cache store flush

I came across this post while going through links for the cache store flush messages -
http://blogs.msdn.com/sqlprogrammability/archive/2007/01/17/10-0-plan-cache-flush.aspx

a "cool" system

http://www.sqlskills.com/BLOGS/PAUL/post/High-end-backup-compression-numbers.aspx
isn't that cool?

dmo with sql2k8

I personally have been a great fan of Sql DMO for many years while managing hundreds of sql server boxes with a small team. It helped me a lot in audit and common maintenance tasks. With the introduction of Smo, Dmo became a deprecated feature in Sql2k5. With Sql2k8, MS has gone one step further and avoided installing Dmo automatically. However, if you still want to use Dmo for Sql2k8, you can download the feature pack from here -
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=C6C3E9EF-BA29-4A43-8D69-A2BED18FE73C&displaylang=en. However, it would be nice to start using Smo and Powershell now.

refreshing intellisense cache

The intellisense shipped with sql2k8 SSMS is something very helpful. There is a way to refresh the local Intellisense cache to reflect the latest changes. Go to Edit --> IntelliSense --> Refresh Local Cache.

recompilations by temp tables Vs table variables

There is an interesting post from the sqlcat team on the difference the recompilations make while using a temp table or table variable. See it here - http://blogs.msdn.com/sqlcat/archive/2008/10/09/table-variable-vs-temp-table-and-estimated-vs-actual-query-plan.aspx
There are a few other links that may be useful -
http://blogs.msdn.com/sqlserverstorageengine/archive/2008/03/30/sql-server-table-variable-vs-local-temporary-table.aspx
http://databases.aspfaq.com/database/should-i-use-a-temp-table-or-a-table-variable.html
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/305977

cu1 for Sql2k8

Hardly a month since the release of sql2k8, the first cu has been released. Find the link here - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/956717. To see the instructions on the installation, go here http://blogs.msdn.com/psssql/archive/2008/09/26/welcome-to-sql-server-2008-patching.aspx

changing default backup directory

Ever wondered how to change the default path for backups while using SSMS? Open registry editor and open HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.x\MSSqlServer, where x is the instance number. On the right pane, modify the key value for BackupDirectory to the path of your choice.