It also depends on your definition of sysadmin books. I recently purchased Windows Powershell 2.0 TFM. Could I have found most of this information on the web? Most definitely, but buying the book allows me to have it all in one place. In addition to that I get it in a limited amount of voices.
I'm not even an admin. Powershell is just too much frakkin fun. If you haven't checked it out yet you should. Maybe you will find it is not for you, but maybe you will enjoy it as much as I do.
I'm probably going to loose the few points I have left, but hey...
If you have access to a Windows machine my two cents says get a copy of SQL Server Express. In addition to that you will want a copy of the AdventureWorks database and the SQL Server Books Online.
SQL Server Express is a solid and free (as in beer) database engine. There are processor and file size limitations, but other than that it is pretty much the same as every other version they sell.
The Books Online (available online or as an installable download) has tutorial style information on every level of the system; database engine, reporting services etc.
The AdventureWorks database is a sample database that is used in the BOL and just about every other SQL Server tutorial I have seen. It is quite extensive and will save you from having to create your own data.
I'm sure somebody here will try and pick this apart, but this is how I learned. If it means anything, I have been employed as a Databse Analyst for the past four years.
And what would be your reason for doing this? I really don't understand. I do not follow any religion, but that does not give me the right to ridicule things that others hold dear.
It is _my_ opinion that anyone who participates in this is a sheep with a "me too" mentality.
"but that does not give me the right to ridicule things that others hold dear."
No, that would be the US Constitution's first amendment. Conversely, you do not have a right to not have the beliefs you hold dear ridiculed. There is no legal protection against having one's beliefs ridiculed. That's because it's not a big deal. Get over it.
To be fair, there is also no legal protection for "protecting free speech" in a general sense. The first amendment only prevents the GOVERNMENT from limiting your free speech. Companies limit free speech all the time (think NDA), and they are often within their rights. Maybe this is a technicality, but many on this thread would do well to know it.
First, there is nothing to get over. I am not emotionally involved. Second, just because you have a right to do something doesn't mean you should do it. It's not about laws and amendments. It is about people's feelings. I have the right to draw Jesus, Mohammed and Moses having sex. That doesn't make it any less offensive to a great many people. So should I do it just because I can and want to see what kind of reaction I get?
So your cartoon was censored. Maybe you are the one who needs to get over it.
I agree 100%. Expression should not be limited. The issue I have with this is that the participants aren't expressing themselves. They're expressing someone else, "huh-huh... that's funny. I'm going to do that too."
And just to put it out there; I have no problem with you (I don't know you) and I am not trying to argue directly with you. Your's was just the reply link I clicked.
I don't think that you understand what a right is. You have the right to say whatever you want, so long as it does not violate the rights (as defined by the Bill of Rights) of another.
You have to learn how to think in principle (and identify the correct principles - those that will advance and enhance your life), or your life will turn out to be a mess.
"Mohammed, peanut butter upon him" does not ridicule anything held dear by Muslims. It's just an amusing pun on a common convention of the Muslim world. It does not violate the teachings of the Koran.
But that doesn't matter. Everyone of us has the right to say that the Koran is a load of feces (I think it is, along with every other religious text ever written), just as we each have the right to say that it is the greatest thing ever.
Everyone should be free to choose this for themselves, and to tell anyone they can about what they think, without being threatened.
This link is a perfect example of the problem I have with Apple. Why do I have to have Quick Time to watch the video? Just give it to me and let me worry about which media player I want to use.
I sold my macbook; gave away my ipod; and I'm never going back.
I don't know anyone at Plurk, but from here it looks like a bit of posturing to see if they can elicit some sort of swift settlement from MSFT. They got a fast response from MSFT on the original claim. Maybe they want to see if momentum is on their side. Either way, an appology was made and the code was removed. IMO they should focus on moving forward and not waste time and energy chasing rainbows.
It is a direct result of pushing out pop crap to sell singles. The majority of the artists the industry markets are pop artists that want a hit single. That is what they push for that is what they get. If they would get behind real artists and market them and their work album sales would increase.
Look at the top charts for singles. Pick any artist in the top 10. Go somewhere you can preview the entire album and then ask yourself if you would buy it.
We tell you these things so you will apply yourself and have what it takes when/if you get the opportunity. There is a diff between flipping burgers because [the market is tight| you're working through college| any other hurdle] and flipping burgers because you aren't qualified to do anything else. We remember questioning "when will I need to know X when I grow up?". Nine times out of ten they are teaching something completely useless, but it is something you have to work your way through.
I tell my kids that the majority of what is taught in school is bullsh|t, but it is something they must/will do because if they do not they will have to answer to me. I tell them that the most important parts of school aren't remembering why some old dead guy crossed the Delaware. The most important things are learning how to solve problems and think for themselves. I tell them the controlling, idiotic teachers they are dealing with now are just like the controlling, idiotic bosses and coworkers they will be dealing with when they enter the job market so they better get used to it.
I teach them to take responsibility for their own screw-ups and short comings and the importance of remaining focused and humble when they are the hero of the moment.
It sounds as though some kids get the sugar and spice version. Now that you know the truth adjust accordingly and get on with it!
I remember this one. I've never felt more mediocre than I did after reading that write-up. I don't consider myself a hacker or even much of a programmer. I simply make tools to eliminate the boring and monotonous parts of my job. I tinker a bit at home (when I have time), but I have yet to make anything worth showing off.
If I personally had to define what it means to be a hacker this would be on the (very) short list.
I'm not even an admin. Powershell is just too much frakkin fun. If you haven't checked it out yet you should. Maybe you will find it is not for you, but maybe you will enjoy it as much as I do.