SQL Server Reference Guide

Guide Contents

Introduction
- SQL Server Reference Guide Overview
Table of Contents
Additional Resources
- Tools and Downloads New

Latest Update:
Tool Review (Free): DBDesignerFork

I'm big on database design tools. I think a well-formed Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) is useful to developers, DBAs and Business Analysts. But, the tools that I've found to design databases are either too expensive, too big, or too non-standard. I especially dislike the one inside SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) for multiple reasons. So what's a poor DBA to do?

Well, look for a free tool that does the job. I think I found a pretty good free one, and this week I'll give you a full rundown of DBDesignerFork and how I'm using it.

This week's book spotlight is on Database Design for Mere Mortals®: A Hands-On Guide to Relational Database Design, 2nd Edition by Michael J. Hernandez. He's done a good job on explaining database design.

Last week's update: Design Elements Part 11: String Manipulation

Subscribe to the SQL Server Reference Guide RSS feed.

Related Resources

There are currently no related podcasts. Please check back later.

If it's Free it's for Me: By Buck Woody January 26, 2009 No Comments; Sign me up for anything free these days. I just ran across a book that promises to help you build a web site for free...

Not stressing about the job: By Buck Woody January 10, 2009 4 Comments; You know, I think that the media shares a HUGE part of the blame for the economy. They screamed "things look bad!" so much that the general public got spooked and quit spending, thinking the worst. That leads to a spiral where people don't buy what you sell, and things DO get bad.

Cost Cutting and the DBA

By Buck Woody December 19, 2008 3 Comments

It seems all the news can talk about is the "bad economy". Personally, I think they have talked a lot of people into panic mode, which has in fact made any kind of slowdown even worse. But hey, whatever sells TV ad time, right?

So since the public has so heartily embraced the news' view of the world, business has in fact slowed down. And it seems that the business wants everyone to cut costs. So what can the DBA do?

See More Blogs