First let me re-iterate the thanks I need to give to each one of you that visits the site and supports the SQL Server community here. I have really enjoy knowing and meeting many of you on a regular basis here at the site. For the last six years I have run this site and been very proud to be a part of this community.

Second there were a lot of entries. A few jokes and some kind words from those ineligible for prizes, and over 110 entries to read through, including many in email. I've read all of them at least twice and many more times than that, trying to cull together a list of those that I thought were really interesting, creative, or touched me for some reason. There were definitely points for sucking up and those that were different stood out quite a bit. Tony Davis of Simple Talk, who is moving into the role of co-editor here, also sent me a list of his top 20 or so and together we've picked the following entries.

The winners are listed, with their entries reproduced below that:

1. SQL Toolkit License - Daniel Colbert

2. An 8GB iPod Touch - Kristel Gillies

3. A Pair of Audio-Technica Noise Canceling headphones - mastroine

4. Shirts to each of these (in no particular order):

• Paul Thorsteinson
• Greg Charles
• Cindy Williams
• sing4you
• Kyle Schlapkohl
• Mark Phillips
• S. Frog
• John Rowan
• Mindy Hreczuck
• Bill Wehnert
• Jill Coulter
• Lynn Pettis
• Tyson Miller
• G Bryant McClellan

Here are the entries:

Daniel Colbert The Fledgling SQL Developer
Once upon a time, there was a fledgling SQL developer. He was alone in his small-company world and wondered when he would ever find someone to whom he could say "my INNER JOIN is causing duplicate records" without hearing "you're such a geek" in return. He searched high and low for anyone who could understand his life. Give him meaning. Help him feel like he had a connection in this world.

He got no love from the published authors. The cold, sharp pages of the "for Dummies" books were too simple for him. The weighty, 8-point-fonted tomes of the "for expert" books caused him to think "these guys are such geeks".

He was not sustained by Mr. Bill's newsgroups. From "sql.server.WhatThe.Heck.NewsGroup.ShouldI.PostTo" to the snobs that ridiculed him for questions that were either (in their estimation) too simple or that had been "answered way too many times already", he felt like a square peg being squeezed into a round hole.

He had given up all hope. But one day a passing SQL hermit, name never given, told him about a land where questions were never too "simple". Where everyone and noone was "such a geek". Where forums had names that actually made sense. He had finally found a home.

It was run by a company that, though it made money selling products, was truly interested in helping SQL developers ply their trade. He received daily emails that actually contained helpful information, rather than forcing you to click through a dozen advertisements to get to a request for a sales call. It was just an added bonus that the tools developed by that company really provided added value.

He finally felt he had found a place that allowed him to be just what he was -- A fledgling SQL developer looking to improve his skills without fighting useless fights.

The End

Kristel Gillies - An Ode to SQLServerCentral

Why do I love Server Central?
Let me count the ways...

One: articles are relevant and informative,
but yet not too long.
They're clear and concise,
so I never yawn!

(hey, I didn't say this was going to be a good ode!)

Two: email titles contain keywords,
which is ever so kind.
So I can search through them later,
for what I want to find.

(because let's be honest, sometimes there's not time to read all the articles, let alone apply them, until the topic of discussion has become a matter of life-and-death... if not to the programmer then at least to the program!)

Three: Contributors are clever and witty,
sort of like me!
Which makes for good reading,
and way number three!

(yes, I'm really grasping but it's only Tuesday and it's not even 9am yet!!)

Five: information is useful
and always up to date.
Even the boss encourages it,
it's just that great!

(Plus I don't have to feel guilty for work-related internet usage!)

So at half a million members,
it's doing really well.
It's a testament to its greatness
and that's just 'super swell'.

(I'm trying to resurrect such idioms as 'super swell', 'hunky dory', 'radical' and 'tubular')

So programmers unite
and congrats, SQL Server Central, on your size!
Now that's the best I can do,
where's my damn prize?!?

(cough- Ipod - cough)

mastroine

SELECT opinion_id, site_name, site_benefits
FROM tblMyOpinions_SitesILike
WHERE positive_opinion = 1
AND site_ranking = 1
AND site_usefulness > 10
GO

opinion_id, site_name, site_benefits
2, 'sqlservercentral.com', 'Great navigation, easy to get in and out'
5, 'sqlservercentral.com', 'New relevant content, humor, and wit inside a daily newsletter'
10, 'sqlservercentral.com', 'Helpful articles, useful tips, great insight'

SELECT YIV.visit_id, YIV.visit_category, YIV.visit_comments, SOML.life_short_text
FROM tblMyOpinions_WhyIVisit AS YIV
LEFT OUTER JOIN tblStoryOfMyLife AS SOML
ON YIV.story_id = SOML.story_id
WHERE YIV.easy_layout = 1
AND YIV.new_content = 'DAILY'
GO

visit_id, visit_category, visit_comments, life_short_text
1 'Easy' 'I appreciate the simple and easy approach to the site. It is useful and non-polluted.', NULL
3 'Understandable' 'Content and article present a level of challenge, but are intuitive and easy to read.', 'I am a programmer by trade, but inherited the role of DBA as our company lacked one and I have in interest in database administration. I started with a basic knowledge of MS Access and thanks to the SQL community, I have developed skills in database tuning and performance, security, maintenance, and administration.'
6 'Humor' 'Theres a sense of fun and honesty here that says you enjoy what you do.', 'I have always felt it was important to enjoy what you do, its good to know that exists in the I.T. world.'

SELECT TOP 5 problem_id, problem_category, problem_desc
FROM tblMyOpinions_Help
WHERE problem_solved = 1
AND problem_importance_to_management > 3
AND saved_my_tail = 1
AND site_address = 'sqlservercentral.com'
ORDER BY random_meaningless_field
GO

problem_id problem_category problem_desc
1057, 'TRANSACTION_LOGS', 'I learned why our log files continually grew out of control and how indexing and reindexing affects things.'
1152, 'DISK_SPACE', 'I was able to modify scripts from your site to monitor our SQL server disk space and caught full backup drives 3 times since.'
1836, 'FRAGMENTATION', 'I learned how to monitor fragmentation, what it was, how to help avoid it, and what to do about it.'
1911, 'TUNING', 'Learned how to tune stored procedures, use performance monitoring, and dig into execution plans.'
1955, 'CONVERSION', 'We upgraded SQL 7 to SQL 2000, the articles I found helped me prepare and make sure everything went extremely smooth. Made me look and feel like a professional!'

Paul Thorsteinson

About four months ago, we had a major data corruption issue occur on our primary database. Our more experienced veteran DBA was at a bit of a loss of what to do. I was pretty sure that if I spent an hour or so searching around on your site that I could gather enough information to find the best possible solution to our issue, since neither of us had seen it before. Well, the senior DBA said that no internet SQL smut website could possibly help us out of our situation and declared that I could not waste my time in that way. After challenging him on calling SQL related websites 'smut', I then said that I would stake the shirt on my back that the website would be able to help us. Well, he always took things literally and he had a weird sense of humour, so he agreed, that I could spend an hour on your site searching for a solution, but if I failed that I had to walk around the office for one whole day, without my shirt... hairy back and and all! I took the bet, knowing that he was dead serious, and began to get a little scared... Exactly 23 minutes later using the fabulous search feature on your site, I found the exact issue we were experiencing and an acceptable solution to the problem. From that day forth, I always thank SQLServerCentral.com for the shirt on my back!!!

Greg Charles

Congratulation!

I've been a member since 2001. I used to read Steve's, Brian's, and Andy's articles
at swynk.com and jumped to SSC when I found out they'd started it. I look at other
SQL Server sites, but I don't get as much out of them as I do from this site. This
is always my first stop when I'm researching a SQL Server issue. I'll admit I've
become addicted to the forums and learn a ton from asking and answering questions.

I don't get to go to the PASS conference every year because my agency is careful
with the travel budget, but checking out SSC every day more than makes up for the
education and networking I would get at the conference.

Here's to Steve, Steve, and the other 499,999+ SSC members!

Cindy Williams
Daily the mail comes
A newsletter wise and true -
Thank you SSC

(here's hoping the judges like haiku [Smile] )

sing4you

Hmmm. I was writing a reply but it disappeared. So now there may be two from me. I don't think this is the originality you're looking for but, as always, I manage to be different.

Anyway, I like this site because of the range of topics and because of the humor. I get good advice on SQL queries, stored procedures, and SQL Reporting Services.

As for the humor, I like the editorials that aren't always about SQL Server. I also like the cast of characters that log into this site. Nowhere else have I seen "Smith and Wesson - the original point and click interface". I died laughing when I saw that one.

So. . . thanks for the education and the entertainment.

Kyle Schlapkohl

SQLServerCentral.com has basically helped me become one of the most efficient DBA's on my team. Now before you call shenanigans, let me tell you how SQLServerCentral.com does this. It keeps my team from reinventing the wheel so to speak. Whenever there is a complex question, I know I can go to the forums and ask it. Most likely one of the half-a-million users have faced something similar to what I am facing. I can post the question and start working on something else. Also, when I have free time, I can go on the forums and try to answer other people's questions. It keeps them from reinventing the wheel. Also, while most of the scripts I use for my job have already been created, I save any scripts that I find that I think could become useful. More than once, I have been asked to create a script for something...instead of spending the time to write the query, I can search my repository that I have gotten from SQLServerCentral.com and usually there will be something that either fits the bill or can be easily modified to suit the task. In short, being a somewhat new DBA, I can secretly credit SQLServerCentral.com with a lot of my success in my place of business. It allows me to get more done in a shorter period of time because I'm not constantly recreating scripts or doing research that I can get from a shared knowledge base (the forums). Finally, I have finally finished my configuration database. While it originally used an SSIS package from SQL Server Magazine, I have almost doubled the amount of information it gathers and tailored it to my team's needs. This would not have been possible without all of you who post scripts and answer questions in the forums. Thank you.

Mark Phillips

For some, it's coffee and a doughnut. For me, it's coffee and the SSC newsletter. Arriving early to work allows me to display that extra effort to my boss, miss the traffic, and enjoy that underrated, under-used "me time". Every day, the newsletter provides pertinent information I can always apply toward a current or future project. It never fails! Thank you, and keep it coming. Oh, but wait. It doesn't stop there. Heading back to SSC throughout the day provides that "one stop shop" affect to get the answers to those questions and concerns that pop up during the day. And it's free...yes, it's free.

S. Frog

Thanks to SQLServerCentral.com I can lie, cheat, and steal.
I lie around the site, soaking up information by reading articles, scripts, challenges, etc.
I cheat the future by reading about issues others have encountered, thereby being more prepared when I myself encounter those same (or similar) problems.
I steal incredibly handy logic and ingenious solutions that other users present.

The last part is my favorite - I love to see how different people approach and handle the issues, problems, conundrums, and challenges that are posed to the forums. I'm always open to attacking a problem from a different angle, and sometimes that angle is one I had never before seen.

John Rowan

Why is SSC go great? One word really sticks out to me, mentorship. I believe that people move in two directions in all areas of their life, forward or backward. There is no such thing as staying where you are. Whether it be financially, professionally, spiritually, marital relationships, physical fitness or any other area of you life, you are either actively working on getting better or you are allowing yourself to deteriorate or rust away. The best way, in my opinion, to improve ones self is to have a mentor or coach to learn from.

Many professionals today are spending big bucks on mentorship/coaching programs because they know that they can either learn from their own mistakes or learn from the mistakes of others. Think about this, Tiger Woods has 7 coaches each of whom earns a six figure income. He has one coach whose sole purpose is to work on Tiger's thought process.

Now back to SSC. SSC provides a service, free might I add, where people of all skill levels can learn and benefit from the professional experiences of others. To me, the information offered at SSC through the QOD, articles and most importantly, the forums has been an invaluable tool for me in my professional growth. There is not a training course or user group setting out there that offers the hands on, in depth kind of how-to knowledge that can be found in the forum archives, period. Did I mention that membership was FREE?

Keep up the great work!

Mindy Hreczuck

I consider my SQL knowledge at an intermediate level, but my support team relies on me as their primary source when they need help, so who do I go to? SSC of course! I come here for just about all my answers. If one of the developers posts something he found online to me, I usually find it here as well, and with more feedback and ideas on the topic because SSC is such a wealth of shared real-world information. I use the forums to answer my immediate questions and I browse the threads when I'm working on a script to find best methods and practices. The practical experiences that are shared here really are priceless, and my personal growth has been exponential since signing up.

Some day I hope to answer questions here too, but for now I'm just a lowly SQL sponge.

Bill Wehnert

I've been a member of SSC for quite a while now and usually turn to this site first when I have an issue with SQL Server. If I don't find an answer, I know that posting a question will get me an answer quickly and usually several. The people who are here are friendly and really do seek to help out each other.

The articles have been top notch and I look forward to my daily email letting me know the latest and greatest that's happening here.

The best thing about SSC are the authors. Recently I read an article about the encryption options offered by SQL 2005 and wanted to know more about what the various types were and how secure they were. I emailed the author and he replied to me with a very good description of exactly what I could expect from each of the choices available.

The fact that people are willing to take time out of their busy lives and jobs to help out anyone who asks is worth it's wait in gold. I think the site and boards themselves foster this type of environment and I for one am very grateful that they exist.

Let' hope that when MS releases SQL Server 3010 - the boards are still going strong and are still the place to go for knowledge, advice and comradery.

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam

Jill Coulter

Well two years ago, we converted our main database software from a proprietary UNIX based program to a SQL Server based program. It became my responsibility to get information out of the data, Since the "canned" reports did not answer many of the questions my Marketing Director wanted/needed answers to.

I had zero SQL experience, and even had trouble figuring out Access in years past. Someone recommended a great book as a starting place, and it really got me started. Then I found this site. What a godsend. Though I am, by no means an expert, thanks to help from this site, I can look like one to the powers-that-be!

This site is a daily part of my business life. I would be lost without it!

Lynn Pettis

SSC is one of the best SQL Server resources on the web. I have been a member for several years, and it has helped me on several occasions. I even remember reading one post that was immediately helpful to me in developing an SSIS process to import student assessment data. In return for the assistance I have received from many of the extremely knowledgeable members on this site, i have tried to return the favor, by helping others as well. I have found that one of the best ways to learn is to teach.

The articles have alwys been helpful and informative, and in some cases quite humorous. I have printed many of the articles and provided them to co-workers and my supervisor.

I have also used several of the scripts that people have posted to the site. They have saved me hours of development time. Some day I hope to be able to return the favor by posting scripts and perhaps even writing an article myself perchance.

The best thing about this site, however, is having to gotten to know other SQL Server DBAs and Developers. I truely hope to be able to meet some of these individuals some time in the future before I hit retirement.

Tyson Miller

Six months ago, I had no experience with SQL. I work for a fairly small, but very progressive municipal government. We are nearing the end of implementing over $2.5 mil worth of software thanks to an IT bond. All of it is web based using SQL, from our new ERP system, to document management, to GIS, to enterprise reporting, etc. We don't have the budget for a dba or programmers, so for all of these implementations to be successful, someone had to take ownership. This site exposed me to SSIS, and possibilities of data conversions. I can't imagine how much money we have saved in professional services.

The professionals on this site are amazing. The message boards are very informative, helpful, and no personal attacks that are found in other sites. This site is certainly one of the tools I have used as a novice. I never would have dreamed that I could run an enterprise such as this is becoming, but this site has helped give me confidence. Once this is up and stable, I certainly intend on finding a position to enhance my skills and make this a career.

Thank you for putting together this great site. All the best to you, and everyone out there that has helped pave the way for newbies like myself. God bless!

G Bryant McClellan

I never cease to be amazed at the amount of talent that frequents this site. Granted, you'd think that having been working with SQL since 4.2.1, I'd be pretty good at it. But I continually find answers to questions here, some that I'm asking, some that I hadn't thought to ask. I even manage to have an answer or to on occasion. I think that one of the biggest values of this site is the general lack of self interest. Every thread I have read here, every article, every script I've tried is about people willing to share knowledge (and, occasionally, wisdom) because it is the right thing to do. I have many other sites in favorites but this is the one I go to every day.

The quizzes can be a little eye-opening in that we don't always know what we think we know, but that is also their value. There is never any loss of time in finding out what the right answer really is, whether you need it today or not. Some day, that very issue will rear its ugly head and you'll remember having seen reference to it before, and that reference was here.

I also frequently recommend this site to other SQL developers and DBAs that I come in contact with because of the intrinsic value of the content.

Finally, I have to say I respect the professionalism employed both in running the site, picking relevant editorial topics (which I have forwarded to more than one senior manager) and ensuring that the enthusiasm of the members remains high. This also applies to the participants, without which this would simple be a lot of valuable disk space.

BTW congratulations on the 1/2 million mark. I've noticed the number creep up every day and wondered how long it would take.

Oh yes, the site changes are great. The look is smooth an polished.