CREATE BLOG dbo.SqlServer

Are you new to the world that is SQL Server and in dire need of affordable, online SQL Server training? Or maybe you just need to brush up on your SQL Server programming skills. Whatever the case may be, I have found a great site that offers computer based training for SQL Server - LearnItFirst.com.


These aren't your run-of-the-mill training videos either. The videos from LearnItFirst.com are recorded by expert instructors and can be downloaded and watched anytime, anywhere. LearnItFirst.com also offers online training videos for Windows Server, Exchange Server and SharePoint Services, so check them out today!

Labels: sql dba, sql server

In case you're looking for a great group of SQL Server videos, check out LearnItFirst's SQL Server training videos. They have videos on SQL 2005, SQL 2008, SSIS, SSRS, and much more.

Labels: sql server training, training classes, training videos

Just wanted to put a link in here to the new LearnItFirst - check it out: http://www.learnitfirst.com/Course/AllCourses.aspx. You'll find great training videos on SQL Server, SharePoint training courses, and much, much more.

http://www.learnitfirst.com/Course/AllCourses.aspx

Labels: training, training videos

Just a quick note: if you're looking for a high quality, durable USB Flash Drive, let me suggest the Kingston DTI series flash drives. I just bought it last week and was wondering where it went to yesterday... My wife handed it to me last night as she was doing the laundry - it had been through both a wash and a dry and it still works great! Thanks, Kingston :)

Buy it at amazon or newegg (my two favorite places to shop online for tech stuff)

So you're annoyed, right? You use Windows Server 2008 as a workstation and now Windows Live Writer won't install. I'm annoyed too - can anyone even think of the logical reason this was not allowed? I doubt it. I assume that it's just some lazy coding.

How to get Windows Live Writer to Install on Windows 2008

• Step 1: Install Windows Live Writer on a Windows XP or Windows Vista machine
• Step 2: On that same machine, copy c:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer folder to your the same location on your Windows Server 2008 machine
• Step 3: Create the necessary shortcuts to the executable.

That's it!

Why does it work?

Windows Live Writer is built using .NET and, like many .NET applications, it can use xcopy deployment - which means the installer's main function is just to extract the files and create the shortcuts.

I tested this on Windows Server 2008 in November of 2008. I can't support it so, if it doesn't work for you, all I can say is "Works for me!"

So this morning, I am at least two things: (1) angry, and (2) fed up. I record my videos on Vista because I want the videos to have the new and fresh look and feel but that's it - I'm going back to Windows XP (and not for the first time). This morning when I logged into my recording machine, it tells me that I might be the victim of software counterfeiting! Oh noes!

LearnItFirst.com is a Microsoft Certified Partner so we have licenses to spare but, since they only give us one key, it gets used on multiple machines - this is common for licensing and not the problem. The problem is that, over the past two years, I've installed Vista on probably ten different machines - virtual machines or "real" machines - and then wiped Vista away because it was awful. Vista has only stayed on two actual machines. So now, the MSFT licensing system thinks I'm a pirate arrrrrr...

I have the same licensing issue with Office 2007 now as well. I've installed Vista, used the product key (and activated it), and then had to uninstall for whatever reason. Of course I installed and activated Office 2007 as well...

Would Microsoft give me my licenses back if I called them? Probably. But from now on I'll have to call in and enter - not kidding - a 45-character provided key and then receive a 45-character product key in return (make no typos!).

No thanks - I just don't need Vista or its headaches that bad. Arrrggh - I'm so fed up with the licensing schemes. I buy a new computer for $1200 and it includes a Windows Vista Home license. I immediately throw that away by installing Vista Ultimate on top of it - one license (Home version) paid for and dumped. Since I've actually bought three PCs, I've purchased three Windows Vista Home version licenses and would up not using them in favor of trying Windows Vista Ultimate. When that doesn't work, I've now burned through (apparently) ten Windows Vista Ultimate licenses.

Back to Windows XP. I have plenty, plenty of licenses and less hassle.

Arrrrrrrrrrr - I'm no pirate but MSFT makes me appreciate the pirates for sure!

Wow - I read some very sad news this morning: the great Ken Henderson passed away this past Sunday. Ken Henderson was the author of the famous "The Guru's Guide" series and honestly, if it wasn't Ken's insights and his ability to "simplify the complicated", I would not have had such a rewarding career. Ken was truly an inspiration for me and the world will definitely not be a better place without him. I never was fortunate enough to meet Ken in person but he sure came across as a nice person in his blog and his books.

Looks like the news outlets are slow to pick this up as well - Google News only has one article as of this writing (http://news.google.com/news?q=%22ken+henderson%22) - although the blogging world is mourning his loss.

Thank you, Ken.