It’s Monday time for this week’s weekly link round-up.  If you want to catch these links “live” (so exciting), follow me on twitter (@StrateSQL).  And see these throughout the day as I tweet out links of things I find interesting.  While these links aren’t the answer to life, the universe, and everything, they often share a few things about SQL Server and related technology topics that others may find useful. The links included in this summary are those prefixed with “Reading” and are items I’ve read over the past few days, usually after hours when sharing would be less than useful, and spaced out to avoid spamming.  The content of the links usually pertain to SQL Server, technology, and career topics; which I think others would find useful.

The Most Popular “Reading” Link

This weeks most popular link last week is a post by Wes Brown (Blog | @SQLServerIO).  In his post, Wes discussed his decision to withdraw from nomination for the next SQL Server MVP award cycle.  He’s basically realized that he’s taking a change in his career and making sure there is continued room in the SQL Server MVP program for folks more focused on SQL Server.  It’s a great decision on his part and one that is commendable.

Reading: "I Am Not An MVP" http://t.co/EB1ChfwwLb #sqlpass

— Jason Strate (@StrateSQL) July 25, 2014

Last week’s top 20 “Reading” Links

Along with the top link, here are the top twenty items relating to SQL Server, technology and careers that were shared last week.  If you missed them throughout the week, here’s the opportunity to get caught up on some items that other’s read after I linked them out.

1. I Am Not An MVP [205 clicks]
2. Career Planning for DBAs: Your Next Two Years [30 clicks]
3. Victims of Success [22 clicks]
4. SQL Bits XII [18 clicks]
5. Why I Love the SQLBits Conference [14 clicks]
6. Helping First Time Presenters [14 clicks]
7. Developing New Speakers [14 clicks]
8. Challenge Accepted [14 clicks]
9. Find Users Logged Into Remote Computer [14 clicks]
10. T-SQL–Converting Seconds to Time [14 clicks]
11. Microsoft Blends 5 Conferences To Create The ‘Unified Microsoft Commercial Technology Event’ [11 clicks]
12. RESTORE VERIFYONLY: How does it check for available space on destination devices? [11 clicks]
13. Powershell Tips–Showwindow [10 clicks]
14. How to Back Up Terabytes of Databases [8 clicks]
15. Get started backing up to the cloud with SQL Server Backup to Microsoft Azure Tool [6 clicks]

Other Stuff Shared

Of course, no week would be complete without a few off-topic links.  These have nothing to do with technology or your career, but they are interesting and worth a second look.

1. George Takei Revealed Why He Can’t Stand William Shatner [50 clicks]
2. This Is Why You Should Exercise Caution If You’re Wearing A “Canada” Shirt [49 clicks]
3. Wool – Part One eBook [41 clicks]
4. Scientists Get First Look Inside Mysterious Siberian Crater [33 clicks]
5. Three German students surprise a homeless guy [22 clicks]
6. Plan To Split California Into Six States Closer To Reality [15 clicks]
7. The big fat truth [13 clicks]
8. ‘WEIRD AL’ YANKOVIC EXPLAINS HOW HE CONQUERED THE INTERNET [13 clicks]
9. What’s The Real Deal About The Atacama ‘Alien’? [12 clicks]
10. Google right to be forgotten ‘to get messy’ after BBC story disappears [12 clicks]
11. ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’: Real-Life Krusty Krab Restaurant to Open in Palestine [7 clicks]
12. The Darth Car: 12 Things You Need to Know About Hot Wheels’ Life-Size, 150-mph Darth Vader Car [5 clicks]
13. EU Invites Google, Microsoft to Discuss ‘Right to Be Forgotten’ [4 clicks]
14. James Garner dies at 86; TV antihero of ‘Maverick,’ ‘Rockford Files’ [2 clicks]

Got something you think I should read and share, leave a comment below.  Also, if you want to see all of the links that were tweeted out last week?