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EDMPASS Meeting April 7th 2010

Mar 4th, 2010
by admin.
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On April 7th 2010 the Edmonton Chapter of PASS is having it’s next meeting. Details below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/597067846

Please be sure to not only click the “Add to my calendar” but also the “Register” button so that we can plan accordingly for food and drinks. 

Date:  April 7th 2010
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner library
Map: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Meeting Room: 6th Floor - Room 7
Speaker: Brent Ozar
Topic: Virtualization and Magicians: Dealing with Virtual SQL Server

Session Abstract:

Virtualization and Magicians: Dealing with Virtual SQL Server

So the sysadmins told you they’ve learned a few tricks, and they’re going to virtualize your database servers. In this session, we’ll talk about our real-world experiences with virtual SQL Servers and how to help the sysadmins avoid implementation mistakes that will saw SQL Server’s performance in half.
  • How to configure CPU, memory and storage for virtual environments
  • How to benchmark your servers and make sure they’ll handle your loads
  • Common pitfalls like antivirus definition downloads that can cripple your servers
  • What to watch for after V-day

Presenter Information:  Brent Ozar

Brent is a SQL Server Domain Expert with Quest Software. Brent has a decade of broad IT experience, performing systems administration and project management before moving into database administration. In his current role, Brent specializes in performance tuning, disaster recovery and automating SQL Server management. Previously, Brent spent 2 years at Southern Wine & Spirits, a Miami-based wine & spirits distributor.

Brent has experience conducting training sessions, has written several technical articles, and blogs prolifically at http://www.BrentOzar.com. He’s currently writing SQL Server Internals and Troubleshooting for Wiley/Wrox along with Christian Bolton, and Justin Langford.  He’s Editor-in-Chief at SQLServerPedia.com, where he also records video podcasts.

Agenda:
5:00 pm - Pizza and Socializing
5:30 pm - Sponsor Presentation
5:45 pm - Feature Presentation
7:00 pm - Wrap Up and Draws

If you haven’t signed up already at EDMPASS.com please do so now to receive meeting notifications, news, and updates from EDMPASS.

Hope to see you there.

Posted in: Events, PASS.
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EDMPASS Meeting - January 27th 2010

Jan 4th, 2010
by admin.
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On January 27th 2010 the Edmonton Chapter of PASS is having it’s next meeting. Details below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/503789849

Please be sure to not only click the “Add to my calendar” but also the “Register” button so that we can plan accordingly for food and drinks. 

Date:  Jan 27th 2010
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner library
Map: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Meeting Room: Centennial Room - Basement Level
Speaker: Buck Woody
Topic: Improvements in SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008R2

Live Meeting:

  https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usergroups/join?id=55GG4M&role=attend&pw=q%5C%5C6%5B%23%22gD

Session Abstract:

“Come hear Buck Woody, Microsoft’s “Real World DBA”, explain the improvements in SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008R2 over SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005. He’ll show you what the new features are for developers and DBA’s and a quick overview of the new Business Intelligence features. He’ll show some practical examples of the new Transact-SQL statements, management features, and data types so that you can figure out where it fits in your organization.”
Presenter Information:  Buck Woody (http://blogs.msdn.com/buckwoody/)

Buck Woody has been working with Information Technology since 1981. He has worked for the U.S. Air Force, at an IBM reseller as technical support, and for NASA as well as U.S. Space Command as an IT contractor. He has worked in most all IT positions from computer repair technician to system and database administrator, and from network technician to IT Manager and with multiple platforms as a Data Professional. He has been a DBA and Database Developer on Oracle systems running on a VAX to SQL Server and DB2 installations. Buck has a business degree and several industry certifications, including MCSE, MCDBA and Brainbench DBA. He is the author of over 400 SQL Server articles and five published SQL Server books; he is the site personality on InformIT.com’s SQL web, and was the President of the Tampa SQL User’s Group for 5 years. He was awarded the Microsoft MVP Award in 2006 for SQL Server, and started work in the SQL Server Team at Microsoft a year later. He has over twenty years extensive professional and practical experience in computer networks and database design. He also teaches a Database Design course at the University of Washington.

Agenda:
5:00 pm - Pizza and Socializing
5:30 pm - Sponsor Presentation
5:45 pm - Feature Presentation
7:00 pm - Wrap Up and Draws

If you haven’t signed up already at EDMPASS.com please do so now to receive meeting notifications, news, and updates from EDMPASS.

Hope to see you there.

Posted in: PASS.
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December 16th SlideDeck and Notes

Dec 28th, 2009
by admin.
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A big thanks once again to Trevor Barkhouse for delivering a great presentation via Live Meeting on Leveraging PSSDiag/SQLDiag for Efficient Troubleshooting.  Everyone in the room had great things to say about the presentation and didn’t mind at all that the meeting went longer then usual.

Here is the slidedeck from the presentation in pdf format.  Download PDF

Also people were asking about a Twitter list for SQL Server Professionals…. this is the best list that I know of.  SQLServerPedia Twitter List

Stay Tuned for our January 27th meeting announcement with the one and only Buck Woody!!

For those of you who are not in Edmonton and cannot attend this will be our first attempt at recording a LiveMeeting presentation and making it available to all… Live Meeting link to follow.

~ Colin

Posted in: Events, PASS.
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EDMPASS Meeting December 16th 2009

Nov 26th, 2009
by admin.
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** PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN ROOM LOCATION **

On December 16th 2009 the Edmonton Chapter of PASS is having it’s next meeting. Details below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/493354637

Please be sure to not only click the “Add to my calendar” but also the “Register” button so that we can plan accordingly for food and drinks. 

Date:  Dec 16th 2009
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner library
Map: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Meeting Room: Centennial Room - Basement Level
Speaker: Trevor Barkhouse
Topic: Leveraging PSSDiag/SQLDiag for Efficient Troubleshooting

Session Abstract:

Over the years, Microsoft Customer Service and Support has developed a number of amazing tools for troubleshooting SQL Server.  Thankfully many of these tools have been shared with the public.  In this session I will demonstrate the configuration and usage of PSSDiag (for SQL Server 2000) and SQLDiag (for SQL Server 2005 and 2008), which collect valuable diagnostic data. 

We will then analyze the data using PAL, SQL Nexus, and a few scripts of my own.  Come and see how these tools can save you massive amounts of troubleshooting time!

Presenter Information:  Trevor Barkhouse (http://sqlserversleuth.com/)

Trevor Barkhouse is a member of the Database Implementation and Escalations team at Terremark Worldwide, Inc., a leading global provider of IT infrastructure services.  His team is responsible for the deployment, maintenance, and problem resolution for several hundred SQL Server instances belonging to Terremark’s customers.  Trevor has a passion for automation, performance tuning, and troubleshooting.  His years as a software developer (before realizing his love of database administration) led to being very comfortable with coding, T-SQL or otherwise, and his love for automating as much of his work as possible.  Trevor is very active in the SQL Server community, presenting to the North Texas SQL Server Users Group (where he also serves on the board of directors) and the Greater Fort Worth SQL Server Users Group.

EDMPASS + Twitter = Hockey Tickets?

 Agenda:
5:00 pm - Pizza and Socializing
5:30 pm - Sponsor Presentation
5:45 pm - Feature Presentation
7:00 pm - Wrap Up and Draws

If you haven’t signed up already at EDMPASS.com please do so now to receive meeting notifications, news, and updates from EDMPASS.

Hope to see you there.

Posted in: Events, PASS.
Tagged: · · · · ·

It’s Bring Your Boss to EDMPASS Day

Nov 16th, 2009
by admin.
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For the next EDMPASS meeting on November 25th I was thinking that you (as a SQL Server professional) might already know the value of the PASS Summit but it’s their boss that really needs to see/hear the value in order to approve that training request for the Summit in 2010.

So what we’re doing is this… if you get your boss to register and attend the next EDMPASS meeting BOTH you and your boss will be entered in a draw for….

2pyustv

If DJ Hero is not for you… with Christmas coming around the corner I’m sure there is someone on your list that would love it!

So whether it’s the free food, drinks, prizes, or a general thirst for SQL Server knowledge… do what you can to get your boss to register and attend the next EDMPASS meeting on November 25th. 

Even if you don’t win DJ Hero, having your boss listen and understand what it means to attend the PASS Summit has more value then you could imagine.

Q: What if I’m my own boss (ie Independent Consultant)

A: Then bring a SQL friend new to EDMPASS for a chance to win

Posted in: Events, PASS, SQL Feed.
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EDMPASS Meeting November 25th 2009

Nov 12th, 2009
by admin.
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On November 25th 2009 the Edmonton Chapter of PASS is having it’s next meeting. Details below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/485596432

Please be sure to not only click the “Add to my calendar” but also the “Register” button so that we can plan accordingly for food and drinks. 

Date:  Nov 25th 2009
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner library
Map: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Meeting Room: 6th Floor - Room 7
Speaker: Thomas LaRock and EDMPASS Summit Attendee Panel
Topic: PASS Summit Panel Discussion

Session Abstract:

Whether you have attended or have not attended a PASS Summit before this meeting is for you.  EDMPASS is presenting a panel of EDMPASS Summit attendees as well as Thomas LaRock (SQL Server MVP and PASS Board of Directors Member).

  • Are you wondering what the Summit was like? 
  • Do you have questions about specific sessions or speakers, events, etc?
  • Do you want details about the Summit in 2010? 
  • Do you want to view an example session?
  • Do you want a chance to win more crazy awesome SWAG giveaways?

2pyustv

We will all be there to share our experiences, stories and to answer any questions you might have.  This is going to be a very casual “round table” style of discussion so we hope everyone can attend and learn more about PASS and the Summit in general.

The Summit (for me) was one of those amazing “lightbulb on” type of weeks for me and I’d love to hear other peoples experiences and to also help get people excited about next years Summit.

Presenter Information:  Thomas LaRock (http://ThomasLaRock.com)

sql_rockstar_v7

Thomas LaRock is a seasoned IT professional with over a decade of technical and management experience. Currently serving as a database administration manager with ING Investment Management, Thomas has progressed through several roles at ING, including programmer, analyst, and DBA. Prior to ING, he worked at several software and consulting companies, working at customer sites in the United States and abroad. Thomas holds a MS degree in Mathematics from Washington State University and is a member of the Usability Professional’s Association. Thomas is also a member of Quest’s Association of SQL Server Experts, currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS), and is a SQL Server MVP.

 Agenda:
5:00 pm - Pizza and Socializing
5:30 pm - Sponsor Presentation
5:45 pm - Feature Presentation
7:00 pm - Wrap Up and Draws

If you haven’t signed up already at EDMPASS.com please do so now to receive meeting notifications, news, and updates from EDMPASS.

Hope to see you there.

Posted in: Events, PASS, SQL Feed.
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SPECIAL RAFFLE DRAW: Bring a Friend to EDMPASS Day

Sep 18th, 2009
by admin.
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OK Due to the overwhelming response for the upcoming EDMPASS meeting with Brent Ozar we are going to run a special contest…

If you get a “SQL Friend” (developer, DBA, Architect, Server Admin, etc) to Register and Attend the upcoming meeting YOUR name AND your SQL Friend’s name will be put in for a special raffle prize.

RULES:

Your “SQL Friend”
 1) Must be a NEW EDMPASS attendee
 2) Must work (directly/indirectly) with SQL Server
 3) Must Register @ the EventBrite link on EDMPASS.com
 4) Must Click on the “Contact the Host” button and identify which EDMPASS member they are friends with.

PRIZE:

 A $250 Gift Card from BestBuy AND a Quest Software Prize Pack

We’re already going to be setting an attendance record with this upcoming meeting… but I don’t just want to set an EDMPASS record… I want to blow it out of the water.

Looking foward to seeing everyone on the 30th!

~ Colin

Posted in: Events, PASS.
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EDMPASS Meeting September 30 2009

Aug 28th, 2009
by admin.
1 comment

On September 30th 2009 the Edmonton Chapter of PASS is having it’s next meeting. Details below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/421182769

Please be sure to not only click the “Add to my calendar” but also the “Register” button so that we can plan accordingly for food and drinks. 

Date:  Sept 30th 2009
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner library
Map: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Meeting Room: 6th Floor - Room 7
Speaker: Brent Ozar
Topic: Hit The Ground Running with SQL Server 2008

Session Abstract: SQL 2008 has a lot of new features to help make database administration easier – but who has the time to learn ‘em all? Brent will get you started fast with the features that give you the most bang for the buck. Attendees will learn how to use these new 2008 features:

  • Central Management Server
  • Policy-Based Management
  • Group Query Execute
  • Resource Governor

Presenter Information:  Brent Ozar

Brent is a SQL Server Domain Expert with Quest Software. Brent has a decade of broad IT experience, performing systems administration and project management before moving into database administration. In his current role, Brent specializes in performance tuning, disaster recovery and automating SQL Server management. Previously, Brent spent 2 years at Southern Wine & Spirits, a Miami-based wine & spirits distributor.

Brent has experience conducting training sessions, has written several technical articles, and blogs prolifically at http://www.BrentOzar.com. He’s currently writing SQL Server Internals and Troubleshooting for Wiley/Wrox along with Christian Bolton, and Justin Langford.  He’s Editor-in-Chief at SQLServerPedia.com, where he also records video podcasts.

Agenda:
5:00 pm - Pizza and Socializing
5:30 pm - Sponsor Presentation
5:45 pm - Feature Presentation
7:00 pm - Wrap Up and Draws

If you haven’t signed up already at EDMPASS.com please do so now to receive meeting notifications, news, and updates from EDMPASS.

Hope to see you there.

Posted in: Events, PASS.
Tagged: · ·

EDMPASS - July Meeting Review

Jul 30th, 2009
by admin.
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Thanks to everyone who came out to the meeting last night.  I was surprised at the turnout that we got last night just because it’s holiday season and it was such a nice evening that I thought for sure some would opt out of staying indoors after a long day at work. We’ve got some very dedicated SQL Server folks in Edmonton!! :)

I’d like to thanks Rafal Dyrda for volunteering to take over the “web” side of things which is one of the positions that I’m looking to fill on the EDMPASS Steering committee.  Rafal is a good friend of mine so be sure to go and check out his website:  http://www.Flame360.com.  Rafal can’t wait to get his hands on EDMPASS.com and give it a much needed facelift.

On the attendance sheet quite a few people indicated that they would be interested in helping out which is great and a few people talked to me before and after the meeting as well.  Here are the positions that we’re looking to fill and if you did let me know that you wanted to help out please drop me a line so we can start the conversation.

EDMPASS Steering Committee

President - Colin Stasiuk
Web Administrator - Rafal Dyrda
Event Planner - vacant
Information Officer - vacant
SWAG Coordinator - vacant

I’ve already received some great emails and comments on the event last night with some ideas as to what people would like to see presented on at future meetings.

Thanks everyone for their support and comments because at the end of the day EDMPASS is shaped by it’s members and we want to make sure that you find the meetings informative and educational but also a fun networking experience.

- Colin

Posted in: Events, PASS.
Tagged: · · · · ·

EDMPASS - Meeting 2

Jul 3rd, 2009
by admin.
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In July the Edmonton Chapter of PASS is going to have it’s 2nd meeting. Details below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/378687665

Please be sure to not only click the “Add to my calendar” but also the “Register” button so that I can plan accordingly for food and drinks. 

Date:  July 29th 2009
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner library
Map: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Meeting Room: 6th Floor - Room 7
Speaker: Colin Stasiuk
Topic: SQL Security Auditing Through The Ages

Agenda:
5:00 pm - Pizza and Socializing
5:30 pm - Sponsor Presentation
5:45 pm - Feature Presentation
6:45 pm - Wrap Up and Draws

Presenter Information:   Colin Stasiuk is an MCP, MCTS SQL 2005/2008, MCITP DBDEV, and MCITP DBA.  Currently, he is an independent consultant contracted to Vantix Systems and working for the Government of Alberta.  Colin is an accomplished Microsoft SQL Server DBA who has been working with SQL Server since 1996.  He is the founder of Benchmark IT Consulting  and is always willing to lend a hand with questions in many SQL Server community forums and via Twitter (http://twitter.com/BenchmarkIT) .  His specialties include SQL Server Administration, Performance Tuning, Security, Best Practice / Standards, Upgrades, and Consolidation.

Colin is a proud PASS member, President of EDMPASS, and is on the DBA Abstract Selection Team for this years PASS Summit. 

 

If you haven’t signed up already at EDMPASS.com please do so now to receive meeting notifications, news, and updates from EDMPASS.

Hope to see you there.

Posted in: Events, PASS.
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