September 2005 - Posts - Ruari (Chuck's) Mind
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Ruari (Chuck's) Mind

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September 2005 - Posts

  • Getting Ready for rAge

    Tonight the sadeveloper members that confirmed their involvement with rAge met at the Dome for a briefing.
    This looks to be one killer event. Hope to see you all there.

  • Encarta 2006 & DotNet

    The other day I went out and bought Microsoft Encarta 2006 for the family. Time to get em educated I thought. Well I should have expected it but still it took me by surprise when the first thing the install did was pop up a message that read “Updating DotNet Framework”.

    There you have it, for those that thought DotNet was just a flash in the pan ...... think again it's going to be everywhere....

     

    Posted Sep 28 2005, 02:16 PM by ruari with 1 comment(s)
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  • Best Company To Work For!!

    Every year Deloitte’s runs the “Best company to work for” awards. This morning they aired the awards on Telly. Not sure who managed to get to see it, all I know is that we were glued to the TV.

    We came second… Microsoft came second in this year “Best company to work for”, well done!!!
    What a company to work for, just come through the doors and you can feel the passion and energy!!!
    People that work for this company know they drive their own destinies, do you?

    If you want to follow the details (give em time to post it) you can go to http://www.bestcompany.co.za/

    UPDATE:
    Microsoft took best IT company to work for and placed second overall !!!

    Posted Sep 28 2005, 10:05 AM by ruari with 2 comment(s)
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  • Are you a leader?

    Last night we had my sons schools open evening, and as part of this evening there was a presentation by a leading consultant on Discipline.

     

    Now being a parent gets you into interesting situations, and going to school events can be classed as just that. However, one thing that is really great about getting involved is that most times you learn something. Sometimes it’s something new and sometimes its something that awakens a sleeping awareness within self.

     

    The thing that stood out from last nights talk was one phrase, which even though was presented in the context on parenting is very relevant in big business and most groups or organizations:

     

    Quote: (Not word for word, but the message is the same)

    When a leader (or leaders) of a unit does (do) not perform as a leader (or leaders), a power vacuum will be created within the unit or group, causing another (or others) within the group to rise up and take control, by whatever means.”

     

    He then went on to talk about how children challenge boundaries seeking constancy.

     

    But as I lay in bed later on thinking, I was able to recall many situations throughout my existence where in big business, Corporate and other organizations, where I have witnessed the truth of this phrase over and over again.

    This then brings me to the question that many have tried to answer but few have truly managed to correctly define: and that is “What qualities make a true leader?”

    Posted Sep 22 2005, 08:53 AM by ruari with 5 comment(s)
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  • SQL 2005 Events for South Africa

    Yip, it's happening in South Africa!!
    SQL 2005 launch events, check out the details below!!

    Durban:
    DATE: Wednesday, 28 September 2005
    TIME:
    14h00-17h30
    VENUE:  
    The Hilton, 12 - 14 Walnut Road, Durban
    RSVP: To register online click here, or call 0860 2255 67


    Johannesburg:
    DATE: Tuesday, 27 September 2005
    TIME:
    14h00-17h30
    VENUE:  
    The Forum,  DD Campus, Wanderers Building,  c/o Sloane Street and Main Road, Bryanston
    (click here to view map)
    RSVP: To register online click here, or call 0860 2255 67

    Cape Town:
    DATE: Thursday, 29 September 2005
    TIME:
    14h00-17h30
    VENUE:  
    The Table Bay Hotel, Quay 6, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
    RSVP: To register online click here, or call 0860 2255 67

    Oh the details? you want the details.......
    Below please find the agenda:  :-)

    13:30 – 14:00

    Delegate registration

    14:00 – 15:30

    Session 1

    An overview of Integration Services
    Introduction to the new features and concepts in SQL 2005, Introduce SSIS, Creation of SSIS Packages, look at some components.

    15:30 – 15:45

    Break

    15:45 – 17:15

    Session 2

    An overview of Analysis Services, Report Builder and Reporting Services
    Introduce Analysis Service 2005 and the new features. Creation of cubes and the UDM. Introduction to Report Builder, the creation of data models and the functionality of Report builder.

    17:15 onwards

    Drinks and snacks

     

     

    Posted Sep 21 2005, 12:19 PM by ruari with no comments
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  • Geeks with/are? kids weekend off.

    Wow what a weekend. When one starts a new job it takes time to things to settle down; especially when you relocate to do it.
    This last weekend I decided 'NO Computer' and to do the family and extended family thing.

    This all started with a braai at my boets on Friday (nice and quite)
    Then Saturday it was off to the kids school fun day, also meant to be uneventful day for adults a but a blast for the children. Until we say the play area, then there were no adults. (Hey geeks never grow up and between spraying each other with fun in a can and battling kids on the castle things we ended up exhausted, bruised but very pleased with ourselves.
    Saturday night was more braaing with family from EL and Pretoria.

    And to show we are tough it was up at 6 to go play a round of gold with some of the sadeveloper members, followed by a braai in the afternoon with my extended family (sadeveloper / saarchitect), and more children, who reminded us how to play Marco Polo in the swimming pool. (nearly drowning us aging kids in the process)

    I think I know a few rather stiff Geeks this morning, as for me I'm totally fine (Riiight!!)
    So until next time it's back to work. :-)

    (PS note the sadev shirt :-) )
    More pics here

    Posted Sep 12 2005, 10:19 AM by ruari with 1 comment(s)
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  • WinFS Beta 1 available for download

    If you an MSDN subscriber you can now go download WinFS Beta 1 from the MSDN download site.

     

    Enjoy

    Posted Sep 01 2005, 07:51 AM by ruari with 2 comment(s)
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