Monday, January 31, 2011

SQL Lunch - Introduction to Change Data Capture

Join me tomorrow for a little CDC.
#47-Introduction to Change Data Capture

Lunch Image

Speaker: Patrick LeBlanc

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Meeting URL:  https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usergroups/join?id=269DRP&role=attend

Date and Time: 2/1/2011 11:30:00 AM CST
BIO: Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server MVP, is currently a Business Intelligence Architect for Pragmatic Works. He has worked as a SQL Server DBA for the past 9 years. His experience includes working in the Educational, Advertising, Mortgage, Medical and Financial Industries. He is also the founder of TSQLScripts.com, SQLLunch.com and the President of the Baton Rouge Area SQL Server User Group. Patrick is a regular speaker at various SQL Server community events, including SQL Saturday’s, User Groups and the SQL Lunch.
Topic: #47-Introduction to Change Data Capture
In this session Patrick will introduce the basic concepts for configuring Change Data Capture (CDC). He will explain how to configure CDC at the database level and for each table within the database. In addition, Patrick will explain a few techniques that can be that can be used to load your Data Warehouse Incrementally with CDC.

Talk to you soon,

Patrick LeBlanc, MVP

Founder, www.SQLLunch.com

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

SQL Lunch - Building a Performance Point Dashboard

Don't forget to attend the SQLLunch tomorrow.
#35-Building your first PerformancePoint Dashboard in SharePoint 2010

Lunch Image

Speaker: Adam Jorgensen, SQL Server MVP

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Date and Time: 1/19/2011 11:30:00 AM CST

Meeting URL:  https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usergroups/join?id=RGZ9KD&role=attend


BIO: Adam Jorgensen , MBA, MCDBA, MCITP: BI has over a decade of experience leading organizations around the world in developing and implementing enterprise solutions. His passion is finding new and innovative avenues for clients and the community to embrace business intelligence and lower barriers to implementation. Adam is also very involved in the community as a featured author on SQLServerCentral, SQLShare, as well as a regular contributor to the SQLPASS Virtual User Groups for Business Intelligence and other organizations. He regularly speaks at industry group events, major conferences, Code Camps, and SQLSaturday events on strategic and technical topics.


Topic: #35-Building your first PerformancePoint Dashboard in SharePoint 2010
Many of you have seen the coolness that is PerformancePoint in SharePoint 2010. Come get hands on with Adam as we go through the ins and outs of creating your first dashboard. See some of the cool visualizations you can use and how they work together to create a cool user experience.

Talk to you soon,

Patrick LeBlanc, MCST, SQL Server MVP

Founder www.sqllunch.com

Sunday, January 16, 2011

2011.....So (long pause), what's next for me?

I've actually sat down to write this blog several times.  I am never indecisive when it comes to my thoughts or my writings.  Most of the time I just write what I feel.  For some reason this post was a little challenging.  It was hard for me to decide if I want to share my thoughts about what my goals were for the year.  After a couple of attempts I decided to share. 

So, what's next for Patrick?  Before I delve to deep into my upcoming goals, I want to revisit 2010.  Last year was a very good year for me.  I accomplished everything I set out to do with the exception of one thing, record a few videos for SQL Share.  I have placed this pretty high on my priority list.  The main reason is because I explicitly stated it as a goal last year.  I am working on my second book now, which is monopolizing a fare amount of my free time between midnight and 5 am.  Therefore, most of things I mention here will not begin until I am finished with the first drafts of each chapter.  I have about 4 days of writing left.  I have to say, the two biggest highlights of 2010 for me was being selected as a SQL Server MVP and SQL Lunch turning 1 years old.  Overall, 2010 was a great year for me.

So now, what's next for Patrick?  This is where I get stuck every time on this post.  What do I want to achieve or accomplish?  I am not saying that I have reached the pinnacle of my career.  There is still so much for me left to learn and do, but the challenge is deciding what and making sure that it will fit into my already busy schedule.  Therefore, I decided to only set a few goals now and add more as priorities change and the year goes on.  I plan on chronicling my progress on my blog so follow along.  So here are my goals, not resolutions:

Brand Myself

I spent much of 2010 marketing and talking about the SQL Lunch that I actually forgot about Patrick.  I know some of you that have attended my sessions or met me in person may be thinking, are you kidding.  You talk about yourself constantly or at least your EGO does.  I recently purchased a domain, which will be announced in another blog, that will be all about me.  Yep, I said it all about me.  I will blog, post articles, videos, etc...  What's going to make it different is that I am going to share technical, professional, and personal thoughts there.  I am still going to syndicate all the technical stuff, but I am going to share other thoughts and ideas also.  The later will not get syndicated. 

Grow Technically

I have decided to let my career (not job) and the questions I answer during presentations dictate which technical areas I will grow.  I figured if I focus on those things my knowledge should grow immensely since I am a consultant and I speak on a regular basis.  Now, I may decide after a couple months that these two avenues are not producing enough learning opportunities for me.  At that point, I will start to work on identifying what will be beneficial to me in all aspects of my career.

More Involved

I wear many hats in my life at this time.  Taking on anything new would probably not be a good idea.  So instead, I decided to focus on this things that I am apart of now.  For example, I run the SQL Server User Group here in Baton Rouge.  Our attendance has slumped over the past couple of months.  I plan on making some changes and implementing some new things to improve attendance.  One thing that I have to work on is bringing in speakers.  I think the low attendance can be directly attributed to the fact that we have the same four or five speakers speaking on a regular basis.  Another example, would be to improve the things I do as a PASS Regional Mentor.  I have some ideas that I think will help grow the User Group base in my region and I will be working with my co-Regional Mentor to get them implemented in an attempt to encourage other community members to start chapters in their area.  A final example, which has been brought to my attention several times, is to be a more consistent blogger.

Physically Fit

For me, becoming physically fit is going to require a life style change.  This change will require that I workout daily and change what I eat.  I started this about a week ago and so far not too good.  Fortunately I have someone that is pushing the process along.  I have been given a workout schedule and a daily menu.  Its going to take a little time for me to get this worked in to my life, but I am up to the challenge.  Eating lots and lost of junk food is a big part of my life, especially when I am traveling. 

Family Time

Family is really important to me.  Last year, as I ramped up on Business Intelligence, my job started to take precedence over my family.  No one complained, but when you come home and realize how much you have missed.  Weeeeell, it kind of makes you think.  As a result, I have worked with closely with my family to add their lives to my calendar before I add work.  So far we have the scheduled worked out through May.  As events come up I block that time on my calendar.  After all, what would life be without them.

Speaking

Finally, I want to speak more.  For those of you that know me, you may be thinking really.  Last year I spoke more than 50 times.  I plan on at least meeting that number or exceeding it.  So if you are looking for a speaking for any of your events, please email me at pleblanc@pragmaticworks.com.  I cannot physically attend all the meeting, but through the magic of Live Meeting I can make almost any meeting.  Last year I had the opportunity to speak to the Auckland SQL Server User Group.  I hope I get an opportunity to do that again this year.

PhD

Believe it or not, I am currently working on my PhD in Science and Math Education.  I have completed all my course work and all that is left it to write the dissertation.  Well, I will be back in school the summer working with my committee to get that completed.  I have set a graduation date of May 2012.  Now that it is out there I must do it.  So when I am done, I am going to require that everyone refers to me as Dr. Ego :).

So that is what's next for me.  I don't think these things are unattainable, just some things that I think will make me a better IT professional, father and husband.

Talk to you soon and Happy New Year to you all,

Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server MVP

Founder www.sqllunch.com

TechEd: Session Preference Survey

TechEd has listed some potential sessions for TechEd North America 2011 here:  http://northamerica.msteched.com/sessionpreference?fbid=I1Ydc71JM4a.  They want to know which sessions you are interested in seeing.  I have one session on the list.  I am not going to say which one, since TechEd did not include the names on the site.  I like the idea, this way it's not a popularity contest.  If you have time, go and check out what they are doing.  Select your preferred sessions.  I think it's a great way to find out what the community wants.

Talk to you soon,

Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server MVP

Founder www.SQLLunch.com

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

January Baton Rouge SQL Server User Group

The Baton Rouge SQL Server User Group will be hosting its first meeting of the new year.  Our meeting place has changed to Louisiana State University in Patrick F. Taylor Hall. Both SQL Saturday's held in Baton Rouge were located here.  If you haven't attended a meeting I recommend that you come out to this meeting.  We have two great presentations and some really great giveaways.  Wait, did I mention that I was speaking.  That should definitely get you out.  I will be also giving away a copy of our book, Knights Microsoft Business Intelligence 24 Hour Trainer .  Still not convinced, well there is always the free Pizza and great Networking.  The Baton Rouge .Net User Group will also be meeting that evening.  So, if you are in the area come and hang out with us.

Topics: Introduction to SQL Replication – Transactional (Mark Verret) and Taming your SSIS Configuration Files (Patrick LeBlanc)

Location: LSU, Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Room 1118. Click here for directions.

Date and Time: 1/12/2011 5:45:00 PM
Sponsored By: Envoc

Agenda:
5:45 - 6:15 pm: Networking and Refreshments
6:15 - 7:00 pm: Introduction to Replication
7:00 - 7:45 pm:
Taming your SSIS Configuration Files
7:45 - until:
Open Forum for questions and Raffle

SQL Server User Group

Speaker: Mark Verret

Topic: Introduction to SQL Replication – Transactional

Description: An introduction to SQL Replication with a focus on Transactional Replication. What is SQL Replication and why would you want to use it? The presentation will involve a demonstration and discussion of usage in a production environment.

BIO: Mark Verret has been in the IT field for over 10 years. He is currently the System Administrator and DBA for the LSU Highway Safety Research Group. For the past 2 years he has taken on the DBA role involving SQL replication, warehousing, reporting, etc. Along with teaching an undergraduate business intelligence course, he has also presented at the Baton Rouge SQL user group and Baton Rouge and Dallas SQLSaturday.

Speaker: Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server MVP

Topic: Taming Your SSIS Configuration Files

Description: Typically, you develop SSIS packages on your laptop, desktop or some client machine and then deploy them to a server. In most cases these environments are completely different. They may have different machine names, folders, connection strings, etc… To assist in easing the pain of deploying your SSIS packages, SSIS includes a range of options that help you when building your data integration solutions. These options include: Property expressions, SET options of DTEXec, and my favorite Package Configurations. In this session I will attempt to demystify the usage of Configurations files in your SSIS package with a particular focus on Child and Master package solutions.

BIO: Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server MVP and author, is currently a Business Intelligence Architect for Pragmatic Works. He has worked as a SQL Server DBA for the past 9 years. His experience includes working in the Educational, Advertising, Mortgage, Medical and Financial Industries. He is also the founder of TSQLScripts.com, SQLLunch.com and the President of the Baton Rouge Area SQL Server User Group. Patrick is a regular speaker at various SQL Server community events, including SQL Saturday’s, User Groups and the SQL Lunch.

Patrick Leblanc, SQL Server MVP, MCTS

Founder, www.SQLLunch.com

First SQL Lunch of the Year - SSRS Tips and Tricks with Pam Shaw

Last Year was a great year for the SQL Lunch.  We had so many great presentations.  I am really excited about this year and what we have coming up.  There are three lunches scheduled for this month and we are going to be making a BIG announcement about what we are doing in May on the SQL Lunch.  Stay tuned.
45-Tips & Tricks for dynamic Reporting Services Reports

Lunch Image

Speaker: Pam Shaw

Join Meeting:  https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usergroups/join?id=PNZ5F4&role=attend

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Date and Time: 1/13/2011 11:30:00 AM CST

Topic: #45-Tips & Tricks for dynamic Reporting Services Reports
In this session we will explore the multitude of ways that you can make your reports adapt to the needs of your users. This will include defining formats based on the data contents. We will explore how to refine layouts based on the data to be delivered. We will demonstrate how to create a parameter driven data source. We will take a look at how creating templates can give your catalog of reports a more professional look. All of this together will empower you to have more control over the reports you create.

BIO: Pam Shaw has been in IT for almost 30 years. Since 2001, Pam has been working with SQL Server, first 2000, then 2005 and now 2008. Pam is currently an independent contractor. Pam is also the Chapter Leader of the Tampa Bay SQL Users Group - a local chapter of PASS and organizer of SQL Saturday Tampa.

Patrick LeBlanc, MCTS, SQL Server MVP

Founder www.SQLLunch.com