Dan English's BI Blog: Personal Comments

Heroes Happen {Here} Software

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:48:22 GMT

Just another thing in regards to attending one of the local launch events, free software You receive a sticker when you get checked-in at the event to get the software at the end of the event. The software bundle included Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 (with a trial version of Windows Live OneCare), Windows Server 2008 Enterprise (32 and 64 bit versions - one year evaluation license included), SQL Server 2008 Developer Nov 2007 CTP (32 and 64 bit versions - with a voucher for a evaluation copy of SQL Server 2008 Standard when released), Visual Studio 2008 Standard with MSDN library, Windows Mobile 6 Developer Resource Kit (Dec 2007), and Microsoft Forefront and System Center (limited-time trial software). Wow! No T-Shirt for the launch, but talk about a fabulous software bundle for just attending the launch. Outstanding!

Don't miss a chance to attend if you haven't already missed it in your local area -- Heroes Happen {Here} Registration.

One other thing, stop by the Microsoft Business Intelligence booth and pickup a copy of the Microsoft BI Resource Kit if you haven't gotten one already. This was release at the Microsoft BI Conference last year, but it is loaded with lots of useful white papers and webcasts.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:05:59 GMT

Yesterday we got another 4 to 6 inches of snow. The drive home from the client was awful. I spent 2 1/2 hours on the road. An hour of that was just waiting in the line in Bloomington to get onto 35W! Nothing like the first snowfall on a workday and driving home. At least I got to go sledding with my daughter, so that made up for the awful drive.

The drive in this morning wasn't too bad, made sure I left early. Plus the local BI User Group is tonight so I want to get an early start.

Here we go...

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 12:35:41 GMT

It is time for me to start a blog. I have been wanting to do this for a long time. For the most part this blog is going to be technical in nature and will talk about Business Intelligence and Database related topics (mainly in regards to Microsoft products).

We got about eight inches of snow yesterday, so I thought it was a perfect time to take a look at the Windows Live Spaces and startup a blog finally. Some of the items that get posted will be review or known items for some, but I just want to make sure everyone is aware of them, so I apologize in advance.

I am just downloading the Windows Live Writer application to see how that differs from entering the blog directly into the site. I am assuming it will be useful so I can work on postings offline and then upload them when I am ready and connected. Now I need to figure out where I should begin and what topic(s) to pick.