Recent Posts by Laura Ramsey

Oracle has just launched Oracle Big Data SQL.  Watch the replay of the web launch here.       And it's interesting.  Big Data is unstructured. It's widely varied. And it "sits" in many places. Stovepipes. Caves. Vaults. And thanks to innovations from the Exadata technologies, this unstructured data can now be successfully and efficiently queried using Structured Query Language. (SQL)  That is to say: An approach to providing unified query over data in Oracle Database, Hadoop and...

        Learning your way around a new software stack is challenging enough without having to spend multiple cycles on the install process. Instead, we have packaged such stacks into pre-built Oracle VM VirtualBox appliances that you can download, install, and experience as a single unit. Just downloaded/assemble the files, import into VirtualBox (available for free), import, and go (but not for production use or redistribution)!   Some of these VMs are designed to support...

   If you're talking database connectivity, JDBC deserves a good look.   According to Sun's JDBC page, the Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) API is the industry standard for database-independent connectivity between the Java programming language and a wide range of databases—SQL databases and other tabular data sources, such as spreadsheets or flat files. The JDBC API provides a call-level API for SQL-based database access. JDBC technology allows you to use the Java programming...

The best part about preparing for the upcoming OTN Virtual Technology Summit is reading up on the technology we'll be presenting. Today's reading: Disaster recovery with Oracle Data Guard... it's an essential capability that every Oracle DBA should master. How do you achieve the highest levels of availability resulting in zero or near-zero downtime for both planned maintenance activities or unplanned outages?  Most Oracle DBAs use the combination of Oracle Active Data Guard...

  After a weekend of phenomenal World Cup Soccer matches,  this is a good day to think about Globalization.   Here's what you need to know: Oracle Database Migration Assistant for Unicode (DMU) 2.0 is the officially supported method for migrating Oracle 12c Pluggable Databases (PDBs) to the Unicode character set. Oracle DMU also supports migrating selected prior releases of Oracle Database 10.2, 11.1 and 11.2. GET IT HERE. Here's what's interesting:  Migration to the...

"You're stressing me out just a little bit..."  said Oracle ACE Bobby Curtis. That was his response yesterday to our rapidly closing timeframe for producing his session for the upcoming Virtual Technology Summit Series.   I had to laugh.  And it confirmed for me that I definitely picked the perfect Oracle ACEs and experts to present sessions during the VTS Database Track.   First of all, these guys are smart. Secondly, they are entertaining. And third of all, they know how to...

On June 4th Oracle released an updated version of Oracle Database 11g Express Edition Release 2 (AKA: Oracle Database XE) and the crowd went wild. Seriously, this news is as important to the folks standing around the OTN DBA/DEV Watercooler as many major database upgrades and releases. GET IT HERE Because it's free to develop, deploy and distribute,  Oracle Database XE is a great starter database for developers working on PHP, Java, .NET, XML and open source applications....

  You are standing at the OTN DBA/Dev Watercooler.   It's the place where Oracle DBAs and Developers can get the news and resources you need to Run Faster and Jump Higher. This is the place for a community connection that will help you do more with more.   When I joined the OTN team as the Database Community manager nearly a year ago, I knew I was inheriting a community of massive proportions. The heritage of Oracle DBA/DEV is storied, and the Oracle world knew better than I did...

The Java Community is Buzzing:  Java SE 8 is Now Available!Java Platform, Standard Edition 8 (Java SE 8) is a major feature release and is now generally available. It contains new features and enhancements in many functional areas. Mark Your Calendars:  Java 8 Launch Webcast- March 25, 10:00 AM PDT Mark Reinhold, Chief Architect of the Java Platform Group, will gather with a few friends to talk about the Java SE 8 platform.  Check out the agenda that includes panel discussions...