• @Jorriss Very cool… I'll have to check out BitBucket. How have you been? #
• @Jorriss Glad to hear that! #
• Video: Too cool, size of a penny! Spry robot built to zip like the butterfly http://t.co/FF6Ydwpi #robot #
• RT @cioonline: Android: Not So Insecure After All http://t.co/AYmDqEqm #droid #security #
• @jorriss Thanks! #
• @Jorriss I'm getting access denied when trying to go to the link, also it's not showing on your main page. #
• @Jorriss Downloaded, I will try to check it out this weekend. Thx! #

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Keeping documentation for a database in development current can be a pain and a waste of time because of the amount of changes.  Redgate makes a great tool for this called SQL Doc, for $295 .  Even though I love their products, I don’t need something that extensive or pricey for documentation . I’m only concerned with a few columns: table name, column name, nullable, default value, data type, length, and description. The key to using this is to make sure you keep the description fields up to date when you are creating columns. I like to put the below into a view on each database, then hit the view with a datagrid or in the report server to have an always up to date data dictionary.

SELECT a.TABLE_NAME
, a.COLUMN_NAME
, a.IS_NULLABLE
, isnull(a.COLUMN_DEFAULT, '') as COLUMN_DEFAULT
, a.DATA_TYPE
, isnull(a.CHARACTER_MAXIMUM_LENGTH, '') as CHARACTER_MAXIMUM_LENGTH
, isnull((SELECT x.value FROM sys.extended_properties AS x
LEFT OUTER JOIN sys.columns AS C ON C.object_id = x.major_id
AND C.column_id = x.minor_id
where OBJECT_NAME(x.major_id) = a.TABLE_NAME
and c.name = a.COLUMN_NAME
), '') as ColumnDescription
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS as a
WHERE a.TABLE_NAME <> 'sysdiagrams'
ORDER BY a.TABLE_NAME, a.COLUMN_NAME

• Any senator that supported SOPA should be impeached for gross ignorance of our constitutional freedoms. #
• Get the NoSOPA Chrome extension… https://t.co/itcS30un #SOPA #

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• For Work Comp, the Soft Market is Over http://t.co/V23g9EaB #
• FTC probe on Google shows the lack of understanding of tech, companies own private servers, & freedoms guaranteed by the US Constitution. #
• Websites, web apps, and the programming should have the same protections of freedom of press/expression/speech. #
• Boycott SOPA supporters App http://t.co/7vNxqA3A #
• Between the Buc's black outs & SOPA, I can't stand the NFL commission, but I am going to watch this game. #SOPA #NFL #

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• The Seven Habits of Spectacularly Unsuccessful Executives http://t.co/0ISPXV64 #

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• RT @designfollow: 100 Free High Quality Wooden Texture Packs http://t.co/YoE5k0w9 #
• SOPA = government censorship http://t.co/BlG0cEQL #
• @VerizonWireless really? A $2 convenience charge to pay online. That is ridiculously retarded, so much I want to change carriers. #
• Check this video out — Be a HERO and Help STOP SOPA Now!! I'll tell you How! This Video that M… http://t.co/COT9dPpl via @youtube #

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• RT: 7 Points on Programming Yourself Out of a Job http://t.co/aX7h1sTE #
• Burzynski The Movie – Cancer Is Serious Business http://t.co/zFH47wPV #
• RT @eweeknews: eWEEK Labs Picks the Stupid Tech Tricks of 2011: At the end of each year, eWEEK Labs turns its gaze not only upo…… #
• Anti-trust attack on Google is a ridiculous waste of money, my guess is the gov asked them to invade our privacy & they said no. #
• RT: 7 Points on Programming Yourself Out of a Job http://t.co/aX7h1sTE #
• Ditch GoDaddy's SOPA-Loving Butt and Get a Better Web Host at a Discount [Web Hosting] http://t.co/rQL64Axk #

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• RT: 6 Points and Resources to Virtualize Your Office http://t.co/e2lQQ7Nc #in #
• If companies knew the cost of dirty data they would be much more accurate during input. #

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I have heard a few people in the consulting business and in tech departments warn about programming yourself out of a job. I completely disagree with this mindset for multiple reasons.

1. If I program enough automation into processes where the business thinks they don’t need me anymore, then that is a business that is setting itself up for failure, and it’s not one I want to be part of.
2. No matter what the automation process is, there is always a chance for error where the programmer will be need to fix it.
3. Business processes change because of regulations, product lines, improvement of technology, and the whims of the executives. The programmer will need to manage the tools.
4. The business that lets a programmer go for ‘programming their way out of a job’, is an ideal prospect to consult to at a higher rate of pay for less work.
5. Programming yourself out of a job looks great on a resume. Quality companies will know that you are worth top dollar and will want to keep you, or at least contract with you for consulting work because you will grow the bottom line.
6. We have an obligation to do the job right. This includes reducing their costs, being open, and being honest with those that employ our services.
7. Consultants and information workers that milk projects make us all look bad, do IT right, or don’t do IT.

If a company lets you go for programming yourself out of a job, that means that you’ve done something that no one else in the company could do, can do, or is smart enough to do… which could make you the most valuable employee in the company. A company would be foolish to let you go. This would be the time to negotiate a raise, not worry about being terminated. If they do let you go with no chance of consulting work, then the perfect prospective new employer would be their competition, who should be eager to bring you on.

• Systems

• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online – only $44 per user per month
  Dynamics CRM 2011  is the most robust and beautiful CRM system that I’ve ever seen. In the past, I have always been a big build it in-house to get it right believer because of so many products failing on some major functionality point. CRM 2011 gives businesses an easy way to customize for their needs. The key take away here is the one point of data entry that can feed other third party tools and in-house databases. If you have more than 20 people, you should seriously consider hosting this on-premise.
• Google Apps $5 per user per month
• Office 365 starting at $6.75 & up per user per month
• Hostgator website and email hosting starting at about $4/month, and they have all the way up to VPS hosting and dedicated servers
• WebCRMFree.com – a free CRM system that operates like a spreadsheet that I built for a few different clients I have, I plan on doing a lot more with it as I get feedback from the current users.
• WindowsAzure.com Microsoft’s cloud hosting for .NET programs and SQL Server

• Hardware

• Brands I recommend
• PCs/Laptops: Dell, IBM, Lenovo
• Printers: Canon, HP
• Monitors: ViewSonic, LG, Samsung, Acer
• Peripherals: Micosoft, Logitech
• CompUSA.com -
• Dell.com
• DealCatcher.com
• CurrentCodes.com
• NewEgg.com

• Communications

• Skype Microsoft recently purchased Skype. I am looking for some very cool integration with other Microsoft products
• Vonage I use to use Vonage for my home line, it was great. The only reason why I got rid of it was because we never used it.
• CaaS: Communications as a Service
• Phone System – Hosted VOIP
• There are many options going this route, I suggest Googling it for your area
• Vonage.com
• 8×8.com
• Vocalocity.com
• Using any of the above, your employees will have to have at least a high speed cable modem, fiber connections are preferable because the speed is solid unlike the fluctuations of cable modems
• Google Talk, Windows Messenger, or Yahoo Messenger for instant messaging

• File Sharing

• If you’re using Google Apps or Office 365, they provide online file storage
• DropBox.com 2 GB of free online backup, syncing files between multiple PC’s, and sharing. 50 GB for only $10/month
• Egnyte.com Starting at $25/month for 5 power users, 100 standard users, up to 150 GB of online storage, and is the easiest way to transfer files securely over the web without the need for the IT Department to get involved, basically it’s Online FTP

• Training

• You cannot neglect training if you want to succeed
• Lynda.com Unlimited monthly training for as low as $25/month, hundreds of software video tutorials from beginner to expert. Check out their titles! Adobe, Apple iPhone, Autocad, Microsoft, and much more.
• TrainingSpot.com A lifetime membership for $99 is hard to beat. This is a great resource for developers.
• LearnVisualStudio.net Another developer resource specifically for Visual Studio, the tool created by Microsoft to program for the .NET framework – Lifetime membership only $140.
• Audible.com As low as $14.95/month with a huge selection of the best business audiobooks available
• ASP.net a free resource focused on ASP.NET, with links to downloads from Microsoft’s free Express tools

• Conference Rooms

• StarBucks, local coffee shops, and any restaurant with WiFi
• Regis Office Centers or similar office suite providers – These are great because you can have an official office that is shared between your team, typically a receptionist to answer phones, and conference rooms available. If you’re in the Bradenton area, be sure to check out the Pinnacle Business Suites at 345 6th Ave W. near downtown.