So You Want to Work at Microsoft?

I love SQL Server. ^[1]

I love working for Microsoft. ^[2]

For me, these two loves are two things that go well together.

I also love competition.

If you love SQL Server as much as I do (and if you don’t mind competition) you could have the opportunity to see if you love working for Microsoft as well, and have a fun experience while making it happen, by participating in the “Be the Next Microsoft Employee” show. I won’t go into the details – you can click on the link for that – but these are the highlights that leap out at me as being particularly cool:

• The show is focused on real-world SQL Server professionals
• Finalists get to attend TechEd North America in Orlando (to get introduced to the public audience as a finalist) and to Microsoft campus in Redmond (for job interviews) with Microsoft picking up the tab
• The winner has a shot^[3] at a Service Engineer position with Microsoft’s internal IT organization, MSIT^[4]
• There are many foodie tie-ins to the show: Not only does the theme remind me of one of my family’s favorite TV shows – The Next Iron Chef^[5] – but finalists will get to eat at Elemental while they’re in town for their interviews^[6]

Are you interested yet?

If so, follow the instructions to enter, and post a comment to let me know.

 

[1] This should surprise no one.

[2] Hopefully this won’t surprise too many people either.

[3] Since this is a real job for the real Microsoft, there’s no guarantee that anyone will get a job offer, just like with any interview.

[4] MSIT is one of biggest IT organizations in the world, and they work on some of the coolest projects I’ve seen. They’re often early adopters of Microsoft products and technologies, participating in TAP/”dogfood” programs and regularly deploy pre-release versions of products like SQL Server into production environments. Speaking of a member of the SQL Server team this is super valuable, because it provides us with real-world feedback that makes the RTM versions of the product better. Speaking as an ex-BI consultant this is super exciting, because how many clients or projects let you stay at the cutting edge of technology and make a real difference in the products you use and love.

[5] Not unlike the Iron Architect competition from way back in 2007, for those who remember back that far.

[6] They should feel free to invite me along, especially if the show organizers are paying for dinner ;-)

Back in the SSISaddle

Testing…

Testing…

Is this thing on?

Although I still get the occasional comment on older blog posts, I assume that pretty much nobody subscribes to my blog anymore for SSIS information. When I joined Microsoft Learning in October 2008, the SQL/BI/SSIS side of my life got pushed to the side. I kept working with the tools, but it was no longer a core part of my job, and one of the things I largely gave up on blogging and related technical community efforts. It wasn’t a change I wanted to make, but I needed to ensure that I rocked my new job as much as possible. The end result was that over the last 30 months I’ve posted fewer than ten SSIS-related posts.[1]

This will now change.

This week I joined the SQL Server Integration Services team as a Senior Program Manager.[2]

In the months leading up to the SQL Server “Denali” release, I hope to blog regularly on “Denali”-related features, enhancements and techniques. The “Denali” release is a major release for SSIS, with a ton of exciting new capabilities for new users and seasoned SSIS professionals alike.[3] If you are using SSIS already, SSIS in “Denali” is going to make your life easier in many ways. If you’re just starting off with SSIS, the “Denali” release will ease your learning curve, and help you swear less. In short, I’ll have a lot to blog about.

With this said, it may still be a few weeks before I post again. Not only will I be getting up to speed on my new team and my new role, I will also be relocating my family from New York to Redmond.[4] The relocation will be consuming most or all of my free time for the next few weeks, but once I’m settled in you should expect to hear from me more often.

It’s good to be back.

Back in the SSISaddle indeed.

[1] And that I rocked the new job pretty darned hard, but that’s a longer story. Ask your friendly neighborhood Microsoft Certified Trainer.

[2] I wish you could see the smile on my face as I typed that sentence.

[3] If you want an overview of these new things, please be sure to download and view Matt Masson’s presentation from TechEd North America. We’ll have more announcements coming closer to release, but this session is more than enough to whet your appetite.

[4] I have two children, two cats and one wife, and the effort and stress of moving the whole family is staggering. I thought I knew what I was getting into, but boy was I wrong.

Visual Studio Window Layout for SSIS Development

My friend and colleague Lynn Langit has a habit of blogging where she posts an image and a brief question and that’s it. I’m very jealous, because I can’t seem to write a blog post that’s shorter than 20 pages or so.

So in this post I’m trying to be More Like Lynn.

This is how I configure my Visual Studio development environment for SSIS development:

(Click on the thumbnail for a larger image.)

How do you configure your windows?

Ok, so now if I were More Like Lynn, that would be the whole post. But since I haven’t had a mango martini in far too long, I feel compelled to elaborate:

1. I dock the Variables window in the upper left corner in its own tab group.
2. I dock the Toolbox window in the lower left corner in a different tab group.
   (This lets me see both the Variables and the Toolbox at the same time during package development, which is often very useful.)
3. I dock the Log Events window in the same tab group as the Toolbox, because you generally don’t use them both at the same time.
4. I dock the Solution Explorer window in the upper right corner.
5. I dock the Team Explorer window in the same tab group as Solution Explorer.
6. I dock the Properties window in the lower right corner in its own tab group.
7. I dock the Error List window on the bottom.
8. I dock the Output window on the bottom in the same tab group.
9. I dock the Pending Changes window on the bottom in the same tab group as the Error List and the Output windows.
10. I leave all of the designers in the middle, since this is where they always go. :-)

This layout gives me ready access to all of the tools I need, when I need them. And I would still love to know how you lay out your windows in your SSIS development environment…

ThinkPad Keyboard Madness

I own lots of laptops. After being an independent software development and BI consultant for many years, I've assembled quite the collection. I have Dells and Toshibas[1] and have had Gateways and HPs as well. My little home office is filled with them[2].

I also have a Lenovo. It's a ThinkPad X300, and if I never needed to type on it, it would probably be one of my favorite computers. It's light, it's powerful, it's solid, and just about everything you could want a laptop to be.

But I do have to type on it. And because of this, I swear. A lot. In fact, I swear so much I just may need a new chart.

Why all the swearing, you ask? Well, before I answer, please take a look at your keyboard, down in the bottom left corner. Go on. I'll wait.

There.

You see, if you're typing on a ThinkPad, you'll probably[3] notice that the bottom left key is the control "Ctrl" key, and to the right of that (if you're using a laptop anyway) is the function "Fn" key.

Still with me? Good.

Now if you were horribly evil in a past life and are currently being punished by having to type on a ThinkPad, you'll instead notice that the Fn and Ctrl keys have been reversed. Swapped. Inverted.

And this is insane!

Ok, you ask - what's the big deal? Who cares?

First and foremost - me. I care a lot. You see, I'm a developer. And while I don't buy in with the whole developer stereotype[4] I definitely am a very keyboard-centric computer user. I prefer to use my keyboard whenever possible, and there are literally thousands of times each day when I perform some task that utilizes a Ctrl+Key keyboard shortcut. For example, you may be familiar with some of these well-loved productivity enhancers:

• Ctrl-C = Copy
• Ctrl-V = Paste
• Ctrl-Arrow (Left or right) = Jump one word in text
• Ctrl-Shift-Arrow (Left or right) = Jump and highlight one word in text
• Ctrl-F4 = Close current tab or child window

I could go on and on and on. A significant portion of the most common Windows keyboard shortcuts involve the Ctrl key.

Now at this point you're probably asking "But Matthew, since this incarnation of ultimate evil that Lenovo uses for a keyboard inverts the Ctrl and Fn keys, what do these keyboard shortcuts do if your finger, trained through decades of computer use, hits the Fn key instead?"

Funny you should ask. This is what happens:

• Fn-C = Nothing
• Fn-V = Nada
• Fn-Arrow (Left or right) = Zip
• Fn-Shift-Arrow (Left or right) = Zilch
• Fn-F4 = Puts the computer to sleep!!!!!

That's right. If you try to close out a child window and let your fingers follow the paths that are ingrained deep in their muscle memory, you have just effectively closed the lid on your accursed laptop and have shut it down. Even if you're in the middle of working. Even if you're in the middle of a giant download that then needs to be restarted. Even if you're connected remotely to the corporate network and you then need to dig out your smart card so you can re-connect. Even if you're hosting a LiveMeeting that your boss' boss' boss is attending. Yeah. Even then.

I could go on. I could rant about how there is no way to re-map these keys, because the Fn key isn't exposed to the standard Windows keyboard APIs. I could rave about how the Esc key is on its own row above the function keys (F1 through F12) so that when I try to hit F2 to rename a file I get F3 (search) and when I attempt to hit Esc I get F1 (help) instead. I could blow my top and go on and on about how when I use my other laptops (which outnumber my lone ThinkPad 7:1 at this point) the lessons that my poor fingers are being forced to learn are tripping me up when I use normal keyboards. I could go on and on and on...

But I won't. Because it's far too late for a rant like this to go on any further. Instead, I'm going to fill out a little survey that Lenovo has put together. And I encourage you to do the same. Please, please, please do the same.

I think it's great that Lenovo is conducting such a survey. But I think it is very frustrating that they're just getting around to asking. Take a few minutes and Live Search around on "ThinkPad" and "keyboard" and you'll see what I mean - dozens of other frustrated ThinkPad owners have poured their anguish into the ether as well. (My favorite one is here.)  And even more frustrating, the survey doesn't even mention the Fn and Ctrl key positions - it focuses on the Esc, Home, End, PgUp and PgDn keys instead. Ugh...

But hopefully they're listening now. This is what I told them at the end of my survey, in response to the question "Of the keys that vary between different key layouts, for which keys are you most concerned about their location (e.g. Esc, Home, End, PgUp, PgDn, others, etc.)?":

"The Ctrl key MUST be in the bottom-left corner, immediately below the Shift key. If this is not the case in the hardware then there MUST be a way to re-map these keys in the OS or BIOS. Yes, you need to keep your historic users happy, but you also need to understand the basic mechanics of using keyboard shortcuts and the PAIN that users feel when attempting to adjust to the ThinkPad's non-standard layout. Until one of these solutions is implemented I will never buy or use another ThinkPad."

And I won't. It pains me that much. There are lots of small, light, powerful laptops out there just waiting for my hardware budget, and only the ThinkPad comes with a keyboard that makes my typing life miserable every day. It's a show-stopper for me, and I will never buy another laptop without looking at the keyboard first.

But now it's time for me to sleep. And hopefully to dream of non-ThinkPad keyboards...

[1] Which is another story, but probably not one I'll rant about just yet...

[2] And, in the winter, heated by them.

[3] I saw "probably" simply because I have not owned one of every type of computer ever made, but for my own personal sample "probably" means 100% of the time.

[4] For example, I dislike Red Bull, don't drink Mountain Dew, and I'm tall, good looking[5] and very comfortable around members of the opposite sex. ;-)

[5] Humble, too.

SQL Server 2008 - Free with Classroom Training

Talk about synchronicity - the old and the new have come together with a great big bonus for SQL Server professionals who are seeking training on SQL Server 2008. Microsoft Learning[1] is teaming up with the SQL Server[2] team to give away free copies of SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition to people who attend instructor-led classroom training at a Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions (CPLS). Here's the deal:

1) Attend one of these classes at a participating CPLS between December 10, 2008 (when the courses start to become available) and June 30, 2009:

• 2778 - Writing Queries Using Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 Transact-SQL
• 6158 - Updating Your SQL 2005 Skills to SQL Server 2008
• 6231 - Maintaining a Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 Database
• 6232 - Implementing a Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 Database
• 6234 - Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 Analysis Services
• 6235 - Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 Integration Services
• 6236 - Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 Reporting Services
• 6317 - Upgrading Your SQL Server 2000 Skills to SQL Server 2008

2) Get SQL Server 2008:

• SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition – Full software
• 1 Client Access License (CAL)
• 32 bit, 64 bit and IA64 versions included
• Software will be English only at this point

Pretty simple, right? There are a few minor gotchas, but please don't let these stand in your way:

• Each CPLS will decide whether or not they participate in this promotion campaign, so talk to your local CPLS and make sure they know about it and that they are participating.
• This offer is only good while supplies last. Plan your training early!

And that's that. Call your local CPLS today and ask about SQL Server 2008 training. Tell them Matthew sent you. [3]

[1] This is the "new" part - I joined Microsoft Learning as a Senior Program Manager earlier this month, although I cannot take any credit for this cool promotion.

[2] This is the "old" part - I've loved SQL Server since forever.

[3] And no, I don't get any kickbacks. How unfair is that? ;-)

Losing My MVP

Since the beginning of the year I've had the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) logo on my blog. I've been delighted to be honored with the MVP award, because is is an acknowledgment of the effort I've made to give back to the Microsoft technical community. This is what Microsoft has to say about the MVP award:

"The Microsoft MVP Award Program recognizes and thanks outstanding members of technical communities for their community participation and willingness to help others. The MVP Award is given to exceptional technical community leaders who foster the free and objective exchange of knowledge by actively sharing their real-world expertise with technology users. The MVP Award celebrates the most active community members from around the world who provide invaluable online and offline expertise that enriches the community experience and makes a difference in technical communities that feature Microsoft products."

What a cool thing to have Microsoft say about you, right? But in another three weeks I will no longer be an MVP - Microsoft is taking the award away from me.

Why would they do that, you ask?

Well, since I haven't been violating any NDAs lately, that narrows down the field. Have you guessed yet?

That's right - I'm going to be joining Microsoft as a full time employee. MVPs are "independent experts" and Microsoft employees cannot be MVPs.

Starting October 6th I will be joining Microsoft Learning as a Senior Program Manager/Quality Architect. I will be working with Microsoft Learning's Courseware Development Group (CDG) to improve the quality of Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC) courseware. This is a challenge that is very close and dear to my heart. I've been a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) since 1996, and have taught many MOC courses over the years. The quality of the courseware is a big factor that affects trainers (and their students) around the world, and being in a position to make such a big difference to such a large audience is an opportunity I simply could not refuse.

And I get one of those cool blue badges - how cool is that? ;-)

Congratulations, Ted!

Congratulations are in order - my friend and colleague Ted Malone has been awarded the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award for Visual Studio Team System. So take a moment and send Ted a word of congratulations, and remember to ask him "What's a NUMA?" while you're at it.

Keep up the great work, Ted!

Women in IT

Even though I haven't blogged in it yet, the topic of women in IT is dear to my heart. I've been working in IT in one form or another for almost 15 years, and have worked for all sorts of companies and all sorts of people. But with only one exception[1] every exceptional IT or project manager for whom I have worked has been female. I've also worked with many incredible women in highly technical roles - my good friend Lynn Langit leaps to mind here, but she's certainly not alone.


Anyone who knows me knows how important context is to me. If you don't know the context of a question, you'll never find the right answer. As Dr. Ivan Brady is so fond of saying, "context is practically everything when it comes to determining meaning." And in business intelligence projects, always focusing on the business context (as opposed to the technical context that most geeks love so much) is vital for the project's success.

I mention all this because different individual viewpoints are necessary to expand a business' cultural viewpoint - its context, if you will. If you only hire skinny men who love hip-hop, your company will think and act like an underweight male hip-hop fan as well. More viewpoints are a good thing.


But the female viewpoint is woefully underrepresented in the IT world today, much to our collective detriment.

Why do I mention this? The Configuresoft training session I'm attending this week[2] has over 50% female attendees. (And they're the ones asking the tough questions - I'm glad the trainer knows what he's talking about!) In all of my years of delivering IT training, I don't think I have ever seen a majority of female students.

No, I don't have any conclusion to reach, but I wanted to make the observation anyway. I hope that this is part of an overall trend and not just an anomaly, because an expanded context is good for everyone...



[1] Hi Jeff!
[2] Configuresoft is my employer, and I need to get up to speed on the inner workings of our flagship ECM product to me more effective on the amazing, new CIA product that is my primary responsibility.

Configuration Intelligence Analytics

I've been working with Configuresoft, Inc. since late last year, first as a BI consultant and for the last six weeks or so as a full time employee. Most of this time has been dedicated to building a next-generation BI platform that will allow business more strategic and proactive insight into their IT enterprises than has ever been possible before. It's an exciting product with a killer team behind it[1] and today it became available to the world.

Check out our press release: http://www.configuresoft.com/analytics_solutions.aspx?email=2007-09-05 [2]

If you have a complex IT environment and would like to take MOF, ITIL and Six Sigma to the next level with better insight into what's going on, you should check it out. [3] Really. [4]

[1] Which, of course, is why I agreed to join it. ;-)
[2] I wish you could see the grin on my face as I type this
[3] Remember - I'm not the sales guy; I'm the BI guy and I'm still this excited
[4] Really!

I Love My Job!

One of my biggest complaints about being an independent consultant for so many years was that it was a significant effort to find the type of cooperative and competitive peer environment in which my skills could be tested, my guidance could be questioned and I could be pushed to continually better myself. When you're a "lone wolf" you have to rely on yourself to push yourself, and that can be quite a challenge sometimes...

But I've just finished up a meeting with the architectural board (which is actually a preparatory meeting for another higher-pressure meeting tomorrow morning ;-) where I was surrounded by bright, assertive and vocal people all presenting ideas, arguing them, shooting them down, backing them up and basically all pushing each other.

And I love it!

It's still weird not being my own boss (and my own everything) but I'm so happy that I took my new job.

And that's a great feeling.