Scott Klein

Brent Ozar and Tim Ford announced today they have two SQL Cruises planned for 2011. If you don't know what a SQL Cruise is, you are missing out. Hop on over to their SQL Cruise site for information, but I'll briefly tell you that Brent and Tim have found themselves a niche. Brent and Tim simply reserved some space on a cruise ship, and for a low price for the cruise and a VERY low price for quality training, you are enjoying quality time with fellow SQL folks as well as relaxing as you travel to great destinations! How can you beat cruising to great places while learning SQL at the same time, from two stalwart SQL Server gurus?!?!

For 2011 they have two cruises planned:

A 5-day cruise leaving March 6th out of Miami to Grand Cayman and Cozumel. This cruise is geared toward entry-level and beginner SQL Server professionals who have 1-3 years of experience working with SQL Server.

A 7-day cruise leaving May 29th out of Seattle to Alaska. This cruise is aimed at the moderate and advanced SQL Server Professionals, with Buck Woody as a guest speaker!

Sign up today! Seats go fast.

The past month or so has been quite busy. Herve and I finshed the SQL Azure book, then spent a couple of weeks preparing for a 3 day deep-dive Azure training class in Dusseldorf, Germany. I must say, the hotel and conference rooms were SWEET!

The training went well (not as many attendees as we would have liked, but it was fun nonetheless). We spent 4 days there then bolted to Paris, France for two days to see some of Herve's friends and do some site seeing. We returned home a week ago.

However, no rest for the techie as I am now turning around and heading to to PASS in Seattle! WooHoo! After having just watched all the great news from PDC I am excited to hear and see what they will be announcing at PASS! Plus, having grown up in Washington State I look forward to visiting some friends and family!

See you at PASS!

Our SQL Azure book is finally done! After months of work, research (and waiting for Service Updates ) the book is finally finished. We spent a lot of time on this book, and we wanted to let you know it is out and ready for reading. It should be available on Amazon and other sites know. For topics, we cover the following:

1. Getting Started with SQL Azure
2. SQL Azure Design Considerations
3. Setting up and Configuring your SQL Azure Environment
4. Security
5. Data Migration and Backup Strategy
6. Programming SQL Azure
7. Reporting Services
8. Using Entity Framework, REST, and ADO.NET Data Services with SQL Azure
9. Windows Azure and ASP.NET
10. Designing for High Performance
11. Synchronization Services
12. Performance Tuning
13. Appendix A—Resources
14. Appendix B—Supported Features

Now, if you paid attention to the recent Azure announcements at PDC, you'll know that our Reporting Services chapter will soon be out of date. That is to be expected, so Herve and I will more than likely be putting out a "2nd Edition" sometime next year, or maybe just post updates on our blogs. At the rate Microsoft puts out Service Updates, editions to the book might be difficult.

However, please know that you will always be able to find the latest and greatest about Azure on our website!