Links for the Week of 2009-01-06

SQL SERVER

Tomorrow’s Microsoft BI Platform Derek Comingore (SQL Server MVP) gives a great overview of the Kilimanjaro release of SQL Server. This is a solid overview of the pieces and parts that will make up the 2010 feature pack release before the release of SQL 11 (in 2011). Top 10 SQL Server 2008 Features for the Database Administrator Mike Weiner and Burzin Patel put together a great list of features for DBAs in SQL Server 2008. A lot of enhancements were made in the BI space and in T-SQL itself and it’s always good to get a refresher on what’s out there to help us all with maintaining and administering our databases. Back To Basics: Clustered vs NonClustered Indexes; what’s the difference? Denny Cherry put together a great refresher on the differences between the two types of index available in SQL Server. This is a solid overview that you should keep around for anyone who asks you that question.

DEVELOPMENT

Arguments against using an ORM layer – an ammunition stockpile Corey Trager tackles a very touchy argument: to ORM or not ORM. I’ve been on both sides of the fence during my career, and it’s a very difficult argument to make from either side. Luckily, Corey’s own argument is both bolstered and refuted by the comments on his blog. It’s a great read no matter what your opinion is.

GENERAL

Technical Presentations: Be Prepared for Absolute Chaos When you’re giving a presentation, you need to be prepared for whatever can go wrong. Scott Hanselman relates a recent experience of his presenting at TeachReady8 (an internal Microsoft conference), and talks about the problems he ran into giving a presentation. Learning from failure is overrated Jason Fried at 37signals goes off a little bit about the value placed on failure these days. His thoughts are some great things to keep in mind when you’re reviewing past failures and successes. Online Credibility, How to build it and how to lose it in an instant We all value our online presence. Well, I hope you do. Johnathan Kehayias provides some solid advice on how to monitor your own behavior in forums, both for the sake of your own credibility, but also so that we’re all able to contribute and help each other while providing solid, valuable, advice.