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

Last weeks most popular link was from a new white paper posted on MSDN by Rob Farley (Blog | @Rob_Farley).  If you’ve got an Analytics Platform System or Parallel Data Warehouse, or are looking at bringing one in, this is definitely an article that you should read.

Reading: "APS Best Practice: How to Optimize Query Performance by Minimizing Data Movement" http://t.co/s01a8y8VIw #sqlserver

— Jason Strate (@StrateSQL) November 18, 2014

Last week’s top 15 “Reading” Links

Along with the top link, here are the top fifteen 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. APS Best Practice: How to Optimize Query Performance by Minimizing Data Movement [17 clicks]
2. Blog Post: Get Certified on Microsoft Azure or Office 365 with Free Exams [17 clicks]
3. T-SQL Tuesday #59: My Hero! [11 clicks]
4. PASS Summit 2014 Speaker Idol—A Judge’s Perspective [7 clicks]
5. PASS Summit 2014 WIT Luncheon Recap [7 clicks]
6. PASS Summit 2014 Speaker Idol [6 clicks]
7. PASS Summit 2014 Speaker Idol—Judging You, Part I [6 clicks]
8. Balanced Data Distributor and Other Features in the Pack [5 clicks]
9. Wednesday PASS Keynote–Tom LaRock [4 clicks]
10. PASS Summit keynote [4 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. 26 Pictures Will Make You Re-Evaluate Your Entire Existence [64 clicks]
2. So this Swedish dude put out his house for sale [38 clicks]
3. This Is How “All About That Bass” Would Sound In The 1940’s [22 clicks]
4. Metallica’s ‘One’ sounds eerily perfect played on medieval instruments [21 clicks]
5. New Bachelor Party Trend: Make The Groom Think He’s Going Bungee Jumping [16 clicks]
6. 5 dangerous science stunts you really shouldn’t try at home [14 clicks]
7. ‘Tiny & Very Processed': HS Student Leads Boycott of First Lady’s Lunches [13 clicks]
8. 15 Little-Known Facts About Scott Pilgrim vs. The World [10 clicks]
9. Paraplegic veteran surprises wife by standing for first dance [6 clicks]
10. The Walking Dead Beats Sunday Night Football In Ratings For Third Week In A Row [0 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?