When I first started reading this post, “The battle for control of data could be just starting” I was thinking that it was interesting that some services were feeling the pinch to get their data out of “the big guys” in terms of awareness and IP surrounding accounts and people. Basically, some companies are re-thinking marketing engines and services and […]
Author: Stephen Wynkoop
Statistics Can Lie, Big Data Ethics and More
There were some excellent comments yesterday on the post about statistics — and some great references. “Statistics can produce alternative facts. When you can’t agree with the facts you have no basis for a rational decision. Then when you make a decision based on alternative facts you can tweak the statistics to tell whatever story you want since there are […]
Statistics Can Say Whatever You Like…
It’s amazing how many times you can see that quote – or one very similar, as people are rationalizing information they need to have access to in order to make their case. “Statistics,” I think, is too specific – I think it should be “Data Can Be Made to Say Whatever You Like…” I can’t tell you how many times […]
Do You Use Third Party Data Sets?
Many times when you see other data sets that you can use for your own applications, they’re about the weather in a location or traffic data. That type of thing. It seems like you have to wonder what you’d use that information for in your own applications. I usually eye these types of resources and think that while it sounds […]
I Don’t Need Backups – The Cloud Doesn’t Break!
Yes. I’ve actually heard that several times lately. We’ve been talking about recovery plans, backups, the “oh boy, Steve’s preaching test your backups again” documentation and so-on. As we’re talking through the things they need to test and have experience with and document, they get this shifting-around, anxious to move on attitude. “But it’s the cloud. It’s not like it’s […]
What Do You See for 2018?
The end of the year (I’m not rushing it, just getting ahead of the curve to get your early thoughts), is when people start thinking through what’s coming up and what to expect. I’m curious what you would see as the top 3 things or so that you’d expect to see happening in the data space in 2018. Drop them […]
Are VMs the Gateway Drug to the Cloud?
As I was reading through various comments today on the site, and going yesterday’s post, I noticed an interesting comment: Relinquishing time-honored onprem tactics maybe forced upon us by the volume and cost of moving that volume in the cloud. For some reason, this really struck a thoughtful chord with me. It’s very true – the “cost” of moving to […]
Blind Trust of AI for SQL Server… Even Now
With so much happening with AI and so many instant wins, it’s easy to remember to step carefully into the darkness. I’ve been seeing and hearing so many more questions, stories, suggestions and other feedback about “it said to do “X”, so I did… what do you mean that might not have been the best solution?” There are so many […]
Thinking Through the Code of Ethics
I have to admit I was surprised how well the code of ethics has stood up over 11 years. (Here’s a link to the current rendition). Sure, there are things that I’d like to re-visit, but I was glad to see that most of the key elements were things that would still apply today. The one that was called out […]
The DBA Code of Ethics
In April of 2006, we worked out a code of ethics for DBAs. I wanted to post it here and get your feedback. I think it pertains fairly well, even after more than 11 years. What would you add or change? This cannot happen in a vacuum though. It takes your feedback, your comments. I’ll do my best to pull […]