Microsoft has recently released the SQL Server Developer Training kit for SQL Server 2012. The developers kit includes fantastic resources to learning SQL Server. Download it here.

The Colorado GiveCamp is underway with 40 volunteers and 5 charities.  Gabe Villa ( blog | twitter ), Kevin Krueger ( blog | twitter ), Jason Horner ( twitter ) and I have been organizing this event for the last several months.  This is the second GiveCamp hosted in Colorado. The first was in January down in the Springs where Gabe organized a great event where we were able to help a charity move from a static HTML website to a content management system, mojoPortal.  The local news was on hand throughout the weekend to cover the event back in January.  Check out the KOAA video to get a sense of what a GiveCamp is all about.

This weekend, we are working with the following 5 charities. 

 Anchor Center for Blind Children. Founded in 1982, Anchor Center for Blind Children's staff have taught visually impaired infants, young children and families, for almost 30 years-providing hope and a nurturing environment where children reach their highest potential. Housed in a beautiful, architecturally modern building in Stapleton, Anchor Center is designed to address the learning styles of young children with vision impairments.  Walk in the door and find specialized lighting, acoustics and a myriad of textures that help children find their way around.  A stroll through the sensory gardens will delight all visitors as they experience bright colors, interesting textures and pleasing scents.

Children from birth through five and their families are served at this magical place.  Parents begin their journey by attending programs where they and their babies learn to simply enjoy each other and get used to seeing the world using senses other than vision.  By the time children turn into toddlers they, like all children, begin to think the world revolves around them. Parents begin to step back and let their children take the lead. Observers of the preschool will see rambunctious children navigating their way using canes and utilizing early Braille skills to read. Children spend time with friends learning good manners, sharing snacks and meals, gardening, tap dancing, riding tricycles, rolling down grassy hills, singing and going on field trips to ice arenas, swimming pools, fire stations and more. So that students do not lose all that they have learned over the school year, we have an extended summer program. This lets children continue their development and also allows parents and siblings the chance to participate in programming, providing them access to information and techniques to aid them in at-home therapies.

Community Ministry. For over 40 years the mission of Community Ministry has been to meet the basic needs of qualified people in Southwest Denver who are experiencing economic hardships and related problems. This is accomplished by providing:

• Emergency food
• Children’s clothing
• School Supplies
• Utility Assistance
• Thanksgiving and Christmas Food boxes
• Christmas gifts for needy children
• Information and referral Services
• Collaborating with other non-profit agencies to provide medical screening, nutrition classes and other services.

Community Ministry was founded in 1968 by eight churches. Today twenty-five churches, area schools and community groups support the organization with in-kind and financial donations as well as volunteers. As a volunteer driven non-profit, Community Ministry is pleased to report that over 82% of its budget comes from donations, in-kind contributions, and volunteer time. The organization employs only three part-time people to oversee the entire operation. The ability to use volunteers as the primary workforce ensures cost efficiency and maximizes help to thousands needy families in Southwest Denver.

The Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking is an anti-human trafficking non-profit based in Denver, CO. Ours is not a laboratory of beakers and burners, but instead a laboratory for the exchange of innovative ideas and ongoing discussion. Our mission is to combat human trafficking at a local and global level through community-based research, training and education, leadership development, and intentional collaboration. We have a vision of developing sustainable efforts to end human trafficking by establishing community support mechanisms and serving as a catalyst for social change.

One of our exciting current research projects is the Colorado Project. Where many anti-trafficking efforts have operated in isolation, the Colorado Project seeks to foster respectful and intentional collaboration. Led by the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking (LCHT), the Project Team is intentionally composed of a small group of experts who represent the 4Ps in anti-human trafficking efforts (prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships). With an interdisciplinary Project Team and the oversight of a diverse national Advisory Board, we aim to build bridges between researchers and practitioners, capitalizing on the combined strength of individuals and organizations to guide and assist communities in anti-human trafficking efforts.

Partners in Routt County. The mission of Partners in Routt County (PRC) is to make a positive difference in the lives of Routt County youth by facilitating one-to-one partnerships between adult volunteers and youth.  In 1996, a group of concerned community members contacted Partners Mentoring Association to receive assistance in developing a youth mentoring organization. For ten years, PRC’s sole focus was the One-to-One Mentoring Program and then in 2006, PRC began the implementation of a School-Based Mentoring Program as well.  We aim to address high risk behaviors and increase protective factors in the lives of the youth in our community.  PRC’s vision is that all Routt County youth will be empowered to live healthy, productive lives, contribute to their community, and successfully pursue their dreams.

Pikes Peak Young Marines. The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Young Marines is the focal point for the U.S. Marine Corps' Youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts.

The image below is of most of the first day attendees, including volunteers and charities.

The Denver SQL Server User Group is starting another round for the certification study group. Last year we ran three sessions with each focusing in on a specific subject area (DBA, Dev, BI). For the next session starting next week, we thought we would try a general study session and allow for anyone wanting to study for any of the exams to participate.

Please send an email to studygroup@denversql.org so that we can add you to an email list. We’ll use this list to send any updates as they relate to the certification study group. Several of you have already sent us an email expressing your interest and have been added to the list so no need to send a second email. We can get your email address at Monday’s meeting if you don’t respond.

The Concept

The concept of the study sessions is to assist you in your path to passing the Microsoft SQL Server certifications. The core of this is self-study utilizing the training kits and other resources you have available. We’ll meet in person on a regular basis (once a week or so) to discuss any questions or concepts to better strengthen your understanding of the materials. The duration of the study session will last 6 weeks.

Meeting Details

We are meeting at the Department of Technology Services for Denver Public Schools located at 780 Grant Street, Denver, CO 80203.  This is a secure building and you will be allowed access via the front door located on Grant Street.

Study Outline

If anyone is studying for any of the MCITP exams, we’ll develop a schedule as there is not a specific study book for these exams.

Helpful Links

Below are links to additional information and study materials for the different tests. Here is information on special offers Microsoft has through June 30, 2011. To ask any questions to the group, the user group forms can be found at the following links: BI, Dev, and DBA.

Study Materials

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)

BI 70-448 Materials TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance

DEV 70-433 Materials TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development

DBA 70-432 Materials TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance

Microsoft Certified IT Professional

BI 70-452 Materials PRO: Designing a Business Intelligence Infrastructure Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008

DEV 70-451 Materials PRO: Designing Database Solutions and Data Access Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008

DBA 70-450 Materials PRO: Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administrative Solution Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008

All ColoradoSQL user group meetings start at 5:30 p.m. and provide food and refreshments. There is no cost to attend so bring a co-worker…or two. These events provide for great learning opportunities as well as networking with other local SQL Server professionals.

BoulderSQL

Third Tuesday (September 20)

Level 3 Communications

Room 4LA-07

1025 Eldorado Blvd
Broomfield, CO 80021

Presentation 1:

Title: SQL Programming: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Presenter: Victor Kushdilian

An insight into some common poor SQL development practices that can severely impact the performance of the database server. I will bring to light my experiences from 4 production SQL environments including some real examples with a focus on how to detect and avoid these practices.

Victor Kushdilian has over 20 years experience developing database applications starting with PL1/CICS/DB2 as an employee at IBM. Founded SportsWare, Inc in 1994 - a company developing and marketing desktop software for the fledgling fantasy sports market. As one of the founding businesses in the industry, designed, developed and sold The Commissioner series of fantasy sports software products using various database platforms including Foxpro, VB, Delphi.

Developed and launched one of the first commercially available web sites supporting fantasy leagues in 2001 using SQL Server 2000. Converted to a contract BI Developer in 2008 and have worked in 4 production SQL Server environments with the responsibilities that include design and development of complete database systems including functions/procs/jobs/schema, various SSIS packages, and complete SSRS reporting systems. I have successfully revamped 2 database systems to create highly scalable, high performance reporting solutions.

Currently working at Ball Manufacturing in Broomfield as a BI Developer and Analyst designing and developing a new data warehouse (SSAS) which will collect manufacturing metrics from 19 remote SQL Servers.

Presentation 2:

Title: "So You Are a New DBA - Now What?"

Presenter: Todd Kleinhans ( twitter )  

In this presentation Todd will go over a recent client experience of being a new dba in an existing environment. It will be a mix of screenshots, some code, and audience participation.

Topics will include:

• Professional Conduct
• Responsibilities
• Immediate Concerns and Projects
• Getting Access to Systems
• Escalation Procedures
• Documentation - We Don't Need No Stinkin' Documentation!
• What Maintenance?
• Scheduling Changes and Maintenance
• Routines and Monitoring
• Optimization and Tuning
• Free Tools

Todd Kleinhans has been working with SQL Server since 1999. He has worked as a dba, developer, data architect, manager, and consultant. His current job is as a Senior SQL Server DBA consultant at Datavail.

SpringsSQL

Third Wednesday (September 21)

Mr. Biggs

5825 Mark Dabling Boulevard
Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Presentation 1:

Title: “This is SQL Jeopardy!”

Presenter: Rebecca Mitchell ( blog | twitter )

The category is “Colorado Springs SQL Server User Group”. The clue is “A thrilling, mettle-proving battleground of fun in which knowledge of SQL is proven amongst peers in 20 glorious minutes!” If you said “What is SQL Jeopardy?” you are absolutely right!  Join our very own T-“Do Not Call Me Alex” SQL Princess in our first ever SQL Jeopardy as we set our members against one another to determine who will be crowned the SQL Jeopardy Champion!

Rebecca is currently a database administrator with six fun-filled years of experience in SQL Server administration and development. With a background in a variety of technologies, she possesses over twelve years of notable success in providing and implementing technology solutions in an assortment of industries including aerospace manufacturing, container shipping, and local government. Sometimes referred to as the “T-SQL Princess,” she is also the Vice President of Marketing for the Colorado Springs SQL Server User Group and an overall goofball.

Presentation 2:

Title: Devs are from Mars, Report Servers are from Venus

Presenter: Doug Lane ( blog | twitter )

Do you remember what it was like to fall in love? Wasn't it wonderful? Lately it just hasn't been the same. You've been stuck in the same old routine, doing the same old charts and tables. Maybe Reporting Services doesn’t tell you what’s wrong. Maybe you're even thinking about seeing other reporting products (!) In this session, Doug will re-ignite your passion for RS by showing you how to design for better performance, explaining what RS has been trying to tell you through logs (but you haven't been listening), and demonstrating some new -- and easy -- tricks you may not have known RS can do. After this session, you'll want to spend some time alone with your new old flame.

Doug (MCTS) is a business intelligence, database, and sometimes ASP.NET/C# developer with ten years experience using Microsoft web and database products in the agriculture, insurance, taxonomy, and healthcare industries. He currently works for University Physicians, Inc. as a BI developer.Contact URL: http://www.douglane.net

DenverSQL

Third Thursday (September 15)

Microsoft DTC Office

7579 Technology Way, Suite 400
Denver, CO 80237

Title: PASS Summit 2011 Debrief

Presenter: DenverSQL Board Members (and more!) ( twitter )

Ever wonder what it's like to attend the PASS Summit? Did you want to attend but just couldn't get the boss to approve it? Do you attend the User Groups for free pizza? If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, you will love this month's meeting!
This year's PASS Summit has come and gone, growing by over 20% since last year. In order to shake up the traditional style, some of the DenverSQL Board Members (Marc Beacom ( blog | twitter ), Jason Horner ( blog | twitter ), Steve Wake ( blog | twitter ), Brandon Tucker), first-time PASS attendee Mike Fal ( blog | twitter ), and possibly more will be giving short, informal talks on their experience this year. Topics will include:

• Business Intelligence track
• DBA track
• The social side of PASS
• Networking
• What it's like to attend PASS for the first time
• ...and more!

Please join us for these talks as well as an open forum/panel afterwards to discuss anything not covered. Have your questions ready...this will be your chance to get a feel for everything the PASS Summit has to offer!