This is a follow-up article to, “Index Seek on LOB Columns”. While working on the demonstration for the computed column method to achieve index seeks on a LOB data type, I noticed the lob logical reads were exactly twice the row count in the table that the queries were being executed on. For example, the exact row count of PerfLOB was 100. When running the query shown in listing 1, the statistics IO show exactly 200 lob logical reads.

I don’t think it’s any secret that I love SQL Saturdays. Spending a day learning about and teaching others about SQL Server, surrounded by great friends, is a great way to spend a Saturday (occasionally)! My next appearance will be SQL Saturday #149 on September 29, 2012, in Minneapolis, MN. Check out this schedule! It’s loaded with local and regional talent. There are multiple SQL Server MCMs and MVPs speaking.

Project management, unlike development in some ways, is not so much a skill as it is an art. Each project must be managed differently because of the various personalities, skills and requirements needed to complete it. This should seem obvious but, to many project managers, it is not. I learned this as a result of a project that I participated in recently – but not as the project manager in this case.

The best part about the SQL Server community is the people in it. Over the past few years, I’ve met many great DBAs, developers, architects, evangelists, consultants, and more. Many times over, the people have become more than colleagues – they have become friends. Unfortunately, most times I get to see my friends at user group meetings or conferences. It’s a joy to see them, but we’re busy dashing between sessions, asking questions, presenting, and networking.

On Thursday, September 20, 2012, I will be presenting (remotely!) to OKPASS, based in Okanagan, BC, Canada. The meeting starts at 5:30 pm PST. Thank you Melody for asking me to speak! I’ll be giving a new talk! What is Report Builder 3.0? Report Builder 3.0 is an easy-to-install, easy-to-use report authoring tool. Installation and set-up is quick. Several wizards exist to help you create appealing reports, which can incorporate graphics, charts, and maps.

I’ve spent 45 hours driving 2,340 miles in the last 18 months to found and grow MADPASS. This was the second SQL Server user group established in Wisconsin. As the Director of Communication, I helped recruit speakers and attendees. I encouraged veteran speakers to visit us and had several first-time speakers step in front of the group. I grew tremendously. Through MADPASS, I met many local and regional SQL professionals.

Here is a view of my Windows 8 start screen As you can see, I have given my group of tiles a name, there is a main and an apps tile group, there are more which are not visible unless you scroll. So how do you do name a group of tiles? What you have to do first is click on the minimize sign in the right bottom corner of your screen

If you installed Windows 8, you might be wondering how to shut down or restart this operating system. There is no start button anymore so where do you shut it down? There are a couple of ways to shut down the operating system 1) Hit CTRL + ALT + DELETE and then click on the power button in the lower right corner 2) Move the mouse to the upper right corner of you screen and wait for the charms bar to appear, click on settings, now click on power

When I was tinkering with Simple.Data I got an error when I tried to this. Dim result = db.Persons.Query.Join(db.Address).On(db.Persons.AddressId = db.Address.Id).Select(db.Persons.LastName, db.Persons.FirstName, db.Address.Street, db.Address.HouseNumber) ``` You get this error. > Public member ‘Address’ on type ‘Database’ not found. you can fix this by doing this. ```vbnet Dim result = db.Persons.Query.Join((db.Address)).On(db.Persons.AddressId = db.Address.Id).Select(db.Persons.LastName, db.Persons.FirstName, db.Address.Street, db.Address.HouseNumber) ``` But that is just freaky as hell. And I got that suggestion from the always helpful Lucian wischik.

This month’s #Meme15 topic is one that I suggested to Jason State (B|T): What are 5 (or 10) reasons why you like your job? In the last few months I've seen lots of people changing jobs (both from the SQL Community and from my company) and it got me thinking about where I was at in my career. At the end of some reflection I came the conclusion that I already knew, I love my job.