This shouldn't be breaking news to you, but yes, the global economy is struggling. Most of the conversations I have with colleagues and community leaders these days includes the situation with the banks, contracting and SQL Server generally with negative slants and "oh well" in there as well...
This though is the time when 2 things should be in the forefront of your mind:
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How do I hold on to my job?, and
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How do I invest in my skills (cheap)?
The first one is obvious, no job, no money, no expensive car, no food, no... well as I said, its obvious...
The second though is not always a given, and one that is worth a mention as uber expensive options aren't the only ones here... I could on with a thorough listing of all the blogs and free resources that a search engine could help you with, but there are a few that I'd like to draw your attention to:
Free E-Learning for SQL Server 2008: Collection 6187: What's New in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (don't know how long this will be free for though...)
Focussed SQL Server events that allow you to interface with speakers with broad yet deep knowledge (eg, PASS Summit, SQL Connections, European PASS Conference, SQL Bits, SQL Days etc and the list goes on...). PASS Chapters generally have these events localised and the conferences are well represented by key Speakers, MVPs and Community Leaders as well as Microsoft personell. The value add here is that you've got full emersion into key topics, and access to people with great skills and experience...
The SQL Server 2008 JumpStart technical training site also gives you free access to over 100 hours of training material. Registration is required. You will be able to download presentations, recordings, hands-on labs and demonstrations.
Keep your skills up and use your time wisely now, because the more you do so the greater your value now, and when the economy comes back and the whole suite of DBA's are out there looking for work.
Best of luck!
