I started my database career at Compaq Computer Corporation in around 1991. I was working as a SCO Unix kernel developer in the Unix group when I was asked to help with an Oracle benchmark. After working with Oracle I found that Oracle performance was very challenging and interesting. Eventually they started a database performance group and I was part of it. In this role I continued to work with Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server performance on both Unix and Windows. While I was at Compaq I started my writing career. In 1997 I left Compaq and founded Performance Tuning Corporation (www.perftuning.com). At Performance Tuning Corporation we do database performance, integration and disaster recovery consulting and I continue to write books. I am currently working on the "Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Administrator's Companion" which is my 9th book. I continue to enjoy database performance consulting as well as being at home with my wife and playing with our Border Collies. I enjoy being able to work with customers and I am constantly learning new things about Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server.