October 21, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Minor Problems
October 22, 2013 at 5:22 am
I have the following criteria for my posts:
1) There is no existing post that already covers what I would say (although consolidation and/or simplification are viable reasons to still post).
2) There is inherent value in the post for either me at a later date or someone else i.e. it is a solution to a problem, not just opinion.
This criteria has lead me to write just four posts. I am not interested in filling a blog up with musings (although this is a valuable output from some people). I find that there are plenty of forums (in the nontechnical sense although they are mostly forums in the technical sense) for opinions and discussions on various topics.
If people want to research me online I am clear about who I am in all my online presences; same name, same avatar. Of course, I am lucky to have an uncommon name combination.
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
October 22, 2013 at 5:40 am
I see Steve's point, but I honestly learn more from forums like this than most blogs. Easier to find stuff here, too.
____________
Just my $0.02 from over here in the cheap seats of the peanut gallery - please adjust for inflation and/or your local currency.
October 22, 2013 at 5:45 am
No problem is a minor problem when you are in the midst of the problem in a production situation. This is more so for a first time problem for the person.
There will be multiple problems that may need a solution . Each problem needs to be solved in some sequence, some problems require immediate attention and others can wait for some time.
All solutions should be posted, as there is a likelihood that some solutions will be applicable to an environment and not to others.
A person looking for a solution when he browses around will be relieved by knowing that such a problem exists and there are multiple solutions.
Unfortunately there is no school that teaches how to solve problems each person has to learn and fend for himself and there is no school to teach how not to create problems.
October 22, 2013 at 5:47 am
100% agreement. I usually tell people to write a post on backups. Yes, they've been done before. I think I must have 6-8 blog posts and at least that many articles. Why do something that's been done before? Because people still don't do their backups and maybe your post will reach someone that mine won't.
Plus, remember, blogging is different than writing articles. Blogging is about helping you remember what you've done by providing a place to put it into a logical order that you can retrieve later. Also, it provides a place to point employers to show them your ability to learn and document that learning, huge skills for good employers. Don't get hung on whether someone else has written the same blog post before. I almost guarantee, whatever it is, someone else has probably done it. But write it anyway. It's practice writing. It's practice ordering your thoughts. It has value.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
October 22, 2013 at 5:48 am
Apart from a site that initially could be read as a site being knowledgable on gender switching, the biggest pet peeve for me in this area are the people who blog via copy and paste (with a little change in order for them to demonstrate how little they truly understand) and sites which provide a view over existing AND public forums (oh maybe this is the solution...oh no it is exactly the same as three other forum sites...grrrrr).
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
October 22, 2013 at 5:49 am
Grant Fritchey (10/22/2013)
...I almost guarantee, whatever it is, someone else has probably done it. But write it anyway. It's practice writing. It's practice ordering your thoughts. It has value.
Fair comment.
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
October 22, 2013 at 7:42 am
Thank you Steve for this article. This is something I need to do but haven't done yet. I guess writing the first one is the most difficult.
Tony
------------------------------------
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
October 22, 2013 at 8:05 am
lshanahan (10/22/2013)
I see Steve's point, but I honestly learn more from forums like this than most blogs. Easier to find stuff here, too.
I, too, can find things easier here. But I see Steve's point, in that blogging about it raises your visibility to the rest of the world. Perhaps people seeking help on doing something like SQL Backups, haven't heard of SQL Server Central before? Who knows, but it does seem to me that recognition, which was one of the things Steve was trying to address in his article, is better done through blogging than through responding to requests on SSC forums.
Kindest Regards, Rod Connect with me on LinkedIn.
October 22, 2013 at 8:18 am
tabinsc (10/22/2013)
Thank you Steve for this article. This is something I need to do but haven't done yet. I guess writing the first one is the most difficult.
Nah, first one is easy. Second, third, fourth, etc. to infinity, that's when they get difficult. Maintaining a blog over time really is a lot of work. And you want to post in a semi-regular fashion. I'd say, minimum, once every month to 6 weeks. Any less than that and it looks kind of unprofessional.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
October 22, 2013 at 8:25 am
Grant Fritchey (10/22/2013)
...Any less than that and it looks kind of unprofessional.
Oops!!!
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
October 22, 2013 at 8:26 am
As a total newbie to SQL Server 4 years ago, I am extremely grateful to questions answered through a blog, message forum or website. It is very gratifying to see that someone else had the same issue, found the solution and was kind enough to post their solution to the problem. It is also sad to find a posting that is the same issue as what you are having and find there wasn't an answer.
I joke with my sister about the wonders of 'Mr Google', but without people posting their solutions or their knowledge, Mr. Google who not be as smart as he is.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to post something.
Christy
October 22, 2013 at 8:36 am
tabinsc (10/22/2013)
Thank you Steve for this article. This is something I need to do but haven't done yet. I guess writing the first one is the most difficult.
It is tough.
My advice. Open Word, mark the date and start writing about something you did this week. Can be a new solution or a way you've done something for years. Take 15 minutes at a time, a couple times a week. Get a page written that explains a solution or technique.
Repeat this 9 times. When you get done, you'll have some idea on how you can produce information on what you do. Schedule these out on a blog and keep going. Get feedback from friends on the writing, start chronicling your technical work.
October 22, 2013 at 8:49 am
Gary Varga (10/22/2013)
I have the following criteria for my posts:1) There is no existing post that already covers what I would say (although consolidation and/or simplification are viable reasons to still post).
2) There is inherent value in the post for either me at a later date or someone else i.e. it is a solution to a problem, not just opinion.
Writing posts isn't necessarily just for you. I would argue it's a good way to show potential employers and others who you are, how you think, what you know.
October 22, 2013 at 8:53 am
Steve Jones - SSC Editor (10/22/2013)
Gary Varga (10/22/2013)
I have the following criteria for my posts:1) There is no existing post that already covers what I would say (although consolidation and/or simplification are viable reasons to still post).
2) There is inherent value in the post for either me at a later date or someone else i.e. it is a solution to a problem, not just opinion.
Writing posts isn't necessarily just for you. I would argue it's a good way to show potential employers and others who you are, how you think, what you know.
I get that but I feel that blogging about something should add value, however, if I had more time...
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
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