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Thursday, January 25, 2007

India's 58th Republic Day

Although India obtained its independence on August 15, 1947, the Constitution of India came into effect only on January 26, 1950. During the transition period from 1947 to 1950, King George VI was the head of state. Lord Mountbatten and C. Rajagopalachari served as the Governors-General of India during this period. Following January 26, 1950, Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first president of India.

To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, New Delhi, from the Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace), along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort. The different regiments of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force march past in all their finery and official decorations. The President of India who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute. The parade also includes vibrant displays and floats and traditionally ends with a flypast by Indian Air Force jets.

Wishing all the readers of my Blog, a Happy Republic Day. The Live Republic Day Celebrations is available here online on 26-Jan-2007 9:25 AM IST.

Check the Live photo captured by me - Republic Day Celebration at a small school behind my Apartment.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

SQL Server 2005 and the Upgrade Path from MCDBA

Got chance to attend this Live Meeting today online, but unfortunately I could not listen to the audio because I was busy on Phone Line :) Anyways! I am sharing the Q&A that was available at the end of the session. Here I go:

Question: Have you started?
Answer: Yes - you should be hearing the presenter - Try going to the Audio menu and select – “Listen to Internet Audio Broadcast” or you can also call in - If you are unable to connect to the audio through the Internet Audio Broadcast, you can dial in to the audio over a traditional telephony line: US/Canada: (800) 995-0025, International: (503) 295-8000 PIN: 7674
Question: Is there any way i can copy the text from the meeting?
Answer: You can print to PDF and any time - go to the file menu and select print to pdf.
Question: Print to PDF appears greyed out. Remotely enabled?
Answer: It should work now.
Question: How can I subscribe to the MCP newsletter?
Answer: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/newsletters/default.mspx
Question: Are 70-445 and 70-446 exams live yet?, if not when is the beta period?
Answer: Both 445 and 446 have completed their beta cycle. Both will go live on 3/2/07.
Question: What is the cost of each exam?
Answer: All Microsoft Certification Exams are $125 USD. The prices vary from country to country depending on exchange rates.
Question: Will the MCDBA cert still be offered moving forward?
Answer: No. The MCDBA cert title will not be used for SQL 2005 or any future SQL releases. It will remain the current cert for SQL 2000.
Question: I don´t have MCDBA certification, can I make 70-447 exam ?
Answer: No. If you do not have a MCDBA and take 447 you will receive no cert credit. It will remain on your transcript and if/when you pass 431 and earn your MCDBA, you will then receive the MCITP-Database Administrator credential.
Question: Is the MCDBA upgrade path for 7.0 MCDBAs and 2000 MCDBAs?
Answer: Only MCDBAs on SQL 2000.
Question: when will we have the resuts of the 70-446 beta exams
Answer: Beta results for 445 and 446 will be made public in early February 2007.
Question: Are there any official records on how many MCITP Database Developer/Admiistrators exist so far?
Answer: About 1500 MCITP: DBA and about 500 MCITP: Database Developers. Not many!
Question: MCITPDBA - what a mouth full
Answer: Agreed. The new logo builder tool allows you to present the logo in a number of more meaningful ways.
Question: Since Database Developer is an 'offshoot' of the original MCDBA, will there eventually be an upgrade path for an MCDBA?
Answer: Probably not - at this point we are not planning any additional upgrade options.
Question: When will 70-445 and 70-446 be available?
Answer: Both go live 3/2/07.
Question: I'm not interested in being a MCDBA, but I would like to know if I take SQL will it count as an option to MCSA
Answer: Yes...the SQL TS Exams 431 and 445 count as electives for MCSA and MCSE.
Question: Will we see sims in the 70-444 exam this year?
Answer: Not this year but likely next year.
Question: if i take 70-229 will I still achive MCDBA and then be able to upgrade or should i just start over with 2005 exams
Answer: The MCDBA track requires 4 exams - 2 SQL 2000 exams, a Window Server 2003 exam, and an elective exam. If you don't plan on completing the MCDBA track, I would recommend that you simply start with the SQL 2005 exams.
Question: I have passed all except one exam for MCDBA - the server exam. Since I have all the SQL exams taken, can I do the upgrade path, or must I have the MCDBA cert first?
Answer: You need the completed MCDBA credential to use the upgrade path.
Question: I missed it... how many people are currently a MCDBA 2000?
Answer: Over 150,000 folks are MCDBA on SQL 2000.
Question: how long will the MCDBA exams for 2000 continue to be offered
Answer: For at least another 2-3 years.
Question: Will 70-431 have simulations?
Answer: Yes...431 just re-released in English with simulations. The localized versions will start appearing around the world in MArch/April.
Question: Will the Database admin Cert expire?
Answer: not MCDBA; MCITP: DBA will need recertification exam every 3 years or so.
Question: What About Upgrading your Certification from MCDBA 2000 to 2005 ?
Answer: Two exams: 431 and 447; both are required to upgrade.
Question: In Market all talk about SAP and Sibel ....wondering Business Intelligence Developing provide ERP solution
Answer: did that help?
Question: Any set date to expire the MCDBA exams?
Answer: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/newsletters/default.mspx
Question: For the 70-431 exam, the Microsoft web site recommends courses/collections 2778, 2779, and 2780. Is there a recommended order? The first/lowest numbered 2778 ("Writing Queries Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Transact-SQL (18-hour series)") doesn't seem like introductory material.
Answer: Yes. The numbers are 'in order'. 2778 is similar to the core SQL 2000 course. But, no, it is not an "introductory course" you're right!
Question: how about cost of courses and training materials for these new courses?
Answer: about 300 per day (US) for a course... depends on subject/provider/length, etc. E-learning can range from $150 to $300 US.
Question: Are there any Modl providers in UK?
Answer: There will be, I'm sure. To see if there are now, please visit blogs.msdn.com/trika to see the list of providers again!
Question: How can I test myself using MeasureUp? Does it test using real questions from TS/MCP exam? Do I pay for one MeasureUp test or is the fee for a specific period access? How much does MeasureUp will cost me ?
Answer: Hi - on this page you'll find a link to the practice test provider offer... http://blogs.msdn.com/trika/archive/2007/01/23/e-learning-practice-test-offers-to-help-mcdbas-earn-sql-server-2005-certifications.aspx
Question: are there going to be exam simulations in MeasureUp and SelfTest?
Answer: I'm not sure - pls check with the providers. THey are partners so I dont have all the info! Here is the link to the link to the Measure up offer... http://blogs.msdn.com/trika/archive/2007/01/23/e-learning-practice-test-offers-to-help-mcdbas-earn-sql-server-2005-certifications.aspx
Question: trika, can you post this Q&A in your blog, please?
Answer: i will... but it will take me a few days to get it organized. Sound OK?
Question: Does Microsoft plan to give vouchers for exam 431 or 441-444?
Answer: no!
Question: yes; do you have a directory where or which partners provide the courses and which are available for e-learning; I would assume your website?
Answer: www.microsoftelearning.com
Question: will there be any discounts for MCDBA 2005 if I have MCSE
Answer: no, there is no connection between MCSE and the new certifications for SQL 2005 as far as upgrade paths.
Question: Thanks for the explanation of the ordering. I'm interested in e-Learning or maybe even MODL. 2778 is an e-learning collection. Is there a 2779 and 2780 collection, instead of just classroom training?
Answer: can you send your question to me trikah@microsoft.com and i'll get an answer? Thanks!
Question: do you have any idea for prevention passing exams by testking or somthing like this?
Answer: wow, that's a hard one! one thing we do is to make it clear to customers (and we rely on certified customers to help us with this...) that testking or others are NOT acceptable ways to prepare. Also, we are in the middle of a lawsuit with Test King right now; we hope to go to trial within a year to stop this type of thing. But it is a difficult issue. we'd love to hear ideas.
Question: How much additional preparation is needed after taking a MOC course or going through a MS Press Study guide before being able to take any of the SQL exams?
Answer: did you get an answer you needed?
Question: Is 70-431 for 2005 the equivalent of what 70-228 was for 2000? Does is cover a similar amount of material with a similar level of difficulty?
Answer: can you send your question to me trikah@microsoft.com and i'll get rob to answer? Thanks!
Question: average of pay of the market for certificates? average of pay of the market for certificates?
Answer: Hmmm. We do have some information like that -- I think MCPMag does a survey each year, but Microsoft itself does not have data on this. I'd recommend trying www.mcpmag.com and look up their SALARY SURVEY. Does that help?
Question: Very goog, thank you...
Answer: youre welcome!!!

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Are you ready to get in?

Microsoft is busy marketing its New Vista OS in different ways. Here's one of them. Are you ready to board into this?



Wednesday, January 17, 2007

100 Best Companies to work for 2007

A very interesting list compiled by Fortune Magazine.

Click Here for complete info...

Monday, January 15, 2007

Heights of SMS - True Story

All the characters in this story are reel ;-) I heard this from an authentic source....

There's a programmer who is a GURU (not Mani Ratnam's) in Mobile SMSes. His fingers used to type SMS in seconds. Finally, one day, one of his Program (means Code) failed and it created a havoc in the office. Lots of people started debugging the code. One full day was spent to fix the problem. Lots of eyes reviewed the code, but nobody was able to fix the problem.

The other day, a new dashing programmer joined the office. He hated Mobiles and never had a Mobile Phone yet in his life (OOPS! Is that Mr.Babu!!! Noooo please). This guy started looking at the problematic code and he was the MAN to identify the cause of problem.

The cause was a very simple one which nobody was able to recognize. He found the following line of code:
gblnDoValidation = "s"

Which, was supposed to be:
gblnDoValidation = "Yes"

Thanks to the Mobile World, which made people use the SMS Language everywhere :-)

Lesson Learnt : Don't use Mobile Lingo at your work place. Write the code as per the Coding Standards & Guidelines.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

GMail Storage Counter - Stopped and now Fixed

During the beginning of New Year, the GMail Storage count (appears on the Login Page of GMail), was stopped due to some interesting problem. Some people say it was a bug in the Counter program which stopped working due to change in Year :)

Read on the complete info here.

LIC of India - Performance Highlights (01-Apr-2005 to 31-Mar-2006)

Individual Business
Number of Policies - 315.73 Lakhs
First Premium Income - Rs.18,085.49 Crore
Sum Assured - Rs.287,530.24 Crore

Pension & Group Business
Number of New Schemes - 11,845
Number of Lives - 51.27 Lakhs
Premium Income - Rs.3,919.00 Crore

Social Security Schemes
Number of New Schemes - 6315
Number of Lives - 63.41 Lakhs
Premium Income - Rs.22.78 Crore

Business In Force as on 31-Mar-2006
Individual Assurances
Policies - 18.64 Crore
Sum Assured - Rs.16,00,683 Crore
Group Insurance
Lives - 3.15 Crore
Sum Assured - Rs.2,01,616 Crore

LIC's Strenght as on 31-Mar-2006
Total Income (F.Y - 2005-06) - Rs.1,32,146 Crore
Total Assets - Rs.5,52,447 Crore
Life Fund - Rs.4,63,147 Crore
Total Investments (Book Value) - Rs.5,24,017 Crore

Also, visit my Buddy's Blog for Insurance related posts.

Mickey Mouse - 13th January

Did you know that Mickey made his first comic strip appearance on 13-Jan-1930.

He was created in 1928 by Walt Disney, who also played Mickey's voice. The Walt Disney Company celebrates his birth as November 18, 1928 upon the release of Steamboat Willie.[2] The mouse has evolved from being simply a character in animated cartoons and comic strips to become one of the most recognizable symbols in the world.

Walt Disney voiced Mickey Mouse from 1928 until 1946, when sound effects man James G. MacDonald took over the role. Mickey is currently voiced by Wayne Allwine.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Bangalore FM Radio

A quick list of Bangalore's FM Radio Channels along with its Frequency (in MHz).

91.1 - Radio City
91.9 - Radio Indigo
92.7 - Big FM
93.5 - S FM
94.3 - Radio One
98.3 - Radio Mirchi
101.3 - FM Rainbow
102.9 - Vivdh Bharati
104 - Fever FM - Powered by Virgin
107.3 - Gyaan Vaani

Thanks to VJ for his inputs.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

How to get a Nice Wife

Yo Bachelor's - Please read on. Very helpful advice in this document.

Wish I could have got this before marriage :)

Click Here to read.