SQL Server: getting the lay of the land

If you inherited a SQL Server instance, the following queries are helpful, especially because the SSMS UI doesn't show you creation dates or who created them.

select * from sys.credentials

select * from msdb.dbo.sysproxies

select * from sys.sql_logins

select * from sys.server_role_members

select * from sys.databases order by create_date

select * from msdb.dbo.sysjobs order by date_created