The Big O

Some of  you may or may not have heard, but for those who haven’t, we are getting Oracle databases at work. And the crowd goes wild!  I’m really excited and actually looking forward to it. It’s a great opportunity to learn something new which is one thing I love about my job. I’m really happy we’re getting training too. Yay! It will be nice to take some classes for once since I haven’t really had any formal SQL Server training. It’s all been on the job training with the exception of one Reporting Services architecture class. I understand there will be consultants to help us out along the way too. I’m really hoping to learn a lot from them. I’ve had some less than stellar experiences in the past with consultants at other jobs, but I’m going to strive to be positive that it will work out just fine in this case. Call me naive but I really do hope it works out. Crossing fingers and toes and everything else I can think of!

Uhh... sorry, but I'm a little busy right now...

It’s my understanding that we’ll have both Windows and Linux boxes. The Oracle version we’re getting is Oracle 11g R2. I was very excited to hear we’re getting Linux. In one of my past jobs, I did a little roundabout UNIX administration and really enjoyed it.  Feel the power! Muhahahaha… Now I need to dust off the cobwebs. So far Linux is extremely similar to the UNIX I used way back when. Hopefully the learning curve won’t be all that bad. It may help that my husband is currently taking IT classes and this semester it so happens he’s taking a UNIX class. Note to self: need to swipe…err, borrow his UNIX book… Luckily, I have a little experience with Oracle 9i from several years ago. However, it was just writing stored procedures in PL/SQL for reports. Now we need to learn to be Oracle Administrators first and then development comes later on. What is really truly going to help us out is that our manager is Oracle certified (even though it was a while ago) and our newest DBA has experience with Oracle. At this point, I think we need all the help we can get.

Our first big Oracle project just kicked off this last week. The time line is very aggressive and tight with production scheduled for mid September. Plus we have current ongoing projects that will keep moving forward at the same time in addition to any production issues that arise. We’re also taking over the administration of several SQL Servers from other departments that are moving onto our network including one SQL 2008 cluster. That will keep us pretty busy too.  Whew!

Having said all that, it’s time for the bad news. I honestly don’t know how much time I’ll be able to devote to my blog in the near future. I want you all to know I haven’t abandoned writing on this blog, but I will try to post when I can. Beware there may be some Oracle lurking in there somewhere with SQL clustering and what not. You have been warned! :-)

My main purpose of writing this post is that I’m really curious what your experiences with Oracle are.  Please feel free to comment!  I’m looking foward to reading your comments and opinions – the good, the bad and hopefully not too ugly.

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Get Your Kicks at SQL Sat 66

Yes, that’s right! Our user group is hosting a SQL Saturday of our very own! Yay! Woo hoo!  Mark your calendars! This event is going to be way cool, different, and oh-so much fun! Want to see just how cool? For a sneak preview, just take a gander at Chris Shaw’s blog!  Go carts? Bowling? Video games? Fun for the whole family while you get your fill of SQL and a cool twist on socializing with fellow SQL peeps? How cool is that? Hey, we may be a small group, but we know how to have fun.

Feeling the need to speak? No problem! The call for speakers is open. So sign up here with your proposed session. We are getting some great session propoals!

Where is it, you ask? Colorado Springs, Colorado. No, duh. Oh! You meant where in Colorado Springs?  It’s at the Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center.  It’s gonna be fan-tabulous! We are all very excited about it.

Sold on it yet? Did I just hear a resounding YES? Then register here!  If you said no, well, I just won’t go there. Tell us your thoughts! I even added a poll down below for your convenience. Yeah, I’m cool like that.

Now for anyone wondering, I did survive my week at the office all by my lonesome self when my DBA buddy and our fearless leader hobnobbed at PASS. They were cool enough to come back bearing gifts including chocolate and a shot glass.  A shot glass? Hmm… was that a hint?  Thankfully, it was pretty quiet while they were out. I didn’t even have break out the duct tape! Darn it! Oh, I mean whew!

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A Public SQL Announcement (PSA)

Since it’s my lunch time and having inhaled my fourth cup of coffee (I’m more of a 1 to 2 cups of coffee per day gal), I thought I’d burn off some brain cells and write a quick little post…

Note to self: When people are used to making coffee with 2 scoops, making coffee using 4 scoops may be a tad too much for them to handle… especially when your DBA buddy makes the comment “Great! Now I’m starting to act like you!” Then something about bouncing off the walls and being all witty and stuff… Thankfully, she was smiling and laughing when she said it. So, of course, my response was “You say that like it’s a bad thing!”   Hey, I warned her ahead of time that I may have made the coffee just a tad on the strong side! But did she listen? No! Hee Hee… She also mentioned something about putting a disclaimer note up when I make the coffee. No worries, though! It’s all in good fun. 30 help desk tickets? No problem! At this rate, I should have them all finished by 3:00 today! Woo hoo!! The way my luck goes, the caffeine will probably wear off before then… Seriously, I didn’t intend to make it that much stronger… next time I’ll just use 3 scoops… oh, sorry I got a bit distracted for a minute there… anyway…

On to the Public SQL Announcement! This week’s user group meeting is going to be freakin’ awesome! Kevin Cox, of Microsoft and SQL Customer Advisory Team (SQL CAT), will be speaking about the Biggest Mission Critical Projects on SQL Server!!! If you’re in the Colorado Springs area, this is one meeting you just can’t afford to miss!!! I’ve even managed to convince my other half to attend!   

Guess what???  In less than 2 weeks, we will be flyin’ outta here to Miami for the SQL Cruise!!!   Time is a flyin’!!! Speaking of the cruise, the sponsors of this flippin’ awesome event are just plain SQL-tastic!!! I gotta give MAJOR SQL Thanks to SQL Sentry, Edgewood Solutions, Red Gate, and Quest Software!!! You guys SO totally rock!!!!! There aren’t enough words for me to express just how much their sponsoring the cruise is truly and seriously appreciated!!!! 

Okie dokie, kiddos! Until next time, may all your queries be fast and all your data clean!!!

This has been a Public SQL Announcement brought to you by SQLPrincess – the ultra-caffeinated and goofy database professional who may not be allowed to make coffee anymore… at least not without supervision…

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