Allan Hirt has been working with SQL Server since 1992 he was an intern at Sybase as a student at Brandeis University. He has used every version that works on a version of Windows, and has also worked with other RDBMS systems over the years including Oracle, Sybase, and Informix, and can relate to non-SQL Server DBAs.

Allan has worked for Microsoft, and until recently, Avanade, the consulting venture of both Microsoft and Accenture. He is currently based in the Boston, MA, area and travels all over the world to work with and train his clients. Over the years, he has authored or contributed to publications about SQL Server for Microsoft, SQL Server Magazine, and others including whitepapers, webcasts, training courses, and books. Allan has also presented at many conferences over the years including TechEd and SQL PASS. His most recent book Pro SQL Server 2005 High Availability was published by Apress in July, 2007.

Outside of the computer world, Allan is an active, gigging (semi-pro) musician and collector of all things Styx. He also is the webmaster for jazz saxophonist Bob Mintzer, and has dabbled in music journalism over the years. Some of the people he has interviewed include: Tony Banks (Genesis), Jack Bruce (Cream), Dennis DeYoung (Styx), Bela Fleck, Keith Grimwood (Trout Fishing In America), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Howard Jones, Geddy Lee (Rush), Gregg Rolie (Journey, The Storm), Neal Schon (Santana, Journey, Bad English, Soul SirkUS), Tommy Shaw (Styx, Damn Yankees, Shaw Blades, MS Funk), and James Young (Styx).