Author Archives: d_a_green

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About d_a_green

My background includes working as a Data Architect, Database Developer, systems integrator, data exploitation specialist and DBA, as well as tutoring and actively promoting professional development and mentoring. I have been involved in a number of technical User Groups, and occasionally present or blog about topics which interest me. When not facing a computer screen I can be found walking, usually on the moors. I take an interest in my local community and volunteer my time and skills to this end.

SQL Saturday Exeter 2014 – over for another year

Thanks to all those who came to SQL Saturday Exeter on Friday and Saturday, we really hope you enjoyed your time with us and learned a lot.

If you didn’t make it along, here’s some of what you missed:

Friday was a pre-con training day, with 8 all day sessions each giving in-depth knowledge on a specific area of SQL Server. Emil Glownia started the review ball rolling, with this post on Friday following the pre-con training day.

The Friday night party was Surf themed, and many entered into the spirit of things. We had a surfing simulator going, and fierce competition ensued for top position.

 

The following morning, SQL Saturday itself started in earnest. We had a great turnout, and many full sessions.  For some speakers the demo gods were kind, for others, not so – an ever present reminder that typing in a demo can be dangerous!

Sometimes though, it was necessary to resort to the somewhat older technology of the flipchart!

(We ask speakers to upload session materials to our schedule page, or their own blog – which should be linked to from the schedule page – and tweet about them #SQLSatExeter)

 

It’s great to see speakers learning from their experiences at the event too – for example James Skipwith has written a blog post on what he’s learnt

For some, all this learning wasn’t enough, and so a party of 40 select people (well, O.K., the first 40 to put their names down after the shout went out) headed off for a curry!

Throughout the event there was great conversation from the SQL Community on twitter, using the hashtag  #SQLSatExeter

Some who attended have already shared their thoughts on the event – here’s a blog from Al Eardley.

Thanks to everyone for making the event what it was; we really couldn’t have done it without you – whether you were sponsoring, speaking, attending or just spreading the word.

 

We look forward to seeing you again soon.

The SQL Saturday Exeter #269 Committee.

Committee

 

(with apologies to @thomasrushton who missed out on being in this photo as he was doing something far more sensible at the time)

Community Interviews: What’s it like to visit your first SQL Saturday?

SQL Saturday Exeter Community InterviewsCommunity Interviews are a series of interviews with real world attendees to SQL Saturday Exeter events.

This time, we speak to Rory Cheeld, a first time visitor to SQL Saturday Exeter 2013, about his experiences.

 

Hi Rory, Thanks for agreeing to speak to us. We understand that SQL Saturday Exeter 2013 was your first attendance at a SQL Saturday event. How did you hear about the SQL Saturday and what made you interested enough to attend?

I caught the article on SQLServerCentral advertising the event. The fact there was an event in Exeter got me excited enough to attend. From there, it was a case of choosing the session that would be most valuable to me.

Was it anything like you expected?

This was my first SQL event, so I did not really know what to expect. I enjoyed the fact the sessions where in smaller groups. I guess I expected a big lecture style environment, so I would say it exceeded my expectations.

What would you list as the benefits of attending the SQL Saturday?

The smaller sessions allowed for a more interactive experience with the speakers. We were able to ask many questions and there was time to explore side topics.

How would you advise someone new to SQL Saturdays to go about getting involved?

Get to one of the sessions and experience it yourself. No matter what your experience level, you are bound to take something away, or gain a valuable connection through networking.

Thanks Rory, we look forward to seeing you at another SQL Saturday event soon.

Find out more about the upcoming SQL Saturday Exeter