ve heard of and seen of ketchup potato chips, and if you’re in Detroit you get Hockey Night in Canada.  But remind me on the cruise to have you explain to me what a poutine is because I’m at a loss.

 

TF – Our last stop on SQL Cruise Alaska before returning to Seattle is Victoria, British Columbia.  Have you ever been to that area of Canada?  I know it’s like saying “Oh, your from America.  Have you ever been to Kalamazoo?”  Please forgive me for asking.

AB – I’ve been to Victoria once as a Sea Cadet in my early teens, but more recently I’ve spent a lot of time in other areas of BC. One of my closest friends lives in Maple Ridge, just outside of Vancouver. I was there for SQL Saturday 26, spent two weeks at the Olympics last year, and was his best man way out in Tofino (look it up, it’s a cool but remote spot). Whenever I’m in Seattle for PASS or the MVP Summit I make it a point to spend a couple of days in Vancouver.

 

TF – Speaking of Kalamazoo, I’m quite excited to be hosting SQL Saturday in September in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Thank you and thank SQL Sentry for their involvement.  Therefore a little word association question:  When I say “Kalamazoo” what comes to mind?

AB – When I hear “Kalamazoo” I always think of a Kazoo, and often wonder if you lead an annoying marching band comprised solely of that instrument.

TF – That reminds me.  I need to order kazoos for SQL Saturday #84 in Kalamazoo!  If anybody complains I’m blaming Canada.  Thanks Aaron!  See you in around a week.

Aaron Bertrand is a Senior Consultant for SQL Sentry, Inc., makers of performance monitoring and event management software for SQL Server, Analysis Services, and Windows. He has been blogging at sqlblog.com since 2006, focusing on manageability, performance, and new features; has been a Microsoft MVP since 1997; tweets as @AaronBertrand; and speaks frequently at user group meetings and SQL Saturday events.
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Last Call (of The Wild) For SQL Cruise Alaska

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SQL Cruise Alaska is set to depart Seattle on May 29th.  We have one remaining Cruiser slot available thanks to a cancellation, but will be closing registration on 5/13/2011. 

If you’ve been waiting to sail and learn with the likes of Buck Woody, Brent Ozar, Tim Ford, Grant Fritchey, Aaron Bertrand, Kendra Little, and Jeremiah Peschka (and who hasn’t) now is your last chance.  Registration for the training is available at SQLCruise.com.  Instructions for securing your stateroom on the Norwegian Pearl is provided on that page as well, though you’ll need to handle that through the NCL website.  We strongly suggest acting fast to ensure there is an available stateroom if you’re interested in joining us.

SQL Cruise 2011 Alaska Agenda is available here.

A Titanic Thank you to our sponsors on this Alaskan SQL Cruise for keeping prices reasonable for our Cruisers!

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SQL Cruise Miami 2011 Returns To Port

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Miam SQL Cruisers and Guests (Minus Gary and Valerie Hines)

The most recent SQL Cruise aboard the Norwegian Dawn disembarked on Friday, March 11th sending those Cruisers, Speakers, and Sponsor Representatives off to various points across the United States after days abroad in the Cayman Islands and Cozumel Mexico. 

The cruise was another success.  As has been the case, the Cruisers received more of an education than was promised – as time permitted we branched off in the formal training sessions to cover such additional topics as metadata mining, sponsor products, blogging, and MCM (Microsoft Certified Master) preparations.  Informally, we covered a vast spectrum of topics while outside of sessions: be it while enjoying a beverage in the ample sunshine, after one of the many team building contests, over dinner, or even while on a ferry or bus to one of the excursion destinations we were all able to enjoy on one of the non-training days.  One thing is for sure, whenever (and wherever) you gather two or more SQL Professionals into any setting, the talk will eventually turn to shop andhow we all tendto accomplish our tasks.  As a trainer I enjoy this aspect of SQL Cruise the most.  I always go home with some new things to try; this cruise will be no different.

Our sponsors continue to be the primary resource that allows SQL Cruise the ability to keep the training costs reasonable for our attendees.  A thank you on a Titanic scale goes out to SQL Sentry, Quest Software, Idera Software, and Red Gate!  Without your valuable support SQL Cruise would not be the established success it has been to-date.  You truly make great products and enhance the SQL Community with your support!

Over the course of this week we will be highlighting the events of each day aboard the Norwegian Dawn and SQL Cruise Miami 2011. We will then turn our attention forward to May 2011 and the next SQL Cruise for 2011 setting sail for Alaska and Canada from Seattle on board the Norwegian Pearl.  First, however, I feel it appropriate to give insight into how our great sponsors ehnanced the cruising and training experience of this SQL Cruise:

Kevin Kline Lost Somewhere in Mexico

Quest Software, was a returning sponsor from our first SQL Cruise.   Besides providing each attendee with licensing for their suite of SQL Server tools, Quest Software also provided Kevin Kline, their long-serving SQL Server Evangelist and former PASS President on the cruise.  He was a valuable resource for discussing Quest products and SQL Server technical and professional development topics.  He also provided great comedy relief while on our excursion to the Mayan ruins at Telum on the mainland coast of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo as can be evidenced by this lovely shot taken by returning Cruiser Crys Manson.  

 

SQL Sentry, also a returning sponsor from our inaugural cruise, provided each attendee with the most ingenious thumb drive I’ve seen yet – a steel bottle opener/USB drive.  more importantly however, they also are offering to provide an extended 60-day demo- period license for their Enterprise Manager and Performance Advisor products and also recently released a free community product – Plan Explorer- which we were able to use in our Hairiest Execution Plans contests while on the cruise.  Winner of the hairiest plan of all was a tie between Bill Sanscrainte and Mitch Bottell.  I won’t say which one crashed Management Studio with their plan, but one of them did!  Winners both received the only two copies of Brent Ozar’s (and co-authors’) Performance Tuning SQL Server book signed by all authors.  These books have travelled the globe in order to be signed by all. 

Crys Manson Extends the Women's Win Streak on SQL Cruise

Red Gate, our third returning sponsor, provided the Cruisers with a full year license of their 14 tool SQL Toolbelt product as well as an IPad for the winner of their SQL Cruise Search the Ship contest!  We sent all the Cruisers off in teams far andwide throughout the ship to get photos with the mass of NoSQL-Cruisers.  Gareth Swanepoel and Crys Manson were on the winning team – we then sent them each off on a mini scavenger hunt to determine a winner for the IPad.  Gareth came up short.  Crys walked away with the IPad.   Since this is historically the first contest of SQL Cruise – a team-building event that enhances those relationships fostered over months on the dedicated private newsgroup and the SQL Cruise Eve SQLBBQ – Crys managed to extend the domination of SQL Cruise Women by winning the 5th consecutive contest, thus shutting out the Men 5-0.  Gareth could not keep up with Crys in the running department when it came down to it.  We will let you comment on that fact considering that Crys is in her 2ndtrimester with (as we are calling her/him) Cadillac Manson (though I am partial to SQLAgent Manson or Super Bat Manson.)

Ball-Stacking-Monkey Biting-Dice Rolling SQL Experts

Finally, our newest sponsor, Idera Software provided each Cruiser with a full year license for each of their SQL Server products and a Flip HD Mini video recorder for the three skilled Cruisers who one the first Idera Iditarod.  We sent the Cruisers all over the ship to do feats of skill.  The winning team benefited from Idera’s generosity, that is for sure!  They also learned they could stack 3 golf balls on top of one another while on a rolling and rocking cruise ship.  Even better was Idera’s contribution of a Cruiser – Mitch Bottell – to SQL Cruise Miami 2011!  Mitch was a great addition to SQL Cruise.  Insightful andcharismatic, he was able to also bring his wife, Janelle, along to enjoy her birthday on the cruise while watching Mitch perform amazing things with a Barrel Full of Monkeys in order to win a Flip Mini HD. 

 

Photos are being posted by all Cruisers and SQL Cruise staff under the tags of SQLCruise and SQLCruiseMiami2011.  Be sure to check them out on various Facebook and Flickr streams!

Thank you to all our Cruisers who showed the world there are adventurous geeks out there ready to have fun and learn at the same time.  We showed those Spring Breakers we don’t need to toss televisions into the ocean to have fun, right?

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