SQL Server 2012 Querying Exam 70-461 - Christopher Harrison - Train Signal

SQL Server 2012 Querying
Exam 70-461
Christopher Harrison
Train Signal
 
This course is designed to prepare you for Microsoft Certification Exam 70-461. It should teach you what you need to know about SQL Server 2012 databases, querying, using joins, aggregations and a bit about optimization. It also includes some instructions on management of SQL objects and the SQL server itself. The 23 lessons are:

1. Introduction to SQL Server 2012
2. Introduction to Relational Databases
3. Introduction to SELECT Statements
4. Filtering Results with WHERE Statements
5. Utilizing Joins
6. Executing Subqueries and UNION Statements
7. Aggregating Data
8. Advanced Data Aggregations
9. Built-In Functions
10. Query Optimization
11. Modifying Data
12. Advanced Data Modification
13. Managing Transactions
14. Implementing Error Handling
15. XML Basics
16. Retrieving XML
17. Importing XML
18. Creating and Altering Tables
19. Data Validation with Constraints
20. Creating and Modifying Triggers
21. Creating and Modifying Views
22. Creating and Modifying Stored Procedures
23. Creating and Modifying User Defined Functions

Now I must admit, this course was frustrating almost from the get-go. For the beginning, every time Christopher did a query or anything in the management studio, I tried to do it also. I soon found that I had the wrong version of the Adventure Works Database. At first I tried the Adventure Works 2012 Database that comes with the MS Press book, Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Training Kit, since that is the book for the same exam. But soon my queries were not getting the same results as Christopher. Next I tried the other 2012 Sample DBs, then the 2008 R2 and 2008, and finally found that Christopher was using the Adventure Works 2005 R2 database. Well, after spending hours installing and testing databases to find the correct one, I could finally follow along with Christopher and perform all the queries as he was, and verify my results. I find it hard to imagine an SQL course without some hands-on experience. You need to spend time in the management studio, playing, learning, querying and making mistakes in order to really learn it. The way this course was structured and prepared, it just made that vexing and disappointing.  In many ways, it really felt like Christopher just took his knowledge, used an old database and showed us how to do the stuff he knew and then showed us new stuff.

Yes he does teach a lot, and his style is engaging.  But between the database issue and other inconsistencies, I spent the rest of the course feeling short- changed. An example is: in lesson 11 it gives warnings, and one is to always start with the Where statement, but for the first 10 lessons, it was not done this way. So it was just thrown in out of the blue. Not a bad course but not great.  If I had to give it a rating of 5 stars it would only be a 2 or 2.5 at best. It is the only time I have done a course from TrainSignal that, if I had bought it as a standalone, I would have requested my money back and gone and tried a different provider.

A 40 Day Spiritual Workout For Catholics - Bob Rice

A 40 Day Spiritual Workout For Catholics
Bob Rice
Servant Publications
ISBN 9781616365264

This book was a spiritual treasure trove. I loved it! Each day I looked forward to the straightforward devotional and teaching. I especially loved reading the digital edition and always having it on me, on my phone, my iPad, my computer at work and home. Bob Rice has put together a great tool here that will spur spiritual growth and deeper devotion.

Each day has the following components:
Title:
Hydration: Bible verse or quotes.
Reflection: Meditation
Muscle-Building: Intercession
Cardiovascular: Praise
Cool Down: Prayer

The book is written in such a way that you have a short reading or readings each day from the bible; then quotes from Catholic authors, the Catechism or church writings. Then comes the teaching. And trust me, Bob's teaching is marvelous. This book will help you develop spiritual disciplines and improve upon those you already have. Once you start, you will find you keep up the habits well beyond the 40 days. It is a great read and I recommend it to anyone who wants a deeper spiritual life.

See a sample day here.

Headbands & Hairstyles - Klutz - Eva Steele-Saccio

Headbands & Hairstyles
Eva Steele-Saccio
Klutz
ISBN 9781591748649

This book was overall disappointing. Many of the activities were beyond the skill set of young children. The two head bands provided are not comfortable. The crafts are interesting but by the time children have the skills needed, I doubt they would be interested in the book.

Included:
2 Plastic Headbands
1 Elastic Headband
Ribbon
Sequins
Beads
Glue
Instructions for 5 specific Headbands

The chapters:
Headbands:
What You Get
Planning Your Headbands
Covering a Headband
Making Ribbon Tips
Wrapping a Headband
Simple Bow
Fancy Bow
Attaching a Bow
Ruffle
Attaching a Ruffle
Sequin Flower
Attaching a Sequin Flower
More Sequining

Hairstyles:
Supplies
How to Brush Your Hair
How to Part Your Hair
Side Ponytail
Boho Band
Side Sweep
Side-Sweep Ponytail
Fancy Loops

Overall I felt this book was a little too advanced for younger children. Many of the Klutz books have a suggested age range on the outside. This one does not and it likely should. Was disappointed!

Professional SharePoint 2013 Administration - SharePoint for IT Professionals

Professional SharePoint 2013 Administration
SharePoint for IT Professionals
SPA 2012
Critical Path Training

I need to be honest: this course was very disappointing.  If it were not for an incredible trainer in Denny Eapen, it would have been a waste. Now maybe they rushed the manual because we wanted to run the course, but this course manual version 1.0 was definitely not complete and had numerous errors. We ran it as a class onsite at work with 10 participants from three different IT Teams - developers, infrastructure and end user support. Each of us in the room had various exposures to our 2007 and 2010 environments. This course was to get us all on the same page as far as SharePoint 2013 and all have fundamental understanding of 2013. The course did achieve that objective.

But often the manual had the slides at the top of the page and no further description, no notes, no further explanations. Even the instructor often talked about the gaps in knowledge in the manual and his instructor slides. There was even a glaring mistake in the lab set-up telling you to download a version of the SharePoint Designer tool that had known issues and spent hours trouble shooting only to uninstall and install the correct version.

Overall I would wait for a newer version of the course or look into different options!

An Update: I have since this review published found out that yes I did participate in one of the first running's of this course. And the Critical Path Partner did not follow the requirements for the course. The course has also undergone two major revisions since I took it. After finding this review Critical Path contacted me and did everything they could to understand my experience and compensate for it. I also understand that our particular experience is not typical. Based on the newer materials this course will provide all that you need for a successful implementation. I applaud their response to my concerns.

Coin Blaster Arcade - Klutz

Coin Blaster Arcade
Klutz
ISBN 9780545396271

This book should provide hours and hours of entertainment. This awesome book comes with 10 games and all the pieces to play them. It will be nostalgic for fans of the old penny football or hockey, or to introduce kids to a whole new pastime with no batteries and no displays and social interaction.

The Games:
Slap Shot
Break The Bank
Blastometer
Blasting Blocks
Monster Mouth
Get Air
Hot Shot Hoops
Upper Cut
50-Yark Flick
Skee Coin
Penny Putt Golf

It comes with two shooters, ramp and braces, and a number of pieces for the games. There is a pocket in the back to hold all the pieces. On all books by Klutz there is their 100% Klutz Certified and this one lives up to that. You will not be disappointed!

Build A Book - Klutz

Build A Book
Klutz
ISBN 9781591745600

This is a great craft activity book for children. They get to make a book about their family and is as simple as using the materials provided to fill the 10 nearly blank pages. It could be a first book a child writes, a first scrapbook, or just for fun. They can glue, write or draw. The package includes a 10 page book, chipboard letters, foam shapes, double sided papers, googly eyes and a double-tipped pen. This book is so fun!  Do not be surprised if kids want more than one!

SQL Server 2012 Administration Essentials - Sean McCown - Train Signal

SQL Server 2012 Administration Essentials

Train Signal

Sean McCown

This course is designed to teach you the basics of becoming an SQL administrator. Sean does not presume any previous knowledge or experience, but he also does not spoon feed everything. He expects you to work and he gives you the tools to learn SQL and the tools to know where and how to start looking when you run into issues. With just over 14 hours of material, there is a lot to learn here. Sean does not, for the most part, use a prebuilt Database so you cannot follow along exactly but you can use and database and do most of what he is doing. Sean is very passionate about SQL and his passion makes the materiel even more inviting and interesting to learn. The lessons are:

1. Introduction

2. Planning

3. Installing SQL Server 2012

4. Advance Installation

5. Basic Database Objects

6. Using SQL Server Management Studio

7. Database File Management

8. Database Configuration Options

9. Special Database Space Considerations

10. Server-Level Configurations

11. Database Console Commands (DBCC)

12. Server-Level Security

13. Database-Level Security

14. Transaction Logs and Recovery Models

15. Instance Configuration and Management

16. Working with Concurrency Problems

17. Collecting Troubleshooting Data

18. Auditing SQL Server

19. Backup Basics

20. Restore Basics

21. Indexes

22. Basic Ex3ecution Plans

23. Query Tuning

24. SQL Server Agent

25. Database Mail

26. Importing and Exporting Data

27. High Availability Basics

28. PowerShell

The one quirky thing was that the last lesson ends with "see you in the next lesson". When I reached out to Sean he said that the final order for the lessons was not 100% and likely just got missed during editing. Also every other SQL course I have ever looked at, or book I have read, people use ALL CAPS for writing their queries, Sean skips that; he also skips an intro about himself, he just jumps in and starts teaching. And that teaching is great.

Now let me give you some background.  A year ago, all I had ever really done with SQL was install it and hand it over to developers or administrators. Last year I changed roles and was soon primary for supporting 12 SQL servers across three different tiers and numerous lines of business and financial applications. I do not want to know enough to just get by. I want to know SQL inside and out. This course by Sean has gone a long way to meeting that goal! In the last year I have done 5 courses through TrainSignal online, and another 10 courses through other vendors or virtual classrooms and this was one of the best. So I can highly recommend this course.  My subscription to TrainSignal was worth it last year for this course alone!

Sean McCown is a Microsoft SQL Master and VMP. His wife Jen is also, and SQL MVP and together they have a number of online involvements in the SQL Community:

MidnightDBA

MidnightDBA Star

DBARant

NetworkWorld

and more. Check them out. There is always something more to learn. And if I get the chance to do more courses created or taught by Sean, I will jump at the chance and so should you.