Year: 2017

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T-SQL Tuesday #97 – Setting Learning Goals for 2018

Jeff MlakarLeave a comment

The topic for this months T-SQL Tuesday #97 (hosted by Malathi Mahadevan Blog/Twitter) is:

Setting Learning Goals for 2018

I like to think of year end goal setting in terms of inhaling and exhaling. Reflecting back on the year and planning ahead for the next year is exciting to me. I think a lot about these things – sometimes too much. Like breathing there is a balance between thinking about something and taking action to do it.

Let’s see about a healthy balance by looking first at 2017 then ahead to 2018.

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Knowledge Based Authentication and Data Breaches – Your Security Questions Are Belong to Us

Jeff Mlakar4 Comments

All your security questions are belong to us

Troy Hunt recently testified before the US Congress about Data Breaches. The focus was how data breaches affect knowledge based authentication. Identity verification in a post breach world is more challenging than ever.

His testimony is available on his blog. It is worth a read – I’ll wait here until you return.

You can watch the hearing on YouTube. (1.5 hours)

Much of his talk comes from his experience running a website tracking data breaches. If you have not already checked your information in Have I Been Pwned take a look. You can have it notify you if your account has been in a data breach.

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T-SQL Tuesday #96 – Inspire to Make a Difference

Jeff Mlakar2 Comments

The topic for this months T-SQL Tuesday #96 (hosted by Ewald Cress Blog/Twitter) is:

Who inspires you in the data community? 

Staircase to inspire

Inspire means to motivate or move to action. To many, the word conjures up images of fun, happiness, and cajoling to leisure time. That’s not what I think of when I look at those who have motivated me and impacted my career. Inspire involves both good and bad experiences.

I’m not saying that you need bad times to learn good lessons – there are more desirable ways –  but they can work. To be fair, I consider both in my experiences and how they’ve impacted me for the better. Stay with me as I’m going to take a different angle on this.

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Irregular Galaxy

Irregular Identifiers – Be Aware of Surprises

Jeff Mlakar1 Comment

Surprises exist in SQL Server. There are “gotchas” to be aware of. One thing that can trip up your code is how tables, indexes, and other objects are named. They’re called identifiers. If you step outside the bound of a regular identifier then you must be careful how it is referenced.

For example adding a datetimestamp suffix to a table – let’s see how this can cause trouble.

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I'm speaking at SQL Saturday Charlotte

I’m Speaking – SQL Saturday Charlotte!

Jeff MlakarLeave a comment

On Saturday October 14 I’ll be speaking at SQL Saturday Charlotte. I’m excited to be presenting a lively session about Environmental SQL Server Troubleshooting. If you want a preview you can check out some of my previous posts:

There are about 45 different sessions scheduled ranging from beginner to advanced – something for everyone.

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I’m Speaking – SQL Saturday Spartanburg!

Jeff MlakarLeave a comment

On Saturday September 23 I’ll be speaking at SQL Saturday Spartanburg. I’m excited to be presenting a lively session about Environmental SQL Server Troubleshooting. If you want a preview you can check out some of my previous posts:

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