Square DBA – Oracle DBA Talk

Oracle RAC Project Starts Tomorrow

A I previously described I will started a new Oracle RAC project. If everything goes as planned I will get my hands on the 2 node setup tomorrow.

I have been busy researching 3PAR and enhancements to 11G. I will be installing 11G and implementing all new data warehouse ETL code.

Wordpress Updgraded

I upgraded Wordpress to version 2.8. Let me know if you see any issues.

Upgrade an Oracle 10g database to Oracle 11g

Most of my databases are Oracle 10G instances. I have one instance that is Oracle 11G, but that was a fresh install. I have a test 10G database with some old production data in it. I am going to up upgrade it to 11G and I will post my experience. After the upgrade I will be setting up a test RMAN configuration. The plan is to work on backup and recovery. A co-worker and I will practice breaking a test database in various ways and trying to recover the database. It should be fun, stay tuned.

Changes in the Comments

I’ve just added a few features here on Square DBA that provides a little incentive and reward for those that comment.

DoFollow

I suspect most people are not aware that links in blog comments are initially set up as “nofollow” links. This means the search engines basically ignore the links. I’ve been a “Do Follow” adopter from the beginning of the ‘do follow movement’. Comment links here ARE followed by Google and other search engines. I will still just delete spam.

CommentLuv

I’ve just installed the CommentLuv plugin. This will automatically search for a feed from your blog (assuming you put your blog into the “Website” field in the comment form) and put a link to your last post at the bottom of your comment. In theory, this may entice readers of this blog to check out your latest comment — which helps your traffic, and that link is also followed, which gives you a little more link love. Note: It will take a few seconds for the system to “find” your last post, please be patient! And if your RSS feed isn’t auto-detectable, it won’t find it at all.

KeywordLuv

I’ve also just installed KeywordLuv. While the “Luv” suffix is getting annoying, this is a pretty nifty plugin. It’s common to see commenter names like “Timbuktu Real Estate” or “Hotshot Lawyer”, particularly in DoFollow blogs. This is because people know that adding key words to links containing their URL, they get “extra credit” from search engines. With KeywordLuv, you can leave Your name AND keywords, and the system will create the link with your key words.

All you have to do is enter ‘Your Name@Your keywords’ in the comment form name field.

Need help with Oracle?

Do you need help with Oracle ?  I am offering to help with your Oracle database issues.  Why?  Well I enjoy helping others, I find that I sharpen my skills when I need to teach others, and help bring traffic to this website.  If you have a question feel free to post it on my Oracle forums and I will make every attempt to help you out.

Site Features

This site is new, actually just a day old, so there is not a lot of content.  I will keep posting more everyday.  I will also add new features.  The goal is to share DBA knowledge while having fun.  So I have installed a forum as will as a Wiki.  The wiki will be used as a document repository and the forums will be used for question and answers as well as comments on my front page rants.  If you have an Oracle question, feel free to post in the Oracle Forums.

Hello world!

Welcome to Square DBA.  My name is Matthew McGuire and I am starting this blog. I am not totally sure why.  I run several other sites and I really don’t have the time for another one.  By day (and night sometimes) I am an Oracle database administrator.  I think I am going to use this site to document my daily trials, tribulations, and maybe even few success stories.

If you found this site and more specifically this post then you can keep reading.  Things may change over time, but my initial thought was to post anything I run into as a DBA.  That might include problems and solutions (of course), new things I learn, and just about anything that comes to my mind while working.  Don’t worry I will stay away from politics and my favorite foods, but will touch on organizational skills and maybe office politics.

So have fun and please feel free to comment.  I would love the feedback.