I was trying to figure out how to get some data from an ODBC source and put it into SQL, and found a post with an interesting possible answer: 

Recently, I discovered an issue with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) regarding how the Execute SQL Task item handles returning a result set to the control flow. Lets start by demonstrating an existing issue with the Execute SQL Task using ODBC then I'll present a solution. First, create a new DSN that points to the database using the ODBC Data Sources Administrator (Control Panel | Administrator Tools | ODBC Data Sources). If you are only dealing with SQL Server you can still test this out by creating a DSN that uses the SQL Server ODBC driver.

Sql Server Integration Service (SSIS) Execute SQL Task ODBC Result Set Bug/Workaround

 I was trying to migrate a table from one database to another using a script.  It shouldn't have been too complicated.  It probably wouldn't be for someone who has done it before.  I had a problem getting some of the fields to copy over.  They all involved date/time information.  My search led me to this interesting post:

SSIS: What's the difference between DT_DATE and DT_DBTIMESTAMP

Database people don't generally like date values too much. They're too fiddly. There's god-knows-how-many ways of representing them...and don't even get me started on regional date settings!!

SSIS Junkie : SSIS: What's the difference between DT_DATE and DT_DBTIMESTAMP

So when I tried to install the update that I downloaded in my earlier post, I got the following message:

The product instance SQL Tools has had update 3054 installed. You do not need to install this update. An update equal to or greater than 3159 should be downloaded.

Isn't that special... 

Guess I need to do some more searching...

I was trying to build a tool to move some data between a TSM Database and a SQL 2005 Database.  Mostly so that I can create a few reports to impress people who don't have any idea what it is that I am reporting on. 

There are a number of issues with trying to do this, not the least of which is the fact that I have no idea what I am really doing.  The fact that I am working with a mixture of x32 and x64 operating systems and applications isn't helping.  The fact that Microsoft doesn't really like to work with ODBC drivers and Tivoli doesn't provide x64 ODBC Drivers makes it more complicated.

I did some searching and I am not the only one who has tried to use ODBC to move data around.  There is a nice blog post here:

http://blogs.simplifi.com/brucet/archive/2006/01/27/668.aspx

But when I tried that I kept getting this error:

Package Validation Error
Error at ImportTastk: The task is configured to pre-compile the script, but binary code is not found. Please visit the IDE in Script Task Editor by clicking Design Script button to cause binary code to be generated.
 (Microsoft.DataTransformationServices.VsIntegration)

I did a google on that and came up with a hotfix that is supposed to fix the issue:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=8AF6C597-0F18-4E61-B3D2-AAD66CDCACF5&displaylang=en

I will be applying that and see what I get...

 I was looking for a way to get some information out of the TSM Database to use in a reporting project and came across this:

Introduction

This tutorial is intended to help with the first steps into working directly with the TSM database for the SQL illiterate administrator. We give a brief overview of the table structure and introduce some basic queries that might be helpful in the day to day administration.
Check out the Advanced Tutorial for more complex queries.

General Storage

I recently came up with an idea to use an internal blog to document stuff happening in our group at work.  (Document what you know...) 

The problem was that SharePoint Blogs by default limit you to one category per post and that just would be as helpful in my mind.  So I did a search and came up with this post on Lawrence Liu's Blog.

or maybe even what you don't know?

I recently (last night) came up with an idea on how to do a better job of sharing information with the rest of my department.  We use SharePoint for a lot of things.  It occurred to me that a Blog would be a good way of sharing information on how to fix issues, troubleshoot issues or even to say "we know there is a problem, but we haven't figured it out yet.

Well you don't really want to put that stuff out in public unless it has been cleared of information that you don't want everyone to know about.  Specifics of your organization may end up there and it would probably be a good idea to not allow that sort of information to be just randomly published.  But if it is an internal, authentication required to view, you must have a reason for being there kind of place...

So we have set up a Blog site for our group.  A colleague and I will try it and see if we can get the rest of the guys on board with it.  (That is if I can get him interested.)

I happened to read one of the many junk e-mails that I get from Microsoft (I get them on purpose) and saw this tool for posting to a blog.  I thought I would try it out.  I just downloaded and installed it, but I haven't read anything on it yet.  I thought I would go with a "trial by fire" sort of approach. 

It looks like you can do standard blog tasks with it, such as insert tables, pictures, maps, tags, or hyperlinks.  I am just going to insert a hyperlink to the download.

Click here to go to the Windows Live Writer download page.

Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file.  You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.

OR you may just need to removed Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.  I haven't ever like it.  This is just one more reason.

I found this by accident when I was installing SQL tools on my Vista machine.  I think it gives a pretty good short explanation of User Account Control.

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/windowsvistasupport.mspx

This paragraph starts the helpful explanation:

Microsoft Windows Vista includes a new feature, User Account Control (UAC), which helps administrators manage their use of elevated privileges. When running on Microsoft Windows Vista, administrators do not use their administrative privileges by default. They perform most actions as standard (non-administrative) users, temporarily assuming their administrative privileges only when necessary. This separation of privileges causes some known issues.

So, I was thinking that I would write a script to transfer some DHCP scopes from one machine to another.  Well, wouldn't you know...  there is already a tool to do that, and I didn't even have to install software, just read a little article...

http://www.geekadmin.com/?p=13

I have Windows Server 2003.  So here is the pertinant part for me:

Use this command to export all scopes from the source machine:

netsh dhcp server export C:\dhcp.txt all

Install the dhcp server on the new machine and run this import command:

netsh dhcp server import C:\dhcp.txt all

After that authorize the dhcp server and that´s it!

Quick and easy.