Now that SQL Server 2008 R2 has gone gold, finally more details about the different versions are becoming available about the different edtions, which makes it easier to determine which version one requires. It seem geographical maps are available in all version. Shared components, however, are available from the Standard edition onward. I’m still sifting through posts with information on what has changed (apart from the obvious). One thing is for sure, to Integration Services there really have not been that many features added.

Disk partition alignment is a powerful tool for improving SQL Server performance. Configuring optimal disk performance is often viewed as much art as science. A best practice that is essential yet often overlooked is disk partition alignment. Windows Server 2008 attempts to align new partitions out-of-the-box, yet disk partition alignment remains a relevant technology for partitions created on prior versions of Windows.

I’d personally never even heard of the term partitioin alignment, but according to Chris Webb it is a must-read. If you’re running SQL Server on Windows 2003 or before, or, rightly pointed out by Chris, running Windows Server 2008 on partitions created by an earlier version of Windows Server, then this paper might prove to be a great way to further tune the performance of SQL Server.

Video: Your Digital Lifestyle

I’m actually thinking of buying the missus a Zune, just for the sheer fact that not many people have got one in Europe. Shoot me!