Don’t try to undersand this post. I’m using it to store my discovery. If you think it might help you. Be my guest.

Best Practices
SharePoint 2010 Best Practices

PowerShell
Windows PowerShell for SharePoint Server 2010 Administrators
What can I do with Windows PowerShell?

SQL server Connectivity and SharePoint 2010
How to TroubleShoot connecting to the SQL Server Database Engine
Find active databases used by SharePoint Server 2010

Microsoft Showcases
How does Microsoft IT do it?

Utilities
Mouse without borders