User Group News

2008 PASS Summit: November 18th - 21th

SQLDiva — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:06:00 GMT

Excitement is building within the PASS Board and around the Microsoft SQL Server community as planning heats up for this year's PASS Community Summit-our biggest and best ever! The team has been working diligently behind the scenes to launch our new Summit website at http://summit2008.sqlpass.org and to finalize our keynote and pre-conference seminar line-up.

We encourage you to take a look at the new website and peruse through the pre-conference seminar line-up so you can begin registering for these popular one-day seminars.

We're also very pleased to confirm keynote addresses by Ted Kummert, Corporate Vice President, Data and Storage Platform Division and Tom Casey, GM for SQL Server Business Intelligence at Microsoft Corp. Ted and Tom will provide a sneak peek look at the future of Microsoft SQL Server.

This year's Summit, at the Washington State and Convention Center in Seattle on Nov 18-21, promises to be the don't-miss event of the year with over 150 in-depth technical and skills development sessions showcasing expert speakers from Microsoft and the SQL Server community. We'll also have hands-on labs, peer-to-peer learning, idea exchanges, and our new SQL Server Heroes Unite party to top off this action-packed agenda.

Register by Monday, June 30, 2008 to receive the discounted rate of just $1395 - that's US$800 off the regular rate of US$2195!

SQLDiva

NJSQL June 17th Meeting: CANCELLED

SQLDiva — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:26:00 GMT

The Tuesday, June 17th NJSQL meeting has been cancelled. Enjoy your free evening and we'll see you in July...

Upcoming Meetings/Events:

Tuesday, July 15th

Topic: TDD Principles for Database Development

Presenters: Dennis Lloyd Jr & Sebastian Meine

***************************************************************************

Tuesday, August 19th

Topic: SQL Server Service Broker in the Real World (SQL 2005+)

Presenter: Denny Cherry (BIO: http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/sql-server/about)

Denny's Blog: http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/sql-server/

***************************************************************************

September (Tentative Saturday Event)

Date: Saturday, September 20^th (8:30am - 12:30pm)

Location: Microsoft Office (Iselin, NJ)

Topics: 2 to 3 Business Intelligence Presentations

*************************************************************

SQLDiva

NJSQL May 20th Meeting: SQL Server 2008 Data Compression with Linchi Shea

SQLDiva — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:16:00 GMT

Date: Tuesday, May 20th

Topic: SQL Server 2008 Data Compression

One of the most significant new features in SQL Server 2008 is data compression, which has been long sought after by the SQL Server community.

Now that it's here, the question becomes:
How is it, and How can you effectively use it in managing your databases?

In this session, Linchi gives an independent assessment of SQL Server 2008 data compression with solid empirical test results, and looks at what types of data may be good/bad for data compression, and what workloads may benefit from data compression. The focus is on the performance and space implications. To help appreciate the feature in a bigger context, the
presentation will also include a competitive analysis of data compression across the major DBMS products.

Presenter: Linchi Shea

Linchi Shea has been working with Microsoft SQL Server since version 4.2. He is currently responsible for SQL Server engineering at a major Wall Street firm in the New York City area. Linchi is passionate about creating robust and automated infrastructures for managing SQL Server in a large enterprise environment. He has written many tools and utilities to simplify deploying, operating, and testing SQL Server. You can find him blogging about SQL Server enterprise issues at www.sqlblog.com. Linchi is a co-founder and co-lead of the NY Metro SQL Server users group, and has been a Microsoft MVP since 2002.

SQLDiva

Philly Code Camp 2008.2 - May 17, 2008

SQLDiva — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:21:00 GMT

Philly.Net is hosting a code camp on Saturday, May 17th. See the link below for more info and to register:

http://www.phillydo tnet.org/ Meetings/ MeetingEmails/ 2008/May172008/ tabid/677/ Default.aspx

SQLDiva

NJSQL April 15th Meeting: An overview of SSIS with Jay Krishnaswamy

SQLDiva — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:00:00 GMT

On April 15th, the NJ SQL Server User Group will host New Jersey based author Jay Krishnaswamy(See details below). One of my goals for the NJSQL group is to grow the SQL Server Community in New Jersey. It's awesome to be able to host all types of presenters at the NJSQL meetings, but it's important to encourage New Jersey bases folks to present at a NJSQL meetings.

If you are a New Jersey based SQL Server Professional who is thinking about becoming a speaker, please contact me.

SQLDiva

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Date: Tuesday, April 15th

Sponsor: Microsoft

Refreshments: Pizza/Soda

Give-A-Ways: TBD

Topic: An overview of SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)

Presenter: Jay Krishnaswamy

Dr. Jay Krishnaswamy is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore writes on database and web development related topics to several computer programming related web sites. Before working in the IT industry as a Microsoft Certified Trainer and a Siebel Certified consultant he taught and worked at several institutes of technology and universities in India, Australia, Brazil and the USA. His book on SQL Server Integration Services was published by Packt Publishers, Birmingham, UK.

Overview:
This session will allow beginners to get a jump start on the SQL Server Integration Services concepts using Visual Studio 2005. The emphasis of this talk will be mostly on the Microsoft wizardry that puts rapid application development on a stable platform.

Local User Group Websites (NJ/NY/CT/PA/DE)

SQLDiva — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:29:00 GMT

I attended the NYC Microsoft Heroes Happen Here Launch event on 3/4/08. My role in attending this event was to represent PASS and the local user groups at the Community User Group Table. As the day went on, it became more apparent to me that folks are having a difficult time finding the websites of the local user groups. Peter Laudati (NY/NJ/CT Developer Evalgelist) does a great job of blogging about the monthly events scheduled for the local user groups (http://blogs.msdn.com/peterlau/), but selfishly I wanted to capture just the user group websites for me (and of course for you...).

Enjoy!!!

SQLDiva

New Jersey

New York

Connecticut

Pennsylvania

Delaware

2008 PASS Community Summit Call to Speakers Extended

SQLDiva — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:53:00 GMT

The Deadline for the 2008 PASS Community Summit Call to Speakers has been extended until Midnight ET on Monday April 7th. Join other industry professionals and help build the SQL Server community as a 2008 PASS Community Summit speaker in Seattle, Washington, November 18-21.

Act now and submit an abstract by the April 7th Deadline.

All speakers receive:
Complimentary registration to the 2008 PASS Community Summit
Industry recognition
Networking opportunities with thousands of attendees
Microsoft employees are encouraged to submit presentations using the online submission website. Please note that any Microsoft submissions will be reviewed and abstract status will be determined by Microsoft.

For more information, please visit the PASS Call To Speakerswebsite at http://calltospeakers.sqlpass.org/ or e-mail any questions to calltospeakers@sqlpass.org

SQLDiva

Redmond Magazine April, 2008(Cover Story): The New Face of User Groups

SQLDiva — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:44:00 GMT

The current issue of Redmond Magazine includes a cover story on "The New Face of User Groups". This 4+ page article goes through the history of User Groups and illustrates why they are so vibrant and required in today environment. For some time, I’ve wanted to blog about the reason why user groups are needed and what they provide to their attendees. But, this article has already done it. Thanks, Redmond Magazine!!!

Enjoy!!!
SQLDiva

Redmond Magazine Article: http://redmondmag.com/features/article.asp?EditorialsID=2439

FREE Microsoft Conference in Atlantic City, NJ April 22-24‏

SQLDiva — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:35:00 GMT

Event Overview: This is a unique event designed for developers, architects, technical and business decision makers in the healthcare industry. Please join us to discover how Microsoft, its partners, and customers make possible the delivery of Software + Services in Health & Life Sciences.

Conference: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032360756&Culture=en-US

Agenda and Tracks: http://blogs.msdn.com/hlsdpe/pages/HLSDevCon2008Tracks.aspx (adding a few more!)

NOTE: Discounted Hotel Rooms are available until 4/8.

SQLDiva

SQL 2008 Training on Saturday, April 5th

SQLDiva — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:13:00 GMT

See http://njsql.org/blogs/user_group_news/archive/2008/03/07/SQL2008.aspx

SQLDiva

PASS Database Adminstration SIG Live Meeting Event: February 27th at 12pm EST

SQLDiva — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:51:00 GMT

PASS hosts several SIGs (Special Interest Groups) in the area of Database Administration, Business Intelligence, Application Development and Women in Technology.

The PASS Database Adminstration SIG is offering a live meeting event featuring TJay Belt. TJay will give a talk about SQL Server Logical Query Processing

Abstract: The first noticeable aspect of SQL that is different from other programming languages is the order in which the code is processed. In most programming languages, the code is processed in the order in which it is written. In SQL, the first clause that is processed is the FROM clause, while the SELECT clause, which appears first, is processed almost last. The presentation will be a brief description of the different logical steps applied in both SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005. You'll also see a demonstration of SQL code written by Itzik Ben-Gan from his book Inside Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 T-SQL Querying.

TJay Belt is a Database Administrator for the Accounts Payable division of Affiliated Computer Services. He has studied computer science at BYU and developed in and administered databases his entire career. TJay has used SQL Server versions 7, 2000 and 2005 since 1998, and has been a DBA for 5 1/2 + years. TJay has enjoyed delivering presentations for Microsoft, Affiliated Computer Services, and local SQL Server User groups. He is the founder and PASS chapter leader of the Utah County SQL Server user group. TJay truly enjoys working with and administering database, and his real passion lies in creating solutions.

To attend the meeting, you will need:

· An Internet connection for the presentation
· A telephone connection for the audio

The URL for the meeting is: https://www.livemeeting.com/rm/microsoft/join

The Meeting ID is SIGS
The Meeting Key is SGISSIGS

The Location is https://www112.livemeeting.com/cc/microsoft

Audio Conferencing (Toll-free): +1 (866) 500-6738
Participant Code: 4048733

When attending the meeting, please observe the following common courtesies:

1. If you are using a speaker phone, please mute it unless you are asking a question. That way, other participants will not be disturbed by the noise in your environment.

2. If you need to leave the meeting temporarily, please hang up and call us back, unless your phone is silent when on hold. Your hold music and/or message is disturbing to other participants.

FIRST TIME USERS:

To save time before the meeting, check your system to make sure it is compatible with Microsoft Office Live Meeting: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52354

If you have any questions, please contact sharond@voicenet.com

Interested in presenting on your favorite topic for a Live Meeting Event? Presentations are an hour to an hour and a quarter long. You use your own computer. You can present PowerPoint slides and do demos. If you're interested, contact sharond@voicenet.com

SQLDiva

SetFocus is partnering with Conversion Services International

SQLDiva — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:36:00 GMT

SetFocus has partnered with Conversion Services International to combine the power of CSI’s leading-edge expertise in information management with SetFocus’ world-class training in Microsoft Business Intelligence and Microsoft Performance Point Server™.

CSI Partner Page: http://www.setfocus.com/partners/csi.aspx

CSI is a leading provider of professional services focusing on strategic consulting, data warehousing, business intelligence, and business process reengineering, as well as integration and information technology management solutions.
Press Release: http://www.setfocus.com/pressrelease/csi_partnership.aspx

As part of this partnership launch, SetFocus will be offering the opportunity to secure reduced one-on-one consultative services with CSI: http://www.setfocus.com/partners/seminars/CSI_InfoMngmtAdvisory.aspx

SetFocus will also be hosting two specialty seminars developed and delivered by CSI’s Senior Vice President of Information Management, William McKnight:

“Introduction to Master Data Management for the Enterprise” http://www.setfocus.com/partners/seminars/masterdatamanagement_enterprise.aspx

“Introduction to Data Warehousing” http://www.setfocus.com/partners/seminars/introdatawarehousing.aspx

Both one day seminars will be held this March. For registration details and pricing, please see the links listed about.
And don't forget - all SetFocus Alumni receive an exclusive 20% discount off all SetFocus services!

SQLDiva

European PASS Conference: Why not spend a few April days in Neuss, Germany!!!

SQLDiva — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:51:00 GMT

The next European PASS Conference will take place between the 14th - 16th of April 2008 in Neuss, Germany!

The NJ SQL Server Group is a member of "PASS", the Professional Association for SQL Server & Business Intelligence which boasts having more than 25 thousand Database administrators, Business Intelligence Experts and Application Developers as members, from all over the world.

Apart from the numerous community meetings and technical workshops PASS provides to its members globally, they hold 2 major conferences every year, one in the United States, and one in Europe. This year, the European PASS Conference will be held in beautiful Neuss, Germany from Monday the 14th of April 2008 until Wednesday the 16th of April 2008 inclusive.

Almost perfectly timed with the lead up to the SQL Server 2008 launch, attendees will be able to choose from two focussed technical preconference workshops and over 24 technical sessions on SQL Server & Business Intelligence as well as discuss new and improved SQL Server-based technologies and services with exhibitors and sponsors at the European PASS Expo held during the conference.

For details of the sessions available, visit http://www.european-pass-conference.com or contact your Regional PASS Chapter Leader.

European PASS Conference 2008
April 14-16, 2008
Swissôtel
Neuss, Germany

Click here to Register – and join us in Germany!

SQLDiva

NJSQL February 19th Meeting: Stored Procedure Code Generation w/ Kathleen Dollard

SQLDiva — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 17:09:00 GMT

We are please to announce that INETA Speaker, Kathleen Dollard will be joining us for the February meeting. Join us and explore different ways to create stored procedures for general/complex SQL scripting tasks.

Have you ever wanted to generate stored procedures on the fly using the underlying metadata/catalog vews? How about a simple insert, update, delete stored procedure for every fact table in a Data Warehouse? Well, you are closer than you think to finding a solution!!! Code Generation….

Date: Tuesday, February 19th

Time: 6pm(Networking/Refreshments), 6:30pm-8:30pm(Presentation)

Sponsor: INETA

Refreshments: Pizza/Soda

Give-A-Ways: TBD

Topic: SQL Server Stored Procedure Code Generation in 2008

Presenter: Kathleen Dollard
Kathleen Dollard is a consultant, author, trainer, and speaker. She’s been a Microsoft MVP since 1998, wrote “Code Generation in Microsoft .NET” (Apress) and is a regular contributor to Visual Studio Magazine. She speaks at industry conferences such as VSLive, DevConnections, and Microsoft DevDays as well as local user groups. She’s the founder and principal of GenDotNet. Her passion is helping programmers be smarter in how they develop by learning to use Visual Studio, XML related technologies, .NET languages, code generation, unit testing, and other tools to their full capacity. She’s currently working on full life cycle improvements, such as better debugging and capturing business intent in metadata and test definitions. When not working, she enjoys woodworking, snowshoeing, and kayaking depending on the outdoor temperature.

Overview:
Code generation allows you to output any code – including TSQL. You’ll see how generation combines metadata with templates to produce the code you need. Metadata comes primarily from the database structure, but you can also enrich it with more detail such as the mapping to business objects. You’ll see how a harness can coordinate generation activities extracting metadata, building scripts, and loading scripts with a single button click. While code generation has been around for decades, .NET 3.0 and 3.5 offer significant new opportunities in terms of templates and the code generation the harness process. You’ll see new approaches to templates that work well when creating complex templates and leave ready to incorporate code generation into your own development when and where it’s appropriate.

SQLDiva

SQL Server 2008 Local Launch Dates Announced and Learning Portal!!!

SQLDiva — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:57:00 GMT

Event Dates and Registration are now available for the local launchs of Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008!!!

Follow this URL to register: http://www.microsoft.com/heroeshappenhere/register/default.mspx

Local Launch Event Dates (as of 1/14/08)

March 4: New York, NY
March 6: Harrisburg, PA
March 13: Edison, NJ (Register soon)
April 3:     Philadelphia, PA
April 17:   Hartford, CT
April 29:   Long Island, NY
May 13:   Albany, NY (Register soon)
May 15:   Rochester, NY

For additional resources on SQL Server 2008, the SQL Server 2008 Learning Portal is available.

Follow this URL for the SQL Server 2008 Learning Portal: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/sql/2008/default.mspx

SQLDiva