Here are the slides from my NHibernate session at SQLBits. Sorry for the delay in getting these up. 

Labels: SQLBits

The conference season is upon us and we have some amazing events coming up over the next few months. All of these conferences are free and organised by the community. They are a great opportunity to learn a wealth of information and meet new people at the same time.

SQL Bits

28th March 2009
Geoffrey Manton Building
Oxford Road
Manchester
M15 6BH

Website: http://sqlbits.com/

Agenda:  http://sqlbits.com/information/NewAgenda.aspx

Registration: http://sqlbits.com/information/Registration.aspx

I will be presenting on NHibernate

DDD Belfast

Saturday, 4th April 2009
Belfast Metropolitan College
Gerald Moag Campus
Millfield
Belfast
BT1 1HS

Website: http://www.developerdeveloperdeveloper.com/belfast/

Agenda: http://www.developerdeveloperdeveloper.com/belfast/Schedule.aspx

Registration: http://www.developerdeveloperdeveloper.com/belfast/Register.aspx

I will be presenting Creating extendable applications using MEF

WebDD

Saturday, 18th April 2009
Microsoft Campus,
Reading,
England.

Website: http://developerdeveloperdeveloper.com/webdd09/ViewNews.aspx

Sadly I won’t be speaking at this one.

Alt.Net North

Saturday, 18th April 2009

Velocity,
Angel Way, Listerhills
Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1BX
United Kingdom

Website: http://www.altdotnetuknorth.info

DDD Scotland

Saturday 2nd May 2009
The Continuing Professional Development Centre,
Glasgow Caledonian University,
Cowcaddens Road,
Glasgow
G4 0BA

Website: http://developerdayscotland.com/main/Default.aspx

Agenda: http://developerdayscotland.com/main/Agenda/tabid/84/Default.aspx

Registration: http://developerdayscotland.com/main/Registration/tabid/82/Default.aspx

I will be presenting Embracing a new world – dynamic languages and .Net

DDD South West

Saturday 23rd May 2009
Queen's College
Trull Road,
Taunton,
Somerset
TA1  4QS

Website: http://www.dddsouthwest.com/

Agenda: http://www.dddsouthwest.com/Agenda/tabid/55/Default.aspx

Registration: http://www.dddsouthwest.com/EventRegistration/tabid/64/ctl/Login/Default.aspx?returnurl=%2fEventRegistration%2ftabid%2f64%2fDefault.aspx

I will be presenting Creating extendable applications using MEF and Embracing a new world – dynamic languages and .Net

I look forward to meeting everyone. Keep an eye on twitter as well as I’m sure various comments will be made…

Labels: Community, DDD, SQLBits

Yesterday I attended the SQLBits conference.  This is a community conference based around SQL Server with SQL developers and DBA's attending the conference to discuss anything SQL Server, unlike other conferences, this was based at Aston University in Birmingham.

It was a great day, met with some really interesting people and attended some great sessions. It has really drawn my attention to certain areas which I need to look into.

However, it could have went horrible wrong. A lot of the sessions where based on SQL Server 2008, however with CTP6 there is a bug which causes it to stop working on February 29th (Friday). Everything is fine every other day, just didn't like leap years.  Conference could have been a whole different story if it was the day before. More here.

Labels: SQLBits

On Saturday I attended the first SQLBits conference.  The one day event was organized by UK SQL Server MVPs and focused on different areas of SQL Server with the sessions being categorised as DBA, Dev, BI and 2008.  The sessions themselves where very good, with Dave's Top 10 keywords and Simon's SQL Myths sessions being my favourites but there was a very good mix of different sessions to satisfy the different roles of attendees.  From what I got, most people seemed to be DBA's which was pleasing.  Dave was doing his podcasting rounds so keep an eye ear out for that...

One bonus which I wasn't expecting was that if you filled out the feedback form, you will be sent a £30 book voucher!! Take note DDD6 organisers ;) Very cool.  Think I will get a SQL Server book...

Afterwards, Red Gate paid for coaches to take people back (we also paid for the coaches to get people to TVP from the station in the morning as well) to the station but also onto the Group By event.  This was cool was at previous events this has always been a real pain.  The evening event was held at Reading Bowl, I had my reservations about bowling but it was actually really good fun.  The turnout wasn't great, but still had a really good time.

I'm now really looking forward to 2008 CTP 5 being released (was told its due this month sometime).  I have post about CTP 3 before, use the search box at the side to find them as sadly I didn't label them (sorry...).

On a side-note, I had my confirmation for TechEd Europe today!!! My first time @ TechEd and really looking forward to it.

Labels: SQL Server, SQLBits

Today the SQLBits registration opened to the general public.  Taken from the website:

"You will need to register on the site and then select the 10 sessions (http://www.sqlbits.com/information/PublicSessions.aspx)  you would most like to see. We will use this voting to help decide which sessions are to be run. We have 36 sessions and only 20 slots. Even I can do those maths.

Once you have selected and saved your selection you will be given the registration URL.

Please don't just click any 10 because then you won't get the sessions you want to see.

We only have 300 places so make sure you register quickly."

Labels: SQLBits

The sessions for the SQLBits (SQLBits.com - UK SQL Server Community) conference has been published to the site. 

Registration isn't open yet, (Simon says a few more days), but if you pre-register on the site you will be emailed the link as soon as its live.

Sounds like it will be a great event.

Labels: SQL Server, SQLBits