News (102)
Microsoft relaxes virtualisation rules
Microsoft has eased up its server licensing rules so that organisations can make more efficient use of servers in virtualised environments. Read more »
Microsoft releases SQL Server 2008
Microsoft said on Wednesday in the US that it had finished work on SQL Server 2008, the latest version of its database software. Read more »
When worlds collide: Microsoft funds Apache
Microsoft, one of the biggest rivals to open source programming, has begun funding the Apache Software Foundation (ASF), one of open source software's biggest supporters. Read more »
Microsoft fixes DNS flaw but warns of Word attacks
Microsoft is warning that a Word flaw is being used for targeted attacks, and has also issued four 'important' patches, including one for a potentially serious DNS flaw in the latest Patch Tuesday bulletin. Read more »
Google feels the Force with Salesforce deal
Today Salesforce.com announced a "global strategic alliance" (also known as a partnership) with Google, introducing a new integration point, Force.com Toolkit for Google Data APIs. Read more »
Microsoft readies revamped database, security software
Microsoft says it's set to release near-final versions of its key database server and other business-oriented software. Read more »
MySQL backtracks on closed-source plan
Sun has backtracked on previous plans to release important backup features for its MySQL database under a proprietary licence, following widespread criticism from the open-source community. Read more »
Open specification promise is true: Microsoft
Microsoft has struck out at the Software Freedom Law Centre's (SFLC) claims that its Open Specification Promise is not as open as it should be. Read more »
Server 2008 adoption not driven by virtualisation
Despite being touted as a key reason for adopting Windows Server 2008, virtualisation is not why companies will buy Microsoft's server operating system Read more »
Oz users give new Microsoft server suite thumbs-up
Early adopters of Microsoft's new suite of enterprise products have given the vendor an initial thumbs-up. Read more »
Features (249)
Capturing SQL Server 2005 database file size information
It's very important to capture trends of the sizes of your SQL Server 2005 database because it allows you to plan for future space needs, notice types of problems, and plan for time periods of heavy volume. I'll show you the simple method that I use to capture this information. Read more »
What does a DBA do all day?
Data integrity is a DBA's number one responsibility, but do you know what else they do all day? Read more »
Comparing SQL Server constraints and DML triggers
This article sheds some light on when to use constraints and when to use DML triggers. Read more »
Iterating through tables and databases in SQL Server
We look at two very useful stored procedures that live in the master database but are not mentioned in SQL Server Books Online. These system procedures come in very handy for jobs such as determining the space used, the number of rows, the indexes on the user tables, and so on. Read more »
Using NOLOCK and READPAST table hints in SQL Server
Table locking hints provide developers much tighter control of their transactions. Look at the benefits and disadvantages of using the NOLOCK and READPAST table hints in SQL Server. Read more »
Defining cascading referential integrity constraints in SQL Server
By using cascading referential integrity constraints, you can define the actions that SQL Server 2005 takes when a user tries to delete or update a key to which existing foreign keys point. Read more »
Execute SQL statements in Integration Services
This tutorial walks you through the process of adding SQL statements to your SSIS packages and bundling them into logical units of work if necessary. Read more »
Easily manipulate data with LINQ
The buzz around .NET Language-Integrated Query (LINQ) is hard to ignore, especially since Microsoft is embracing it with the latest release of the .NET platform (beginning with C# 3.0 and Visual Basic 9.0) and Visual Studio 2008. Read more »
How do I ... reject alpha characters in a SQL Server character column?
Enforcing your data's integrity is probably the single most important issue you face when designing a database. Validating user input is one way of keeping bad data from making its way into your analyses and reports. Read more »
Getting started with Windows Server 2008 Core edition
The Windows Server 2008 Core edition comes with significant changes. This article provides a quick rundown of the Core edition's capabilities and limitations. Read more »
Blog (7)
Microsoft services VS2008 & .NET 3.5
-- Microsoft has just announced the release to manufacturing of the .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Visual Studio 2008 SP1. Read more »
Microsoft says "open sesame"
-- While you may have been out last night watching the latest Rambo adventure with Sly Stallone making war for war's sake, Microsoft was busy declaring a truce with the open source community. Read more »
2008 -- where 2006 exploits still rule
-- So the question is: who is running their SQL servers on systems unpatched since 2006 and/or not installing service packs?
The answer is clearly enough people to warrant continued exploitation. Read more »
In a world of Goliaths, who's got a stone?
-- It seems like it is that time of year again... the days are getting longer, the weather is getting a bit warmer and the top-tier software vendors are on a buying spree. Will you get lost in the shuffle? Why not support your local software developer! Read more »
Microsoft's two faces of SharePoint
-- One way or another, proprietary and open-source companies need an answer to SharePoint. Content is the center of the enterprise ecosystem, when all is said and done. SharePoint is Microsoft's answer for controlling the next decade of IT. Read more »
Database pros get tools in the know
-- Microsoft has just released the eagerly anticipated Visual Studio 2005 Team Edition for Database Professionals (TEDB) which allows developers to build database applications in a team environment. Read more »
Service Pack or Market Attack?
-- I will give it to Microsoft. When they want to capture a particular market, they go hard or not at all. And with SQL Server 2005, they have their sights set firmly on the Business Intelligence market. And their strategy makes sense—they are moving to become the "one stop shop" for database servers, data management tools, reporting and analysis, eliminating the need to spend more money on third-party tools. Read more »
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Share a keyboard and mouse with SynergyEven in the era of virtualization, many IT pros (including myself) have a small army of computers sitting on, under, and around their desks. Read more »
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Android devs less than gruntledYet more discouraging news on the Android front. Having hacked off its developer community by releasing updated SDKs to just a small group of chosen devs, Google has now given the brush-off to a petition that called for more to be given to the wider community. Read more »
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As a developer there will be a time when you ship a bug -- be it a stub that you left in, or a flaming, crashtastic segfault. The next time this happens and your bosses come baying for blood, point them in the direction of VMware, who this week gave the developer world a great example of how to ship a showstopper bug. Read more »
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Ivar Jacobson, Bill Gates and the weekly poultry -- Club Builder
2008/08/20 16:36:22
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Wii remote creates $50 digital whiteboard: IDF
2008/08/20 10:42:43
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2008/08/18 13:05:17
What's on?
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Club Builder: Captain Obvious vs the Crackpots
In the case of the bleeding obvious, IBM says open source needs good designers; a claim is made that China can activate your phone to snoop on you; and we take a look at the Defcon conference.

