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X002548
Not Just a Number

15586 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-07 : 14:13:47
Why only 2 pages for Analysis Services...I mean..I've been building "Cubes" before the term was "coined"..and I hat the fact it's all GUI based

So what gives..does ANYONE Use this stuff?

Is it all smoke an mirrors? (Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain)

And THEN they say it generates XML "Code" to build the Cube? Huh?

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/ff522829.aspx



Brett

8-)

Hint: Want your questions answered fast? Follow the direction in this link
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/archive/2005/05/25/5276.aspx


Want to help yourself?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms130214.aspx

http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/

http://brettkaiser.blogspot.com/


AndrewMurphy
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

2916 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-08 : 06:03:49
I gotta ask what sort of day job Visakh has in order for this to happen?

http://www.sqlteam.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=168791
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Sean Frost
Starting Member

19 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-10 : 19:01:44
I don't know what kind of day job Visakh has, but I have a different take on it. I know I am in a "minority of one" with what I am about to say.

Visakh answers the questions almost perfectly and almost instantaneously. The timeliness and accuracy of his answers are, no doubt, of great value to the OP. But that also has caused this forum to morph into a one-man answer board rather than a group discussion board. From my perspective, there are several downsides to it:

1. Usually there is no give and take, and hence no discussion. When a lesser member answers a question, others look at it critically, and that generates a discussion from which everyone learns. But with Visakh's responses, usually there are no discussions (apart from OP asking follow up questions), because the answers are mostly perfect. While that is great for the OP, for me as a bystander, I might as well have been reading the BOL. The essence of a discussion board is the back and forth, and people learning from each other's styles and mistakes and occasional flashes of brilliance. That is lost because of perfection. A case of perfection being the enemy of learning, so to speak.

2. Even when Visakh's answers are not perfect, most of the time, no one (with the possible exception of Madhivanan) corrects it or improves up on it (probably because they don't look at it carefully - "Visakh answered it, so it must be right"). I was searching for examples, but just could not find good ones at the moment. Here is one, although it is not the most egregious: TOPIC_ID=168793.

3. I see much fewer posts from other regulars (I am thinking of people like Webfred, DonAtWork, RobVolk, Tkizer and many others) who used to add a little bit of spice, a touch of spontaneity, a lot of fun and a lot of variety to the responses and discussions.

I want reiterate: I know I am a "minority of one"; I don't contribute at all to this forum; I am not offering opinions on who should post and how. But, I have learned a great deal from this forum - that has been usually when two or more regular contributors analyze the finer details of one approach versus another. I miss that kind of give and take.

Visakh, I am no trying to offend you; I am just describing my perceptions.
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visakh16
Very Important crosS Applying yaK Herder

52326 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-11 : 01:31:26
quote:
Originally posted by Sean Frost

I don't know what kind of day job Visakh has, but I have a different take on it. I know I am in a "minority of one" with what I am about to say.

Visakh answers the questions almost perfectly and almost instantaneously. The timeliness and accuracy of his answers are, no doubt, of great value to the OP. But that also has caused this forum to morph into a one-man answer board rather than a group discussion board. From my perspective, there are several downsides to it:

1. Usually there is no give and take, and hence no discussion. When a lesser member answers a question, others look at it critically, and that generates a discussion from which everyone learns. But with Visakh's responses, usually there are no discussions (apart from OP asking follow up questions), because the answers are mostly perfect. While that is great for the OP, for me as a bystander, I might as well have been reading the BOL. The essence of a discussion board is the back and forth, and people learning from each other's styles and mistakes and occasional flashes of brilliance. That is lost because of perfection. A case of perfection being the enemy of learning, so to speak.

2. Even when Visakh's answers are not perfect, most of the time, no one (with the possible exception of Madhivanan) corrects it or improves up on it (probably because they don't look at it carefully - "Visakh answered it, so it must be right"). I was searching for examples, but just could not find good ones at the moment. Here is one, although it is not the most egregious: TOPIC_ID=168793.

3. I see much fewer posts from other regulars (I am thinking of people like Webfred, DonAtWork, RobVolk, Tkizer and many others) who used to add a little bit of spice, a touch of spontaneity, a lot of fun and a lot of variety to the responses and discussions.

I want reiterate: I know I am a "minority of one"; I don't contribute at all to this forum; I am not offering opinions on who should post and how. But, I have learned a great deal from this forum - that has been usually when two or more regular contributors analyze the finer details of one approach versus another. I miss that kind of give and take.

Visakh, I am no trying to offend you; I am just describing my perceptions.



No offense taken and a fair point too

Actually what I also like to see is other people also posting their views on a particular topic. I'm also here not only to contribute but also to learn from many other experts here (I know there are many more experts here in technology who are vastly experienced and can provide much better suggestions than me). Actually my intention by giving a quick answer is to help the OP get their solution fast more than anything else. And I very well know that most of my answers are not the most perfect in the world and I'm trying to improve my knowledge day by day too.And at the sametime I make it a point to give them whatever small explanation I can or possibly a blog link that clearly describes the problem as I want them to understand what I've (or sometimes somebody else) have given them without just mugging it up.

Believe it or not, I'm a person who owes a lot to this forum for the position I'm in today in sql and that's one of my reasons for this wholehearted commitment. I started as a person who used to answer very simple questions. I found a lot of learning opportunity from this site and used it a lot to reach where I'm now thanks to some great people like Peso,MVJ,Kristen,Tara,Madhi,TG,Transact Charlie,Webfred and list goes on.... (I'm sure I cant end it in a page here )
For what my day job goes, I'm not too much into development these days. I do designing of solutions mostly and have very little chance of coding. I spend my time mostly in meetings and discussions between functional and development teams.Hence, I really take opportunity of posting here as the one where I can brush up my coding skills and keep myself updated.
Like what you told, I would also really like contributions from experts here too especially in BI forums like SSIS,Reporting services and Analysis services as this is where I'm also trying to learn a lot and not getting too much opportunities in my day to day work.
I hope I've not bored you much with my lecture above (To be honest I never thought I would type such a big reply )

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SQL Server MVP
http://visakhm.blogspot.com/

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Kristen
Test

22859 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-11 : 16:52:34
quote:
Originally posted by Sean Frost

I know I am in a "minority of one" with what I am about to say.

Nope, you aren't in a minority of one ... "Minority of two maybe"

No offence intended Visakh, but if I see you have answered I very rarely even read the post.

Quality of your answers is superb, but Sean Frost has a point that it may be having the effect of stymieing discussion.
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visakh16
Very Important crosS Applying yaK Herder

52326 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-12 : 00:09:14
quote:
Originally posted by Kristen

quote:
Originally posted by Sean Frost

I know I am in a "minority of one" with what I am about to say.

Nope, you aren't in a minority of one ... "Minority of two maybe"

No offence intended Visakh, but if I see you have answered I very rarely even read the post.

Quality of your answers is superb, but Sean Frost has a point that it may be having the effect of stymieing discussion.


I dont have anything more to add to my previous reply Kristen

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SQL Server MVP
http://visakhm.blogspot.com/

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madhivanan
Premature Yak Congratulator

22864 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-12 : 05:25:50
<<
Even when Visakh's answers are not perfect, most of the time, no one (with the possible exception of Madhivanan) corrects it or improves up on it
>>

When he started posting I corrected some of his answers and over the time, he improves his tsql and BI skills. As he posts very fast sometimes he may miss something (logically or syntaxically) which I point out to him

Madhivanan

Failing to plan is Planning to fail
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Michael Valentine Jones
Yak DBA Kernel (pronounced Colonel)

7020 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-12 : 16:05:49
I don't even have time even to read all of Visakh posts, let alone correct any that might have mistakes.










CODO ERGO SUM
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RickD
Slow But Sure Yak Herding Master

3608 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-13 : 04:21:29
quote:
Originally posted by Kristen

quote:
Originally posted by Sean Frost

I know I am in a "minority of one" with what I am about to say.

Nope, you aren't in a minority of one ... "Minority of two maybe"

No offence intended Visakh, but if I see you have answered I very rarely even read the post.

Quality of your answers is superb, but Sean Frost has a point that it may be having the effect of stymieing discussion.


Agree with this..
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DonAtWork
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

2167 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-13 : 08:44:10
I read the posts, and i agree that MOST of the time, he is spot on. Lately, i have seen others like Tan and Peso post alternate solutions that also work. This helps me out by seeing the different ways a problem can be solved.

And i sometimes even get to answer a question!! I assume that Visakh is on potty break at that time

http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/jeffs/archive/2008/05/13/question-needed-not-answer.aspx
How to ask: http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/archive/2005/05/25/5276.aspx

For ultra basic questions, follow these links.
http://www.sql-tutorial.net/
http://www.firstsql.com/tutor.htm
http://www.w3schools.com/sql/default.asp
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X002548
Not Just a Number

15586 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-13 : 14:28:14
well..ok..this went in different direction.....

I feel small

time to hit the links



Brett

8-)

Hint: Want your questions answered fast? Follow the direction in this link
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/archive/2005/05/25/5276.aspx


Want to help yourself?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms130214.aspx

http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/

http://brettkaiser.blogspot.com/


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DonAtWork
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

2167 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-14 : 07:59:01
dammit! take me with you!

http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/jeffs/archive/2008/05/13/question-needed-not-answer.aspx
How to ask: http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/archive/2005/05/25/5276.aspx

For ultra basic questions, follow these links.
http://www.sql-tutorial.net/
http://www.firstsql.com/tutor.htm
http://www.w3schools.com/sql/default.asp
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Kristen
Test

22859 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-14 : 09:40:39
quote:
Originally posted by madhivanan

... sometimes he may miss something (logically or syntaxically) which I point out to him


If you are doing the "Peer Review" Maddy that's fine.

I don't have time because the occasions when I would comment are so few, and even then (rightly or, more probably!, wrongly) I would probably take the view that his answer was "good enough".
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Michael Valentine Jones
Yak DBA Kernel (pronounced Colonel)

7020 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-14 : 22:54:31
Now I see how Visakh keeps his post count up.

He's willing to keep trying to help no matter how clueless they are.
http://www.sqlteam.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=169132







CODO ERGO SUM
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X002548
Not Just a Number

15586 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-19 : 14:42:08
"progamer"?

isn't this a clue?


Brett

8-)

Hint: Want your questions answered fast? Follow the direction in this link
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/archive/2005/05/25/5276.aspx


Want to help yourself?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms130214.aspx

http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/

http://brettkaiser.blogspot.com/


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RickD
Slow But Sure Yak Herding Master

3608 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-21 : 11:25:53
quote:
Originally posted by X002548

Why only 2 pages for Analysis Services...I mean..I've been building "Cubes" before the term was "coined"..and I hat the fact it's all GUI based

So what gives..does ANYONE Use this stuff?

Is it all smoke an mirrors? (Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain)

And THEN they say it generates XML "Code" to build the Cube? Huh?

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/ff522829.aspx



Brett

8-)

Hint: Want your questions answered fast? Follow the direction in this link
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/archive/2005/05/25/5276.aspx


Want to help yourself?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms130214.aspx

http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/

http://brettkaiser.blogspot.com/





Back to the original post, Brett, which part are you struggling with? Have been using the BI tools quite a bit over the last couple of months and can say they can be a pain in the butt, but in some ways, they do make the design part easier and really make you look at your data quality.. Well, if you want anything meaninfull out of it.
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X002548
Not Just a Number

15586 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-22 : 13:58:18
is it all GUI Based?

It says it generates XML as the code that builds a cube for example

WTF

Aren't they just merely calculated fields based on data?

And does anyone use this?



Brett

8-)

Hint: Want your questions answered fast? Follow the direction in this link
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/archive/2005/05/25/5276.aspx


Want to help yourself?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms130214.aspx

http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/

http://brettkaiser.blogspot.com/


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RickD
Slow But Sure Yak Herding Master

3608 Posts

Posted - 2011-12-23 : 04:07:14
You can change the XML if you REALLY want to, but I wouldn't.

They are calculating fields based on data, but the calculations are much faster than SQL does them (if you get your design right).

Yes, people do use it, it really depends on your requirements..

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/sqlanalysisservices/threads/

http://www.ssas-info.com/forum


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X002548
Not Just a Number

15586 Posts

Posted - 2012-01-03 : 13:50:35
quote:
Originally posted by RickD
but the calculations are much faster than SQL does them (if you get your design right).




ummmm...how is that possible? Disk Drive bit numbers?



Brett

8-)

Hint: Want your questions answered fast? Follow the direction in this link
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/archive/2005/05/25/5276.aspx


Want to help yourself?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms130214.aspx

http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/

http://brettkaiser.blogspot.com/


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X002548
Not Just a Number

15586 Posts

Posted - 2012-01-03 : 13:52:12
Know of any good books?

Brett

8-)

Hint: Want your questions answered fast? Follow the direction in this link
http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/archive/2005/05/25/5276.aspx


Want to help yourself?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms130214.aspx

http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/brettk/

http://brettkaiser.blogspot.com/


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GilaMonster
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker

4507 Posts

Posted - 2012-01-03 : 15:25:07
quote:
Originally posted by X002548

quote:
Originally posted by RickD
but the calculations are much faster than SQL does them (if you get your design right).




ummmm...how is that possible? Disk Drive bit numbers?


No. Analysis services is optimised and specialised for just that kind of work. SQL's a generic database platform.
The other point is the pre-aggregations at multiple levels (which you can do by yourself in SQL if you wish, but it's extra development work)

--
Gail Shaw
SQL Server MVP
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