I’ve previously mentioned the tremendous amount of information available about SQL Server’s features, functionalities, and best practices. However, there are SQL Server features for which there’s little information available. For example, as I was browsing through the January SQL Server 2008 Books Online (BOL) update I stumbled across a new stored procedure. I thought it was strange that a new stored procedure would show up in a documentation refresh without a corresponding service pack, but then I realized the procedure had been in the product since SQL Server 2008’s release to manufacturing (RTM) and Microsoft was just now documenting it.

There are really two related procedures I’m talking about: sp_clean_db_free_space and sp_clean_db_file_free_space. Actually, the first procedure (sp_clean_db_free_space) just calls the second procedure (sp_clean_db_file_free_space) for every file in a database, as you can see if you look at the definition of the first procedure (i.e., EXEC sp_helptext ‘sys.sp_clean_db_free_space’). If you don’t see these stored procedures in your version of BOL, make sure you have updated to the latest version at www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=765433F7-0983-4D7A-B628-0A98145BCB97&displaylang=en or look at the online documentation about these two procedures at msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd408732.aspx.

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Avoid Common SQL Server Analysis Services Problems
by Craig Utley

It’s easy to create a usable and high-performance set of cubes with SSAS as long as you know the pitfalls to watch out for and possess the patience and savvy to thwart them.
http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/100872/sql_server_100872.html

Microsoft Online Services: Implementation Options and the Path to Migration
Join John Savill, the author of Tips & Tricks UPDATE, on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 12:00 PM EST for a free webinar about Microsoft’s online services, including Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft Office Communications Online, and Microsoft Office Live Meeting.

You’ll learn about the quality of service, availability options, and licensing options that these hosted services offer. Also, find out how to determine if hosted services are right for your organization and how to migrate to hosted services.
Sign up for this free webinar today!

Kevin gives you a central list of all of the SQL Server MVP blogs (that he is aware of). And it's a lot!
www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/101525/101525.html

Data protection is always important, of course, but getting effective protection can be trickier than ever when IT department budgets are slashed or nonexistent. Gary Gysin, president and CEO of Asempra Technologies, said that organizations are caught between spending money now to get protection or not spending and risking revenue loss from outages and lost or corrupted data.

Last Chance to Register for the PowerShell 201 eLearning Series!
Join MVP Paul Robichaux on February 26, 2009, at 11:00 AM Eastern time as he equips you with PowerShell how-tos in 3 informative lessons—all on your own computer! For only $99, you'll learn how to

• execute commands a specified number of times or until a preset condition changes
• master tools for formatting and displaying data
• import and export data in CSV and XML formats