Voice of the DBA

Category: Blog

  • A New Word: Incidental Contact High

    incidental contact high – n. an innocuous touch by someone just doing their job – a barber, yoga instructor, or friendly waitress – that you find more meaningful than you’d like to admit; a feeling of connection so stupefying simple it makes you wonder if aspiring novelists would be better off just offering people a hug.

    This sounds like a word Snoop Dogg would come up with.

    The power of human touch is amazing. As a younger man, I would sometimes embrace touch, or shy away, thinking that touch implied romance or sexual interest. I’ve grown past that.

    I am a hugger, and I like to give long hugs. Those close to me know that sometimes I’ll hold on for 10 seconds, which is supposed to have health benefits. I agree, as I can often feel a sense of relaxation if I hold on for at least 5-6 seconds. Then it feels good.

    One place this has really been noticeable for me is at yoga. Often class ends with a quiet time, all the students lying in shavasana, or corpse pose. Just laying on our backs, eyes closed, lights mostly out. A few of the teachers will bring a cold, damp washcloth around for each student. Most set this next to your head on one side.

    One teacher specifically puts this on your forehead, laying it gently across your eyes and forehead. She also includes a touch. A firm press down for a second or two.

    I’m amazed at how that touch is so meaningful, and when I don’t get it, how I miss it. It’s definitely an Incidental Contact High.

    From the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

  • Take the 2025 State of Database Landscape Survey

    The survey is out now and you can share your experiences for a chance at $250 in Amazon vouchers. No matter whether you think your org is great or not at managing databases, take the survey. Share some data.

    Last year, we had nearly 4000 responses and all the information is available here: https://www.red-gate.com/solutions/entrypage/state-of-database-landscape-2024/ 

    There were some interesting data points that came out of the survey. A few noticeable ones for me:

    • 43% of respondents support 4 or more database platforms
    • Skills are the top issue with people running multiple database platforms, not surprisingly. Since labor is a big cost, why keep adding platforms?
    • Synching app and database changes is the largest challenge reported by 31% of people. I’m glad it’s this low, but I suspect lots of people responding are proud of their work. People struggling might not fill out the survey.
    • 88% using the cloud, with 18% completely in the cloud
    • Only 20% of people using AI to manage databases. I wonder if this will grow for 2025.

    I’m looking forward to seeing the data from this year and if anything has changed.

    Take the survey today and good luck winning $250.

  • SQL Saturday Boston 2024 Plans

    I was accepted to speak at SQL Saturday Boston 2024, which is taking place on October 5, 2024. One month away. This is a fun event that takes place in Burlington, MA, just north of Boston. I’ve been there twice now and I’m honored and excited to go back.

    There is also a pre-con. Bob Ward is teaching an all day session on Friday, October 4th that is a Cloud Workshop for the SQL Professional. Check out the description and register today.

    Definitely come on Saturday. I have a new session that I’m working on to help you balance life and career, but there will be a bunch of other great talks. Each year I go there, I find a few interesting things to see and this year is no different. Check out the schedule and I’m sure you’ll agree.

    So click on over to https://sqlsaturday.com/boston and register for this SQL Saturday and I’ll see you next month.

  • Simple Talks Episode 5

    The fifth episode of Simple Talks is out.

    Simple Talks is the Redgate podcast from myself, Grant, Ryan, and Louis. The main page is here, and it has links to the audio versions as well as a the video one.

    This episode was recorded in Austin, where we celebrated the Redgate 25th Birthday as a company. Grant, Ryan, and I grabbed a conference room. Ryan and I also grabbed some cowboy hats that were in the office.

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    This was a fun one, as both Ryan and Grant have a lot more experience with PostgreSQL, so I was picking their brains on which is better in different ways.

    We recorded a few more in Austin, which are being edited and scheduled. Look for those to come out in the next few months.