Brent’s Blog Highlights | Brent Ozar PLF

Here’s some of my favorite blog posts from a decade of blogging:

I like to encourage DBAs to take a step back and see things from the business perspective.

Ozar’s Hierarchy of Database Needs – You need to poop, and your databases like to be backed up. Odd contradiction.
How to Get Budget Approval for Conferences – I explain the costs, show how to present them to management, and how to get the most out of your money.
How to Deliver a Killer Technical Presentation – You can do it. We can help.
The $1,000/Hour Consultants – Sometimes, throwing money at the problem is the best fix.
SQL MCM: The Exams – After I finished (and passed) the Microsoft Certified Master program, I wrote about how tough it was.
How to Get a Better Job – In which I advocate the Buddy System.
Are You Being Treated Fairly? – After hearing people whine about their jobs being unfair, I blogged about hotel housekeepers.
Rock Stars, Normal People, and You – Years ago, I was a frustrated database administrator desperate to get a better job. Today, I’m a self-employed consultant. I talk about how to get from Point A to Point Awesome.

Yes, I actually do write technical stuff, although it feels like I focus more on soft skills lately.

Seeks, Scans, and Statistics in the Grocery Store – Running a query is a lot like going shopping.
SQL Server Perfmon Tutorial – Originally written way back in 2006, and expanded ever since.
SQL Server Setup Checklist – I wanted a simple, easy-to-follow checklist of the absolutely-must-do tasks that people usually miss.
How to Build a SQL Server Support Matrix – Yes, DBAs, you too can say official-sounding stuff like, “Sorry, we don’t support that. It’s not in our support matrix.”
Scaling Up or Scaling Out? – I explain the differences in these two philosophies and how they relate to SQL Server bottlenecks.
SQL Server 2008 R2 Review – in which I compare this version to Lady Gaga’s followup CD.

As a geek with a decent disposable income, I buy a lot of gadgets, and I love writing about ‘em.

Iomega StorCenter PX4-300d NAS Review – Like Lady Gaga says, it’s a monster.
Apple MacBook Air 2011 13″ Review – I don’t just talk about the hardware, but also how to make the transition from a typical laptop with a more spacious magnetic drive.
How to Buy Your First Mac – More and more of my friends are taking the switch, so I made it easier for ‘em.
Fusion-IO ioDrive Review – Are they worth the money? Well, it depends on what you’re comparing them to.

This blog started out as my own personal journey, and along the way I’ve had some fun with it.

We Finished the Chicago-Mac Race (Last) – This 333-mile sailboat race was on my bucket list, and I checked it off.
How to Take Action When Your Content is Plagiarized – There was about a six-month run where it seemed like everybody was determined to rip off my blog.