In my current job, I get to write data extracts.
eg. extract data from an SQL database, using Microsoft Access as the front-end. Not my preferred tool, but it’s what I’ve got.

Thought it would be useful to brush up on my T-SQL, so I purchased the book on the right.

Best darn little book I’ve found on Transaction SQL. The 10 minutes refers to each lesson. And there are 30 lessons all up. This will be a book which I’d going to end up using as a quick reference.

Now if you want to teach yourself T-SQL, I’d suggest the following:

1. Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft SQL Server T-SQL
2. SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services
3. .Net Framework version 2
   (if you don’t already have it)
4. Membership of SqlServerCentral.com (it’s free), the question of the day is worth it for knowledge reinforcement.

Update August 2009:
Writing SQL Queries: Let’s Start with the Basics, by Microsoft is worth reading as well.

W2K3 to W2K8 Active Directory Upgrade Considerations

I have collected some upgrade considerations from a couple colleagues of mine and have been sharing them on our internal technical DLs as the question comes up.  I have gotten positive feedback on the notes and have been encouraged to post them.  So, here they are.  Though, the real thanks go out to my colleages Tom and Arren.

Here are some of the problems customers run into when upgrading W2K3 DCs to W2K8

A very comprehensive list of solutions to problems people run into when upgrading from a Windows 2003 domain to a Windows 2008 domain.  Thank you Glenn LeCheminant.