Category: Uncategorized

Prompted by Linda’s comment on a previous blog, I thought it might be worth writing a couple of postings on DBA documentation. The first thing you need is a Database Catalogue of some kind. Benefits1) Even an experienced DBA arriving on site won’t know what servers exist, how to login to them, what versions you… Continue reading DBA Documentation – Catalogue

(Rant warning. Well, if I never write anything contentious, you might all drop off to sleep without me noticing …) Over the past few years I’ve had many conversations with different DBAs (at least four teams worth!), System Administrators, Managers and even her indoors (poor woman!). It’s a subject that’s very dear to my heart… Continue reading Documentation and Asking Questions

I went to watch the Ottawa Senators (Sens) play the Vancouver Canucks at Scotiabank Place this evening. Paul Vallee managed to secure us some cool seats just by the glass (well, fortunately it’s plastic of some kind, or there would be serious injuries). It’s difficult to do the whole experience justice when I’m tired and… Continue reading Go Sens Go!

A friend pointed out a link to one of my blog postings over at Burleson Consulting’s website that I wasn’t aware of. Whilst I appreciate Don Burleson’s fulsome praise of my communication skills, I think it’s only fair to make a few points of clarification. 1) I was concerned that readers might misinterpret my intentions… Continue reading Werewolves, beware!

I went Christmas present shopping in Ottawa yesterday. Yes, I know that seems strange but there’s a small story behind it. My other half’s sister lives near Ottawa, so she bought Christmas presents for her sister and her nieces before I flew over, so that I could hand deliver them. When I got back to… Continue reading Christmas Shopping in Ottawa

(Because an opportunity to use an ABBA album title as a blog title should never be missed 😉) The usual East-to-West jetlag has kicked in and, despite being in bed and asleep at 10:30 pm and being due a decent sleep, I woke up at 1:30, then 2:30, then 3:30 and although my eyes wouldn’t… Continue reading Arrival

I mentioned previously that I’ll be spending January in Canada – Ottawa, to be precise. After I mentioned here that I was looking for a job, Paul Vallee of the Pythian Group contacted me to ask if I’d be interested in working for Pythian if I was able to work from Edinburgh. The only reason… Continue reading A Fresh Start

Well, I wish that were true, but at least a short term seasonal truce has broken out in the Burns household. Past disagreements have been put aside and there’ll be no mention of the Cuddly Toy Front from The Boys and Polly and no whinging and moaning from my side. Well, I can’t really guarantee… Continue reading Merry Christmas (War is Over)

I’d planned a little blogging this weekend but my niece gave birth at 4:43 am today and it looks like I’ll spend tomorrow driving to Aberdeen to visit her. It’s only about 100 miles each way, but they’re among the worst 100 miles I’ve ever driven 🙁 (Anyone who’s commuted to Aberdeen will know what… Continue reading coComment and Oprofile

Here’s a top tip for anyone who I might interview for a DBA job in future, based on three consecutive interviews for my replacement I just overheard. If you really don’t know the name of the package you use to collect object statistics for the cost based optimiser in 9i, you’re really *not* a DBA… Continue reading Despicable