Pinay Programmer (SQL)

How to: create login with 'sa' credentials

2010-10-05T14:00:00.000+08:00

CREATE LOGIN loginname
WITH PASSWORD = 'changeme' MUST_CHANGE
,CHECK_EXPIRATION = ON
,DEFAULT_DATABASE = DBName
GO
EXECUTE sp_addsrvrolemember
@loginame = 'loginname',
@rolename = 'sysadmin'

How to: assign IDs/SortVal values using ROW_NUMBER()

2010-03-30T11:11:00.005+08:00

I have a lookup table L_MyLookup with columns ID and NAME.

Later, my client wanted a SORTVAL column because they want to define the order of the values through that column instead of ID.

add the SORTVAL column
update the values
alter SORTVAL to become not nullable

Like the following code:

ALTER TABLE L_MyLookup
ADD SORTVAL int NULL

go

UPDATE L_MyLookup set SORTVAL = temp.SORTVAL
FROM
(SELECT ID, ROW_NUMBER() over (order by ID) as SORTVAL
FROM L_MyLookup) as temp
WHERE temp.ID = L_MyLookup.ID

go

ALTER TABLE L_MyLookup
ALTER COLUMN SORTVAL int NOT NULL

FTS: Create new Catalog

2010-03-26T13:17:00.002+08:00

See: how to drop existing FTS Catalog

EXEC sp_fulltext_database 'enable'
go

CREATE FULLTEXT CATALOG MyFTSCatalog
go

CREATE FULLTEXT INDEX ON MyTable
(
Document
TYPE COLUMN DocumentExtension
LANGUAGE 0x0407 --this is German
)
KEY INDEX PK_MyTable
ON MyFTSCatalog
go

--to populate the catalog,
--do the following when traffic is light:
ALTER FULLTEXT INDEX ON Production.Document SET CHANGE_TRACKING AUTO;
GO

FTS: Drop Catalog

2010-03-26T13:15:00.001+08:00

sp_fulltext_table 'MyTable', 'drop'
go
sp_fulltext_database 'enable'
go
sp_fulltext_catalog 'MyFTSCatalog', 'drop'
go
sp_fulltext_service 'clean_up'
go

SSIS auto generate update scripts

2010-03-05T17:36:00.002+08:00

Specify the TableName in @TableName variable to create the Update script to be used for SSIS.

DECLARE @counter int;

DECLARE @QueryString nvarchar(2400) = ''

DECLARE @ColumnName nvarchar(120);

DECLARE @TableName nvarchar(120) = 'MyTable'

CREATE TABLE #ColumnList

(

ID int IDENTITY(1,1)

,ColumnName varchar(1200)

)

INSERT #ColumnList

select sys.columns.name from sys.columns

inner join sys.tables on sys.tables.object_id = sys.columns.object_id

where sys.tables.name = @TableName

and sys.columns.name <> 'ID'

SET @counter = 1

SET @QueryString = 'UPDATE dbo.' + @TableName + '

SET '

SET @ColumnName = (SELECT ColumnName FROM #ColumnList WHERE ID=@counter)

SET @QueryString = @QueryString + '

' + @ColumnName+ ' = ? '

SET @counter = @counter + 1;

WHILE @counter <= (SELECT COUNT(*) FROM #ColumnList)

BEGIN

SET @ColumnName = (SELECT ColumnName FROM #ColumnList WHERE ID=@counter)

SET @QueryString = @QueryString + '

,' + @ColumnName+ ' = ? '

SET @counter = @counter + 1;

END

SET @QueryString = @QueryString + '

WHERE ID = ?;'

PRINT @QueryString

DROP TABLE #ColumnList

SSIS How to UPDATE instead of INSERT (UPSERT)

2010-03-05T17:08:00.007+08:00

I'm working on several SSIS Transfer Packages right now and I just figured out how to do an "UPSERT": How to insert rows that don't exist in the destination table and how to update rows that exist in both source and destination tables. This will work across servers (which is the environment I'm working on).

This is how one table/view would look like in an SSIS package:

Yes, that means (as far as I know) that you have to create four objects for every table you want to transfer data from/to.

The Source object is, of course, connected to the Source database's table/view. The other objects beneath it (the Lookup, Destination and Update objects) are all connected to the Destination database's table/view.

The Update object is the only tricky element in this package. I specify the update script manually, which looks like:

UPDATE dbo.MyTable
SET Column1 = ?
,Column2 = ?
,Column3 = ?
WHERE ID= ?

(see: Generate SSIS Update script which I use to generate the update script for each table that I have in my SSIS package)

Each "?" will be automatically mapped by the system based on the order you defined it. All you have to do next is to specify the Column Mappings. Make sure that you do it in the right order like the image below:

Note how the ID is specified last -- that's because its corresponding "?" was specified last in the Update statement.

How to select value from strongly typed XML

2010-02-19T17:08:00.002+08:00

Table Name: TableHasXML

has Column: XML_Column xml(XMLCollectionSchema)

XML data is similar to:

[root xmlns="http://thingswelovetohate.com/schema/2010/PinayProgrammer.xsd" ....]
[row ]
[column1]Things We Love to Hate[/column1]
[column2]http://www.thingswelovetohate.com[/column2]
[/row]
[row]
[column1]Pinay Programmer[/column1]
[column2]http://beingoyen.blogspot.com[/column2]
[/row]
....
[/root]

(yes, I know that was sloppy but blogger wouldn't let me just copy-paste my actual schema. Blogger treats any greater than/less than signs as HTML tags)

XML_Column.query('declare default element namespace "http://thingswelovetohate.com/schema/2010/PinayProgrammer.xsd";

data(/root/row[Column1="Things We Love to Hate"]/Column2)')

FROM TableHasXML

Result = http://www.thingswelovetohate.com

If your XML column or variable doesn't have a namespace then leave out the namespace declaration as well:

XML_Column.query('data(/root/row[Column1="Things We Love to Hate"]/Column2)') FROM TableHasXML

How to know if a string is part of an XML?

2010-02-12T16:46:00.002+08:00

I have a table named "TempTable" with an XML column named "XML_Collection". Now I want to know if the string "My Valentine" appears in any of those XML rows.

I used the string manipulator: PATINDEX

SELECT * from TempTable WHERE PATINDEX('%My Valentine%', convert(varchar(max),XML_Collection)) > 0

Important notes:

be sure to convert the XML type to varchar(max) first before using any string manipulator functions
if PatIndex == 0 then that string pattern does not exist
if PatIndex > 0 then that string pattern exists

TSQL Latin Collation Error

2009-10-01T16:58:00.001+08:00

Error encountered:
Cannot resolve the collation conflict between "Latin1_General_CI_AS" and "SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS" in the equal to operation.

I'm not sure if it's as convenient with the earlier versions but SQL Server 2008 allows you to easily change the collation of your database through the Properties window.

The first thing you would have to do is to drop all connections to the database. This can be easily done by right clicking on you database --> Tasks --> "Detach..." then tick the "Drop all connections" check box.

Then simply restore the database using your back up file (it's usually the same name as your database with a .bak file extension).

Now you're sure no one is initially connected to the database.

Right click on the database --> Properties --> Options then on the top is a drop down for the Collation options. We generally choose "SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS".

Select XML Schema Collection type of an XML Column

2009-09-10T08:56:00.002+08:00

I spent an afternoon looking for a way to get the XML Schema Collection type of a given column.

I wanted to copy the contents of a table (that has an XML column with a user defines Schema Collection) to another table but I get this error message: Implicit conversion between XML types constrained by different XML schema collections is not allowed. Use the CONVERT function to run this query.

I understand that I have to CONVERT it to the same XML Schema Collection but how do I do so dynamically?

I ended up resorting to MSDN's SQL forums. The next morning, Peso, an MVP, gives me the answer:

SELECT object_name(ac.object_id) AS TableName,
ac.name as ColumnName,
x.name AS CollectionName
FROM sys.all_columns AS ac
LEFT JOIN sys.xml_schema_collections AS x ON x.xml_collection_id = ac.xml_collection_id
WHERE object_name(ac.object_id) = 'MyTableNameHere'

Run SQL Script from command line

2009-08-19T15:04:00.004+08:00

I have a 1GIG update script generated by my SQL Server Management Studio, how would you run it?

Original story: I have a perfectly running database in 2008 that has to be transferred to a 2005 server. I tried back-up and restore from 2008 to 2005 servers but that got all weird so I needed a new strategy.

Solution: Generate Script.

So I generated a script (destination: file instead of a new query window because openning a file and writing a 1Gig worth of text on it would result to a not-enough memory error). As a result, I have a 1GB update script that I can't open on the Management Studio but I have to run on 2005.

Solution: call it from the command prompt then run it.

Here's how:

1. Make sure that your script has USE Database statement at the very top. You don't have to open your file to check (actually you SHOULDN'T or your machine might hang). Just make sure you toggle the option

2. On command line type: OSQL -U [UserLogin] -i [absolutePathOfSQLscript]

For example:

OSQL -U sa -i C:\Users\Oyen\MyDocuments\1Gig_MergeScript.sql

**Note: Case matters (U != u)

You may also opt to display the script ran with the token -e which would look like: OSQL -U [UserLogin] -e -i [absolutePathOfSQLscript]

3. Password will be prompted if it is required by the login, then simply provide the password **Notice that whatever you type will not be displayed for security.

4. Press enter then wait until the script is finished running.

To note: it took me less than an hour to run a 1gigabyte update script. I hope that would help you estimate how long it will take you to run yours :)

TSQL: Unique Constraint

2009-08-06T16:13:00.004+08:00

To add a UNIQUE constraint to a column in a table:

ALTER TABLE {TableName} ADD CONSTRAINT {ConstraintName} UNIQUE({UniqueColumnName})

Such as:

ALTER TABLE Department ADD CONSTRAINT UNIQUE_DepartmentName UNIQUE (NAME)

To add a UNIQUE constraint to two columns in a table:

ALTER TABLE {TableName} ADD CONSTRAINT {ConstraintName} UNIQUE
({UniqueColumnName1},{UniqueColumnName2})

Such as:

ALTER TABLE Department ADD CONSTRAINT UNIQUE_DepartmentNameRoom
UNIQUE(NAME,RoomNumber)

Where is aspnet_regsql.exe

2009-08-06T09:26:00.003+08:00

MSDN says

Aspnet_regsql.exe file is located in the
[drive:]\%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\version folder on your Web server

But where exactly is that?

Here's an example of an absolute path of my aspnet_regsql.exe

C:\\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\V2.0\aspnet_regsql.exe

Based on that example, it may be easier for you to determine where exactly your server's aspnet_regsql.exe file is. Be sure to take note of your server's OS (Framework vs Framework64) and its version.

TSQL Script to drop all constraints on a given table

2009-07-27T13:17:00.002+08:00

A SELECT statement that will give you the 'drop constraint' queries for all constraints related to MyTable

SELECT 'ALTER TABLE ' + OBJECT_NAME(f.parent_object_id) + ' DROP CONSTRAINT ' + f.name
FROM sys.foreign_keys AS f
INNER JOIN sys.foreign_key_columns AS fc
ON f.OBJECT_ID = fc.constraint_object_id
WHERE OBJECT_NAME(f.parent_object_id) = 'MyTable'
OR OBJECT_NAME (f.referenced_object_id) = 'MyTable'

A SELECT statement that will give you the 'add constraint' queries for all constraints related to MyTable

SELECT 'ALTER TABLE ' + OBJECT_NAME(f.parent_object_id) + ' WITH CHECK ADD CONSTRAINT ' +
f.name + ' FOREIGN KEY(' + COL_NAME(fc.parent_object_id, fc.parent_column_id ) + ') REFERENCES ' + OBJECT_NAME(f.referenced_object_id) + ' (' + COL_NAME(fc.referenced_object_id,
fc.referenced_column_id) + ');'
FROM sys.foreign_keys AS f
INNER JOIN sys.foreign_key_columns AS fc
ON f.OBJECT_ID = fc.constraint_object_id
WHERE OBJECT_NAME(f.parent_object_id) = 'MyTable'
OR OBJECT_NAME (f.referenced_object_id) = 'MyTable'

TSQL: Rename Tables or Columns

2009-07-21T14:34:00.003+08:00

To rename a table:
EXEC sp_rename @objname='{TableName}', @newname='{NewTableName}', @objtype='TABLE'

To rename a column:
EXEC sp_rename @objname='{TableName}.{ColumnName}', @newname='{NewColumnName}', @objtype='COLUMN'

Note: you may refrain from specifying the Stored Procedure's parameters (@objname, @newname, @objtype) if you will specify the input in the proper order as specified above. Thus:

To rename a table:
EXEC sp_rename '{TableName}', '{NewTableName}', 'TABLE'

To rename a column:
EXEC sp_rename '{TableName}.{ColumnName}', '{NewColumnName}', 'COLUMN'

TSQL Error: EXECUTE permission denied on XML Column

2009-06-24T14:27:00.003+08:00

I got this error when I created a restricted login for a user. We've only recently been optimizing the use of XML data types in SQL Server so it took me an hour to find the solution -- not on MSDN but on some other programmer's blog (gave my thanks of course! and the link appears on the bottom of this post).

Error we get:
System.Data.UpdateException: An error occurred while updating the entries. See the inner exception for details. ---> System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: The EXECUTE permission was denied on the object {XMLSchema1}, database {DatabaseName}, schema 'dbo'.

Solution was simple:
GRANT EXECUTE ON XML SCHEMA COLLECTION::{XMLSchema1} TO {RestrictedLoginName}

Thanks to Bob Beauchemin.

TSQL Add/Delete User, Login, Role (Code sample)

2009-06-24T12:52:00.003+08:00

The first group of code uses the system stored procedures that are still currently supported but will soon be deprecated in future updates. The structure of the following codes (1) try to drop the existing login/role/user; (2) create a new login/role/user; (3) grant permissions only for the first three tables in the current database;

Remember that new roles have no permissions granted on them by default. This assures that they would not be able to access certain tables, views, or stored procedures unless specifically specified.

Old, soon to be deprecated code:

DECLARE @Role varchar(20) = 'RestrictedRole'
DECLARE @DBName varchar(20) = 'DatabaseName'
DECLARE @Login varchar(120) = 'RestrictedLogin'
DECLARE @LoginPword varchar(120) = 'pazzword123'
DECLARE @counter int;
DECLARE @tablename varchar(50);
DECLARE @grantStatement nvarchar(200);

BEGIN TRY exec sp_droplogin @login; END TRY
BEGIN CATCH END CATCH

BEGIN TRY exec sp_dropuser @login; END TRY
BEGIN CATCH END CATCH

BEGIN TRY exec sp_droprole @role; END TRY
BEGIN CATCH END CATCH;

EXEC sp_addlogin @loginame = @Login
,@passwd = @LoginPword
,@defdb = @DBName;

EXEC sp_addrole @Role, 'dbo';

EXEC sp_adduser @loginame = @Login
,@grpname = @Role;

Better/more up to date code uses CREATE LOGIN instead of sys.sp_addlogin

DECLARE @Role varchar(20) = 'RestrictedRole'
DECLARE @DBName varchar(20) = 'DatabaseName'
DECLARE @Login varchar(120) = 'RestrictedLogin'
DECLARE @LoginPword varchar(120) = 'pazzword123'
DECLARE @counter int;
DECLARE @tablename varchar(50);
DECLARE @grantStatement nvarchar(200);

BEGIN TRY
SET @grantStatement = 'DROP LOGIN ' + @Login
EXEC dbo.sp_executesql @statement=@grantStatement;
END TRY
BEGIN CATCH END CATCH

BEGIN TRY
SET @grantStatement = 'DROP USER ' + @Login
EXEC dbo.sp_executesql @statement=@grantStatement;
END TRY
BEGIN CATCH END CATCH

BEGIN TRY
SET @grantStatement = 'DROP ROLE ' + @Role
EXEC dbo.sp_executesql @statement=@grantStatement;
END TRY
BEGIN CATCH END CATCH

SET @grantStatement = 'CREATE LOGIN ' + @Login + ' WITH PASSWORD = ''' + @LoginPword + ''', DEFAULT_DATABASE=' + @DBName
EXEC dbo.sp_executesql @statement=@grantStatement;
SET @grantStatement = 'CREATE ROLE ' + @Role
EXEC dbo.sp_executesql @statement=@grantStatement;
SET @grantStatement = 'CREATE USER ' + @Login + ' FOR LOGIN ' + @Login
EXEC dbo.sp_executesql @statement=@grantStatement;

Then to dynamically grant SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE permissions on the first three tables in the current database, then append this code on the end of your choice of login/user/role creation code from above (to reuse the declared variables).

CREATE TABLE #SelectInsertUpdateTable
(
ID int IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY
,TableName varchar(50)
)

INSERT #SelectInsertUpdateTable (TableName)
select top 3 @DBName + '.dbo.' + sys.tables.NAME from sys.tables

SET @counter = (SELECT COUNT(*) FROM #SelectInsertUpdateTable);
WHILE @counter > 0
BEGIN
SET @tablename = (SELECT TableName FROM #SelectInsertUpdateTable WHERE ID=@counter);
SET @grantStatement = 'GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE on ' + @tablename + ' to ' + @Login
EXEC dbo.sp_executesql @statement=@grantStatement;
SET @counter-=1;
END

DROP TABLE #SelectInsertUpdateTable;

TSQL Check Constraint Example

2009-06-19T17:20:00.002+08:00

Theoretical table columns:

hasSister BIT NOT NULL
SisterName varchar(250) NULL
SisterAge int NULL

Check constraints:

Fill up SisterName if hasSister is true

ALTER TABLE TableName WITH CHECK ADD CONSTRAINT CK_TableName_SisterName CHECK ((hasSister=1 AND SisterName IS NOT NULL) OR (hasSister=0 AND SisterName IS NULL))
GO

ALTER TABLE TableName CHECK CONSTRAINT CK_TableName_SisterName
GO

Fill up SisterAge with positive int if hasSister is true

ALTER TABLE TableName WITH CHECK ADD CONSTRAINT CK_TableName_SisterAge CHECK ((hasSister=1 AND SisterAge IS NOT NULL AND SisterAge > 0) OR (hasSister=0 AND SisterAge IS NULL))
GO

ALTER TABLE TableName CHECK CONSTRAINT CK_TableName_SisterAge
GO

simple Java switch case

2009-05-20T08:53:00.007+08:00

a simple problem that I encountered in Yahoo! Answers:

I want to go through the colors in my given Color [] colors; then once it goes through all 5 colors in the array, to start all over

Best solution I can think of is using a switch case:


//define Color[] colors = {color1, color2, color3, color4, color5};
int i=0;
while(true)
{
              switch (i)
 {
 case 1: object.setColor(color1);
  break;
 case 2: object.setColor(color2);
  break;
 case 3: object.setColor(color3);
  break;
 case 4: object.setColor(color4);
  break;
 case 5: object.setColor(color5);
  break;
 default: object.setColor(color1); //when all else goes wrong
  break;
 }

 if( i == 5 )
  i = 1;
 else
  i++;
}

where is aspnet_regsql.exe located?

2009-05-08T15:21:00.004+08:00

aspnet_regsql.exe takes care of creating/recreating the database tables, stored procedures, schema, and whatever else database objects needed for the ASP.Net Membership.

It is normally located in:

C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\(version number)\aspnet_regsql.exe

Remove Identity Constraint from Column (TSQL)

2009-04-29T11:08:00.005+08:00

There's no way to remove an Identity Constraint from a column in a table, except through adding a new column, reassigning the Identity Column data to that new column then recreating the Identity Column (by drop and add) then reassigning back the data to it.

In the following code, I have a PrimaryKey ID that is also set as an Identity Column. What I want to do is to remove the Identity property by creating a new column name 'tempID' then temporarily storing the ID data into it while I recreate ID column so as to remove the Identity property.

ALTER TABLE [TableName]
ADD tempID int NULL
GO
UPDATE [TableName]
SET tempID=[IdentityColumnName]
GO

-- drop all foreign key constraints related to a table
-- see TSQL Script to drop all constraints

GO
ALTER TABLE [TableName]
DROP CONSTRAINT PK_[TableName]
GO
ALTER TABLE [TableName]
DROP COLUMN [IdentityColumnName]
GO
ALTER TABLE [TableName]
ADD [IdentityColumnName] int NULL

GO
UPDATE [TableName]
SET [IdentityColumnName]=tempID

GO
ALTER TABLE [TableName]
ALTER COLUMN [IdentityColumnName] int NOT NULL

GO
ALTER TABLE [TableName]
ADD CONSTRAINT PK_[TableName] PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED ([IdentityColumnName]) ON [PRIMARY]
--or ADD CONSTRAINT [PrimaryKeyConstraintName]

GO

-- drop all foreign key constraints related to a table
-- see TSQL Script to drop all constraints

GO
ALTER TABLE [TableName]
DROP COLUMN tempID
GO

How to drop all Database connections (TSQL)

2009-03-23T10:59:00.002+08:00

USE master
GO

ALTER DATABASE @dbName
SET OFFLINE WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE
ALTER DATABASE @dbName
SET ONLINE

OR simply
Right Click database -> Tasks -> Take database offline

How to check/count Back Links

2009-03-19T09:10:00.003+08:00

I wrote about How to Create Back Links previously.

Now let's see how to check for back links. This is useful for blogs, websites, etc.

On the Google search bar simply type
link:

For example
link:thingswelovetohate.blogspot.com
or
link:http://thingswelovetohate.blogspot.com

would result to the same number of back links.

You can determine how many back links a website has on the same window. Right above the search results, and right below the Search text box is a blue (in classic mode) highlighted line that shows how many results were found.

For example
link:www.mylot.com

back link backlink blogger site

You will see that it had a total of 142 back links at the time of the search.

Downgrade from SQL 2008 to SQL 2000

2009-03-06T15:44:00.004+08:00

I was given the task to downgrade a SQL 2008 to SQL 2000. I had to do it as soon as possible (= now) and I didn't have SQL 2000 in my machine.

Detaching the database from SQL 2008 and attaching to SQL 2000 doesn't work - they tried that already. Export/Import doesn't work also - so I tried my luck on using the simplest way to do the job:

Scripting.

In SQL Server 2008 Management Studio.
Databases -> MyDatabase, right click to Tasks -> Generate Scripts.

In the Script Wizard that pops up.
1. Select the database (MyDatabase/AdventureWorks)
the Check Script all objects in the selected Database.
2. Click Next.
IMPORTANT : Choose SQL 2000 in Script for Server Version

Toggle the following from False to True:
Script Database Create
Script Data
Script Indexes
Script Triggers
3. Click Next.
4. Click Finish.

Of course if you have a humongous database then the scripting the data would mean that you'd have a huge resulting .sql file. You may opt to not script the data alongside the Database itself for convenience, but if you don't have a big database then this is good enough - and pretty convenient.

How to: Inherit Database Role permissions

2009-03-05T16:15:00.002+08:00

IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT name FROM sysusers WHERE issqlrole=1 AND name = 'RestrictedRole')
exec sp_addrole 'RestrictedRole', 'dbo';

IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT name FROM sysusers WHERE issqlrole=1 AND name = 'LessRestrictedRole')
exec sp_addrole 'LessRestrictedRole', 'dbo';

GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE on Table1 to RestrictedRole;
GRANT SELECT on Table2 to RestrictedRole;

EXEC sp_addrolemember 'RestrictedRole', 'LessRestrictedRole';

GRANT INSERT, UPDATE on Table2 to LessRestrictedRole;

The sp_addrolemember makes LessRestrictedRole a member of RestrictedRole, which means that LessRestrictedRole inherits all permissions given to RestrictedRole.

Granting more permissions to LessRestrictedRole would make those additional permissions exclusive to LessRestrictedRole - LessRestrictedRole may Insert and Update rows in Table2 while RestrictedRole may only Select rows.

By virtue of Inhertance, both LessRestrictedRole and RestrictedRole may Select, Insert and Update Table1.

CREATE new schema and ALTER table schema

2009-03-04T16:04:00.003+08:00

To create a new Database Schema:
CREATE SCHEMA NewSchema
GO

To create a new Database Schema only if it does not exist:
IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM sys.schemas
WHERE name ='NewSchema')
EXEC dbo.sp_executesql @statement=N'
CREATE SCHEMA NewSchema';
GO

To change a table's Schema:
ALTER SCHEMA NewSchema TRANSFER OldSchema.TableName;
--default schema is dbo then:
ALTER SCHEMA NewSchema TRANSFER dbo.TableName;

Add DB Role IF NOT EXISTS

2009-03-04T14:18:00.003+08:00

Check if the Database Role exists before creating it:

DECLARE @Role varchar(20) = 'UserRole'
IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT name FROM sysusers
WHERE issqlrole=1 AND name = @Role)
EXEC sp_addrole @Role; --EXEC sp_addrole @Role, 'dbo'

(TSQL) Escape Underscore in Like

2009-03-04T13:43:00.003+08:00

SELECT * FROM Table WHERE Column LIKE '_a_'

The above code will generate results that has any one character before and after 'a' such as:
mac
cat
sad

SELECT * FROM Table WHERE Column LIKE '%[_]a[_]%'

The above code will generate results such as:
in_a_house
she_is_a_mother
make_a_living

T-SQL SELECT Random Rows in UNION

2009-02-20T07:56:00.002+08:00

To Select random rows from a Table, use the ORDER BY NEWID()

SELECT * FROM Table ORDER BY NEWID();

SELECT TOP 10 PERCENT * FROM Table ORDER BY NEWID();

SELECT TOP 10 * FROM Table ORDER BY NEWID();

To Select random rows from a Table UNION Table, then do:

SELECT * FROM (SELECT TOP 10 Column1, Column2, Column 3 FROM Table1 ORDER BY NEWID()) TableA
UNION
SELECT * FROM (SELECT TOP 10 Column1, Column2, Column3 FROM Table2 ORDER BY NEWID()) TableB;

Dynamic MIME Type

2009-02-18T14:23:00.006+08:00

Storing and retrieving images from the database is now made pretty easy.

But what about displaying images in Reports? We are required to provide an image type if we are to choose Database as our Image source.

This can be easily done if you an additional column of ImageName in your database alongside your Picture column. The ImageName should contain the proper extension of the image that was loaded into the database. A proper ImageName input, for example, is "megan-fox-is-a-dude.jpg".

On your Dataset query statement, include the following code:

SELECT Table.Column1, Table.Column2, Table.Column3, Table.Picture,
ISNULL(
CASE SUBSTRING(Table.ImageName,(LEN(Table.ImageName)-2),3)
WHEN 'jpg'
THEN 'image/jpeg'
ELSE 'image/' + SUBSTRING(Table.ImageName,LEN(Table.ImageName)-2,3)
END,'image/jpeg') as 'ImageExtension',
FROM Table

The CASE statement will give you the proper Image Extension based on the name of the Picture. If the Image column is NULL then it will provide a default MIMEType of 'image/jpeg' to avoid raising Errors - this is an important.

1.) Drag and drop Image to the Report Body.
2.) On the Image properties:
- set Value: =Fields!EmployeePicture.Value
- set MIMEType: =Fields!ImageExtenion.Value

Create Stored Procedure IF NOT EXISTS (SQL Server)

2008-12-09T09:33:00.003+08:00

This is especially useful if you're writing update scripts like I am.

IF NOT EXISTS(Select * from sysobjects where name = 'usp_UserSproc')
BEGIN
EXEC dbo.sp_executesql @statement = N'
CREATE PROCEDURE usp_UserSproc
(
@ID int = NULL --nullable input
)
AS
BEGIN
SET NOCOUNT ON;
IF @ID IS NOT NULL
SELECT * FROM My_Table WHERE ID=@ID;
ELSE
SELECT * FROM My_Table WHERE ID=1;
END';
END

SQL Server Analysis Services Deployment Error

2008-11-19T14:35:00.002+08:00

I was following the MSDN Tutorial on SQL Server Analysis until I got stuck in the Deployment lesson. The error is mostly about being unable to connect to the database or having insufficient permissions.

I've tried everything and finally decided to start from scratch. Then the next attempt succeeded. I searched through whatever difference my first project had with the second and here is what I found out:

Right click your Project and click Properties.
Server: localhost
Database: (e.g., Sample SSAS (attempt 3) should be Sample SSAS attemp 3)

This is where my first Project crashed. I assumed that the server is supposedly the Server in my SQL Server Management Studio (which is MSSQL) and then the Database is naturally the database that I'm designing my Analysis Services Project for, which is AdventureWorksDW. Apparently, I am very much mistaken.

I shall find out more regarding this.

Missing Business Intelligence Types and Analysis Services Template

2008-10-22T11:36:00.004+08:00

While following the tutorial on Analysis Services on MSDN:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms170208.aspx

I got stuck in item 3 in Creating Analysis Services Project
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms166989.aspx

I have SQL Server 2008, Developers' Edition
I have installed Analysis Services (and Reporting Services for future use) so that's not the problem.
- If you're not sure if you have that. Go to Start -> Programs -> Microsoft SQL Server-> SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio

If you have that they you have Analysis Services and you might be encountering the same problem I did. When trying to create my first Analysis Services Project, the Business Intelligence Type was missing and so was the Analysis Services Templates.

Solution:

In MS Visual Studio (BIDS) click on Tools -> Import and Export Settings

Import Selected Environment Settings
Yes, Save my current settings
highlight "Business Intelligence Settings" and click on Finish.

This will add the Business Intelligence projects to BIDS.
Source: http://www.windows-tech.info/15/4e09444d2e59562b.php

FREE Starbucks Java Chip ^__^

2008-10-15T10:44:00.000+08:00

Oyen is currently enjoying her FREE tall Java Chip from Starbucks.

Last week when we went to see Tropic Thunder, I bought a chocolate glazed doughnut from Starbucks. Then the cashier guy handed me my receipt and told me that I can claim a free tall drink from any Starbucks branch if I answer their online survey. Just follow the steps I took:

1. Go to http://www.mystarbucksvisit-ph.com/
2. Input the Customer Code that you can find in your receipt.
3. Answer the quick survey (took me 10 minutes)
4. On the provided space in your receipt, write the code that appears at the end of the survey.

That receipt will let you claim a free tall drink and is valid for a month, starting from the day you entered your code in the site.

British Comedy Insults Filipinos

2008-10-08T11:26:00.001+08:00

British Comedy Insults Filipinos
Filipinos are insulted by BBC Comedy, 'Harry and Paul', where a sketch portrayed Enfield ordering his neighbor's Filipina maid to mate with his Northerner neighbor
View more »

How to create backlinks for Blogger

2008-10-05T19:06:00.013+08:00

I am currently trying to create backlinks for my blog - no, not this one, I'm referring to http://thingswelovetohate.blogspot.com where more intere
sting things happen. So I'm posting this as an "adventure" and hope that somebody learns a thing or two.

The following can be done for free:

1. Submit your site to Yahoo.

2. Answer forum questions through links to your site: so make sure you post the answer FIRST before giving the link, and provide the link to the actual blog entry so that it can still be accessible to other people who are browsing for answers to the same question.

The following are good sites where you can go and answer other people's questions:

1. Yahoo! Answers

2. MyLot

3. When you create an account in myLot, you may add your blog to their site. myLot is a high traffic site. To add your blog, go to: http://www.mylot.com/o/bloggers.aspx?a=a

Tip: Your default Blogger RSS Feed URL is http://blogname.blogspot.com/atom.xml

You can check it out by entering that your URL in your browser and you'd see a summary of your blog posts. Mine is http://thingswelovetohate.blogspot.com/atom.xml

4. Join Qassia. [Here's my user page: http://oyen.qassia.com/ Take a look to get a feel with Qassia.]

Qassia is a site that helps you earn with Google adsense, they display your blog and whatever ad revenues your page gets from the Google adsense is attributed to you. However, this is just a BONUS. What we really want to get out of Qassia is the backlink. When you apply your blog/s to Qassia then you get more page views and they provide you quality blog link. So if you don't have Google adsense, then don't even worry about it. If you DO need help, drop a comment and I'll get back to you ;)

*Don't forget to apply for the Sticker Promo. They will crawl into your site (randomly) and that's another way to be featured.

*Add Intel to get more quality back links. What you do is write about something that you know, then they would credit your site/blog for the knowledge that you share. That's another quality back link for you.I also signed up for Link Vault but later found out that I had to upload both a .php file and a .txt file for it to work and that isn't allowed in Blogger.

There's also Receive Links that I'm still trying to figure out. Once I get that running, I'll probably write about that as well.

5. Make sure you put your blog link in your email signature, forum signature. And update your social networking accounts and put your blog link on the MyWebsite area.

6. Post a bulletin on Friendster, MySpace, Facebook, Plurk and other social networking sites that you belong to and invite them to take a look at your blog. You may also do this for blog entries that may interest such audience.

7. Ping your site every time you post a new entry. This may be tiresome but it's worth it - while you're at it, make sure your blog posts have tags because Ping sites such as Technorati utilize blog entry tags.

Sphynx Clothing by Seekers for Php480

2008-10-03T08:17:00.002+08:00

This can also be seen in Multiply.com for larger resolution of images

SRP Php 480
If you also want to consign, give email me or comment here.

Sizes available (as for now):
- Medium
- Small (bustline: 32-34, length: 24)

Applique colors (embroidered satin):
- Black (thread) on silver (satin),
- yellow on gold,
- yellow and silver on green,

Racerback color:
- black
- dark brown

Email: oyen.kai@gmail.com
Or comment here.

This can also be seen in Multiply.com for larger resolution of images

How to fight pimples/acne with Eskinol

2008-09-19T23:47:00.003+08:00

Mix Eskinol with Dalacin C.

Dalacin C is an over the counter capsule.

Take a 500mg Dalacin C capsule and pour the contents into a large Eskinol bottle - I think that's 120mL or something. (Just go get the "large" bottle - there's a small, a medium, then there's a large. There is NO extra large. If you have that in your place, then take the smaller container.)

It's as simple as that. It has been tried and tested. My sister uses it every time she gets her pimple attack on her back. They work perfectly fine.

Be sure to take a bath before applying it. It also works best before bed because the body goes into a healing/recovering mode when we're asleep. And while you're at it, sleep more! It's another advisably habit to get rid of pimples/acne, that alongside drinking lots of water, avoiding cholesterol-rich foods, and exercising regularly.

To your health! Cheers!

Full Text Search Step by Step Tutorial

2008-09-19T12:01:00.018+08:00

Download and Install AdventureWorks for SQL Server 2008

Download AdventureWorks database: AdventureWorksDB.msi in Codeplex

Then double click your .msi file to Install your database.

By default it will install your database in
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data

Your database will not appear automatically in your Object Explorer.

Go to Databases, right click then choose Attach...

If your database does not appear yet, refresh your Databases folder in the Object Explorer of your SQL Server Management Studio. To view your Object Explorer go to your menu bar then go to Views/Object Explorer or press F8.

Then you will see among your databases AdventureWorksDW.

Enable Full Text Search in Database

Create a new Full Text Catalog

A window will pop up to prompt for more details:
Full Text Catalog Name: FTCatalog

Create a new Full Text Index

Install Full Text Search
If your option is blocked (if it is not clickable) then re-run your SQL Server 2008 Installer. Under Installation (below Planning, on the left panel), choose New SQL Server stand-alone isntallation or add features to an existing installation.

Install Support Files.

Under Installation Type, choose Add features to an existing instance of SQL Server 2008.

Under Feature Selection check Full-Text Search.

Click Next then complete the installation. This will take around 5 minutes.

A Wizard window will appear after choosing Define Full-Text Index...

Follow the directions of the Wizard: choose the Primary Key for Indexing, then select all tables to enable full-text queries on all of them. Then choose the FTCatalog that we created previously when prompted. Skip Define population schedules for this tutorial. Then hit Finish.

Populate Index

Query Scripts - Test Full Text Search

Let's test our Full Text Search through the following SQL scripts:

On the new Query window, copy and paste the following scripts:

USE AdventureWorksGO

SELECT EmployeeID, Title FROM HumanResources.Employee WHERE FREETEXT(*, 'Marketing Assistant');

SELECT EmployeeID, TitleFROM HumanResources.Employee WHERE CONTAINS(Title, 'Marketing OR Assistant');

SELECT EmployeeID, TitleFROM HumanResources.Employee WHERE CONTAINS(Title, 'Marketing AND Assistant'); GO

Then Execute or F5 to run the query.

Notice that the results of the first SELECT query and the second SELECT query are the same.

SELECT EmployeeID, Title FROM HumanResources.Employee WHERE FREETEXT(*, 'Marketing Assistant');

SELECT EmployeeID, TitleFROM HumanResources.Employee WHERE CONTAINS(Title, 'Marketing OR Assistant');

The FREETEXT( ) query searches all job titles with either the string "Marketing" or "Assistant". The results are arranged according to their foreign keys.

By using the "AND" constraint on the third SELECT, only job titles with exact matches as the query string showed.

SELECT EmployeeID, Title


FROM HumanResources.Employee
WHERE CONTAINS(Title, 'Marketing AND Assistant');

The arrangement of the results still depend on the foreign key (EmployeeID).

FREETEXT( ) Is predicate used to search columns containing character-based data types. It will not match the exact word, but the meaning of the words in the search condition. When FREETEXT is used, the full-text query engine internally performs the following actions on the freetext_string, assigns each term a weight, and then finds the matches.

Separates the string into individual words based on word boundaries (word-breaking).
Generates inflectional forms of the words (stemming).
Identifies a list of expansions or replacements for the terms based on matches in the thesaurus.
CONTAINS( ) is similar to the Freetext but with the difference that it takes one keyword to match with the records, and if we want to combine other words as well in the search then we need to provide the “and” or “or” in search else it will throw an error.

Source: http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2008/09/05/sql-server-creating-full-text-catalog-and-index/

Fund Raising proposal thru online earnings

2008-09-19T09:27:00.003+08:00

I am proposing an unconventional way of fund raising. This is primarily to earn more money for the continuing construction of the San Rafael Parish Chapel in San Rafael, Tarlac City, Philippines.

Target: Every active parishioner of San Rafael Parish Chapel with an Internet connection at home.

How: By joining in http://www.myLot.com

How does myLot work?
You participate in discussions by either starting your own discussions or by commenting on other discussions.

Overview of earnings
You will earn around 0.40cents for 50 quality posts a day. The earnings are updated daily. "Quality posts" means at least 3 lines of comments to a discussion or a new discussion that many users will comment on.

By "3 lines", that means 3 lines on the text area where you write your discussion, not how it appears on the screen after you posted it. By "many" that's relative, expect a good discussion to reach up to 40 comments and will span to 5 pages.

How do myLot members get paid?
The payment mode is through PayPal. That means that the Parish will have to acquire a PayPal account (free) and a bank account to withdraw the money from PayPal.

But not all parishioners have PayPal!
Right now that doesn't matter. This is primarily a parishioner's labor of love. This is an additional means to contribute to the parish. If the parishioner wants to get a PayPal account to cashout his personal earnings, it's free for him to get one. However, to become a myLot member and to contribute to the San Rafael Parish Chapel's fund raising, this is not required. You can easily update your myLot account when you have created your PayPal account. That means that even though you still don't have a PayPal account, you are already earning through your myLot participation.

So how does the fund raising work? How will that help the parish?
Do I have to surrender my earnings to the San Rafael Parish?
NO. You get to keep your own earnings for yourself. The Parish will earn from its referral link. That means that you HAVE to use the Parish's referral link. That will NOT deduct any of your personal earnings. Tha Parish will earn 25% of what you will earn. Note that you will also increase your earnings by increasing your own referrals. HOWEVER, please don't steal referrals from the Parish because even though the Parish will STILL earn from those who took your referral link (since it earns 25% of your earnings), it will earn much less than if that person took the Parish's referral link directly.

Let's do the math.
Let's say that a hundred parishioners join myLot, all under the Parish's referral link. If each of those parishioners was to participate with 150 quality posts every week (which is either 50 posts a day for 3 days in a week or 10 posts everyday after you come home from school or work), then that would mean 1.20$ earning per parishioner and 30cents earning of the Parish per parishioner per week. That would sum up to $30 per week or Php1,350. In a month, that would accumulate to $120 or Php5400. That's not enough to finish the Parish Chapel construction but it will help and that's only the start. We can earn more if we have more people participating.

Will the parish now how much I'm contributing?
YES. I'm a Computer Science graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University. I'm currently working on a program that will let the Administrator know if you've been doing your homework or not.

Will my soul burn in hell if I don't accomplish the *strongly suggested* number of posts?
Of course not! But then it's not like we meet people from hell to confirm that.

Will I go to heaven if I do this?
Come on, people! We've all learned about how selling indulgences in the olden times led to the restructing of the Catholic Church and the separation of Protestantism. We're past that era now.

My Google Ad isn't showing in my blog - FIX

2008-09-19T08:51:00.003+08:00

Let's fix that critter. You'll also learn how to create a new

My Google Adsense in my other blog THINGS WE LOVE TO HATE isn't showing. It's supposed to be a banner on the bottom, my leaderboard on top and my box on the right panel are both working fine. The last thing I did (yesterday) was change the ad because it was the wrong size - from a leader board, I changed it into a banner. It wasn't showing yesterday also, but I thought it was only a system lag. So now I'm fixing it and I'll teach you how to do it on your own too (stop bothering the Google Adsense people, they're busy, too, you know).

BTW, this ad was made on the Google Adsense page - I didn't just add a Google Adsense through the ADD GADGET button on the Layout page. I created it on my Google Adsense page alongside a channel so I can monitor its performance - tell me if you need help setting this up.

Go to your Google Adsense Page: Adsense Setup tab then Preview the specific ad that's missing on your blog.

Guess what! It's STILL the wrong size. Stupid me.

Since we can't edit adsense sizes, I'll just hit this with the HIDE option (we also can't delete them), then I'll create a new one with the same name.

Set up the preferences - I created my own color scheme/panel according to my blog color motifs so I won't have to manually set it up all the time.

Make sure you have the right size, it's very first drop down box in this page and it's SO EASY to miss.

Then that's it. Choose a channel if you want to then you get the code and put it in your blog.

Mygad that sounded like a cheap shot at a tutorial.

Anyway, leave a comment if you need any help.

Test your color IQ

2008-09-17T12:28:00.000+08:00

My score: 4

http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77

A call for underrepresented individuals

2008-09-17T09:47:00.000+08:00

My friend is currently working on her thesis and she's having a hard time locating her subjects.

It's a photographic essay on twenty underrepresented individuals who have proved to play significant roles in society. These individuals’ greatness are not recognized because they do not fit the canonical standard typical of choosing who is worthy of recognition.

This group includes (but is not limited to) the poor or working class, the old people, the women, the homosexuals, the political deviants, the ethnic minorities and the handicapped. This could be a burnt child who saved his family from a burning house, a mother who single-handedly raised her six children while balancing three jobs at the same time, an old woman who despite her age serves as her family's breadwinner or an Ifugao elder from Cordillera who despite the changing trends in their culture brought about by modernization, continues to protect the dying art of tattooing.

A side note:
...I was wondering if Database admins are underrepresented individuals. Database admins always serve as the scape goat in companies - when something doesn't work right, they point their finger at the database admin. It's not like SQL Server Transactions are the only problem that exists.

How to copy SQL table content into INSERT INTO statements in SQL Server using SQL CLR

2008-09-15T10:36:00.000+08:00

Most of the time during the database development stage of a specific system, programmers concerned with the different aspects of the system work all at the same time. While the Database Admin fine tunes the data structure including its constraints, metadata, relationships, views, stored procedures, the Data Access Layer Man has already started working on his end of the fence. He determines the anchor or the point of access, which table would most efficiently access all other related information. He makes sure that when data is inserted, deleted, updated then all other related information, all other related tables to that specific data are updated appropriately.

While the Data Access Layer is working on those delicate and logic intensive information, he has to have access to the database. However, the Database Admin is still working on the database itself. Since the Data Access Layer especially when done in an Entity Data Model (.NET Entity Framework) is sensitive to the stability of the information in the database, it is not wise if they were to connect to the same database.

In most business practices, the Data Access Layer team/man is given only a copy of the original database being developed. When a significant change was made to the database, he rebuilds his Entity Data Model accordingly. This is a tough job but it’s the only way to work at the same time with the DBA and therefore deliver faster. Sometimes the DAL would request the DBA to insert sample data within the database so that he may test his scripts against the database. But since they are physically connected to different databases, the DBA fixes SQL Script of Insert statements for him.

On the occasion when the DAL actually inserts his own table rows and the Web Dev man sees that there is already enough structure for him to connect his application and to test some of its units, he would need a copy of that database. It easy to script the database structure including its triggers and content to create it in a different local machine, however, when the database is already running in a different local machine and all the Web Dev needs is the rows to check if he can successfully display the table rows, let’s not waste time dropping and recreating databases.

Click to download code.

using System;

using System.Data;

using System.Data.SqlClient;

using System.Data.SqlTypes;

using Microsoft.SqlServer.Server;

using System.Text;

using System.Collections.Generic;

public partial class StoredProcedures

{

[Microsoft.SqlServer.Server.SqlProcedure]

public static void CopyContentOfTable(String tablename)

{

using (SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection("context connection=true"))

{

conn.Open();

SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand();

cmd.Connection = conn;

StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();

sb.Append("SELECT column_name FROM information_schema.columns ")

.Append("WHERE table_name = '").Append(tablename).Append("'");

cmd.CommandText = sb.ToString();

//List down all the colum names in the table

List<String> columnames = new List<String>();

SqlDataReader reader;

using (reader = cmd.ExecuteReader())

{

if( reader.HasRows )

while (reader.Read())

{

columnames.Add(reader["column_name"].ToString());

}

//get all data from table

sb.Length = 0;

sb.Append("SELECT * from ").Append(tablename);

cmd.CommandText = sb.ToString();

//define needed logical objects for creating the insert statement

String columnvalue = String.Empty;

bool notfirstcolumn = false;

bool notfirstrow = false;

using (reader = cmd.ExecuteReader())

{

sb.Length = 0;

//Enable inserting identity,

//we want to make sure that the databases are as identical as possible

sb.Append("SET IDENTITY_INSERT ").Append(tablename).AppendLine(" ON;");

//you may turn off any related triggers if you wish to here...

//Build our insert statements

sb.Append("INSERT into ").Append(tablename).AppendLine(" (");

//list down all column names

foreach( String column in columnames)

{

if(notfirstcolumn)

sb.Append(",");

else

notfirstcolumn = true;

sb.Append(column);

}

//add each row, result from the previous SELECT transaction

notfirstcolumn = false;

sb.AppendLine(") VALUES ");

if (reader.HasRows)

while (reader.Read())

{

if (notfirstrow)

sb.Append(",");

else

notfirstrow = true;

sb.Append("(");

foreach (String column in columnames)

{

if (notfirstcolumn)

sb.Append(",");

else

notfirstcolumn = true;

columnvalue = reader[column].ToString();

if (columnvalue.Equals(String.Empty))

sb.Append("NULL");

else

sb.Append(columnvalue);

}

sb.AppendLine(")");

notfirstcolumn = false;

}

//re-disable indentity inserts

sb.Append("SET IDENTITY_INSERT ").Append(tablename).Append(" OFF;");

}

//Your insert statement will appear in the Message tab of the query window.

//Copy and paste it onto the query window and run

SqlContext.Pipe.Send(sb.ToString());

}

};

How was mylot?

2008-09-11T16:34:00.000+08:00

So far so GREAT!

I've only been in www.mylot.com for 4 days (I reedited my previous post that's why this post and that are dated today, sori) and I already have this much:

That's proof baby! I'm about to reach as much as I earned in Google Adsense (for 5 months).

I haven't been "mylotting" the whole day mind you. So that means you can get more than what I earn if you're a forum-addict.

Try it out!

earn online, finally!

2008-09-05T09:09:00.000+08:00

After 5 months of trying to earn extra income, I think I found something a little more tangible than the rest. If you like Yahoo! Answers, then you should give this one a try:

www.mylot.com

Here's how it works: you start discussions, answer questions - the same as what you do in Yahoo! Answers or in forums. However, you earn money while you do it.

The catch: How do you earn money? They do not disclose that piece of information. It involves some kind of mathematical computations.

What if you don't have your PayPal (yet)? That's ok, you can edit your PayPal address to cashout anytime you wish. You won't lose anything. Actually, if you don't want to earn at all and just have fun in the forums, then they'd like you even more :D

The tip is to post 3-4 liners. This is my first day and I will tell you how it goes for me :)

new quest: earn online

2008-09-02T16:49:00.001+08:00

So I'm in my usual quest to earn money online and I found this:
I'm trying it out because it's free :) And we all know that everybody likes free stuffs!

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

The best blogging techniques.
How to get traffic to your blog.
How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

Clean and Clear - Meklot

2008-08-21T13:50:00.000+08:00

Meklot created this entry in order to partially finance her Junior Term Abroad. Hope you guys find a couple of minutes to watch the video! then just keep on playing it on your background hahaha and repost this if you don't mind helping :D

Thank you!

Colors colors colors

2008-08-04T18:56:00.000+08:00

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating

I am so stupid with colors. I don't really think they matter that much. I don't think I'll ever find myself having to be so super duper specific with them. I think dark RGB, powder RGB, baby B/P, powder B/P do just fine.

I think my brain's losing a lot of women-complexity because of too much logic stuff at work. Well, as long as I get to keep my psych-instincts, I'll still do nicely.

Nursery Rhyme

2008-07-28T15:14:00.000+08:00

Oooh! Two posts in one day :D I found a more professiona, feel-good clip as I roam around the net.

You will enjoy this!

Graffity Movie

2008-07-28T14:42:00.000+08:00

Blublu. Illegal acts? genius.

Crazy Questions

2008-07-28T13:23:00.000+08:00

The internet has been called the greatest educational tool ever. Yet, there are still more questions than answers. Here are some of the thousands of queries pinging round on emails and baffling computer users.

Why do we press harder on a remote when we know the batteries are flat

Can you cry underwater?

Why do people believe you when you say there are 4 billion stars but check when you say paint is wet?

Why doesn’t glue stick to the inside of the tube?

How come Tarzan didn’t have a beard?

Whose cruel idea was it to put an S in “lisp”?

If the temperature is zero outside today & it is going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?

Why do banks charge a fee for having ‘insufficient funds’ when they know there is not enough money in your account to pay it?

If it is true we are here to help others, what are the others doing?

What level of importance must a person have before they are considered assassinated instead of murdered?

Why is it that people say they “slept like a baby” when babies wake up every couple of hours?

Why do doctors, when hey ask you to strip, leave the room or close the cubicle curtain while you change? They’re going to see you naked anyway.

Who copyrighted the copyright symbol?

Do fish ever get thirsty?

Why don’t birds fall out of nests when they are asleep?

Orange: which came first, the fruit or the colour?

If corn oil is made from corn & vegetable oil is made from vegetables, should we boycott baby oil?

Why is it called a “building” when it is already built?

Why is it called a TV Set when there is only one of it?

Why does round pizza come in a square box?

If all the nations in the world are in debt, where did all the money go?

Why do they use sterilised needles for execution by lethal injection?

Are there reserved parking spaces for able-bodied people at the Special Olympics?

What is the speed of dark?

If you were travelling at the speed of sound and turned on your radio, would you be able to hear it?

Why do speedometers on cars go up to speeds that are both completely illegal and well beyond the capabilities of the car?

Source: http://8in.org/crazy-questions/

Evolution of dance

2008-07-25T13:00:00.000+08:00

Migs shared this YouTube video. It's very entertaining!

Presenting: the Evolution of Dance by
Inspirational Comedian, Juddson Laiply

then I guess Mr. Bean just couldn't take it when somebody else has the spotlight!

then an animation...I don't really get why they posted is as "evolution of dance". Cute nonetheless!

And then there was WoW

I feel cool and geeky

2008-07-22T08:18:00.000+08:00

Try this. Type in Google search "insert xml column"

You'll get
you see that first link? That's mine :D

If you're wondering what kind of geekiness I was in when I inquired in the Microsoft Forums, here's the link:
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=3621746&SiteID=17

I was asking why I couldn't provide a schema in the XML data that I was inserting in my XML column. The problem was that my schema properties (the target namespace) was not set correctly. Stupid little oyen....

Normal Life

2008-07-18T16:46:00.000+08:00

Again! something from Loki. He shares the most interesting bits :D

Click to go to NormalLife

I like the art, it's the kind of art that I somehow find myself at peace with. However, sadly it's not original. It looks mainstream. Something similar but noticeable original is from Avid :D He wrote-draw the most beautiful book I've ever laid my eyes on :D It's entitled/cover

Read the Book!
Visit Avid's Site!

You'll <3 it I PROMISE!

Yahoo! Messenger

2008-07-18T09:46:00.000+08:00

I like Yahoo! Messenger. It's the very first application I used to chat. I didn't go through the MIRC phase, sorry. But I did have YM way before may high school classmates had one, which was kind of sad since I can chat but I had no one to chat with. (Hello, chatrooms!)

As long as I have internet access, I am almost (98% of the time) online in YM. I used it so often that I get excited when there are Beta releases. Usually, the Beta releases aren't so bad. They only have a few glitches that you can live with until the final release is made. However, YM Vista is an exception.

In YM Vista's Feedback form, they ask what is the rate of you recommending the application to a friend. I give it a 2 out of 10. Pretty low? Well, aside from its cool facade, it lacks functionality. It is still very unstable not to mention cumbersome (I don't know why everything is so big o.o I can adjust the list view but I can't adjust the size of the window frames!)

I hate it when the chat window screen wobbles when I type my message. WTF is up with that? Did they do that on purpose? Was that supposed to be cute? That was annoying and it hurts my eyes. I almost dread the time when someone would message me because that means I'd a mini-headache when I chat back.

Next, why can't I find the archives? Is it there? Or didn't they install it on purpose? That's a very important feature. Whatever will I do when I realize that I can actually blackmail because of a small chat we had??

Download YM Vista

After some time (I actually wanted to get the YM Vista experience so I stuck with it for a while), I was ready to go back to the old version then I found this :D YM9 Beta!

Download YM9 (Beta)

It has the same funky YM Vista look but it didn't lose any of the old features. It is also more compact. This is my first day in trying it out and I am currently happy with it. I'll let you know when I encounter any irritating problems with it.

The Machine Girl

2008-07-15T14:23:00.000+08:00

I got this link from Loki. This is even better than the How to be emo clip

YAKUZA
NINJAS
TEMPURA
SUSHI
CHAINSAWS
FLYING GUILLOTINE
DRILL BRA
REVENGE

THE MACHINE GIRL

What more is there to say?

Dorwings and Pixchurs

2008-07-15T08:48:00.000+08:00

We had dinner in Burgoo, Rockwell. Cute things come with good food :D

"Lovely, ain't I?" by Oyen, Mariel, Migs
________________________________________

Scared Bunny by Mariel
________________________________________

Sleeping Bunny by Mariel, and
"RAAAAWR" by Oyen
________________________________________

Purple Creature by Oyen
________________________________________

Kiss-Me Bear by Mariel
________________________________________

Chickie by Oyen
________________________________________

Master Kung Fu Kid by Oyen

We were having so much fun with our dorwings that we all craved for a good dessert. And we all know that Burgoo CAN serve good dessert. That's why we shared their humongous Raspberry Cheesecake

Before
________________________________________

Raspberry Cheesecake, After

This reminded me of the steak dinner we had a week ago. I took a picture (I like making other people envious of what I ate).

Fish-Eyed Hungry Steak Monster
________________________________________

Happy Steaky

Maddox's Fashion Tips for Women

2008-07-12T15:27:00.000+08:00

I just read Maddox's (not most) recent article regarding his fashion tips for women. It was sensible. It was funny of course but what was even more funny is that it actually and seriously made sense.

* Crocs look like shit and they make your feet smell.
You have to admit that this is true. I can't imagine how someone's feet would smell after walking around in crocs for a whole day. And they truly CANNOT complement anything you're wearing. Compare these
against THESE
Now THAT's a cool shoe. It has purpose and it has style. And yep, that's what I'm wearing.

What happens when it rains?! you ask. Don't be stupid. I live in the Philippines. I won't wear these beautiful shoes in the rain. Duh. I wear may "rain shoes". I bought my pair for Php200 - then I got another pair for free. Oh yeah! 2 Pairs of rain shoes for Php200. And they're not so bad. But they're not that brand. Those are too expensive. They actually look like a pirate of one of those expensive plastic sandals, I forgot the brand. I'd let you know when I see it in the mall, and I might just post a picture.

Moving on

*Red lipstick makes you look like a clown
I do not agree with that statement. Even if I don't own a red lipstick because the color looks hideous ON ME. I am in awe at people who DO pull them off. (Please ask your mother if the color looks good on you, don't test drive it in the mall - yes, your mother will tell you the truth).

However, I do agree that there are a ridiculous bunch of lip colors in the market. A big chunk of those LOOK THE SAME TO ME! Just because they have different color names, doesn't make them different in color. I guess that's why I actually enjoy shopping for make up in Penshoppe. They have two cheek tint colors: pink and violet. See? Nothing vague about those colors right? (You see, pink looks good for people with white or yellow skin, violet looks better on darker skin tones).

*You are not a Cuban dictator
I agree. You are NOT a Cuban dictator so stop wearing Fidel Castro hats. Actually, stop wearing hats when you don't need them. They don't look cool. They hide your face. If THAT is actually your intention, wear a paper bag over your head, that's more effective. And besides, your head smells awful after a couple of hours (reminder, I live in the Philippines, a tropic country).

Oh and there is another ridiculous thing about these hat-wearers. They hate it when you touch their hair when they take their hats off. WHAT THE FUCK IS UP WITH THAT? You'd wear your hat again anyway, so why not let us touch it? It looks funny after you've worn your hat for so long, OF COURSE we'd be curious how it feels. We're thinking that it's stiff, like you put on gel or something, and we want to test that inference. Or maybe you KNOW your head stinks and that's why you don't want us to touch it. Hmmm... that makes sense. Disgusting... but sensible.

*Self-aggrandizing "hottie" shirts make you look like a bitch
Yep, they do. If you're hot and you TELL the world about it, it makes you less hot. Why not let other people judge? If you are, then you ARE. If you're NOT, a shirt wouldn't make you one. Get it??

*This [flowing blouse] makes you look pregnant
That is one fashion tip I would have to trash. Girls KNOW where the style came from, we actually know that pregnant women used to be the only ones who wore them. We KNOW why we like them. They DO hide our figure. THAT'S THE POINT. Hiding one's figure has two effects: (1) If you have a non-model-like tummy, you get to conceal it, and (2) If you do have a good figure, it would still SHOW through the loose blouse. It even makes you look sexier because it SUGGESTS a good figure --> and letting your audience IMAGINE what's underneath gives you the sexy aura.

We know that tight fitting shirts are good. But for us who don't have those model-tummies, we try to avoid them. They're not the comfortable. You could only imagine. If you can't try one on.

Source: http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=fashion

I am a Thong, what kind of swimsuit are you?

2008-07-11T08:36:00.000+08:00

You are a Thong

You are daring and outrageous.

You love attention in almost any form, and you'll do a lot to get noticed.

You are proud of your body. You work hard to look good.

Swimsuit season is your favorite time of the year. It gives you a chance to show off your assets!

What Kind of Swimsuit Are You?

Negative Calorie Soup Recipe

2008-07-09T15:29:00.000+08:00

This recipe for Negative Calorie Soup, by Hahnemann University Hospital Diet.

Ingredients:
6 onions
2 green peppers
2 cans whole or crushed tomatoes
1 head cabbage
1 large bunch celery
2 pkg. dry onion soup mix

Directions:
Cut vegetables into medium size pieces, add soup mix and cover with water. Cook on high for 10 minutes, then lower heat and simmer until vegetables are tender.

Eat as much soup each day as you want. The more you eat the more you lose.

Word Trip: "Ligtening" vs "Lightning"

2008-07-07T13:55:00.001+08:00

Saw this

from a hilarious YouTube video,

which got me curious if "lightening" and "lightning" were similar to "color" and "colour", "grey" and "gray".

When I Wiki-ed "lightening", I was directed to the Lightning page. But being a scientist, I needed to check my guess at least one more time. So I checked the Wiktionary,

English
Verb
lightening
1. Present participle of lighten.

And for a more solid evidence that "lightening" was not used properly,

Source: tiscali.reference
I hope you were ENLIGHTENED lol

One of the saddest days in my life

2008-07-03T13:28:00.000+08:00

Can you see what I'm going through here?

And if that's not enough

Web designers should really be careful on how they phrase their messages. They just might hurt people!

I got this from MyBlogLog's Friender service.

Have an emo day!

Look what I have in my aquarium

2008-07-03T10:23:00.001+08:00

Some people think fish are boring. This one looks quite interesting to me...

I took this using my Olympus 1030 (yeah, I'm bragging). I dipped it in a glass of water then asked my friend to pose .

I suddenly have the urge to go swimming :D

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

How to

2008-07-02T09:17:00.000+08:00

I was about to search for a "how to sql xml" on Google Search then the following popped out. I'm not sure how Google Search decides which phrases to suggest but I'm guessing that they're the top phrases with the most queries.

I just had to see what the search would yield.