Voice of the DBA

Author: way0utwest

  • DevConnections–Continuous Integration for Databases

    Thanks to everyone that attended my Continuous Integration for Databases talk today. I’ve included download links to the deck here if you’re interested.

    Slides: CI for Databases.pptx

    I’d also recommend that you check out a few other resources if you want to get CI working.

    And remember, this starts with Version Control, so be sure you implement a VCS at your company. If you don’t have one, I’d recommend you try Subversion or Git, both of which are free.

    Some great questions on testing and the entire CI process and I hope I answered them all. If not, please feel free to ask.

    Keep in mind that the process isn’t about specific tools. The Red Gate tools work great, and help you get this running quickly and smoothly, but CI is about automating a process that you likely do manually already. It does it consistently and automatically, with less room for error.

    If you are looking for more information, check out the CI resources at Red Gate.

  • DevConnections 2014

    It’s time for Devconnections again, and I’m back in Las Vegas for the conference. This is a great conference if you work with a variety of Microsoft technologies, or want to learn about something in addition to SQL Server. We have some great SQL Server talks, but if you want to pop over and learn some Sharepoint, ASP, Visual Studio, or more, check out the schedule.

    If you’re not here, consider coming to DevConnections next year.

  • We’re On

    We crossed the $10k mark for the Argenis Without Borders campaign, meaning that Brent, Grant, Adam, Gail, and myself will join Argenis in dressing up in colorful costumes at the PASS Summit. I’ve already purchased a few things, and I’m ready.

    I’d like to thank everyone that donated, as this is a great cause, and one that can make a real difference in the world.

    Please consider donating if this is a cause that speaks to you. Maybe we can even get a few people their SQL Server tattoos if we can cross $25k.

  • Better Presentations–Zoom

    This is part of a series of tips for speakers on how to make your presentations better.

    I’ve given around 30 presentations a year for the last few years, and easily a dozen a year for a number of years before that. I visit events all over the US and in the UK at schools, conference centers, churches, youth centers, and more. I usually sit and watch a few presentations in addition to speaking, at all hours of the day or night.

    If there’s one thing I’ve learned across all those events, it’s that the screen with your slides and code on it is hard to see. Not always, but often.

    I’ve talked about fonts, now let’s look at visual display.

    Zoom

    Buck Woody mentioned this in a rant, as does Paul Randal in his post on speaking. It can be difficult for attendees to read words or follow the action on the screen. Sometimes it’s so bad you can’t od anything about it. A weak projector and nearby windows can cause the display to wash out. However you can help by using some sort of zooming technology on your machine.

    ZoomIt

    Please, please, please download Zoomit. It’s free and it’s well written, so use it. Practice learning how to zoom in and out. It’s easy, but learn how to do it so you’re not fumbling. When you practice your presentation, zoom in on that laptop screen in front of you.

    Also learn how to highlight things. The audience doesn’t always know where you’re looking or what part of the screen you are emphasizing, so help them. If you can’t draw, like me:

    zoomit1

    then learn to box things in.

    zoomit2

    I think Zoomit is easy to use, but I’ve used it for years and practiced.

    Magnifier

    Windows 7 and 8 include the magnifier in the OS. If you hit the Windows key and hold it while you hit the + and – keys, the screen will magnify in or out. There will be a little window that gives you the size, but rather than hit these buttons, just hit + and –.

    magnifier

    Yes, I’m aware that the + is above the = on US keyboards, but just hit the key. No shift needed. Go ahead, try it now. Learn how to zoom in and out.

    Explain Yourself

    If it’s really hard to see, it is helpful to explain what you’re doing on the screen. Make sure that you avoid pronouns. Don’t point at your screen (yes, I’ve seen people do this). Describe what you are doing.

    “ I’ll copy this text.” – You’d be surprised how many people forget we can’t tell you hit CTRL+C or CTRL+V.

    “The first CASE statement in the query is the one that is used to calculate the SUM for certain rows.” – Give visual cues, use numbers and locations. Use the names of operators, windows, buttons, etc.

    The more you can clearly explain what you are doing in addition to how it works, the better the session for attendees.

    Even if they can’t see the screen.