Steve, sometimes the 'sync' issue has happened with me even on different areas of SQL Server. Like at last year's PASS conference i was consulting with the MS team on...

I think largely that one's experiences with Microsoft tend to be dependant on what issues you are facing and why you need their help. As someone using their software for...

Very well said..and for those who are interested there is this site glassdoor.com that has anonymous reviews of companies including salaries, reviews and even interview questions.

All of these things are true..i was someone who was hired purely on the basis of network contacts even before the position was opened up. The importance of 'knowing the...

Sometimes they do, if you land in a really big corporation that uses all 3 platforms and then of course you do make better than someone who knows just one...

Really interesting that you have clear guidelines...most places i have seen contractors are not full time dbas so i gues that does not apply. In some places they are, but...

Hi Silverfox..have not heard of many DBAs who can afford to be that way..i'd love to leave my work at home too but as a DBA i am expected to...

Yes that is about what i have seen also. Oracle DBAs though make more than double of what SQL Server DBAs do, that is another area of huge difference. Also...

Steve, i meant the guy doing the work. The 'middleman' rates are always hugely variable depending on the influence they have and how they market you. Some contractors i know...

Depending on your skill set and the cost of living factor it can be anywhere between $40 to $200 an hour. Contractors get paid by the hour, not daily. The...

My first three DBA jobs were at 'know it all' places where I did pretty much everything - server set up, maintanence, loading data, sometimes even scrubbing data, promoting code,...

I think the MVP politics is subject for another discussion...just mentioned it casually :)) Yeah like you am wary of the titles + certs too although I give more to...

Interesting article...as someone who has worked in other cutlures somehow i find this US paradigm of more $ = less appreciation somewhat disgusting..all humans need appreciation and some of us...

Yeah I hear what you say on the 'know it alls'. We had one where i work just last week. This dude had 2005/2008 certs under his belt and was...

Wow..one holiday in 15 years...now that is something..i thought we were workaholics out here in the states..:)