Brush up your Microsoft SQL Server Skills

Several free offerings from Microsoft or other authors that will help you to bring your SQL Server skills up to date.

Free copy of SQL Server 2008 (a fully licensed copy of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition with one client access license (CAL)) with select training classes. Of course, you still have to pay for the training class, but this gets you a full copy of the software to use as you wish, plus the training can make you more marketable in today's job market. To get the most of this bargain: convince your employer to send you to the class.

Want a better deal on training? How about entirely free?

Clinic 6258: New Features Of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services is a short, online course. Sign up and you get a year to complete it.

From Microsoft Press, Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 by Peter DeBetta, Greg Low, and Mark Whitehorn. After signing up, you get the entire book for free. There is a button to click and view the book online, but if you'll right click the button and choose Save Link As, then change the name of the download to have a PDF extension, you'll be able to save the book locally and read offline. I've saved this on in my folder to try on the Kindle DX when it arrives.

The Art of XSD - SQL Server XML Schema Collections by Jacob Sebastian and courtesy of Red Gate Software. You have to sign up with info on how to contact you and where you work (make something up if you don't want follow up calls). The download also includes Simple Talk Crib Sheet Compendium, The Art of High Performance SQL by Grant Fritchey and Two Minute SQL Server Stumpers Vol. 5. You can get trial samples of their software as well, or scroll down to the bottom of the page once you have the book and grab up these ebooks as well: Mastering SQL Server Profiler, Brad's Sure Guide to SQL Server 2008, Brad McGehee's DBA Best Practices, How to Become an Exceptional DBA and The Best of Simple Talk .NET – Jit N’ Run vol.2.