Birnam Designs Blog -- sharing tips, resources, ideas, and more on web development and design

Have you ever wondered if the SQL Server 2005 database your host is providing might actually be an Express installation? Or maybe you’re curious if they’re running the most recent service pack?

I’ve run into several methods of finding out the version information. The easiest, and my preferred method, is using sseutil — my command-line sql utility of choice. All you have to do is use the -version argument! For instance:

sseutil -m -version -s .\SQLEXPRESS

If you’re interested in the version number, that’s on the first line. This lets you see if the server is up to date. Here is a full list of SQL Server 2005 version numbers, up to the December CTP of Service Pack 2. (If you need the same info on an older server, ASPFAQ has is an extensive list of SQL Server 7 and SQL Server 2000 versions)

If you’re more interested in which edition you’re running, that’s on the last line. It might read “Express Edition” or “Express Edition with Advanced Services” for the free Express edition, or “Standard Edition,” “Workgroup Edition,” or “Enterprise Edition” for the $$$ editions.

But this is only one method! What if you don’t have sseutil? You can always run this sql command:

SELECT @@VERSION

And finally, I found an alternate method on Microsoft’s KnowledgeBase, it goes like this:

SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('productversion'), SERVERPROPERTY ('productlevel'), SERVERPROPERTY ('edition')

One of the most brilliant applications I’ve used recently is called Synergy. Are you familiar with VNC, PC Anywhere, or Windows/Apple Remote Desktop? Synergy is basically a smart, scaled down version of these programs, and is meant for situations when you have the actual, physical computers right there on your desk.

Unlike VNC, etc., Synergy does not transfer any of the graphics between systems, only the mouse, keyboard, and clipboard. In this sense, it’s also like using a KVM switch to allow control of multiple computers from the same keyboard/mouse. But instead of buying an expensive switch (I couldn’t find any suitable for my needs under $75), all you do is drag the mouse off of one of the edges of your primary computer, and it pops up on another one, complete with keyboard control! So if you have a mac screen to the left of your PC screen, you can set up the left edge of the PC/right edge of the mac is the hot edge. Then you can drag the mouse between screens, just like it was one big desktop. Amazing.

Since we just added a new mac to our computer setup as a browser testbed, this has been an enormous benefit. No juggling multiple keyboards and mice!

Oh, and it’s 100% free. Incredible!