Brad M McGehee

Indytechfest 2008 Coming October 4

2008-08-18T18:53:58Z

If you live within driving distance of Indianapolis, IN, I suggest you make plans for attending Indytechfest 2008, this upcoming Saturday, October 4, 2008. This free event includes 30 sessions on .NET, Enterprise Development, SharePoint, Business Intelligence, SQL Server, and more. I'll be presenting twice at the event. Besides myself, come and meet Steve Jones (the webmaster of SQServerCentral.com), Andy Warren (End-to-End Training), Kevin Kline (Former PASS president), and many more. To find...(read more)

SQL Server 2008 to be Available in August

2008-07-09T22:02:33Z

It's official now. SQL Server 2008 will be available in August, as announced at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Houston. See http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Application-Development/Microsoft-to-Deliver-SQL-Server-2008-in-August/ for more information....(read more)

Which Version of SQL Server 2008 Supports Your Favorite New Features?

2008-06-26T02:12:00Z

I have been spending a lot of time learning about SQL Server 2008 this past six months. I have attended conferences, on-line training, read articles and blogs, and have spent a lot of time reading SQL Server 2008 Books Online. When a new feature is discussed, like data compression, backup compression, resource governor, partition table parallelism, policy-based managment, data collector, among others, there is generally no reference as to which SQL Server 2008 edition the feature belongs. This is...(read more)

Are You an Exceptional DBA?

2008-05-28T19:44:17Z

Over the past 13 years that I have been a DBA, I have had the opportunity to meet hundreds of other DBAs through the website I started, at my place(s) of work, at other companies, at user group meetings, and at conferences. I have meet DBAs who are new to the career, others who are experienced SQL Server MVPs, and everything in between. One thing that really has stood out when talking with other DBAs is that there are no sources of information on how to become a DBA. In other words, there are no...(read more)

SQL Server Video Training is Becoming All the Rage

2008-05-20T00:43:20Z

Over this past year, I have noticed how popular online video training has become. Video training on virtually any topic can be found, anywhere from free, to nominal cost, and even high dollar. All you have to do is to do an Internet search for the topic of interest, and include "video training" as part of your search phrase. As a SQL Server DBA, I find myself spending a lot of time self-learning. Most of my time is spent reading books and practicing. I have tried some conventional, web...(read more)

SQLTeach & DevTeach Coming to Toronto in May

2008-04-27T00:11:51Z

If you live in Canada, or nearby Toronto, consider attending SQLTeach and DevTeach this May. I will be presenting three sessions on SQL Server you might want to check out: DBA 101: Best Practices for New DBAs How to Use SQL Server Hints Introduction to the SQL Server 2008 Performance Data Collector Besides my sessions, check out the following features: DevTeach is innovating with its Silverlight 2.0 workshop in Toronto For the first time an independent conference is having a workshop on Building...(read more)

Master SQL Server Internals with New DVD Training from Kalen Delaney

2008-03-18T09:32:16Z

SQL Server guru Kalen Delaney, with help from http://sqlserverdvd.com , is offering a series of two-hour DVDs on SQL Server Internals. The first of the DVD series, Lesson 1: Architecture and Metadata, is currently available for $29.95 from http://sqlserverdvd.com . If you would like to save a few dollars, you can watch the DVD for only $14.95 online instead of getting a hard copy. In the near future, http://sqlserverdvd.com will be offering additional DVD training, including training from Paul Neilson...(read more)

Cumulative Update Package 6 Now Available for SQL Server 2005 SP2

2008-02-20T01:09:20Z

Microsoft recently released the newest cumulative hotfix package for SQL Server 2005 SP2. If you want a copy of it to install it, you must specifically request it from Microsoft. You can not just download it. Find out more at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946608/en-us...(read more)

SQL Server 2008 February CTP Available to Public

2008-02-20T01:06:23Z

If you want to get started learning SQL Server 2008, you can load the latest CTP at the following link. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=749BD760-F404-4D45-9AC0-D7F1B3ED1053&displaylang=en...(read more)

Installing Windows 2008 to Dual Boot with Vista Ultimate

2008-02-18T23:12:54Z

I must be crazy, but I recently decided to install Windows 2008 on the same physical server where I already have Vista Ultimate installed. The reason I did this was that I had an extra 500 GB drive on the server that was not being used, and I thought it would be a good place to install Windows 2008 so I could learn more about it. In addition, it was my goal to run several SQL Server instances in virtual machines in order to have several different SQL Server instances available for experimentation...(read more)

What Kind of Boss Do You Have?

2008-02-16T02:27:25Z

I recently visited a large organization, taking a look at how they managed their SQL Servers. I spent most of my time with the production DBAs, but in one short section of the meeting, the production DBA's boss came in for a short visit. In the less than 10 minutes he spent talking to us, it was very apparent he was the boss from Hell. He even made Dilbert's boss look like a good guy. This got me thinking about some of the bosses I have had as a DBA, and then I started thinking about what...(read more)

What Features are You Most Looking Forward to in SQL Server 2008?

2008-02-16T01:49:39Z

I am currently writing a book for Simple-Talk Press on the top 10 new features in SQL Server 2008 that are of the most interest to DBA administrators . As you probably know, there are many more than 10 new features, and picking the top 10 is not an easy task. Below is a list of what I consider are some of the top new features, and I want to know what you think. Take a look at the following list, and then post your comments, letting me know what your top 10 favorites are. I have listed more than 10...(read more)

Attend SQLTeach/DEVTeach in Toronto This May

2008-02-16T01:34:11Z

If you would like to learn more about SQL Server or .Net development, and at the same time sample some Canadian culture, consider attending the upcoming SQLTeach and concurrent DevTeach in Toronto this upcoming May 12-16, 2008. The conference is divided into two sections. SQLTeach ( www.sqlteach.com ) is for SQL Server administrators and developers, while DevTeach ( www.devteach.com ) focuses on .Net. Of course, you can attend sessions from both events if you like. I will be making three presentations...(read more)

Why Do Many Software Vendors Provide Bad Software and Bad Support?

2008-01-28T21:43:00Z

I imagine that my headline above is not very original. But I just can't figure out why so many large software companies provide such bad software and bad support.

Just today, I had another terrible support experience. I recently purchased a Motorola Q Global phone from ATT. On it was a sample of VirsusScan Mobile from McAFee Software. I installed it, but after discovering how much of a resource hog it is, uninstalled it.

The only problem is that after uninstalling it, it was not uninstalled. It was still running. I checked the Remove Programs option, and it no longer showed up on the list. I tired to delete the program files directly, but could not as the application was running. Every time I killed the app, it would automatically reload it before I could delete its files.

So I first went to McAfee website and searched their knowledgebase. No help there.

Then I contacted support via chat. Below is a copy of the transaction, slightly edited. Once you read it, I think you will find it unbelievable. In addition, the entire chat took just over one hour. Great. Once again, big software companies have goofed up and made another customer unhappy, and I have lost another hour of my time.

Chat Transacript with McAfee Support---------------------------------------------------------------------

> Thank you for contacting McAfee Consumer Support. How can I help you?

Shawn Francis: Brad, my name is Shawn and I would be assisting you from here on.

Customer: I have VirusScan Mobile on my Mortorola Q Global Phone. I can't uninstall it. I have gone to remove programs and did install it, but it did not install. There is no longer any listing for the software, but it is still loaded. I have turned off my phone and restarted it. How do I remove it?

Customer: Anybody there?

Shawn Francis: As I understand clearly, you have an issue with uninstalling McAfee, is that correct?

Customer: Yes.

Shawn Francis: May I place you on hold for two minutes while I research this issue?

Customer: Do I have a choice?

Shawn Francis: Thank you for being on hold. I really appreciate your patience.

Customer: Yes

Shawn Francis: Brad, can you help me with the exact model number of your mobile.

Customer: Motorola Q Global

Shawn Francis: Brad, sorry for the delay.

Customer: yes

Shawn Francis: Brad, do you have remove option inside application?

Customer: no

Customer: where might I look

Shawn Francis: It will be inside menu

Customer: I can't see any option

Customer: So what do I do?

Customer: I thought about reinstalling the software and then try to uninstall it again, but I am unable to download it again and try this option. I downloaded it from a link provided on the phone. That link is now gone.

Customer: Are you there.

Customer: Hello

> Shawn Francis is having Internet connectivity problems.

> Shawn Francis has joined the session.

Customer: Hello

Shawn Francis: Sorry Brad, it was technical problem.

Customer: So, what can I do to remove the software?

> Shawn Francis has left the session.

Customer: Hello

Shawn Francis: Brad, so you require the link to download McAfee. Is that correct?

Customer: Yes. If I reload it, and then try to uninstall it, it might work. Just a guess on my part.

Shawn Francis: Right now is McAfee installed on your phone?

Customer: Yes, and I am trying to uninstall it.

Customer: This chat has now taken 52 minutes, and we still haven't gotten anywhere yet. Can you be a little more speedy?

Shawn Francis: From the main menu select start/settings.

Shawn Francis: Select remove programs.

Customer: First, your instructions are wrong. Second, I have tried these steps already, as I said in my very original message.

Customer: Can I speak so someone who has some experience?

Customer: I uninstalled the progam originally, but the program did not unistall. It is no longer in the Remove Program screen.

Customer: I need someone who understands SmartPhones and Mobile 6 who can help me remove the program.

Customer: Hello

Shawn Francis: Brad, actually we don't support this particular model. But we tried our best with the available supporting models, the option are different.

Customer: Yes you do. I found a press release from your company saying they supported it. Is is dated May 2007.

Customer: In addition, the software came with my phone, based on a marketing deal between ATT and McAFee.

Customer: So you do support it.

Customer: Here's the press release:

Customer: SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- McAfee, Inc. (NYSE: MFE), the global leader in Intrusion Prevention and Security Risk Management, today announced the availability of its mobile security solutions for the new Motorola Q(TM). Q users are able to be protected against threats from viruses, trojan horses and other forms of malware with McAfee VirusScan Mobile.

--Press release was abbreviated here to save space--Brad

Customer: Please put me in contact with the right person.

Customer: Hello

--Then the case was closed and I was dropped from the chat.--Brad

SQL Server 2008 Release Delayed to Third Quarter 2008

2008-01-25T22:08:00Z

Today, in a Microsoft SQL Server Blog http://blogs.technet.com/dataplatforminsider/archive/2008/01/25/microsoft-sql-server-2008-roadmap-clarification.aspx it was announced that SQL Server 2008 will not be released until the third quarter of 2008. In addition, during the SQL Server launch event scheduled for the end of February, Microsoft will be releasing a feature-complete public CTP of SQL Server 2008.

Personally, I don't think that most DBAs will mind that the original second quarter deadline has been missed. I know I like having the extra time.