Voice of the DBA

Category: Blog

  • Back from the MVP Summit

    Back home after three days in Seattle at the 2011 MVP Summit. As I wrote in an editorial this week, I can’t really talk about much, but the SQL Server development team at Microsoft is doing good work and I’m looking forward to the next few versions of  SQL Server.

     

    Relaxing at the MVP Summit

    The Summit was mostly in the Commons building at Microsoft this year. I’ve been to the building complex before, but never spent more than a few hours there. It’s a nice central location with a  variety of restaurants and shopping options for the employees. It’s a beautiful looking building, as you can see here.

     

    The Commons

    Inside it’s almost like a high end food court, where you can get all kinds of food (you have to pay), including a nice coffee shop where I managed to get coffee each morning. There were plenty of places to sit and chat, or relax, and even an inpromptu band that I saw one day.

    A good time, and valuable to me since I had the chance to meet and catch up with a number of people. As I mentioned in the editorial, we do get good dialogs with Microsoft and I think that MVPs do a great job advocating for their clients and the rest of the community.

  • 2011 MVP Summit – Day 1

    I’m glad I went running this morning. It’s been a long day, in and out of sessions and meetings all day on the Microsoft campus. I didn’t get to a lot of sessions, preferring to meet with people in the hallways and talk about SQL Server and database stuff. The most valuable time for me is always the time when I get to talk with people and network, building bonds and relationships that will help me in the future.

    Or maybe will help the other person. Networking is funny that way. You never know if you’re giving or receiving more from a person, but it all seems to result in a great synergy to me.

    Glad I was up early to run as I had to work a bit tonight and am about to head out to the evening reception.

     

     

  • Test Complete – MCM

    I took the MCM test today, and finished it. I needed the time allotted and it was, well, an experience.

    I’m glad it’s done as I have a number of other things to work on. I’ll get results in a few weeks and in the meantime, I’ll get permission to see what I can write about the experience.

  • Test Day

    Heading out to get coffee in a few minutes. And then on to the testing center for my MCM Knowledge Exam.

    I’ve reviewed a number of things in the past week and have been studying regularly, but not overly hard for two months. I’ve learned a lot, and tickled a number of memories, but I have no idea how well I’ll do. I don’t expect to pass, but I do expect to get an idea of where I stand in terms of SQL Server knowledge.