Voice of the DBA

Category: Blog

  • Kindle v iPad

    I don’t have either, but I ran across this comparison on the devices. It says get both, if you’re a consumer of media and culture. To some extent I do think that it’s got a perspective that makes sense, and if you can afford a $500 iPad (or more), then you can probably add in a $140 Kindle without worrying about it.

    I had a Gen 1 Kindle, and I have an iPhone that is my primary way to read. I read on flights, and while I do take breaks and play some games, I think it’s a matter of attention span. Books that are really, really good hold my attention, and I won’t move on to anything else.

    Books that I struggle with, or require more thinking, I switch off at times. When I read business books, I sometimes need to think about something, so I’ll close the Kindle app for a minute, maybe play a game, and let my mind wander with what I’ve read.

    There definitely is a difference in reading on an LCD and e-ink. It doesn’t bother me, or it doesn’t appear to, but I understand that it might bother some people, and if that’s the case, a Kindle/Nook/eReader makes more sense.

    I’m not sure if I’ll get an iPad. It has to function in my life and add something to it, and I’m not sure it’s that much better than an iPhone. Talking with someone recently that carries an iPhone, iPad, and laptop, they tended to use the iPad regularly, but it didn’t remove the need for the other devices. We’ll see if I make a case in my mind to get one.

    However you do it, go read. It’s good for you.

  • SQL Saturday Advice – Speaker Communication

    Recently I was at an event and a speaker wasn’t able to make a session. There was a minor scramble, and the session ended up being cancelled, which is fine, but it got me thinking about what I would do if I had an emergency.

    I don’t always have the contact information for organizers, and it’s not easily available. In some cases, I’m not sure how I’d get in touch with someone. I usually have an email, but not always, and I think my emergency solution would be to “tweet” that I wouldn’t be there with the hashtag for the event and hope someone picks it up.

    However I think there’s a better solution. In the speaker communication the last week before the event, let all speakers know that they are expected to meet their commitments and give them 2 or 3 phone numbers to call for issues. Make sure those people keep their cell phones handy and can respond.

    I’d also be sure you have address, phone, and map links for all the locations for speakers. I know most should be local, but spending a few minutes including links in the emails will help ensure that speakers have a smooth event and are happy to come back again.

  • Common SQL Server Mistakes – Equals NULL

    One thing that I don’t see a lot, but it still happens with people new to SQL Server is the comparisons they’ll make with NULL values. Often those people new to T-SQL will write this:

    select CustomerID, CustomerName
    from Customers
    where SalesRepID = NULL

    The thought here is they are looking for those customers that don’t have a salesrep assigned. Or they might enclose the NULL in quotes, but this won’t work.

    The correct way to do this is:

    select CustomerID, CustomerName
    from Customers
    where SalesRepID Is NULL

    Note the “Is NULL” that will correctly return those customers who have a NULL value stored in that column.

    Why?

    NULL is an unknown value. We just don’t know what value it is, so it’s not a variable in algebra like “x”. In algebra, x=x, but NULL != NULL. Since we don’t know what the value is, and since each row could potentially have a different value (remember every NULL’s value is unknown) we can’t expect any NULL to equal any other NULL.

    NULL isn’t a placeholder like a blank or space, or even zero. It’s an unknown value, so equals (and not equals) does not apply. Instead you need to use “Is NULL” or “Is Not NULL” for your comparisons.

  • Google Wind

    transmission_270x229[1] I’m not sure Google is a better company than Microsoft or some of the other extremely large companies that get caught up in dominating a market. However they are engaged in some interesting projects, and I have to think that the founders, or someone high up in management is really looking to solve some problems in the world.

    Google is funding a power backbone for offshore wind farms. Essentially an undersea cable to carry electricity from offshore windmills. IT looks like it will go from near my hometown of Norfolk up to the New Jersey/New York area.

    I’m not sold this is the best way to get wind power from the coasts, but it’s worth trying. I worry about the issues of the ocean damaging the equipment over time. I’d love to see more installations along the Eastern Shore first, maybe vertical windmills that might not harm birds.

    I’m glad that Google is willing to make the $5B investment in it and try to jumpstart some offshore farms. Especially as we use more and more power for these digital devices. I know there are some nice coast guard installations about 7mi offshore that I used to dive near.