Say you're a DBA responsible for several instances of SQL Server running in your company and you have a long deserved vacation coming up.  You want to know about data changes to certain mission critical tables while you're away but don't want your spouse noticing the company laptop tucked away in the carry on luggage.  Well, thanks to the SQL Server Samples blog you can put your fears to rest with the open source SQLRSS project.  The project writes changes to an RSS feed that can be subscribed to, alerting you of data changes as they take place.  With an RSS reader you can stay on top of changes and not be the dork with a laptop open down on the beach (for full disclosure I've been that dork).

This project is SQL Server 2008 specific as it makes use of Change Data Capture (one of my favorite new features).  I'm going to see how difficult it is to re-engineer this for SQL 2005 making use of similar auditing tables.  Another post to follow...

So check out this open source project on that VPC/VM you've got running with SQL Server 2008 RC0.  Your spouse/significant other will appreciate it.  ;)

The inaugural MTC Summit has kicked off here in Chicago.  Jay from the VB team kicked off the keynote with another session from Rocky.

It should be a great day meeting clients and hearing presentations from fellow Magenicons.  I will be presenting my DMV talk at 1:15.

Our marketing folks did a great job with this event.  We found out last night at dinner that we had to close registration so that we guaranteed seats for all signing up.  Not bad for a first year event.

Here's a picture from the keynote.  A little blurry but not bad from my Dash.

I will blog a bit more later today about the event as a whole and include my slides and code samples.

Some of you may have been asking yourself this question recently if you've been checking this site.  I've even gotten some good natured ribbing from James and Bill (prompting this post I suppose).

I have a backlog of thoughts rolling around in my head, they've just been put on hold for the moment while I get ready for this week's MTC Technology Summit.  I'm speaking on Dynamic Management Views and have decided to get a little deeper into the Resource database for this crowd.

Once I get back I've got plenty of SQL Server 2008 things to get to, including some changes in RC0 from CTP6. 

So yeah, this blog is still in business...

It’s now released to the general public, not just MSDN or TechNet subscribers.  I was really hoping to see the arrival of the tool for removing CTP instances.  I had installed the CTP on my laptop for this very test, I guess it will have to wait.

Get your download on here.

I’m a little late getting this out on the blog, but I wanted to make mention of this event as it will be a great time.  It’s especially exciting for me as I will be presenting (on SQL 2005 DMVs).  Here is the official release from Magenic:

Magenic is holding a full-day, two-track mini-conference on June 20. We have put together a great lineup of speakers and topics, including 2 keynotes and 8 sessions. This will be a full day of hard-core technical content and fun!

The event is being held in Downers Grove near Chicago, IL. It starts at 8:30 AM and runs through to a reception at the end of the day at around 5 PM.

The event is by invitation only - specifically invitation by one of Magenic's sales people. If you are already a Magenic customer and you'd like an invitation, please contact your Magenic AE and let them know. If you are not a Magenic customer please email info@magenic.com and let us know you'd like an invitation.

The event is free, and includes both lunch and a reception at the end of the day. You are responsible for any travel expenses involved in getting to the event. Magenic is arranging a block of rooms at a nearby hotel with special pricing and ground transportation between the conference and hotel.

The following link has more information about the event
http://www.magenic.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1225

If you have questions that aren’t answered on our web site feel free to drop me a line and I will do my best to get the information for you.