I was talking to some of my clients and colleagues recently about the Free SQL Server Training and enthusing about the community experience and free training available.
Although the paid training has its place in learning its important to combine this with other resources. I frequently attend paid training due to its natural more person/problem focused discussions and professional feedback. I would recommended a combination of free and paid training as SpongeBob Squarepants would say “No Free Ride” ….
So here is a short list of some of the FREE information and tools I use:
Microsoft Virtual Labs
One of the great ways to learn with the preconfigured “exercises” and the easy setup. There are also many labs based upon other Microsoft technologies such as Windows Server 2012.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/learning-center/virtual-labs.aspx
MSDN/Technet – For a query on a particular command MSDN/Technet is an excellent source.
For example, putting sp_serveroption into our search engine takes us to the link below. Personally I learn by doing, so the examples are much more valuable than the syntax and usage, but this is a personal taste.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms178532.aspx
Microsoft Virtual Academy
A great wealth of resource containing videos, PDF and structured learning plans.
http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/product-training/sql-server
Blogs
The internet is full of blogs (including my own, also below for completeness) such as:
http://www.sqltomato.com
http://www.brentozar.com/blog/
http://www.johnsansom.com/
http://sqldbawithabeard.com/
Forums
Some of the best troubleshooting information can be found in the forums, but don’t over look the excellent training materials available such as
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/stairway/
Other notable solution finding forums include http://stackoverflow.com/
Community
The SQL Server Community is fantastic and vast. With PASS (http://www.sqlpass.org/) with it’s great SQL Saturday Events and the pinnacle PASS Summit and SQL Bits (https://sqlbits.com/) in the United Kingdom. Most of these events have a combination of FREE and paid events. The cost of the paid for events is exceptional value for the quality of presentation and knowledge transfer. In the United Kingdom we also have the SQL Server User Groups, more information at http://www.sqlserverfaq.com/
Twitter
Equally as impressive is the interaction on twitter with the SQL family. If you are on twitter then look for your favourite “SQL’ers” (SQLMark TM Pending) and follow interesting people and companies.
So get reading! get learning!
My Takeaway: Vibrant SQL Community with a lot to offer FREE and paid!
FREE SQL Server Learning Resources