Dear-Sql-Dba

Tag: dear-sql-dba

Dear SQL DBA: I Want to Work for Myself (video with captions and transcript)

Dear SQL DBA: I Want to Work for Myself (video with captions and transcript)

Our question this week comes from an IT pro who would like to be self-employed. In this episode, I talk about three big things you need to think about to start working for yourself, and two possible paths to get there.

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Auto-Tuning and the #1 Mindset Problem I Had as a DBA

Auto-Tuning and the #1 Mindset Problem I Had as a DBA

A few folks have asked: will auto-tuning and adaptive query plans mean the end of performance tuning jobs for SQL Server? In this week’s episode, I talk about why I’m excited about those features rather than afraid of them.

Digging into this problem, I share the #1 mindset problem I had as a DBA, why this mindset is so common among database professionals, and a daily habit that can change your approach to new technology.

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Slowing Down Your Motor Mouth - Presentation Tips for Fast Talkers

Slowing Down Your Motor Mouth - Presentation Tips for Fast Talkers

on November 20, 2017

Are you worried that you talk too fast when you give a speech, talk, or presentation?

In this episode, I give you simple, practical tips that I’ve used to successfully improve the way I give presentations. Four years ago, I got frustrated feedback from listeners who had a hard time keeping up with my mouth; now I get congratulations that the pace was great.

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I Thought I Was An Introvert. Turns Out I Was Anxious as #@*]  (Dear SQL DBA Episode 53)

I Thought I Was An Introvert. Turns Out I Was Anxious as #@*] (Dear SQL DBA Episode 53)

By Kendra Little on November 8, 2017

Category: career

In this week’s episode, I’m not answering a reader’s question. Instead, I’m talking about my personal experience with anxiety.

This episode touches on on healthcare, religion, and squishy emotions – and there’s at least one curse word. I don’t talk tech in this episode. (Don’t worry, there’s more of that coming in future weeks.)

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The Death of SQL Server Service Packs

The Death of SQL Server Service Packs

on October 6, 2017

SQL Server Service Packs are going away, starting with SQL Server 2017. I talk about why I think this is a good thing, and discuss Cumulative Updates, Service Packs, and the process of updating SQL Server.

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Love and Hate for SSMS

Love and Hate for SSMS

on September 29, 2017

People have strong feelings about SQL Server Management Studio: they love it AND they hate it. In this week’s episode, I talk about why people have such conflicting feelings about SSMS, and how to work it all out.

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How Do I Analyze a SQL Server Execution Plan?

How Do I Analyze a SQL Server Execution Plan?

on September 22, 2017

A query is slow, and you figure out how to collect the query execution plan. Now what?

In this video, I talk “big picture” about what execution plans are, what “cost” is, why to collect “compiled for” values, and the steps I take to analyze execution plans while performance tuning queries.

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