Links for the Week of 2009.09.12

SQL SERVER

Optimizing Queries That Access Correlated datetime ColumnsDATE_CORRELATION_OPTIMIZATION is some good stuff. If you have an InvoiceDate column that happens to be close to the OrderDate column in a related table, and this setting is on, the compiler will generate what could be a much better optimization plan. Difference between an index and a primary key Denny Cherry does a great job of explaining this one. I frequently misuse primary key and clustered index as the same in conversation (yes, I do have A LOT of conversations about databases, even outside of work). I need to be better about that. This reminds me why.

DEVELOPMENT

Vertical Centering in CSS This question comes up every once in a while. I always forget how to do it. Hopefully this will help someone else get their vertical centering sorted out. The Unspoken Truth About Managing Geeks I’m not a manager but I play one on TV. There some good info in here. Especially if you only play a manager on TV. Using Accessibility Modifiers on Auto Properties Auto properties rule. Justin Etheredge demonstrates how to keep that level of awesome rolling forward.

STUFF & THINGS

Simplified Virtual PC Creation with Differencing Disks I don’t know what to say. The idea is so damn simple I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. Thanks to Jonathan Kehayias for this article. This is going to save me so much time and trouble. 20 Tips for Writing for the Web Flowing Data | Data Visualization and Statistics It’s a blog that’s devoted to different ways of presenting information. Gotta love that. Flat tabular display of data is good, but there’s often a better way. A much better way. Make Fried Pie in Five Minutes and Kickstart Your Day Fried. Pie. Monkey on a motorcycle Think about the different areas of your life Love the quote.