Gaming update

I haven't talked about games in what seems like forever, so I'll do a quick hits style thing of what I've been playing lately. -- XCOM 2 remains entertaining and enjoyable. Some needed improvements over the previous one, good tone, good overall plot. I like that it assumes failure in the previous game, which leads…

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To play or not to play, that is the question

There was an interesting post by Jason Hirschhorn of Sports on Earth today, and it involves QB, so I think I'm contractually obligated to comment on it. Apparently, a few draftniks think that the best situation for QBs is to let them sit for three seasons, then start, ala Aaron Rodgers/Brett Favre. Hirschhorn calls this…

Browns sign RG3

Cleveland gets their White Whale, sort of. Only, instead of hunting the whale, they just kinda waited until he died of natural causes and washed up ashore. That counts as "getting" the whale, right? In all seriousness, I actually really like this deal. While RG3 hasn't been good in a long time, part of that…

Additional Speaking Engagements

My speaking calendar continues to fill up.  Here are some upcoming events where you'll find me: On Saturday, April 9th, I'll be at SQL Saturday Madison.  My topic is Data Migration with BIML. On Saturday, April 30th, I'll be at SQL Saturday Baltimore.  The schedule's not complete set but I'll definitely be giving my talk on integrating…

Reorganize Columnstore Indexes

I have created a script to help figure out when to reorganize columnstore indexes in SQL Server 2016. Note that this script requires SQL Server 2016 (or later) because the database engine team made some great changes to columnstore indexes, allowing us to use REORGANIZE to clear out deleted rows and compact row groups together, as well as its…

Browns make two more signings (goodish ones, too!)

I think we have to assume that Paul DePodesta or someone else in the Browns front office is a devotee of this blog, because they filled two important holes today after I put them in my list of positions we need to fill. First, Cleveland signed Demario Davis, an ILB. Davis is going to pair…

Browns needs in the draft, ranked

Cleveland has ten picks in the draft (thanks to compensation picks for losing Buster Skrine, Brian Hoyer, and Jabaal Sheard last season). What do they need with those picks? Everything! However, there are certain priorities, to be sure, and I'm going to rank the top seven in reverse order. 7. Safety -- I'm treating safeties and…

Browns add football players to their team

To make up for their disastrous first day of free agency, Cleveland has signed two human beings who allegedly play football. The breakdown: OL Alvin Bailey -- Last played for the Seahawks, Bailey is versatile and can play multiple OL positions. Is he any good? He's been in 43 games and started only 8. ILB…

New QBs don’t need offensive lines, right?

So, Cleveland lost four players -- four! -- on the very first day of free agency. Here's my take: C Alex Mack -- The second best lineman on the team, this one hurts. Going to Atlanta might be a good fit for him, and it isn't likely to have reciprocations against Cleveland in the short term,…

SQL Server On Linux

One step closer to my dream goal:  getting Management Studio on Linux.