Are the posted questions getting worse?

Question

Are the posted questions getting worse?

Viewing 15 posts - 20,041 through 20,055 (of 66,749 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 1

Tom.Thomson (10/6/2010)
No, just that you have to be. But being female you have an automatic self-renewing "Just because I have to be doesn't mean I am" card. :hehe:

Um... Thanks. I think. 🙂

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

Alvin Ramard SSC-Forever Points: 41190 More actions · Answer 2

Tom.Thomson (10/6/2010)
... "Just because I have to be doesn't mean I am" ...

I wonder what Descartes would say about that. 😎

Alvin Ramard
Memphis PASS Chapter[/url]

All my SSC forum answers come with a money back guarantee. If you didn't like the answer then I'll gladly refund what you paid for it.

For best practices on asking questions, please read the following article: Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help[/url]

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736632 More actions · Answer 3

Stefan Krzywicki (10/6/2010)
Speed, making sure data types match, remembering to drop down to 32 bit, finding the right drivers, trying to get the total data size under 2 gig. And, of course, this is all in addition to trying to figure out what the error messages really mean. I got an ODBC connectivity error that actually meant I'd hit the database size limit. I got another that meant I had a data-type mismatch and another that meant I hadn't switched to 32 bit from 64. All pretty much the same error meaning all those things.
The first 4.5 million rows are pretty quick, the last 4.5 million seem to take 70 minutes.
On the bright side, I learned how to do a bunch of new things today!

One thing I do is just slam stuff into SQL first, stage it, and then do conversions, fixing, data type matching, etc. You can put it in Standard/Dev first, then get it to 2GB and slide to Express.

BTW, if you move to 2008 Express, it's 10GB.

Evil Kraig F SSC Guru Points: 100851 More actions · Answer 4

Alvin Ramard (10/6/2010)
Tom.Thomson (10/6/2010)
... "Just because I have to be doesn't mean I am" ...
I wonder what Descartes would say about that. 😎

Would probably fall under the same header as: "I am lying." :hehe:

- Craig Farrell

Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

For better assistance in answering your questions[/url] | Forum Netiquette
For index/tuning help, follow these directions.[/url] |Tally Tables[/url]
Twitter: @AnyWayDBA

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736632 More actions · Answer 5

Grant Fritchey (10/6/2010)
Maybe I've gone round the bend. Possibly senility has finally kicked in good and hard. Maybe it's just me, but does this sound a little bit nuts to anyone else?
They're planning to:
A) toss normalization
B) Use GUIDs but no other unique constraints
C) Toss RI because it's "too much work"
D) Use triggers for RI instead
Unless I'm completely missing the boat because of encroaching senility, insanity or just plain old stupidity.

You're a Navy guy, SNAFU.

WayneS SSC Guru Points: 95461 More actions · Answer 6

Brandie Tarvin (10/6/2010)
Lately I have found that more posters actually have a problem with their expected result sets because they forgot (or didn't know) what they should be expecting. That it's not the query that has a problem. It's the interpretation of the request.

Does this mean you're asking "Are the posted questions getting worse?" :hehe:

Wayne
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008
Author - SQL Server T-SQL Recipes

If you can't explain to another person how the code that you're copying from the internet works, then DON'T USE IT on a production system! After all, you will be the one supporting it!

Links:
For better assistance in answering your questions
Performance Problems
Common date/time routines
Understanding and Using APPLY Part 1 & Part 2

TomThomson SSC Guru Points: 104773 More actions · Answer 7

Craig Farrell (10/6/2010)
Alvin Ramard (10/6/2010)
Tom.Thomson (10/6/2010)
... "Just because I have to be doesn't mean I am" ...
I wonder what Descartes would say about that. 😎
Would probably fall under the same header as: "I am lying." :hehe:

No, it's an obvious corrolary of Eve's 3rd law: you surely know the three laws

1) The female is never wrong.

2) The female is always right.

3) Even when she is wrong the female is right.

Tom

Ron McCullough SSC Guru Points: 63877 More actions · Answer 8

GilaMonster (10/6/2010)
Tom.Thomson (10/6/2010)
In my experience that is the normal frustration you should expect if you have a "project manager" in the loop who is neither a devloper nor a user and give him the ability to wield power even though he hasn't a clue about any aspect of the project except the target date.
I'm getting the impression that the PM doesn't know much, if anything about project management. I had a long chat with him this afternoon, essentially explaining how you do impact analysis for changes, in scope vs out of scope, how a functional spec is understood (that if it doesn't say we won't do something it does not in any way imply that we will do that), what should be done before setting timelines for changes and a whole lot more.
Now I'm no project manager, but after the first few moments it was definitely me teaching and him learning. We'll see if any of it soaks in.
It fits with what I've seen there before. People moved into roles they have no knowledge or experience in and expected to pick it up and go on.
I think it's time I rattle a few cages there and remind people (subtly) that I am an experienced consultant, not a piece of the furniture.

Sounds like the "Peter Principle" - people tend to rise to their level of incompetece.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Principle

Peter's Corollary states that "in time, every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out their duties" and adds that "work is accomplished by those employees who have not yet reached their level of incompetence".

If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

Ron

Please help us, help you -before posting a question please read[/url]
Before posting a performance problem please read[/url]

Evil Kraig F SSC Guru Points: 100851 More actions · Answer 9

bitbucket-25253 (10/6/2010)
Peter's Corollary states that "in time, every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out their duties" and adds that "work is accomplished by those employees who have not yet reached their level of incompetence".

The entire thing about the Peter Principle is that just about anywhere you look, you can see it in action. I can still never forget the 'lateral arabesque' (sp?) concept. Talk about goldbricking in action.

It's a disturbing result of simple logic. I definately recommend reading the entire thing if anyone gets the chance.

- Craig Farrell

Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

For better assistance in answering your questions[/url] | Forum Netiquette
For index/tuning help, follow these directions.[/url] |Tally Tables[/url]
Twitter: @AnyWayDBA

Sioban Krzywicki One Orange Chip Points: 27770 More actions · Answer 10

jcrawf02 (10/6/2010)
Alvin Ramard (10/6/2010)
Stefan Krzywicki (10/6/2010)
CirquedeSQLeil (10/6/2010)
It looks like Alvin got it.
And with a reference to the start of the thread no less.
We're now in an infinite loop. We've entered the Matrix. 😛
Alvin's the oracle

I'm sure someone's said this by now, but I haven't read that far and I'm being lazy

I'm sure he'd prefer being the SQL Server. Who wants to be the Oracle? Bleh!

--------------------------------------
When you encounter a problem, if the solution isn't readily evident go back to the start and check your assumptions.
--------------------------------------
It’s unpleasantly like being drunk.
What’s so unpleasant about being drunk?
You ask a glass of water. -- Douglas Adams

Evil Kraig F SSC Guru Points: 100851 More actions · Answer 11

Stefan Krzywicki (10/6/2010)
jcrawf02 (10/6/2010)
Alvin Ramard (10/6/2010)
Stefan Krzywicki (10/6/2010)
CirquedeSQLeil (10/6/2010)
It looks like Alvin got it.
And with a reference to the start of the thread no less.
We're now in an infinite loop. We've entered the Matrix. 😛
Alvin's the oracle
I'm sure someone's said this by now, but I haven't read that far and I'm being lazy
I'm sure he'd prefer being the SQL Server. Who wants to be the Oracle? Bleh!

Yeah, the SQL Server gets his own writer. Okay, sure, he's a lazy git but still, the Oracle's gotta do all his own scrollwork!

- Craig Farrell

Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.

For better assistance in answering your questions[/url] | Forum Netiquette
For index/tuning help, follow these directions.[/url] |Tally Tables[/url]
Twitter: @AnyWayDBA

Alvin Ramard SSC-Forever Points: 41190 More actions · Answer 12

Craig Farrell (10/6/2010)
Stefan Krzywicki (10/6/2010)
jcrawf02 (10/6/2010)
Alvin Ramard (10/6/2010)
Stefan Krzywicki (10/6/2010)
CirquedeSQLeil (10/6/2010)
It looks like Alvin got it.
And with a reference to the start of the thread no less.
We're now in an infinite loop. We've entered the Matrix. 😛
Alvin's the oracle
I'm sure someone's said this by now, but I haven't read that far and I'm being lazy
I'm sure he'd prefer being the SQL Server. Who wants to be the Oracle? Bleh!
Yeah, the SQL Server gets his own writer. Okay, sure, he's a lazy git but still, the Oracle's gotta do all his own scrollwork!

Please watch your language when you're referring to me. Be careful about how you use that "O" word. 😛

Alvin Ramard
Memphis PASS Chapter[/url]

All my SSC forum answers come with a money back guarantee. If you didn't like the answer then I'll gladly refund what you paid for it.

For best practices on asking questions, please read the following article: Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help[/url]

Sioban Krzywicki One Orange Chip Points: 27770 More actions · Answer 13

Steve Jones - SSC Editor (10/6/2010)
Stefan Krzywicki (10/6/2010)
Speed, making sure data types match, remembering to drop down to 32 bit, finding the right drivers, trying to get the total data size under 2 gig. And, of course, this is all in addition to trying to figure out what the error messages really mean. I got an ODBC connectivity error that actually meant I'd hit the database size limit. I got another that meant I had a data-type mismatch and another that meant I hadn't switched to 32 bit from 64. All pretty much the same error meaning all those things.
The first 4.5 million rows are pretty quick, the last 4.5 million seem to take 70 minutes.
On the bright side, I learned how to do a bunch of new things today!
One thing I do is just slam stuff into SQL first, stage it, and then do conversions, fixing, data type matching, etc. You can put it in Standard/Dev first, then get it to 2GB and slide to Express.
BTW, if you move to 2008 Express, it's 10GB.

Good to know about 2008 Express as I'm sure we'll end up with a data set over 2 Gig one of these days.

--------------------------------------
When you encounter a problem, if the solution isn't readily evident go back to the start and check your assumptions.
--------------------------------------
It’s unpleasantly like being drunk.
What’s so unpleasant about being drunk?
You ask a glass of water. -- Douglas Adams

RichardDouglas SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4029 More actions · Answer 14

Stefan Krzywicki (10/6/2010)
Steve Jones - SSC Editor (10/6/2010)
Stefan Krzywicki (10/6/2010)
Speed, making sure data types match, remembering to drop down to 32 bit, finding the right drivers, trying to get the total data size under 2 gig. And, of course, this is all in addition to trying to figure out what the error messages really mean. I got an ODBC connectivity error that actually meant I'd hit the database size limit. I got another that meant I had a data-type mismatch and another that meant I hadn't switched to 32 bit from 64. All pretty much the same error meaning all those things.
The first 4.5 million rows are pretty quick, the last 4.5 million seem to take 70 minutes.
On the bright side, I learned how to do a bunch of new things today!
One thing I do is just slam stuff into SQL first, stage it, and then do conversions, fixing, data type matching, etc. You can put it in Standard/Dev first, then get it to 2GB and slide to Express.
BTW, if you move to 2008 Express, it's 10GB.
Good to know about 2008 Express as I'm sure we'll end up with a data set over 2 Gig one of these days.

I believe that the limit was 4gb for 2008 Express and was raised to 10gb with 2008 R2 Express

Hope this helps,
Rich

[p]
[/p]

Alvin Ramard SSC-Forever Points: 41190 More actions · Answer 15

RichardDouglas (10/6/2010)
Stefan Krzywicki (10/6/2010)
Steve Jones - SSC Editor (10/6/2010)
Stefan Krzywicki (10/6/2010)
Speed, making sure data types match, remembering to drop down to 32 bit, finding the right drivers, trying to get the total data size under 2 gig. And, of course, this is all in addition to trying to figure out what the error messages really mean. I got an ODBC connectivity error that actually meant I'd hit the database size limit. I got another that meant I had a data-type mismatch and another that meant I hadn't switched to 32 bit from 64. All pretty much the same error meaning all those things.
The first 4.5 million rows are pretty quick, the last 4.5 million seem to take 70 minutes.
On the bright side, I learned how to do a bunch of new things today!
One thing I do is just slam stuff into SQL first, stage it, and then do conversions, fixing, data type matching, etc. You can put it in Standard/Dev first, then get it to 2GB and slide to Express.
BTW, if you move to 2008 Express, it's 10GB.
Good to know about 2008 Express as I'm sure we'll end up with a data set over 2 Gig one of these days.
I believe that the limit was 4gb for 2008 Express and was raised to 10gb with 2008 R2 Express

2008R2 Express is still limited to 1 processor and 1 or 2 Gigs of RAM.

Alvin Ramard
Memphis PASS Chapter[/url]

All my SSC forum answers come with a money back guarantee. If you didn't like the answer then I'll gladly refund what you paid for it.

For best practices on asking questions, please read the following article: Forum Etiquette: How to post data/code on a forum to get the best help[/url]