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Besplatni SQL alati srpskim developerima
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Multiple Updates to SQL Tools - 2005x versions
New Office Update: Christmas is Coming Early
The New Apex SQL Headquarters: The Countdown is On
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Apex SQL Tools Blog Product announcements, promotions, discussions, and other ApexSQL Tools news Besplatni SQL alati srpskim developerima Besplatno nudimo ApexSQL Developer Studio srpskim developerima na ograničeno vreme. Da bi se prijavili kliknite na email sales@apexsql.com i unesite sledeće informacije: Ime Prezime Ime kompanije (opciono) URL kompanije (opciono) Mi ćemo verifikovati srpske kompanije preko email domena. Ako to nije moguće, molimo Vas da napišete kratke informacije o sebi na srpsko-hrvatskom, zbog čega želite ApexSQL alate tako da možemo da izvršimo verifikaciju na osnovu toga. Limit je jedna licenca po developeru. Ova ponuda se može uskoro završiti pa Vas molimo da Vaš zahtev pošaljete što pre. Biće poslato obaveštenje kada se ponuda završava. Molimo Vas da uzmete u obzir da su kod nas zaposleni internacionalni developeri koji rade na daljinu iz Srbije i Hrvatske. Molimo Vas i da posetite našu internacionalnu stranu sa poslovima. Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Developer Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL, Promotions ...Important announcement on ApexSQL Edit Some of you have been chafing at the bit for fixes and new features in ApexSQL Edit. Some of us have too. We've made some fundamental changes at ApexSQL in the last few days that will ensure we're on the fast track to delivering these long awaited fixes, features. As of this week we've restructured the "business" of ApexSQL Edit, which was formally a joint partnership between Ashton Hobbs and ApexSQL LLC. Ashton created ApexSQL Edit from concept to release and used to manage the entire support forum. Overtime the partnership changed so that ApexSQL took over the help file, then support activities and testing. But even as we added economies of scale they were never enough to keep pace with the demands of this complex tool. Recently we have arrived at an agreement that allows ApexSQL LLC to fully acquire all remaining rights (and responsibilities) to ApexSQL Edit. This allows us to increase the through put on this app. exponentially, empowers us to effect change and frees Ashton to pursue some excellent technology for ApexSQL that he hasn't been able to release. We have some challenges ahead to align ApexSQL Edit with our other apps, fix all outstanding bugs, streamline and simplify the app and then once a high quality baseline has been achieved launch an aggressive development schedule. The next few weeks will be spent managing this transition but we have already begun. I have already allocated some of my best devs and analysts to this task and we're going to be putting as many resources into this as the app. can hold. The plan includes Deprecating underperforming and/or overly-complex features that most users don't want or need. We'll be posting a list. Replacing some modules - like formatting and extended props editor, that were underperforming, with completed, tested components we have ready. Standardizing the code for a fully seamless experience with all other ApexSQL apps. Fixing all reported issues Streamlining the implementation of source control, to make it simpler and work better. Adding some features like native source control drivers (Vault, Subversion, Team Foundation Server), Debugging and Profiling. The good news is all of this technology has *already* been built and tested and just needs to be rolled out. This doesn't mean it will be released immediately but does mean we won't have to start a dev cycle to build these. In the interim we'll be accepting any and all constructive feedback on the forum. We are interested in your thoughts, suggestions and ideas on the ApexSQL Edit forum. Specific business, comments, suggestions, complaints etc can be directed to myself. I understand and appreciate a lot of people's frustration with the delays. I wish this transition had taken place 6 mos. (or 2 years) earlier myself. In an interesting historical note, ApexSQL Log was acquired in a similar way and now is one of our best selling products. It's quality and performance are top notch and it's outlived it's peers at Lumigent and Red-Gate. ApexSQL Log is now the unquestioned best Log Reader in the SQL market. My goal is to say the same thing about ApexSQL Edit very soon. Your patience and continued support is very much appreciated. Labels: Announcement, ApexSQL, ApexSQL Edit ...Boyz (and Girlz) behind the Bytes We've kicked out a new employee collage.  This is a sequel to our popular "Boyz behind the Bytes" This collage is almost instantly obsolete as we are missing quite a few new folks that we will be adding in the next version, which should be out in a month or two. The most recent version will always be posted on our About Page. Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Developer Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL, ApexSQL in Pictures ...ApexSQL Support : Help us Help you the page has been moved here Labels: ApexSQL, Software Business ...Dude - I got questions guys - can somebody post information or email me on "Data Dude" (VS Team System for DB Pros) pricing? I would be deeply indebted! There is also a lively discussion here on ApexSQL Edit forum where I cross posted this http://www.apexsql.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5737&PN=1&TPN=2 1) you have MSDN Universal for each dev - but not Team System. your devs are SQL guys only so can pick the one free flavor. as i understand it if you have MSDN Universal you can pick one of the Team System flavors (database developer, tester, architect, client dev etc) 2) same deal as above but your guys are client devs as well so want Team System for Developers (thereby using up their "free" flavor and having to buy Dude 3) You have purchased the whole Team System package already and everyone is MSDN universal holder. 4) you are off the street with no MSDN subscription no Team system and want to get on the Dude Train. if ApexSQL Studio had Edit + good source control integration (not just SCC) with Vault, TeamSystem and a few others. Compare and Sync Script/Package dbs Documentation (html, .chm) Template based Code Generation Clean (unreferenced object deletion, depenendency analysis, db level find & replace/refactoring) Plus SQL Unit Testing SQL 2005 debugger SQL Profiler So you would basically fire Up Edit and then as needed fire up some other stand alone tools - perhaps with some limited integration. Doc, Script and Generate Code from Object Explorer in Edit. What would Dude still do better? What does Dude have that this feature set doesn't? What would you need Dude for? Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. ... Betas, Betas Everywhere! in an attempt to keep some of the wolves at bay we've thrown out some betas. These betas are pretty close to production. We're working on polishing up the new features and fixing some remaining bugs ApexSQL Audit - significantly improved UI, row level look ups, custom keys, panels, reporting enhancements. The link is http://www.apexsql.com/beta/apexsqlaudit_beta.exe ApexSQL Code - massively overhauled UI, totally reworked options, and much improved CodeComplete. The link is http://www.apexsql.com/beta/apexsqlcode_beta.exe ApexSQL Clean - column level dependencies - must be seen to be believed! Also improved Dep Viewer - overview control, object browser etc. The link is http://www.apexsql.com/beta/apexsqlclean_beta.exe Please post all feedback, bugs, issues, comments on the respective product forum We'll post some screen shots of all products on this BLOG soon for more casual observers. Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL ...Prototype of new website Here's a preview of the new website - scheduled to launch 2 mos. ago!  This site is going to feature some interesting designs, things are going to be laid out a bit better. Let's hope we can get it done soon - so we can start on the next website rewrite!Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL ...Multiple Updates to SQL Tools - 2005x versions Multiple Updates of SQL Server 2005 versions Product pages including new full screen shots have been updated for all products with links below. Released - see links for full screen shots Apex SQL Code 2005 (see Proc-Blaster for some old shots) Apex SQL Doc 2005 (Shows SQL Server 2005 support) Apex SQL Log 2005 To be Released Tomorrow (no promises) Apex SQL Clean 2005 Good shots of Dependency Viewer and new wizard To be Released (hopefully) this Week Apex SQL Diff 2005 - dependency parser, high speed comparison/sync Apex SQL Script 2005 - includes packager, total UI rewrite, CLI Apex SQL Audit 2005 - includes auditing tables with no PK (hey, I don't ask questions) To be Released Soon ... hopefully next Week Apex SQL Edit 2005 - 4 mos. of fixes, visual query, dependency viewer, more advanced SQL Server 2005 features (it already supports SQL Server 2005 to a large degree) Apex SQL Report 2005 - bug fixes, some wizard streamlining What's Next ... I'll be posting more once the dust has settled from 2005 releases, but there is a lot of product in the pipeline Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL ...BList Blogger: Ivan Erceg My name is Ivan Erceg and I am the Project Leader for ApexSQL Log. I have been working on ApexSQL Log since 2002. Background:  I was born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia (then Yugoslavia) but relocated to Santiago de Chile in 1999 where I have been living ever since. I got interested in programming when I was 13 and haven't stopped ever since.In high school my background was in Robotics and Flexible Manufacturing System which gave me a great opporunity to get really early into development of manufacturing simulations and CAD/CAM solutions (which had a detrimental effect on my university attendance so I finally joined the ranks of university drop outs like Bill Gates or Michael Dell ;)My interests are programming, SF, movies, languages. I'm fluent in Serbo-Croatian, English and Spanish. Currently Reading: C++ Template Metaprogramming by David Abrahams and Aleksey Gurtovoy Clash of Kings by George RR Martin Favorite Software Product I Use: Visual Studio .NET 2003 Pic: Chuck The-Support-Maester and myself in our old office in Chapel Hill. I'm the guy with the glasses. Corporate Bio: Ivan Erceg is ApexSQL's Chief Technology Officer. Erceg has 12 years of experience in architecting, designing and implementing complex software systems ranging from CAD/CAM, business, enterprise software and software tools. Erceg is responsible for technology R&D and implementation efforts at ApexSQL and is also expert level programmer in ISO/ANSI C++ and T-SQL. He has led as project leader ApexSQL Log effort since its inception in 2002 and has participated in a variety of successful commercial software products at ApexSQL since 2000. Erceg studied as a Mechanical Engineer at University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia and has roots in Robotics and Flexible Manufacturing Systems. He speaks fluent Spanish, English and Serbo-Croatian Labels: ApexSQL ...Blogger: Ashton Hobbs My name is Ashton Hobbs and I am the Lead Developer for ApexSQL Edit. I have been working on ApexSQL Edit for a little over 2 years. Background: BA in Economics from UNC Greensboro MS in IT Managment from UNC Greensboro (I had 3 courses needed to get a BS in Computer Science but wanted to get out of school) I am married (10 years this year) with 4 children (2 sets of twins) I was born and raised in the north central area of North Carolina. However, I consider myself an ABC fan (Anyone but Carolina), in reference to the Tarheels of North Carolina. I am a true blue Duke University fan.  Interests: -My children -XBOX 360 -Comics -World of Warcraft -PCs -Science Fiction Favorite Reads: Books?????? Currently Reading: Player Guides for World of Warcraft Favorite Software Product I Use: Visual Studio 2005 Least Favorite Software Product I Use: Lotus Notes Hereos/People I Admire: Coach K. (Coach of Duke University Basketball) Anders Hejlsberg Corporate Bio: Ashton Hobbs is the Chief Client Architect of ApexSQL Software. He has over 10 years experience in architecting, designing, and implementing software solutions. Hobbs is the creator, current lead developer and architect for ApexSQL Edit. Hobbs has a BA in Economics from University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a MS in Information Technology from UNCG. Hobbs has been an MCSE and MCSD since 1996 and is currently a MCSE, MCSD, MCAD, MCDBA, and an OCP-DBA. Hobbs is an active leader for a local .NET users' group. Labels: ApexSQL ...Taking Care of Business? Somewhere in North Carolina is a semi sitting with my office furniture in it. Who needs Fancy Furniture! Although I've learned that making employees sit on the floor in an unfurnished office, using computers with no network/internet connection can degrade productivity slightly. Fortunately, we're adept at "going nomad" and can scatter at a moment's notice and be as productive virtually as in office. Thanks OfficeDepot! Today was supposed to be move in day for the new office. According to Office Depot "Taking care of business" - our furniture was delivered yesterday. That's funny - I was there all day but must have missed it. After multiple phone calls we've learned the following 1) our furniture actually hasn't been delivered after all. whew - glad we got that sorted out! I can see how this can easily be confused. 2) OfficeDepot subcontracts *special orders* to an organization it has no direct phone number or email address too. Therefore said organization can't be contacted by us. Don't call them, they'll call you. ahhh OK 3) We will get a phone call from said subcontracted entity sometime tomorrow - what time we don't know. 4) The nature of this phone call also remains a mystery. When we get this phone call we may or may not be told when our furniture may or may not be delivered. Who knew something like a run of the mill delivery could be so suspenseful. I don't know about everyone else but that makes me happy. :( Let's hope the Depot comes thru tomorrow - as Chuck is getting a bad case of rug burn. Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL ...New Office Update: Christmas is Coming Early Its time for another office update . . . .seems that Christmas is coming to ApexSQL a little early this year or at least that's what we'll call it . . . If you've been following the office progress you'll know that the office was coming along quite nicely with an expected completion date of January 15, 2006. Good news . . . we've seen some significant progress in the construction of our new office. The site foreman has told us that the office will be ready December 29th. So maybe Christmas has come a bit early!  If the crew is able to finish as expected we could easily be able to make our move upstairs the first week of January. Even though the outside world can't see it, we'll all be happy to be able to spread out a bit. Keep posted, next week I'll throw some pictures of the completed space on the blog for everyone to see. Happy holidays! Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL ...The New Apex SQL Headquarters: The Countdown is On I thought it might be time to give an update on the status of the new Apex SQL headquarters that are under construction with the countdown being "T minus 40 days" and counting. I'm sure some of you have read Brian's earlier blog on our new office space and have seen the floor plan. Well we've seen a lot of work taking place upstairs lately, so I wanted to share with you the progress.  It’s been an interesting road to get to this point—planning, change orders, arguments over windows and doors, and the list just goes on, but it’s progressing slowly but surely. The construction guys have hung and finished the drywall and are now moving onto getting the finish work done. We should see the doors and interior windows put in over the next week, the ceiling will be finished and soon the flooring will be put in.  We’ve been busy in Operations getting the cubicles ordered, new furniture and phones selected, and organizing for the move. Offices have been assigned—not without a little argument—after all we were trying to put poor Chuck into the littlest office. He finally stood up to us ladies planning the space and we gave in, giving him a much larger office near the break room.It should be a smooth transition. We are trying to plan down to the last little detail. The whole time keeping in mind that we are growing thanks to the support of our great customers and in return we want to plan our office systems to make our staff more accessible to you the customer. Its an exciting time for everyone at Apex SQL—the move, the newly updated suite of products that are rolling out, and even some new products that our in production. Keep watching for the announcements--there are some very exciting things on the horizon that you don’t want to miss. Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL ...BList Blogger : Brian Lockwood My name is Brian Lockwood. I founded ApexSQL and run it as President and Director of Product Development.  I have been working full time at ApexSQL LLC since 2001. I founded the company in Boston, MA 1998 and released first versions of software in 1999. I have since relocated HQ to Chapel Hill, NCI'm not a born and raised Carolinian, like Ashton, but I consider myself a true blue fan of the North Carolina Tar Heels. Education BS Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 1990 U.S. Army Infantry School, Infantry Officer Basic Course 1991 MS Boston College, Boston, MA. 1996 Married with 2 kids. After finishing college and a stint in U.S. Army, I moved to Boston to begin a career in investments. I switched to programming though and began consulting with Microsoft Technologies. Later, I brought RAD development tools that I wrote myself (including the original versions of Apex SQL Code, Apex SQL Audit, Apex SQL Clean, ApexSQL Script, Apex SQL Report and some products that we've retired) to market as commercial software products as a company called LockwoodTech (short for Lockwood Technical Services which I consulted under). Which later became ApexSQL LLC. I ran LockwoodTech for several years out of my basement in Boston (as my sales person Todd can vouche for) until it grew to a point where I hired some full time help. I later moved to heaven on earth, or North Carolina as some people call it.  Since then, I've been fortunate to find and work with a small group of highly skilled and dedicated software professionals - like Ashton Hobbs, Ivan Erceg and Roman Titov among others. Working with software professionals is what I do. I only want to work with people as passionate, competitive and dedicated as I am. (I'm constantly looking for new people who share my passion for software who know SQL, C++ and or C#.)My passion is software. My desire is to be the best. My commitment is total. Interests - My kids - History - WWII Eastern Front, Vietnam, Arab Israeli conflicts, Northern Ireland - Basketball - playing and watching - Politics - Computer Games - Rise of Nations, Age of Mythology, and thanks to Ivan AOE III Recent Books read We were soldiers once and young. Guns, Germs and Steel - Jared Diamond Currently Reading The World is Flat - Thomas Friedman We Shall Not Fail, The Inspiring Leadership of Winston Churchill - Celia Sandys Favorite Software Product Compare it! SourceGear Vault Janus Grid Adobe Imagewriter - can anyway get me a download to this? I lost my copy and it's not sold anymore. hit me here Least Favorite Software Product I have to use Roblowhelp Heroes Steve Pavlina Vince Lombardi Winston Churchill Larry Bird About ApexSQL ApexSQL is a private, non-funded, developer owned company with approximately 15 employees and growing located in Chapel Hill, NC. About our Location I live and work south of Chapel Hill in Chatham County, North Carolina. It is a quiet rural location within a short distance of Chapel Hill, Raleigh Airport, Cary (North Carolina's Technology Town) and Pittsboro. Corporate Bio: Brian Lockwood is President of Apex SQL Tools. Lockwood founded the company in 1998 and rapidly grew it into one of the current leaders in the SQL Server Tools industry. He originally launched Apex SQL after a successful technology consulting career culminating in the design, development and successful deployment of ICE (Integrated Consulting & Enrollment) for Academic Mgt Services Inc, which won CIO Magazine's prestigious Enterprise Value Award in 2004. Using the same productivity techniques, ingenuity and work ethic he personally has authored more than 10 successful commercial software tools and now directly leads the product research and development effort at Apex SQL. Lockwood has an undergraduate degree from Cornell University, was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Army and graduated from Officer Basic course in the U.S. Army Infantry school in Ft. Benning, GA. Lockwood also holds a Masters degree from the Carroll School of Finance at Boston College. Labels: ApexSQL ...New office update We're moving closer to completion of new office. Construction has begun in earnest. Space should be completed in January. Attached is an updated floor plan The plan shows a full conference, break, storage and server room as well as 5 offices and 10 cubes. All offices have windows.  This next images shows the exterior. ApexSQL offices are on the 2nd floor, left of median. We have the first 9 windows on the left.  Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL ...The Support Engineer's Creed What if Vince Lombardi was a software support engineer? He might make up a creed that sounded something like this.  My mission is to provide Best of Class product support in my industryI am fortified by the singleness of my purpose and my commitment to excellence Recognizing that I am the first responder, the first line of defense between the user community and my company's software defects, I will react quickly to user issues and let users know their issue will receive *immediate* attention I will effectively triage each issue to ensure the issues are quickly and accurately prioritized and handled in the proper order. I am first and foremost an engineer. As an Engineer, I will think and speak in objective terms, with economy of words. I will communicate only relevant information and communicate it logically, with focus and precision leaving out unnecessary “noise” or subjective commentary. I will gather all important information and empirical data and thoroughly research all issues before making any judgments, recommendations or suggesting solutions – or even commenting on same. A slower informed response is better than a rush to judgment. I will always presume our software is defective until proven otherwise and give all users full benefit of the doubt when posting an issue. I will never let support requests go unanswered. During the regular work week a response should never take more than 1 hour during work day or 17 hours in total (i.e. 5 PM to 9 AM). I will strive to provide off hours support to the best of my ability. I always be in the office by the time phone support hours begin and remain until they are over – only leaving my post when my desk is covered. I will be mission capable - fully product trained, well versed in all product features, functionality and limitations. I will be a certified expert in relevant technologies. I will be honest and direct with customers and recognize it is better to indicate what I don’t know (and strive to quickly learn) than speak from ignorance. In this way I will earn the users trust. I will avoid questioning how a customer uses our software or attribute it’s unique use to source of problem / issue. I will leverage all resources at my disposal including developers, help files, search engines, and technical websites to obtain information required to answer support questions. It is better to succeed in answering question with help then fail on my own. I will leverage technology to be able to remotely dial into and inspect user configurations when remote diagnostics fail to uncover the problem I will always be courteous and professional in my correspondence with users. I will collect, organize and transmit all feature requests in an efficient manner to management for evaluation. I will convert all applicable/relevant bugs and issues to reproducible test cases and transmit to testing in an efficient and organized manner. I will collect and report potential FAQs and Help File content to technical writer in an efficient and organized manner. Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL, Personal Motivation, Software Business ...Antares686 One guy I was looking for at PASS 2005 and had a Tar Heel hat reserved for was James Travis (aka Antares686) - perennial top poster on www.sqlservercentral.com. ApexSQL did PASS on the cheap last year but still made good by taking the time to "press the flesh". I was surprised after the show to see we got great press. from http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/jtravis/passsummit2004anotherlook.asp "In addition I finally got to meet Brian Lockwood of ApexSQL (www.apexsql.com). Really funny guy and he is all about the customer. I have been using their SQL Diff product and ran into a couple of bugs. After I posted on their site, the bugs were resolved very quickly. He also was focused on SQL Edit, which I think is a good IDE as well. I told him I would be providing feedback on it and might roll out a review. For now it looks like a nice slick interface and offers intellisense in it. Not as wiz-bang-flashy as I would like. However, they do such a great job on other things, and I feel this will be no different. If you are looking for an IDE, SQL Edit is worth a look." thx for the props James - we'll look for u in 2006. PS James is a fellow Tar Heel This year Ashton Hobbs, ApexSQL Edit author, was at PASS and had an opportunity to interact with a lot of people directly. We'll have to get together in Greensboro - and pick up Brian Kelly (sqlservercentral) too - since we all live in the same approx. neck of the woods. Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL ...SQL Pass 2005 in Dallas, TX The ApexSQL team has just returned from a busy week at SQL Pass conference in Dallas, TX. We had a great show and our presence grew a lot since last year when there were just two of us. I brought Todd (sales), Ashton (ApexSQL Edit), Ivan (Apexsql Log) and Tammy (marketing) our newest hire. The conference was at the Gaylord Texan, the Home Depot of hotels with trade show rooms, restaurants, shops, controlled Micro-climate etc etc. It was nice being in the hotel vs driving accross Orlando from a La Quinta - like we did last year. A trade show like this is a good opportunity to connect with customers - old and new, as well as advertisers and other vendors. I picked up some Univ. of North Carolina hats on the way down to give out to ApexSQL friends.  Some of our notable VIPs were Kevin Hadas of SQLServerCentral (pictured with me here), Brian Knight of SQLServerCentral, George Simmons (old customer), Joe Salvatore (Big Fish in Small Pond), Rich Resnick (SQLMag). Anybody who can remember the company when it was still "LockwoodTech" get's a VIP perk if I'm manning the booth!I met the guys at Edgewood Solutions as they were in booth accross from us. I had met Greg Robidoux from last year and met Jeremy Kadlec this year. I learned a lot about the industry from these guys. I always stop by the LogPi booth. Good guys - although I'd make sure you have paid down your credit card limit before you buy them a round of drinks. I think we're still paying our bar tab from PASS 2004 ;) I also got to meet some guys nearby some of my old haunts in Boston at Lumigent. Good guys with a presentation so effective I almost bought some software from them. We looked for James Travis from SQLServerCentral posting fame - but he didn't make the show this year. We had a Tar Heels hat with his name on it. Maybe next year. A lot of people got to meet Ashton Hobbs - our un-VC funded wizard of IDE's as well as Ivan Erceg - ApexSQL Log Engine architect. We also met with Microsoft Product Team members and discussed some exciting new features that will be available in ApexSQL products, both new and old, next year. Microsoft has a lot of features coming up in SQL Server 2005 that ApexSQL will be able to enhance and integrate to provide useful and innovative new products. Overall a great show. Look for us next year with hopefully an even bigger crew! Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL, Industry News ...Update  Remember way back in the stone age when you actually had to download a new installer and run it every single time a new application version came out. I do and man was it a lot of work. If you hate clicking next through an installation program as much as I do, you are in luck!One of the many smaller initiatives we've been working on lately here at ApexSQL has been an auto-updater for our applications and it has recently come to fruition.  The newest releases of both ApexSQL Diff and ApexSQL Edit are now making use of this cool new feature. All future application releases will also include it.You can simply select Check For Updates... from the Help menu and the application will look for updates, download them and install them all on its own. Now getting updates with your ApexSQL software is both free and easy. Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL ...Office Plan: Take 2 A while back I posted the plans for our new office. Well, now we have new plans for the new office. More space opened in the building, so these new plans are bigger and better. One more thing, I'm not sure this is the place to tell you, but Vicki, I don't think you are going to get the corner office, no matter how many times you write it on the floorplan.  Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL ...SteveO Today was SteveO's last day. He came into my company a boy ... but left a man. SteveO (aka Steve Williams), my staff acct. left today to go get his Masters of Accounting at UNC Go Heels. He started working for me as a UNC intern in the summer of 2004. He was an accounting major looking for some real world experience. Not sure he knew what he was getting himself into! After his summer internship was complete, I hired SteveO as a part time staff accountant to continue his work for me. This summer he's worked pretty much full time and now we're transitioning to a full time staff accountant who starts next week. I did a verbal run down with SteveO today of all the things we've built in the last year and it was nothing short of amazing. - When he came to the company we were running on Quicken 97 - today we run on Quickbooks 2005. - When he started we didn't know how to generate cash flow statements, real profit reports or do our own quarterly reporting. - It took us a year to figure out how much money I actually made in salary - when I found out I promptly gave myself a raise! - I used to run checks to the bank myself a few times a week - now SteveO is at the bank so often people think he works there. - I used to write our return address on envelopes we mailed checks in - now we have fancy envelopes with the plastic window with vendor address. - We pay our people with direct deposit automatically with the cool receipt envelopes not hastily written checks when they reminded me they hadn't been paid for awhile or were going to the track. - Ashton learned checks don't deposit well if I forgot to sign them which happened on more than one occasion. Now all checks leave signed! It reminded me of the ad where one guy is saying to another "When I started at this company we didn't have automated fullfillment, online order tracking etc etc" They lady asks in amazement "When did you start?" The guy deadpans "Last month ..." My only goal that wasn't accomplished was good budgeting analysis - actual vs projected etc. but we'll nip that soon. SteveO worked with me during the polarizing election of 2004 and had to listen to not a few of my rants and tirades - I wouldn't have wished that on anyone! He survived our grueling transition from cash based to accrual based accounting. SteveO learned to use Quickbooks 2002 which is probably the worst piece of software I have ever used. I've seen better apps. written in FoxPro for DOS. When SteveO came to me more than a year ago I gave him his marching orders - get our accounting in shape (accrual, quickbooks, payroll, taxes etc). He left today with his head held high knowing he's accomplished his mission. Good luck Steve and thanks from me and all the crew Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL ...New ApexSQL Mission Statement I've experimented with mission atatements in the past, but they never really worked. So I took it back to my days as an Army Ranger wannabe and will use the Ranger Creed as our un-official motto/mission statement.  For those who don't know or watch too many movies, the Army Rangers is an elite force specialized in patrolling, reconnaissance, raids and ambushes. It is a lightly armed infantry force organized into battalion sized units sprinkled amongst larger units (divisions) in the Army.To become a Ranger you must pass Ranger school. Basically 8 weeks of moving, shooting and communicating without sleep or food! Only a small percent pass, but those who do get to wear the coveted "Ranger Tab" on their shoulder. (note left shoulder of soldier to the right) In Ranger school you must pass several patrols - completing the mission. You are evaluated by trainers and also your peers, who have the ability to vote out the lowest performing squad member.  When I was in the Army, I went through the process of getting accepted to Ranger school. A 12 mile run with an AK-47, boots, helmet etc. A 5 mile run uniform only. Various swim tests, like stepping off the high board (blindfolded) and not coming to the surface until all your equipment is removed, a full length swim in the pool without getting your M-16 wet (try that with combat boots!). Although I passed all individual tests and was apparently fanatical :) and dedicated enough, I was beaten out for the slot and never got the chance to attend the school. I don't have many disappointments in my life, but not getting a chance for Ranger Tab was one. I never got another shot but the spirit of the U.S. Army Rangers and their ethos still inspires me in my new profession as "Code Warrior".THE RANGER CREED Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession. I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor and high "esprit de corps" of my Ranger Regiment. Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air. I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other soldier. Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be. One hundred percent and then some Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow. Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country. Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor. Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL, Personal Motivation ...Moving On Up So, we've just signed a new lease for some more office space here at HQ. We're going to be staying in the same building, but we will be getting a bigger better space. They are building to suit for us, so we thought we would share our new office plan with everyone. This is exciting news for all of us here. The company is growing so quickly it's amazing. This should be exciting news for all of our customers as well. We are continually working to provide better software, better support and an overall better experience for all of our customers, and growing is only helping us accomplish these goals. Thanks for making all of this growth possible.  Get your developers the tools they need to do the job fast and right - ApexSQL Develper Studio is the ultimate combat multiplier for SQL Developers. 7 Best of Class tools - one download, install and discounted price. Click Here for more info. Labels: ApexSQL ...Chucky Hill, NC Brian calls Chapel Hill, Chucky Hill, after one of it’s most well known “characters” and Expert Technical Support Engineer for ApexSQL, Chuck Garrison. Brian was able to get a few minutes of Chuck’s time for some questions about this well known American city.  How long have you lived in Chapel Hill?We moved here when I was 10, from just the other side of Raleigh. But as the product of multiple generations of UNC grads I already considered Chapel Hill my second home even then. What do you like about the community? It's a tolerant, progressive community that shares a lot of my values. It's full of intelligent and creative people, and it has such an interesting combination of people from all over the country and world intertwined with the Old South. The weather is great (except for June, July and August), the cost of living is reasonable, and there's no higher concentration of hot women in the US.  Is it true the ratio of women to men is almost 2 to 1 around campus and is this the sole reason Steve scored a hot girlfriend?You bet - it's about 62-38 last I checked and we're not talking Sarah Lawrence women here, either. UNC women are classy, intelligent and fun. Steve, on the other hand...I kid, I kid. It must be something about guys from Charlotte. My dad was a nerd from Charlotte who went to UNC too and he scored way, way out of his league. Seriously, my mom is an award-winning beauty and a saint to boot - I have no idea how he snagged her. Why do they call Carrboro the “Paris of the Piedmont”? I prefer "The City That Never Wakes", personally. I'm sure the high concentration of artists, writers and miscellaneous intellectuals who live there has a lot to do with it. That and the hairy armpits. Did you know that the Carrboro town council passed 'France Appreciation Month' a couple of years ago when anti-French sentiment was running especially high? 'The Daily Show' did a piece on it, and featured my friend Mark Dorinson who was an Alderman at the time. It was very funny. Do you hang out with (former vice presidential candidate) John Edwards much? No, but I have met him before. I used to work downtown Chapel Hill, in an office right across the hall from David Rudolf's law practice (he was the guy who defended Michael Peterson and Rae Carruth, among others) - they were old friends of some sort and I literally bumped into him walking down the stairs to go to lunch one day. Very polite man. He also bought a lot of land right around the corner from my old house out in the country past Carrboro, and his motorcades of limousines have been spotted terrorizing the countryside off of Old Greensboro Highway.  How about Chapel Hill schools? You are a product of this school system, knowing this, why should I believe it’s any good?Like most school systems with high-value property tax bases, a huge percentage of professors' kids, high parental involvement and a progressive environment, all the kids are wild, uncontrollable and convinced of their own infalliability. But they still get into Ivy League schools and wind up running the country. Go figure. I should probably mention at this point that my father is a Presbyterian minister, and thus I am exempt from all generalizations of the kind above. Is it true MJ (Michael Jordan) still has a house in Governor’s Club (right across the street from us in Governors Village)? Not only that, but there's a huge secret underground chamber in that small mountain where he and Dean Smith and Roy Williams and Larry Brown all meet and decide who will win the next NCAA and NBA basketball championships. We've only won four because, you know, they don't want anyone to get suspicious. I moved from Boston, does Chapel Hill enjoy some of the advantages of big city life like major traffic jams, massive public works projects like the “Big Dig” that never seem to finish and political conventions that literally close the city down for a week? |
