Trust works!

Just read this:

Trust Works!: Four Keys to Building Lasting Relationships by Ken Blanchard

...liked it. Seemed complicated at first, but it's actually pretty simple.

8 Ways to great

Just read this:

8 Ways To Great by Doug Hirschhorn

...and liked it. Really useful stuff.

Setting CMD as the default

So I've tried setting CMD as the default program to run .cmd files in Windows 8.

Click Windows button, and then search for default and then choose Default Programs.

Inside of Default Programs, it is not possible to associate .cmd files with CMD. Isn't that maddening?

If I find a way to do this, then I'll set it up so .cmd files on my system run with Adminstrator authority. 

The idea is:

1. I'm developing on the machine, and need to change / manage / mangle various files and settings quickly through .cmd files.

2. I don't want to be prompted UAC every time I do (1), above.

So I'm thinking it's a default "security feature" that you can't rewire the association without a registry hack, but that's going to be my next step.

Windows Server 2012 and SQL 2012 Configuration Manager

From the techNet article:

To access SQL Server Configuration Manager Using Windows 8

Because SQL Server Configuration Manager is a snap-in for the Microsoft Management Console program and not a stand-alone program, SQL Server Configuration Manager not does not appear as an application when running Windows 8. To open SQL Server Configuration Manager, in the Search charm, under Apps, type SQLServerManager11.msc 

But then, once you've found it, push enter to start it.

Then, go back, and search again. This time, it will show up on the left hand side of the search window, as a previously run app. Right click it, and choose "Pin To Start" so you don't have to hunt for the msc the next time.

Alternate Method


If you're more the "make my own" type, then you can :

Get to desktop mode in Windows 8.
Right click on the desktop.
Choose New >> Shortcut
As the location of the item, paste  SQLServerManager11.msc
Click OK.
Right click your new shortcut, and from the pop up menu, choose "Pin To Start".

How To Add Yourself To SQL

The other day, I locked myself out of my SQL Server by joining the VM to a domain. When I joined the domain, only the local users had access, because I hadn’t added the domain admins to the machine as sysadmin role members yet, since the machine wasn’t yet part of the domain.

It's a circle!

Anyway, I found myself unable to login to my SQL 2012 instance using Windows Authentication. While adding myself back, I discovered that sp_addsrvrolemember has been deprecated.

net stop <<servicename>>
net start MSSQLSERVER /m
sqlcmd –E –S.

Then, in SQL Server 2008 R2 and earlier, I would do this:

create login [DOMAIN\LOGIN] from windows;
go
exec sp_addsrvrolemember [ @loginame= ] 'domain\login' , [ @rolename = ] 'role';
go

But now, in SQL 2012, to be future proof, I have to upgrade my script to look like this:

create login [DOMAIN\LOGIN] from windows;
go
alter server role 'role' add member='domain\login';
go

One MS reference:
sp_addsrvrolemember (Transact-SQL)

Changing A SQL Server Name

Changing the name of my SQL Server has been anything BUT pretty, easy, or straightforward. I want to collect the various pieces of the process here, so I can remember them when I need them again.

To change the name in the O/S:

** If joining a domain, do it all at once, if at ALL possible **


To then change the name of the already installed SQL Instance:

select @@servername -- was 
go
sp_helpserver -- was 
go
select serverproperty('servername') -- was 
go
select * from sys.servers; -- was 
go

sp_dropserver '';
GO
sp_addserver '', local;
GO

select @@servername -- is now 
go
sp_helpserver -- is now 
go
select serverproperty('servername') -- was already 
go
select * from sys.servers; -- is now 
go

In another time, and another place . . .

Being an engineer really is like being an artisan class. 

If we were in ancient Greece, though, would that make us landowners?

Since we're not, are there any lessons we can learn from Sparta? Two things spring to mind, from recent life lessons:

1. Focus
The classes were separated by function. Say what you will about classes, there still would have been great shoemakers, good shoemakers, and just-ok shoemakers within the trade class. The goal, I think, of every engineer, is to be the best within their class or specialty. Which brings me to . . .

2. Specialize
The idea of being both a shoemaker and a then a sandal repair specialist might seem silly to us (I mean, really. Beach sandals are like a $1) but if you needed your sandals repaired TODAY so you could march to war tomorrow, would you go to the just-ok maker, for the just-ok price? Or would you pay the higher price for the greater speed and quality of the specialist across town?

I have, and continue, to drive across town for quality. Do you?