May 22, 2012 at 11:36 pm
Gianluca Sartori (5/22/2012)
OK, since I'm back to posting on The Thread, I think I'll share this one with you.Lately I've been working a lot as a SQL Server trainer and I taught several courses.
Here's some random thoughts:
1 - MS courseware leaves a lot of space for improvement. Exception made for 6231B (Greg Low was among the authors), many of those courses are far from perfect.
Some are even a pain to teach. For instance, the 50400 had no sensible content flow and I had to go back and forth on the slide deck to make sense out of it.
2 - In every class there's at least one smartass that thinks he knows better than the instructor. So, let me ask, why did you buy the training at all?
3 - Teaching is tiring and fatiguing. Each training day requires at least one day of preparation on my side. (That's why I disappeared from the forums lately).
Has any of you worked as a trainer? Thoughts?
I've done some (minor) trainings.
1. Yes, MS courseware is not always optimal. One of the training vendors here usually creates their own content, so quality is a bit better.
2. There's always a smartass. (I've caught myself a few times being that smartass :blush:) There can be various reasons: not so bright instructor and bright pupil (as mentioned before), or the other way around: the instructor is very bright and the pupil might find himself outclassed, so he tries to prove he's not an idiot. It can also be low self esteem and a desperate need to attract attention and to prove himself (some sort of Napoleon complex).
3. In all the cases, I spent more time preparing the training then actually giving it. Usually I get paid 1/2 day or a full day preparation, but I always need more time.
Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP
May 22, 2012 at 11:43 pm
Stefan Krzywicki (5/22/2012)
Lynn Pettis (5/22/2012)
If people would just format their code they could figure out some of their own problems. Geez.Many should format it all at once, like with
Format C:\
Perhaps the next time someone asks a really silly SQL question, someone will suggest this to solve their problem:
EXEC xp_cmdshell 'format c:\'
My thought question: Have you ever been told that your query runs too fast?
My advice:
INDEXing a poor-performing query is like putting sugar on cat food. Yeah, it probably tastes better but are you sure you want to eat it?
The path of least resistance can be a slippery slope. Take care that fixing your fixes of fixes doesn't snowball and end up costing you more than fixing the root cause would have in the first place.
Need to UNPIVOT? Why not CROSS APPLY VALUES instead?[/url]
Since random numbers are too important to be left to chance, let's generate some![/url]
Learn to understand recursive CTEs by example.[/url]
[url url=http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/St
May 23, 2012 at 1:03 am
Revenant (5/22/2012)
Gianluca Sartori (5/22/2012)
Thanks everyone for the suggestions and opinions.If everything goes well, I won't be working as a trainer any more.
I'm negotiating a contract as DBA/DBD. It's going to be a life change, but looks very promising.
Fingers crossed.
I will keep my fiungers crossed for you, too.
Does that 'DBA' stand for Administrator or Architect?
Administrator.
I live in Italy: businesses realized only recently that they needed DBAs and it will take some more decades to understand what an Architect is.
-- Gianluca Sartori
May 23, 2012 at 3:25 am
dwain.c (5/22/2012)
Stefan Krzywicki (5/22/2012)
Lynn Pettis (5/22/2012)
If people would just format their code they could figure out some of their own problems. Geez.Many should format it all at once, like with
Format C:\Perhaps the next time someone asks a really silly SQL question, someone will suggest this to solve their problem:
EXEC xp_cmdshell 'format c:\'
No, because chances are someone (the OP or a later visitor) will actually try it.
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
May 23, 2012 at 3:27 am
GilaMonster (5/23/2012)
dwain.c (5/22/2012)
Stefan Krzywicki (5/22/2012)
Lynn Pettis (5/22/2012)
If people would just format their code they could figure out some of their own problems. Geez.Many should format it all at once, like with
Format C:\Perhaps the next time someone asks a really silly SQL question, someone will suggest this to solve their problem:
EXEC xp_cmdshell 'format c:\'
No, because chances are someone (the OP or a later visitor) will actually try it.
Normally it shouldn't really be a problem. SQL Server runs only on Windows, which is usually installed in the C:\ drive. If they run the command, you should get an error that the drive is in use.
Need an answer? No, you need a question
My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP
May 23, 2012 at 3:31 am
GilaMonster (5/23/2012)
dwain.c (5/22/2012)
Stefan Krzywicki (5/22/2012)
Lynn Pettis (5/22/2012)
If people would just format their code they could figure out some of their own problems. Geez.Many should format it all at once, like with
Format C:\Perhaps the next time someone asks a really silly SQL question, someone will suggest this to solve their problem:
EXEC xp_cmdshell 'format c:\'
No, because chances are someone (the OP or a later visitor) will actually try it.
Killjoy!
My thought question: Have you ever been told that your query runs too fast?
My advice:
INDEXing a poor-performing query is like putting sugar on cat food. Yeah, it probably tastes better but are you sure you want to eat it?
The path of least resistance can be a slippery slope. Take care that fixing your fixes of fixes doesn't snowball and end up costing you more than fixing the root cause would have in the first place.
Need to UNPIVOT? Why not CROSS APPLY VALUES instead?[/url]
Since random numbers are too important to be left to chance, let's generate some![/url]
Learn to understand recursive CTEs by example.[/url]
[url url=http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/St
May 23, 2012 at 9:28 am
GilaMonster (5/23/2012)
dwain.c (5/22/2012)Perhaps the next time someone asks a really silly SQL question, someone will suggest this to solve their problem:
EXEC xp_cmdshell 'format c:\'
No, because chances are someone (the OP or a later visitor) will actually try it.
RM *
May 23, 2012 at 10:06 am
May 23, 2012 at 10:26 am
dwain.c (5/23/2012)
GilaMonster (5/23/2012)
dwain.c (5/22/2012)
Stefan Krzywicki (5/22/2012)
Lynn Pettis (5/22/2012)
If people would just format their code they could figure out some of their own problems. Geez.Many should format it all at once, like with
Format C:\Perhaps the next time someone asks a really silly SQL question, someone will suggest this to solve their problem:
EXEC xp_cmdshell 'format c:\'
No, because chances are someone (the OP or a later visitor) will actually try it.
Killjoy!
Please, everyone knows that you can't format C: while windows is running... unless you use the /Q/X switches... Then you get a nasty surprise on restart.
May 23, 2012 at 10:42 am
Anyone else noticing a sudden concern over the size of database backup files?
May 23, 2012 at 10:56 am
Lynn Pettis (5/23/2012)
Anyone else noticing a sudden concern over the size of database backup files?
I've seen a few people question it. My guess is it's a cycle, where we have some new people coming to SQL Server and asking questions.
May 23, 2012 at 11:06 am
ARRGGGGG!!!!! Why won't he just go away!
May 23, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Hi Lynn.
__________________________________________________
Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain. -- Friedrich Schiller
Stop, children, what's that sound? Everybody look what's going down. -- Stephen Stills
May 23, 2012 at 12:46 pm
The Dixie Flatline (5/23/2012)
Hi Lynn.
I am not talking about he-who-is-without-clues.
I am talking about someone else.
May 23, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Lynn Pettis (5/23/2012)
The Dixie Flatline (5/23/2012)
Hi Lynn.I am not talking about he-who-is-without-clues.
I am talking about someone else.
Tom Brady? He'll be retiring soon.
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What’s so unpleasant about being drunk?
You ask a glass of water. -- Douglas Adams
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