SQL Server Magazine UPDATE, March 29, 2007--Sink or Swim

In This Issue:
Glossophobia--the fear of public speaking--affects perhaps three quarters of all people. But if you can summon your courage to try it, the pressure to sink or swim can bring out your best, boost your reputation as an expert among your peers, and help you further your career.

New Instant Poll: Dealing with SharePoint
"How involved are you in your company’s SharePoint installations?" Go to the SQL Server Magazine home page and submit your vote for:

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March 29, 2007

1. Perspectives

2. SQL Server Watch

3. Hot Articles

4. Events and Resources

5. Featured White Paper

6. Announcements

7. Web Community

SPONSOR: Proclarity

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1. Perspectives

Microsoft MVPs: Always Looking Ahead
by Brian Moran, [email protected]

A few weeks ago in “Conquer Your Fears: Public Speaking in Your Underwear,” I encouraged people to submit an abstract to speak at the Fall 2007 PASS Community Summit. The deadline for submitting abstracts for that conference has passed, but I wanted to expound a bit more on the benefits of giving presentations in the IT community. I know I can’t convince everyone to dip their toes into the waters of speakerdom, and to be honest, not all toes should be dipped. A recent reader poll revealed that most of the respondents don’t regularly speak at conferences--and many find the thought horrifying. But I was a bit surprised that the number of people who said they’d been speakers was as high as it was. The reality is that the number of conference speaking slots at national conferences is limited, so a large percentage of the SQL Server community might not have the chance to speak at a major show. However, speaking opportunities are often where you look for them.

Read the full article at:
http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/95621/sql_server_95621.html

SPONSOR: PolyServe

The Database Utility for SQL Server: A Highly Available, Flexible, Simple Approach to SQL Server Consolidation

Match your SQL Server database needs to your capacity and provide high availability without adding complexity and cost. Learn more about this unique approach to virtualization tailored to meet the demands of your mission-critical applications.

2. SQL Server Watch

Voting Has Opened in the Windows IT Pro 2007 Community Choice Awards!
Vote for your favorite products from the Buyer's Guides we published in Windows IT Pro over the past 12 months. The first three categories--Host-Based Intrusion Systems, KVM over IP Switches, and Ultra-Portable Laptops--are now open for voting on the Windows IT Pro forums. We'll open three new categories each week for the next three weeks, and voting will remain open for three weeks per category. To see the list of products in each category and place your vote, follow these links:

Host-Based Intrusion Prevention Systems

KVM over IP Switches

Ultra-Portable Laptops

Product Watch
by Blake Eno, [email protected]

Centrally Manage Configurations Across Heterogeneous Databases
GridApp Systems announced GridApp Clarity 3.5, database-automation software that standardizes and streamlines tedious database-management tasks such as auditing, patching, provisioning, and configuration management. GridApp Clarity supports patching and patch rollback of non-Clarity provisioned databases and the provisioning and patching of Oracle and SQL Server databases. GridApp Clarity also lets you build your own custom scripts for integration into the provisioning and patching process. The software now provides one centralized interface to track and manage all critical configurations across all databases, nodes, and clusters in a database environment. Supported database platforms include SQL Server, Oracle, IBM DB2, and MySQL. For more information, contact GridApp Systems at 646-452-4100 or 408-573-6305. http://www. gridapp.com

Add Excel and Word to SSRS
SoftArtisans introduced designing and delivering SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) reports (RDL files) in native Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word with SoftArtisans OfficeWriter 3.0. Now, SoftArtisans has added support for an ADOMD DataReader as a data source and improved Microsoft 2007 Office system support. Also new to OfficeWriter is the ability to copy and paste values, formats, and formulas between Excel spreadsheets. Additional updates include improved image insertion in Word documents within .NET 2.0 and quicker spreadsheet generation when importing certain data types with ExcelTemplate. A free trial version of OfficeWriter 3.8 is available. For more information, contact SoftArtisans at 877-763-8278 or [email protected]. http://www.softartisans.com

3. Hot Articles

TIP: Two Common Mistakes to Avoid When Handling Large Amounts of SQL Server Memory
by Brian Moran, [email protected]

Don't assume that AWE is working in SQL Server unless you verify that it's enabled and using the amount of memory you expect. Also, make sure that you set the max server memory option by using sp_configure.

Read the full tip today at
http://www.sqlmag.com/Articles/ArticleID/45155/45155.html

FEATURE: Following the Rules with Reporting Services
Sometimes you need creative solutions to Reporting Services’ limitations when working with Analysis Services. Here’s a three-part fix that uses in-the-box features to create a solution that resides entirely in the report presentation layer. Read this article today and post your comments at
http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/94827/sql_server_94827.html

IN A NUTSHELL: Here’s a New Blog Worth Looking Into
Get tool advice and other great content from MVP Jasper Smith. Comment on the blog today at
http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/95579/sql_server_95579.html

HOT THREADS:

4. Events and Resources

Windows + UNIX/Linux = You Need TechX World!
If you work in an environment that includes Windows plus UNIX or Linux, TechX World is the place to go for practical strategies and resources to add to your toolkit. This one-day technical training event will teach you how to make the most of open-source tools on Windows and how to manage and sync multiple directories. Register today!

Deploy Exchange Server 2007 Without a Hitch!
This one-day technical training event teaches you how to preempt pitfalls and avoid corrupting your infrastructure. Learn how to effectively install, manage, and secure Exchange Server 2007 in a 64-bit environment. You'll also get a peek into the integration of Outlook, SharePoint Server 2007, and Exchange Server 2007. Register today!

Get Ready for the Windows Server Longhorn Roadshow!
Seize control of your Windows infrastructure with Microsoft's biggest server release since Windows 2003. Get a live, under-the-hood look at Longhorn virtualization, deployment, Web services, and breakthroughs in core reliability. This one-day event is filled with demonstrations and in-depth discussions designed for IT pros who want a deep understanding of Windows Server Longhorn.
http://www.windowsitpro.com/roadshows/longhorn/?code=epromo

See the complete Windows IT Pro Network guide to Web and live events.

5. Featured White Paper

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Hot Spot: Faxback

Got VoIP? Leverage Fax
The average 3-page fax takes 9 minutes to send, costing your company $3.10. For that price, you could get a latte. Not a coffee fan? Consider this: If you deal with 25 faxes per day, that’s over $10,000 per year! David Chernicoff can show you how new faxing technology can help you take advantage of your VoIP investment and save that $10,000. On-Demand Web seminar.

6. Announcements

Introducing a Unique Security Resource
Security Pro VIP is an online information center that delivers new articles every week on topics such as perimeter security, authentication, and system patches. Subscribers also receive tips, cautionary advice, direct access to our editors, and a host of other benefits! Order now at an exclusive charter rate and save up to $50!

Grab Your Share of the Spotlight!
Nominate yourself or a peer to become IT Pro of the Month. This is your chance to get the recognition you deserve! Winners will receive over $600 in IT resources and be featured in Windows IT Pro. It's easy to enter--we're accepting May nominations now, but only for a limited time! Submit your nomination today.

7. Web Community

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