Are the posted questions getting worse?

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Are the posted questions getting worse?

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Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736270 More actions · Answer 1

Thom A - Friday, June 29, 2018 3:48 PM
And yet, they followed suit 🙁

I know. I'm annoyed. I got one of the last Pixel XLs from Google this year. They're sold out now. I have no idea what to do next. Likely I'll go to a Galaxy, as they still have the jack

jasona.work SSC Guru Points: 50117 More actions · Answer 2

Well, today is the first of two days off before the weekend, then next week I'm in a training class all week (and out-state.)

Checked my work phone, there's two issues that have popped up, one is very minor, the other is sort of a bigger issue.
Now, ostensibly, one of the Devs is filling in for me, and I've got him called out in my out-of-office auto-reply. So, I'm doing something I find very, very hard to do. I'm NOT hitting reply to the e-mails and I'm NOT bringing out my work laptop...

Does this make me a bad person, or just someone who's willing to take the bosses at their word that I shouldn't work on my days off? If it were next week at the training, I'd be replying on one of the breaks or lunch if I felt I needed to jump in (or if the Dev calls for help.)

In case you're curious about the issues?
One is just renaming a couple linked servers to match the names at the remote end (not really a crisis, they want it to make some troubleshooting easier, and I'll have no problems doing it, nor will the dev responsible for the app that uses them have an issue with it.)
The other slightly bigger issue is an app that appears to have somehow managed to insert some bad data (or that's what they think, *I* think it's a problem with the front end screwing up a couple dates in the where clause...) and they need someone to insert a value to replace a NULL (easy-peasy, the backup guy should be able to do this with his eyes closed.)

Chris Harshman SSC-Forever Points: 42192 More actions · Answer 3

jasona.work - Thursday, July 5, 2018 1:32 PM
Well, today is the first of two days off before the weekend, then next week I'm in a training class all week (and out-state.)
Checked my work phone, there's two issues that have popped up, one is very minor, the other is sort of a bigger issue.
Now, ostensibly, one of the Devs is filling in for me, and I've got him called out in my out-of-office auto-reply. So, I'm doing something I find very, very hard to do. I'm NOT hitting reply to the e-mails and I'm NOT bringing out my work laptop...
Does this make me a bad person, or just someone who's willing to take the bosses at their word that I shouldn't work on my days off? If it were next week at the training, I'd be replying on one of the breaks or lunch if I felt I needed to jump in (or if the Dev calls for help.)
In case you're curious about the issues?
One is just renaming a couple linked servers to match the names at the remote end (not really a crisis, they want it to make some troubleshooting easier, and I'll have no problems doing it, nor will the dev responsible for the app that uses them have an issue with it.)
The other slightly bigger issue is an app that appears to have somehow managed to insert some bad data (or that's what they think, *I* think it's a problem with the front end screwing up a couple dates in the where clause...) and they need someone to insert a value to replace a NULL (easy-peasy, the backup guy should be able to do this with his eyes closed.)

I don't think it makes you a bad person. Let the substitute have his try at it first, or are you saying they already did try and now it's escalated to you on time off? That's typically what happens to me on time off, even though I try to document what the practices are, sometimes the non DBA backups I have are afraid to do what I've documented and just want to "be sure".

Matt Miller (4) SSC Guru Points: 124210 More actions · Answer 4

Chris Harshman - Thursday, July 5, 2018 3:12 PM
jasona.work - Thursday, July 5, 2018 1:32 PM
Well, today is the first of two days off before the weekend, then next week I'm in a training class all week (and out-state.)
Checked my work phone, there's two issues that have popped up, one is very minor, the other is sort of a bigger issue.
Now, ostensibly, one of the Devs is filling in for me, and I've got him called out in my out-of-office auto-reply. So, I'm doing something I find very, very hard to do. I'm NOT hitting reply to the e-mails and I'm NOT bringing out my work laptop...
Does this make me a bad person, or just someone who's willing to take the bosses at their word that I shouldn't work on my days off? If it were next week at the training, I'd be replying on one of the breaks or lunch if I felt I needed to jump in (or if the Dev calls for help.)
In case you're curious about the issues?
One is just renaming a couple linked servers to match the names at the remote end (not really a crisis, they want it to make some troubleshooting easier, and I'll have no problems doing it, nor will the dev responsible for the app that uses them have an issue with it.)
The other slightly bigger issue is an app that appears to have somehow managed to insert some bad data (or that's what they think, *I* think it's a problem with the front end screwing up a couple dates in the where clause...) and they need someone to insert a value to replace a NULL (easy-peasy, the backup guy should be able to do this with his eyes closed.)
I don't think it makes you a bad person. Let the substitute have his try at it first, or are you saying they already did try and now it's escalated to you on time off? That's typically what happens to me on time off, even though I try to document what the practices are, sometimes the non DBA backups I have are afraid to do what I've documented and just want to "be sure".

I'm with Chris on this one. Unless it's on fire, and a fire that the backup cannot handle (whether that's based on them telling you they can't, or some other established escalation would need to be established), then don't jump in. It does no one any favors if you're "the fixer", i.e. the only one who can do these things. Everyone needs a backup, and having a backup includes giving them time to figure out some of these things on their own.

Besides, you've actually *earned* the time off and coming back to work recharged would be beneficial to your org.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency on my part...unless you're my manager...or a director and above...or a really loud-spoken end-user..All right - what was my emergency again?

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1004365 More actions · Answer 5

jasona.work - Thursday, July 5, 2018 1:32 PM
Well, today is the first of two days off before the weekend, then next week I'm in a training class all week (and out-state.)
Checked my work phone, there's two issues that have popped up, one is very minor, the other is sort of a bigger issue.
Now, ostensibly, one of the Devs is filling in for me, and I've got him called out in my out-of-office auto-reply. So, I'm doing something I find very, very hard to do. I'm NOT hitting reply to the e-mails and I'm NOT bringing out my work laptop...
Does this make me a bad person, or just someone who's willing to take the bosses at their word that I shouldn't work on my days off? If it were next week at the training, I'd be replying on one of the breaks or lunch if I felt I needed to jump in (or if the Dev calls for help.)
In case you're curious about the issues?
One is just renaming a couple linked servers to match the names at the remote end (not really a crisis, they want it to make some troubleshooting easier, and I'll have no problems doing it, nor will the dev responsible for the app that uses them have an issue with it.)
The other slightly bigger issue is an app that appears to have somehow managed to insert some bad data (or that's what they think, *I* think it's a problem with the front end screwing up a couple dates in the where clause...) and they need someone to insert a value to replace a NULL (easy-peasy, the backup guy should be able to do this with his eyes closed.)

Heh... two thoughts come to mind on this.

1. How can they miss you if you won't go away?
2. I tell people that I'm a Database Administrator. They then ask what I do. If it's a short elevator ride, my response is that they'll find out what I do when I stop doing it. 😉

I agree with the others... keep a watchful eye if you want (I usually do, just in case) but do not respond unless they call you on the phone with a "Really sorry to bother you but we're in deep Kimchi and need your help" kind of message.

--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)

jasona.work SSC Guru Points: 50117 More actions · Answer 6

Yeah, so far there hasn't been a phone call, and nothing from the backup. So I'm taking a "hands off until someone rings the fire alarm" attitude.

When they really want the backup to be able to back me up (without a safety net of me having my work phone and laptop with me) is when I'm taking two weeks off in August / September. In a way, one nice thing about working government is they tend to be very strict about taking your time off and not working during such time. One of the other devs (who is a gov guy, most are contractors) had a work phone for a time and was instructed to NOT look at it / answer e-mails on it after hours / on his days off (apparently they caught him doing this.)

Of course, an app that works except for one little thing isn't quite the same as "OH CRAP THE PRODUCTION DATABASE SERVER IS DOWN AND THE DBA IS ON HIS DAY OFF" I think so far, because I've been so "light" as far as working on my off hours (through the phone,) it's not been an issue.

Ed Wagner SSC Guru Points: 287026 More actions · Answer 7

jasona.work - Thursday, July 5, 2018 9:43 PM
Yeah, so far there hasn't been a phone call, and nothing from the backup. So I'm taking a "hands off until someone rings the fire alarm" attitude.
When they really want the backup to be able to back me up (without a safety net of me having my work phone and laptop with me) is when I'm taking two weeks off in August / September. In a way, one nice thing about working government is they tend to be very strict about taking your time off and not working during such time. One of the other devs (who is a gov guy, most are contractors) had a work phone for a time and was instructed to NOT look at it / answer e-mails on it after hours / on his days off (apparently they caught him doing this.)
Of course, an app that works except for one little thing isn't quite the same as "OH CRAP THE PRODUCTION DATABASE SERVER IS DOWN AND THE DBA IS ON HIS DAY OFF" I think so far, because I've been so "light" as far as working on my off hours (through the phone,) it's not been an issue.

Jason, if you never give the backup DBA the opportunity to fail, you'll never know if they can succeed...and neither will they. Yes, you should try to take the proverbial "wheels have come off the cart and we need help" phone call, but don't constantly check email and everything else. Part of the job is knowing when to call in the Senior DBA for help. Oh yeah, try to enjoy your time off.

Tally Tables - Performance Personified
String Splitting with True Performance
Best practices on how to ask questions

Sean Lange SSC Guru Points: 286590 More actions · Answer 8

I tried smoking beef short ribs for the first time on July 4th. I have braised them in the oven plenty of times in the past but they were out of this world on the smoker. Look how moist and tender those are. And the smoke ring is dynamite.

_______________________________________________________________

Need help? Help us help you.

Read the article at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/ for best practices on asking questions.

Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.

Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/

ChrisM@Work SSC Guru Points: 186127 More actions · Answer 9

Sean Lange - Friday, July 6, 2018 8:32 AM
I tried smoking beef short ribs for the first time on July 4th. I have braised them in the oven plenty of times in the past but they were out of this world on the smoker. Look how moist and tender those are. And the smoke ring is dynamite.

Perfection on a plate! This looks amazing Sean.

^{“Write the query the simplest way. If through testing it becomes clear that the performance is inadequate, consider alternative query forms.” - Gail Shaw}

For fast, accurate and documented assistance in answering your questions, please read this article.
Understanding and using APPLY, (I) and (II) Paul White
Hidden RBAR: Triangular Joins / The "Numbers" or "Tally" Table: What it is and how it replaces a loop Jeff Moden

Sean Lange SSC Guru Points: 286590 More actions · Answer 10

ChrisM@Work - Friday, July 6, 2018 9:06 AM
Sean Lange - Friday, July 6, 2018 8:32 AM
I tried smoking beef short ribs for the first time on July 4th. I have braised them in the oven plenty of times in the past but they were out of this world on the smoker. Look how moist and tender those are. And the smoke ring is dynamite.
Perfection on a plate! This looks amazing Sean.

Thanks Chris. I was pretty pleased with the result on these.

_______________________________________________________________

Need help? Help us help you.

Read the article at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/ for best practices on asking questions.

Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.

Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/

Ed Wagner SSC Guru Points: 287026 More actions · Answer 11

Sean Lange - Friday, July 6, 2018 9:21 AM
ChrisM@Work - Friday, July 6, 2018 9:06 AM
Sean Lange - Friday, July 6, 2018 8:32 AM
I tried smoking beef short ribs for the first time on July 4th. I have braised them in the oven plenty of times in the past but they were out of this world on the smoker. Look how moist and tender those are. And the smoke ring is dynamite.
Perfection on a plate! This looks amazing Sean.
Thanks Chris. I was pretty pleased with the result on these.

Very nice, sir. How long did you smoke them?

Tally Tables - Performance Personified
String Splitting with True Performance
Best practices on how to ask questions

Sean Lange SSC Guru Points: 286590 More actions · Answer 12

Ed Wagner - Friday, July 6, 2018 9:28 AM
Very nice, sir. How long did you smoke them?

I was doing pork belly burnt ends at the same time so it was a little hotter than I would probably run this. I kept the temp about 250F or so. I left these on the rack for about 4 hours. Then made a braising liquid with chianti, beef stock and butter. Set them in the liquid and spooned the liquid over at the beginning. Wrapped and back on for another couple hours. The rub on this came out way better than I expected. It is a super secret recipe of both kosher salt and pepper (absolutely nothing else). 😉

_______________________________________________________________

Need help? Help us help you.

Read the article at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/ for best practices on asking questions.

Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.

Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736270 More actions · Answer 13

jasona.work - Thursday, July 5, 2018 9:43 PM
Yeah, so far there hasn't been a phone call, and nothing from the backup. So I'm taking a "hands off until someone rings the fire alarm" attitude.
When they really want the backup to be able to back me up (without a safety net of me having my work phone and laptop with me) is when I'm taking two weeks off in August / September. In a way, one nice thing about working government is they tend to be very strict about taking your time off and not working during such time. One of the other devs (who is a gov guy, most are contractors) had a work phone for a time and was instructed to NOT look at it / answer e-mails on it after hours / on his days off (apparently they caught him doing this.)
Of course, an app that works except for one little thing isn't quite the same as "OH CRAP THE PRODUCTION DATABASE SERVER IS DOWN AND THE DBA IS ON HIS DAY OFF" I think so far, because I've been so "light" as far as working on my off hours (through the phone,) it's not been an issue.

I'll ask you what my wife asks: Are you saving babies? Is anything life threatening?

If you're pushing bits and helping people, great. It's not the end of the world if the system goes down. If you're on vacation, turn the work phone off. Everything will be fine or it won't. Either way, it shouldn't be your issue. If it is that important, they'll know you're really valuable. If it's not, you're giving away part of your life.

xsevensinzx One Orange Chip Points: 25560 More actions · Answer 14

xsevensinzx

One Orange Chip

Points: 25560

July 6, 2018 at 12:16 pm

#1996603

I smoked some ribs too. Came out perfect.

Sean Lange SSC Guru Points: 286590 More actions · Answer 15

xsevensinzx - Friday, July 6, 2018 12:16 PM
I smoked some ribs too. Came out perfect.

Nice, they look great. Did you smoke the mac & cheese as well? If not, you should try that sometime....so yummy!!!! What is the corn relish looking thing on the far side there?

_______________________________________________________________

Need help? Help us help you.

Read the article at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/ for best practices on asking questions.

Need to split a string? Try Jeff Modens splitter http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Tally+Table/72993/.

Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 1 – Converting Rows to Columns - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/T-SQL/63681/
Cross Tabs and Pivots, Part 2 - Dynamic Cross Tabs - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Crosstab/65048/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 1) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69953/
Understanding and Using APPLY (Part 2) - http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/APPLY/69954/