Jen McCown

A little music to start your day:  

Run, rabbit run.

Dig that hole, forget the sun.

And when at last the work is done

Don't sit down, it's time to dig another one…

-Pink Floyd, Breathe

I stumbled across a new shortcut today in Outlook, and you know mama loves keyboard shortcuts.  You know how in Internet Explorer you can use Backspace as the "back" key?  In Outlook, backspace takes you to the last folder you were in!  This works in Windows for navigating the folder structure, too.

I realize it's a little thing, but over the years I've incorporated something like 30 different shortcut keys that save me a significant amount of time.  When all you do all day long is type and mouseclick, it pays to cut out dead space.

For your enjoyment, here's Microsoft's KB article Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows.

Oh and I'll say it again, because this is just good to have: you can set your own keyboard shortcuts, and see existing ones, in SQL Server Management Studio from the Tools menu, Options | Environment | Keyboard. I *always* set CTRL+F1 to sp_helptext…I love being able to highlight a SP name and get the full CREATE code for it. 

I also install Redgate's SQL Prompt, which gives you a lot of stuff…but I'm primarily interested in CTRL+K CTRL+Y, which FORMATS YOUR TSQL CODE FOR YOU!  This is doubly a big deal for me, because I'm on the SQL 05 client tools at work, and a carriage return in SMS takes you to the beginning of the next line (instead of automatically applying the indentation from the last line). That, and nobody in my department has ever heard of the TAB key…

In MidnightDBA news, we put up two new DBAs @ Midnight videos: Managing Tasks, part 1 and part 2.  If you're not familiar with our newest video format, it's just me and Sean talking about whatever we feel like.  We focus on database and IT subjects, but you will hear the occasional family story (in part 1 we tell the tale of how Sean broke the sliding door) and whatnot. I should warn you that we do slip in the occasional salty language (though we try to keep it under control) and adult content (no, not THAT adult), so I wouldn't watch these at full volume at work, or in front of the kiddies.

We've had a couple of video requests, which is great!  They're in the pipeline…now keep them coming guys, and party on, Wayne…

 

-Jen McCown, http://www.MidnightDBA.com

To quote Dave Barry, I swear I'm not making this up.  We just got a lovely email from – dare I say it? A fan!

Just a note to say "thank you" for creating your midnightdba website, chock full of awesome SSIS videos! 

I work heavily with T-SQL programming and SSRS 2005, but haven't touched SSIS. In fact, any time I tried to dive into SSIS training my motivation lagged significantly — I just couldn't envision the possibilities of SSIS even though I know full well that it's an ETL tool. Then, a couple of weeks ago I came across "midnightdba" — it all made sense to me. Your videos provided the clarity and purpose I've been needing to get learning/working with SSIS.

Peter here then goes on to make a video request, which is quite a rarity. We love video requests (though sometimes, as in the case of the lady who requested Silverlight tutorials, they can be difficult for us to accomodate).

BIG thanks to Peter for the feedback and request!

-Jennifer McCown, http://www.MidnightDBA.com

 

P.S. Sean's had some trouble with the new site code this week, but (being the soopergenius he is) he has it all straightened out. Keep an eye out this weekend for new vids, including at least one new DBAs @ Midnight.

My coworker Steve just sent this to our entire team, along with a picture of his adorable 7 year old daughter holding her whiteboard:

The below is a true story, and is why we need to follow process.

Tonight my 7 year old daughter had an assignment to put her spelling words in alphabetical order.  She chose to “develop in production” (write directly on the final sheet) which led to items out of order.  I told her to “roll it back” (erase), and follow the correct process which would go something like this.  Develop on her white board, Test it by checking herself, then get UAT from me.  Then she can release to production.  This was a good plan until I realized that because she developed, tested it herself, and released to production that she was not SOX or socks compliant. 

Next time I’ll make sure Michael releases to test.

I read this to my 10 year old daughter, and I said, “Like when you do a book report on a poster, if you do everything on your final poster and mess it up…” and she interrupted to say “I remember that Walt Disney report I had, it was SO MUCH WORK.”  You'remissingthepointdear… Thanks Steve.

-Jen McCown, http://www.MidnightDBA.com