Five Things I Learned at the PASS Summit

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Five Things I Learned at the PASS Summit

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

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May 12, 2010 at 9:48 pm

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Comments posted to this topic are about the item Five Things I Learned at the PASS Summit

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Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004324 More actions · Answer 1

Very cool article, Steve. When you get that much brain-power, skill, and experience together all in one place, you can't help but learn something new and important even if you just walk down the hallways. Nicely done.

BTW... I've submitted two abstracts as a possible speaker for the 2010 summit and I'm working on a third. I didn't make reservations like I wanted to last week but I'm working on them now.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736173 More actions · Answer 2

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

SSC Guru

Points: 736173

May 17, 2010 at 7:30 am

#1168256

Good to hear, and good luck.

Hope to see you there.

SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 3

There are a couple more take-aways from the conference that I like.

1) You have the opportunity to learn from peers and not just the presenters. The classes have a schedule but the discussions may bleed over into the hallways, meal time, and other events that are happening.

2) Networking.

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events

SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 4

Jeff Moden (5/12/2010)
BTW... I've submitted two abstracts as a possible speaker for the 2010 summit and I'm working on a third.

I may have to make my way into one of your sessions then. Hope you get a slot.

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
Learn Extended Events

dma-669038 SSCrazy Points: 2773 More actions · Answer 5

I will look out for Jeff's sessions this time..I attended my first summit in 1999 by taking a loan since O could not afford it and my company was not willing to pay, was an accidental DBA back then. The summit inspired me to start a local chapter and since then have not looked back.

WI-DBA SSCrazy Points: 2110 More actions · Answer 6

I get to go to my first Summit this year - had to negotiate it as part of a counter offer. Its good for both parties. I am looking forward to the Session abstracts coming out to start planning.

Where is the best spot to stay near the Summit? If possible I will stay in the hotel right there, but you never know about companies and the bean counters.

Will see you at the SSC party Steve - I am going to need someone to teach me to gamble since I spend my free time on the water or in the woods 🙂

Cheers
http://twitter.com/widba
http://widba.blogspot.com/

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736173 More actions · Answer 7

Ha, I don't gamble! Went to a casino in New Orleans at Tech Ed, watched a friend lose a few hundred. Looks easy, can't bring myself to drop $5 there. Happy to pay for beers and watch. Plus I typically don't have time to gamble at the party. If my wife comes this year, I might try to find time.

In terms of the hotels, downtown Seattle is fairly small. I think all the Summit hotels are easy walking distance. I usually stay in the Sheraton for the 35th floor workout room and it's next door to the Summit. I think the Westin is the furthest, about 5 blocks away. I did stay in the Roosevelt or Renaissance one year and it was cheaper.

WI-DBA SSCrazy Points: 2110 More actions · Answer 8

Thanks - I am in good with our secretary ( vegetables from the garden for bribery) and she runs the show on bookings - the hotel at the Summit would seem the likely choice.

Let me know if you need a volunteer for the party - I am coming alone and will "know" zero people so volunteering would a nice way to help out and meet some people.

Cheers
http://twitter.com/widba
http://widba.blogspot.com/

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736173 More actions · Answer 9

The party runs itself for the most part, and I press a few RG people into service for volunteers. Come enjoy, gamble, say hi to a few people. It will be fun!

Daniel Bowlin SSC-Dedicated Points: 34566 More actions · Answer 10

Interesting article, thanks. Unfortunately I can't make it this year due to a scheduling conflict. I am new in my job and I am not even sure there would be a budget for it.

I recently went to a SQL Saturday session in NY and I thought it was fantastic. One of the door prizes was the entire 2009 summit on DVD. Unfortunately I didn't win it. I am considering buying it for the hefty price tag of $595. Can anyone offer guidance on the DVD set? Does it offer a good value? Can you see enough detail in the presentations to be useful?

Thanks.

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 11

The DVDs are very good. They're not videos of the presenter, they're desktop captures + audio. so you don't have to worry about whether or not you can see the screen clearly, you see exactly what was on the presenter's desktop.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

Daniel Bowlin SSC-Dedicated Points: 34566 More actions · Answer 12

That's great. Thanks for your quick reply. Can you also hear audience participation and questions?

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 13

No. The speaker is supposed to repeat audience questions before answering, most of them do most of the time.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736173 More actions · Answer 14

You can hear some of the audience. Some presenters are good about repeating questions, some aren't.

Overall I thought they were pretty good.