2009 June | ToyboxCreations

29Jun/090

10 Questions Science Can’t Answer Yet

This book is a quick read, but it will give you lots of food for thought. There are 10 chapters, each addressing a question that science doesn't have a complete answer for.

Is Fido a zombie? (that is, how intelligent, self-aware and clever are animals?)
Why is time so weird?
Can I live forever please?
What are we going to do with the stupid?
What is the dark side? (think dark energy and dark matter, not Darth Vader)
Is the universe alive?
Are you the same person you were a minute ago?
Why are we all so fat...and does it really matter?
Can we really be sure the paranormal is bunkum?
What is reality, really?

I picked up this book since the title really spoke to me. I tend to like to read about topics that most people would avoid. If it raises a question to a fundamental belief that some group has, I'll read it. If it tries to rewrite history, I'll read it. If it makes you really re-consider something you assumed to be true... I'll read it. I'm not sure why, it's just the topics that really interest me.

I'd suggest you pick up this book if you have a day of traveling ahead of you, and you want to really use that time to think about some big topics. You should find the writing style witty and enjoyable...I know I did. Once you've read it, tell me what you think. I'd love an opportunity to discuss this book further!

Filed under: Book Review No Comments

20Jun/091

Helpbags.org

A very good friend of mine has been working on a non-profit she created. What she's been doing is collecting a few small things that homeless people can use. She's not trying to cure homelessness, but she is offering a helping hand. I've helped her hand out these bags before. I've seen the appreciation on the homeless' faces, even more than I heard their comments of "Thanks."

When she started a page on facebook to get the word out, I had to help. I set her up with HelpBags.org. It was the least I could do to help her cause. What I'd ask each of you to do, is hit the site, and consider helping. Even the smallest of items can do a lot of good. You might be surprised, but the ziploc bags are a help, I've heard the homless say so.

Filed under: life 1 Comment

16Jun/090

SQL Session – Inside SQL Server 2008 Resource Governor

If you're not already a member of the Charlotte SQL Server User Group, go now and sign up. This group is a great resource of knowledge and connections to the SQL Server community in Charlotte, NC. Their plan is to get together once a month and discuss a new and interesting topic on SQL Server.

In this presentation, Aaron Bertrand will provide an overview of Resource Governor, a new feature in SQL Server 2008 that will give DBAs and system administrators much more granular control over how CPU and memory are used by SQL Server. He will explain how you can leverage SQL Server 2008's Resource Governor not only for preventing the "runaway query" but also for prioritizing workloads, testing consolidation approaches, meeting service level agreements, and configuring a charge back system. Aaron will also provide information about what you cannot or should not do with Resource Governor. This presentation is the basis of an upcoming white paper to be published soon.