Most Valuable Yak (Rob Volk) Blog

…and other neat SQL Server tricks

Decisions, Decisions…

Bored with SQL Server? Looking for something new, and/or cheaper? Got a bunch of interesting alternative databases: I've mentioned REL and VistaDB previously. VistaDB has made some significant improvements since then (including a 60% reduction in engine size, to 400KB! Read more →

Command Line SQL Server

I've set up a new category on my blog where I plan to post some articles about using command-line utilities to perform various tasks for, or in support of, SQL Server. Read more →

More MySQL on Slashdot

I almost feel like I'm making a career out of bashing MySQL. Make sure to check all the links and read the comments. Especially "Ode to a MySQL Fanboy" :) Seriously, it is probably the most succinct observation ever made. Read more →

Finally, Some XML Sanity!

Dare Obasanjo has an article called the XML Litmus Test to determine if XML is appropriate for certain applications. It seems to be an elaboration on a response he made to my earlier rant, although I doubt that was the entire motivation. Read more →

PASS 2004: The RIGHT WAY to do a presentation…

I will use Bill Graziano, Ken Henderson, and Fernando Guerrero as my examples for this: Pick a good topic, cover it thoroughly, and try to provide more than what's expected (Graz, Ken, Fernando) Create good slides that are descriptive enough so that notes aren't required (Graz, Ken, Fernando) Provide handouts anyway, in case you want to take notes (Graz, Ken) Allow for a Q&A session (Ken), or allow attendees to ask as you present (Graz). Read more →

PASS 2004: How NOT to give a presentation…

I just got out of a presentation on “Performance Tuning and XML Support in MS SQL Server 2005”. Here are some high/low-lights: Zero discussion on performance tuning, except for “use showplan, it's great”. Read more →

Keepin' The Tradition Alive…

If you want to learn things about SQL Server that you'll never find anywhere else, you must read Ken Henderson's Guru's Guides to SQL Server. I just got his most recent book, The Guru's Guide to SQL Server Architecture and Internals, and like his previous books it is amazing. Read more →

Is XML Evil?

About a month ago I was asked by a contractor I work with who needed to import some very plain, fixed-width, ASCII text file data into SQL Server. In fact, this SQL Team post is very much like his situation, in that he also was going to convert PLAIN, FIXED-WIDTH, ASCII TEXT (did I mention that already? Read more →

Bill Graziano For Governor of California!

Figured no one would remember this blog next year during the presidential election... :) So now our rampant SQL Team egos can rant unchecked by the need to remember we too were once SQL n00bs who didn't know anything! Read more →