Canberra SQL Server User Group: Introduction to SQL Server 2008 (Greg Low)

SQL Server 2008 is coming later this year. While it’s a distance off, it’s important to keep an eye on the upcoming changes while working with the current versions. In this session, Greg will provide a complete walk-through of all the key enhancements in SQL Server 2008 for the relational engine, for developers and for business intelligence. He will demonstrate a number of features from each area.

About the Presenter

Greg is an internationally recognised consultant, developer and trainer. He has been working in development since 1978, holds a PhD in Computer Science and a host of Microsoft certifications. Greg is the country lead for Solid Q Australia (the local subsidiary of Solid Quality Mentors), a PASS board member, a SQL Server MVP and one of only three Microsoft MSDN Regional Directors for Australia. Greg also hosts the SQL Down Under podcast, organises SQL Down Under Code Camp and co-organises CodeCampOz.

Event Details

When: Tuesday, 6 May 2008 @ 5:30pm
Venue: Excom Education, Level 2, 33-35 Ainslie Place, Canberra City (Entrance Map)
Registration: www.sqlserver.org.au
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26112342248

Tech-Ed Orlando 2008

Tech-Ed Orlando 2008 is going to be pretty full on for me as not only will I be attending both the Developer and IT Pro weeks, I will also be helping out in the hands-on-labs (HOLS's), presenting and manning the SQL Server demo stations.

Here's what my schedule looks like so far:

Developer Conference

• QA on the developer HOL's from 26th-30th May
• Technical Learning Guide (TLG) for the developer HOL's
• Presenting "DAT01-ILL - Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Service Oriented Architecture" on 3rd June @ 10:30am and 5th June @ 10:15am (See abstract below)

DAT01-ILL Abstract

This lab covers creating a Service Oriented Database Application on SQL Server 2008. After completing this self-paced lab you will be able to set up database objects and security for Service Broker, deploy a Service Oriented Database Application across multiple machines, set up a Service Broker Endpoint, explain the steps involved in converting a traditional application to a service oriented database application, explain Service Broker message types and contracts, troubleshoot a Service Broker application, and use the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to manage solutions, projects, modify and execute SQLCMD mode scripts and execute queries and review their plan of execution.

MCT Train-the-Trainer (TTT)

• SQL Server 2008 DBA Deep Dive on Saturday 7th June (See abstract below)

TTT Abstract

In Progress!

http://blogs.msdn.com/billchapman/archive/2008/04/24/train-the-trainer-teched-2008-orlando.aspx


IT Professional Conference

• Presenting "DAT356 - Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition for the DBA" on 12th June @ 8:30am (See abstract below)
• Manning SQL Server Demo Stations - Daily

DAT356 Abstract

Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition is the rebranding of Microsoft SQL Server Mobile Edition (SQL Server Mobile 3.0) without the desktop restriction. SQL Server Compact extends the SQL Server Mobile technology by offering a low maintenance, compact embedded database for single-user client applications for all Windows platforms including tablet PCs, pocket PCs, smart phones and desktops. Just as with SQL Server Mobile, SQL Server Compact is a free, easy-to-use, lightweight, and embeddable version of SQL Server for developing desktop and mobile applications. This session covers:

• SQL Server Compact Edition (SSCE) Overview
• SSCE Feature Limitations
• Obtaining SSCE 3.x
• Managing SSCE Databases
• Securing the SSCE Database
• Synchronization
• Locking, Concurrency, and Isolations
• Performance Tuning
• What's new in SSCE 3.5

So if you plan on attending Tech-Ed this year, why don't you pop-in and say G'day. Who know's, I might even shout you a beer or two :-)

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Certifications

Gerry O'Brien has blogged about how to get certified in Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

For SQL Server 2008 you will now have the choice of obtaining a MCTS SQL Server 2008 in Database Administration (70-432), Database Developer (70-433) or Business Intelligence Developer (70-448). As a result of there only being one exam for each certification, there will be no upgrade exam from MCTS SQL 2005 to MCTS SQL 2008.

Beta exams are due to be released shortly (see MCP Flash) with the live exams due for release in late 2008.

Code Camp Oz 2008 Schedule Available

The Code Camp Oz 2008 speaker schedule has been released. I'm doing a Precon session on the Friday titled "SQL Server CE for Developers".

This is the first time that Precon sessions have been delivered at Code Camp Oz and we're offering them due to the large number of people that arrive Friday lunchtime.

For more information about CodeCampOz visit http://www.codecampoz.com/Home/tabid/78/Default.aspx

MSDN Webcast: geekSpeak: SQL Server Compact Edition Tips and Tricks with Jeff Wharton (Level 200)

Summary

MSDN geekSpeak is a new kind of webcast series, hosted by developer evangelists from Microsoft. Dispensing with slide decks and scripted demos, geekSpeak webcasts bring you industry experts in a sort of "talk-radio" format. These experts share their knowledge and experience around a particular developer technology, and are ready to answer your questions in real time during the webcast. Learn about industry trends, new technology, real-world experiences, and more. During the webcast, you hear lively discussion and debate and you can even add your comments to the fray. Who knows, you might even see a whiteboard sketch or an off-the-cuff demo.

In this episode of geekSpeak, Microsoft MVP Jeff Wharton will highlight best practices for using SQL Server Compact Edition, so bring your mobility questions! Your hosts for this geekSpeak will be Lynn Langit and Glen Gordon.

If you have a question or comment you would like us to address during the webcast, visit the geekSpeak blog and submit it now.

Guest Presenter: Jeff Wharton, Chief Solutions Architect, WARDY IT Solutions and SolidQ Austalia Mentor

Jeff Wharton is chief solutions architect at WARDY IT Solutions and a Mentor for SolidQ Australia. Jeff is an active member in the Australian SQL Server community and president of the Canberra SQL Server User Group. Jeff holds a master's degree in systems development (.NET Stream) and he is in the final stages of completing a master's degree in database design and management (Microsoft SQL Server 2005) at Charles Sturt University. Jeff was awarded as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for Windows Server System - SQL Server in January 2008. Jeff was the winner of Speaker Idol '07 (TechEd-Developers Barcelona 2007), securing him a speaker spot at TechEd-Developers in 2008. Jeff's blog is http://blog.wharton.com.au/.

Details

Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 (US & Canada)
Time: 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Recommended For: Developers & DBA's
Product: SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition
Registration: Here

SolidQ Australia

As reported by Greg Low, Peter Ward and I are joining the SolidQ team here in Australia.

Founded in 2002, Solid Quality Mentors, formerly Solid Quality Learning, is a trusted global provider of advanced education and solutions for the entire Microsoft Data and Development Platforms. In short, it's customers use Solid Quality Mentors' products and services in order to achieve optimum performance from their Microsoft IT investment.

I'm excited to be working with Greg, Peter Myers and Peter Ward and look forward to helping them build a superb team for this region.

WARDY IT Solutions - February 2008 SQL Server Newsletter

The February 2008 edition of the WARDY IT Solutions SQL Server Newsletter has been released and can be viewed at http://www.wardyit.com/newsletters/feb2008.htm.

In this issue we cover:

• March WARDY IT Community Dinner
• March SQL Server User Groups
• SQLCAT.com
• CodeCampOz
• ETL World Record
• Cheap SQL Server Training
• Want to Earn $200?
• Geospatial Data Generator
• Statistics Used by the Query Optimizer
• SQL Server Virtual DBA

To subscribe to the newsletter send an email to newsletter_add@wardyit.com.

Protecting the Crown Jewels & Your Butt!

Canberra SQL Server User Group Invite

Welcome to the first SQL Server User Group meeting for the year. A little late starting due to my move to Brisbane, but we've already got some great sessions lined up for the months ahead.

First off some important information about meeting times and location.

The User Group will no longer be meeting at the Microsoft Office in Barton. We have moved back into the city and will be hosting meetings at Excom Education (See meeting invitation for address details). We will also be meeting on the first Tuesday of the month so that we no longer clash with the Sydney SQL Server User Group and starting 30 minutes later (5:30pm) to give people more time to get from work.

One of the reasons for moving to Excom is that I am hoping to run Instructor Lead Labs (ILL's) ever quarter so that members can play with new technologies in a virtual environment; instead of just hearing about them.

Now to this month's session. The title is a bit unusual but as most of us know, it's all about protecting your data (and your job!) and critical corporate data, the 'crown jewels' of a business, has never been at greater risk.

Most organisations have ensured that their systems are locked down from external threats, but are usually unaware that the majority of data theft and misuse is carried out inside these barriers. In this month's session, you will learn about the data security threat, external auditing standards that may apply to your organisation and how to reduce the risk and protect your butt.

Tony Finnemore (SQL Tools) will review the native security features of SQL Server 2005 and 2008, plus the various methods that are available to monitor and audit SQL Server activity.

SQL Tools have also offered up a permanent SQLsecure license with 12 months maintenance (valued at AU$1,788) as a door prize so be sure to come along to see a great session and for a chance to win this fabulous prize. More information about SQLsecure can be found at http://www.sqltools.com.au/products/sqlsecure.htm.

Hope you can join us and I look forward catching up with.

Jeff


Meeting Details

When: 4th March 2008
Where: Excom Education Canberra - Level 2, 33-35 Ainslie Avenue, Canberra City
Duration: Catering from 5:30PM for a 6:00PM Start
Registration: www.sqlserver.org.au

Canberra Wave Launch

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Register now to secure your spot and your exclusive launch kit valued at $2800. http://www.microsoft.com/australia/heroes/