I RECEIVED MICROSOFT MCC Award 2011

I was not very surprised when I got the Microsoft Community Contributor Award 2011, but I was excited to have been recognized with it. I knew Microsoft was aware of everything going on in the forums, but did not quite envisage that I would get something this valuable -- not in terms of money, but the resources (Microsoft Press E-Reference Library) that comes with the package! That's something to shout about!

The Microsoft Community Contributor Award seeks to recognize notable contributions to Microsoft online community forums such as TechNet, MSDN^® and Answers. The value of these resources is greatly enhanced by participants who voluntarily contribute their time and energy to improve the online community experience for others. Each day around the world, Microsoft Community Contributor Award recipients contribute to Microsoft online technical communities in a range of ways, including providing helpful answers, translating online resources into local languages and serving as moderators.

Through the Microsoft^® Community Contributor Award, Microsoft expresses their thanks to individuals who freely volunteer their time and energy to help improve the Microsoft online technical community experience for others.
More and more technology users are seeking ideas and solutions for enhancing their technology experience through online resources. At Microsoft, customers find answers when and where they want them through online forums such as TechNet, MSDN^® and Answers.
Today, up to 4,000,000 people gain valuable information through Microsoft online forums–and that number is growing.
These valuable resources are enhanced by the contributions of Microsoft Community Contributor awardees, who help other participants in a range of ways, such as providing helpful answers, translating online resources into local languages and serving as moderators.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the Microsoft^® Community Contributor Award?

A1. It is an award offered by Microsoft which is designed to recognize notable contributions to Microsoft online community forums such as TechNet, MSDN^®, and Answers.

Q2. Do Microsoft Community Contributor Award recipients represent Microsoft?

A2. No. Awardees are not Microsoft employees, nor do they speak on Microsoft's behalf. Awardees are independent third-party individuals who have received an award from Microsoft that recognizes their notable contributions to Microsoft online technical communities.

Q3. How does Microsoft select recipients of the Microsoft Community Contributor Award?

A3. More and more technology users are seeking ideas and solutions for enhancing their technology experience through online resources. Microsoft reviews the contributions of participants who offer their time and energy to online technical communities such as Answers, MSDN and TechNet to identify those who make notable contributions for possible recognition as a Microsoft Community Contributor. In addition, Microsoft Community Contributors can be recommended by Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, who serve as deep technical experts and thought leaders in the community.

Q4. Do Microsoft Community Contributor Award recipients receive any payment from Microsoft?

A4. No. Recipients of the Microsoft Community Contributor Award receive a small benefit which can serve as a resource for their participation in technical forums, but they do not receive any monetary payment from Microsoft.

Q5. What does Microsoft expect from Community Contributor Award recipients?

A5. Because the Microsoft Community Contributor Award is awarded based on past contributions, Microsoft has no expectations of awardees beyond the normal expectations of courtesy, professionalism, and adherence to the community rules that we ask of all Microsoft online community members. These rules can be found on the Microsoft Communities Rules of Conduct page.

Q6. How long does the Microsoft Community Contributor Award last?

A6. One year from the date of the award, which can be found on the award notification email.

Q7. How can I be considered for the Microsoft Community Contributor Award?

A7. Individuals are considered for the Microsoft Community Contributor Award by Microsoft, or as recommended by Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, based on their contributions during the previous year to Microsoft online technical communities.

Q8. Can I recommend someone to receive the Microsoft Community Contributor Award?

A8. No. Microsoft Community Contributor Award recipients are identified by Microsoft as a result of their notable contributions to Microsoft online community forums and can be recommended by Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals as part of their role as leaders in technical communities.

Q9. Are Microsoft employees eligible to receive the Community Contributor Award?

A9. No, Microsoft employees cannot receive the Microsoft Community Contributor Award.

Q10. Are Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) eligible to receive the Microsoft Community Contributor Award?

A10. No. Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals can recommend individuals for the Microsoft Community Contributor Award as part of their role as leaders in technical communities.

Q11. Are there any requirements to receive the Microsoft Community Contributor Award?

A11. Yes, all Microsoft Community Contributor Awardees must be 18 years or older.

Q12. Why must Microsoft Community Award Recipients be 18 years or older?

A12. Microsoft is committed to the safety and privacy of minors. Minors are defined as anyone who is not 18 years or older. To help ensure this safety, the Microsoft Community Contributor Award has a policy that all Microsoft Community Contributor Awardees confirm they are 18 years of age or older.

Q13. How do I contact Microsoft about the Community Contributor Award?

A13. You can send questions to the Microsoft Community Contributor Global Administrator at MCCGA@Microsoft.com.

Q14. How do I change or request a duplicate copy of my award benefits?

A14. Contact Microsoft Community Contributor Global Administrator at MCCGA@Microsoft.com.

Q15. Do I have to pay for the Microsoft Press^® E-Reference Library?

A15. No. As a Microsoft Community Contributor awardee, Microsoft is pleased to offer you a 12 month subscription to Microsoft Press E-Reference Library at no cost as our way of saying thank you for making a difference in Microsoft online technical communities.

Q16. What is the Microsoft Press E-Reference Library?

A16. The Microsoft Press E-Reference Library, which is hosted by Safari^® Books Online, contains over 400 books from Microsoft Press and offers you the most current technical information about Microsoft products in an easy-to-use online format.

Q17. How do I sign up for the Microsoft Press E-Reference Library at no cost?

A17. As an awardee, you will be invited to accept the complimentary 12 month subscription to Microsoft Press E-Reference Library when you accept the Microsoft Community Contributor Award on www.microsoftcommunitycontributor.com. Simply check the box to confirm your acceptance of the Microsoft Press E-Reference Library and within three business days you will receive your log-on information directly from Safari Books Online. To ensure you receive your log-on information, safe list the sender noreply@safaribooksonline.com.

 Thank you MS!

DEALING WITH A LARGE TRANSACTION LOG FILE

Transaction log principles
Whenever a data update is made entries are added to the transaction log.
It is not possible to prevent this as it is part of the way sql server 

maintains integrity - particularly during recovery.

The transaction log is a circular file i.e. when the end is reached any 

free entries at the start will be used.
This means that all being well the file will stay at a constant size as 

the current entry cycles round.

The system maintains the MinLSN which is a pointer to the first active log

record.
Any log records before this (in the circular file) are free.
The MinLSN will be prevented from moving forward by any open transactions -

i.e. the oldest open transaction entry will be >= the MinLSN.
The MinLSN is updated at checkpoint so committing a transaction will not 

immediately free entries and anything that holds up the checkpoint can cause 

problems.

If the database is in simple recovery mode all entries prior to the MinLSN 

will be freed at checkpoint.
If the database is in full recovery mode (and a full backup has been taken) 

the entries prior to the MinLSN will only be freed by a transaction log 

backup (not full backup).


Common cause of large transaction log file (.ldf)

Unfortunately the sql server default (except local editions) leaves the 

databases in full recovery mode.
This menas that if no action is taken no tr log entries will be freed and 

the log file will eventally fill the disk and crash the system.
The SQL Server installation process is very simple and commonly carried out 

by inexperienced personel. This will appear to work happily but cause 

problems later.
I would recommend always setting the model database to simple recovery 

mode to set the default for new databases.


Stopping the transaction log file (.ldf) from growing

If the log file has grown do to being in full recovery mode then set it to 

simple before going any further. This should immediately stop the log from 

growing.
Enterprise manager
Right click on the database, properties, Options, set model to simple, OK.
t-sql
sp_dboption [dbname], 'trunc. log on chkpt.', 'true'

Shrinking the transaction log file (.ldf)
Before this make sure there are free entries by setting the recovery model 

to simple or backing up the log.

Enterprise manager
Right click on the database, All tasks, Shrink database, Files, Select log 

file, OK.

t-sql
dbcc shrinkfile ([db_log_name])
Here [db_log_name] is the logical name of the log file as found from 

sp_helpdb or the table sysfiles

PROCEDURE

Shrinking the log file via detach/attach
Always take a full backup before a detach.

Detach the database, delete/rename the log file, attach the database - 

this will create a minimum size log file.
Note that the log file must be deleted/renamed otherwise it will be 

re-used even though it is not mentioned in the attach.

Enterprise manager
Right click on the database, All tasks, Detach database, OK.
Delete/rename the disk log file.
Right click on databases, All tasks, Attach database, Select the .mdf file, 

OK, Yes (to the create new log message).

t-sql
sp_detach_db [dbname]
Delete/rename the disk log file.
sp_attach_single_file_db [dbname], [filename]
where [filename] is the name of the physical data file (.mdf).