An example as to why you never (imho) should use SELECT *. This does not relate to MSSQL, but rather MySQL. Versions prior to 5.0.12 returned columns from certain types of joins in a none-standard manner. Of course, if your queries defines which columns you want and in which order you have no problem. Imagine the fun if they don't.
(One possible exception: Your query SELECTs from just one table and you identify columns in your programming language of choice by name rather than position.)
