Well, we're just back from vacation (photo blog post to follow) and I've heard that the feature article on Effective Database Maintenance I wrote for the August issue of TechNet Magazine is live on the web. It also includes a 5 minute long screencast I recorded where I demo the effect of database shrink on index fragmentation.

You can get to the article at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc671165.aspx. The topics covered are:

• Managing data and transaction log files
• Eliminating index fragmentation
• Ensuring accurate, up-to-date statistics
• Detected corrupted database pages
• Establishing an effective backup strategy

It's written around 2-300 level and presents a good overview (well, at least I think so ) of the concepts involved.

Also, the August SQL Q&A column is available at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc671180(TechNet.10).aspx. This month's topics on the web (more in the print magazine) are:

• Database version changes with upgrades
• Benefits of partitioning
• Consistency checking options for VLDBs

Enjoy!

My first magazine article is in print! I've taken over the bi-monthly SQL Q&A column for TechNet Magazine and I just received the June magazine in the mail today with my first column in it. Topics covered are:

• Creating corruption and using page checksums
• The shrink-grow-shrink-grow trap
• How many databases can be mirrored per instance
• A tip on changing the default server port, from Jens Suessmeyer

I've also just completed a feature article for either the July or August issue dealing with database maintenance for the 'involuntary' DBA - more details when it gets published.

If you don't get the print version of TechNet Magazine, you can get to this month's SQL Q&A column at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc510328.aspx. There may not be anything new if you've been following my blog for a while, but if you've just started, it's worth a quick look.

Enjoy!

PS Let me know if you've got any good questions - I've already completed the August column but I'd like to hear of any questions you may have for later columns.