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.

auditing table access in Sql2k8

It is difficult in auditing the SELECT staments in SQL Server. As triggers cant be used for this purpose, trace seems to be the only option until v2005. The new audit objects in v2008 should be a cool new feature to improve the audit tasks. http://blogs.msdn.com/euanga/archive/2008/05/28/sql-2008-how-do-i-tell-if-a-specific-table-is-still-being-used-in-an-app.aspx

rebuilding SQL Server 2008 system databases

Here is a post from the pss team on how to rebuild the system databases in SQL Server 2008. Find the post here http://blogs.msdn.com/psssql/archive/2008/08/29/how-to-rebuild-system-databases-in-sql-server-2008.aspx