In a previous blog post we went through how to build a Docker container image from a remote (Github) repository. Here we’re going to expand on that by actually building the image itself remotely, using Docker Build Cloud. What we can do with Docker Build Cloud is instead of building the image locally and then having to push to a remote container registry (for example the Docker Hub), we can build remotely and then immediately push that image to the registry so that it is available for immediate use by say, our team members or deployment/testing pipelines. This has advantages as we no longer ar ..read more

Businesses are drowning in data, but starving for insights. That's where SQL experts swoop in, wielding the power to extract meaningful answers from the chaos. Mastering SQL for data science opens up a world of in-demand, lucrative career opportunities. The question is, which course will be your fast-track to SQL proficiency? Let's dive in and empower you to find the perfect match! 1. SQL Basics with LearnSQL Overview: If you're fresh to the world of SQL, consider this course duo your trusty compass. LearnSQL.com expertly breaks down the essential fundamentals – the art of retrieving data ..read more

The bottom line here is this: the idea that a CSP takes care of everything for you is a fallacy that really needs to die. Thompson, Graham. All-in-One CCSK Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge Exam Guide. Page 3. McGraw Hill. New York: 2020. I was dealing with a situation lately where a group was looking at licensing a cloud-based resource, but no one had checked the cloud service provider’s (CSP) shared responsibility model. The group assumed the vendor’s model was similar to the bigger vendors. Turns out they were wrong. One of the “must dos” when looking to on-board a new service offer ..read more

In today's data-driven world, SQL (Structured Query Language) is a blazing-hot skill. It's your passport to understanding databases, making it essential for data analysts, developers, and anyone who wants to make data-backed decisions. But the burning question is: how long will it take to learn SQL, especially if you're a beginner? Let's ditch the unrealistic promises and figure out a realistic timeline. Factors Influencing Your SQL Learning Speed How quickly you grasp SQL depends on several key factors. Understanding these will help you customize your learning approach and set realistic expec ..read more

I leave tonight for Australia. I was in London 3 days ago, so this will complete my halfway around the world trip when I time travel tomorrow and skip Tuesday. I’ll arrive in Sydney on Wednesday morning. I am very lucky and I appreciate the chance to go back down under for work. I have a few seminars I’d delivering with fellow Redgaters, MVPs, industry experts, and Octopus Deploy engineers. I’ll be busy these days: May 2- Brisbane May 7 – Sydney May 9 – Melbourne That’s next week, but I’m heading down early to recharge a bit. My wife is traveling with me to Sydney, where we’ll spend a few da ..read more

As I look at the state of information technology today, I see one constant: rapid change. We all see it. For instance, if you had said two years ago that you knew that generative AI would become a big deal in 2023, most folks would have looked at you like you were crazy. Yet here we are. And I know more, drastic change is still coming. Quantum computing is moving forward. When it gets here in full force, the way we secure the Internet will be obsolete. I’m not exaggerating. Dealing with change is hard. Understanding how to handle and attack change is crucial. While this is the type of post I w ..read more

I recently started full time learning of Amazon Web Services (AWS). I found that AWS's Relational Database Service (RDS) is really user-friendly.  RDS simplifies many of the complicated aspects of database setup, operation, and scaling. Now that I've gone through the process myself, I'm here to walk you through setting up your first AWS RDS instance.  Let's break it down into simple steps so you can get your cloud database up and running in no time.   What is RDS? AWS RDS (Relational Database Services) is a managed relational database service, where you can choose multiple data ..read more

Over the past couple of months, I have started losing my ability to talk without a mask. One of the effects of a disease, ALS, is that I am losing the ability to breathe without support which also impacts my ability to talk without my ventilator. This past weekend I did my first speaking engagement at Derby City Data Days in Louisville, KY. As the saying goes, “It takes a village.” As many of you know, I have been producing a video series called Fabric 5 which contains five minutes snippets about various Microsoft Fabric architectural topics. I was going to use some of that content to create ..read more

apolytus– n. the moment you realize you are changing as a person, finally outgrowing your old problems like a reptile shedding its skin, already able to twist back around and chuckle at this weirdly antiquated caricature of yourself that will soon come off completely. I don’t know if I am changing that much, though hopefully I’m still maturing a bit. More, I think about my daughter, who graduates college this year. She’s changed so much in the five years since she left home for college, outgrowing the problems and concerns she had as an 18-year old. I think I went through that myself, leaving ..read more

If you've ever wrestled with complex SQL code, you know the drill. Hours spent on a single query, eyes glazing over at the endless lines of commands, that sinking feeling when you realize there's a tiny error hidden somewhere in the mess. Sound familiar? There's got to be a better way, right? Enter SQL AI tools – your new database BFF. Imagine ditching the manual grind and letting an AI assistant handle the heavy lifting of writing and troubleshooting your SQL queries. Let's dive into how they work and why they could be a game-changer for anyone who works with data. The Top Frustrations with M ..read more