The Launch of Windows Server 2008...and my blog!
Today marks a significant milestone within Microsoft and the industry, as Windows Server 2008 launches today! I decided to co-opt the date and use it for the 'launch' of my new blog. I realize that email communication is easily lost in inboxes, and want to be able to convey a significant amount of my technical information through this forum. I will bring up significant technical news, local events, and the like. But, without further ado, the more important topic is the next version of our Windows Server operating system!
General availability of 2008 begins today - those folks with TechNet and\or MSDN subscriptions should already have been able to download a copy, and the Volume Licensing site has it available, as well. So get out there and start kicking the tires on the final released code, if you haven't already.
Early reviews have been rolling in, and the verdict is that we have a winner:
Product review: Windows Server 2008 is the host with the most, and the perfect guest
10 Coolest Features in Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 Is Microsoft`s Leanest, Meanest Yet
Windows Server 2008 Review
And more
I encourage everyone to register for the launch event, coming up in Boston (March 18th) or Hartford (April 17th) - http://www.microsoft.com/heroeshappenhere/register/default.mspx
We also have a great site for the virtual launch event - http://www.microsoft.com/heroeshappenhere/default.mspx .
Heroes Happen {here} is our tagline. It may sound a little corny and like marketing spin, but the idea is that technology solutions are increasing in impact, but in complexity, as well. And the people in IT are the ones behind the scenes, putting solutions in place and probably not getting the credit they deserve. We're calling you out.
If these events don't match up with your schedules, please give me a shout and I'm happy to arrange for an onsite technical briefing or a live meeting for your staff. If nothing else, it makes sense to understand what's in the latest and greatest version - when you purchase server licenses from this point on, you'll have access to Windows Server 2008. You can make any size commitment, depending on the features you're interested in - I don't expect anyone to commence a bulk upgrade of their server OS environment, but a single 2008 server in your environment can make a difference in IT capabilities and end user features.
You can learn even more on your own time from our public site: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/default.aspx
This launch is also about more than just Windows Server 2008 - we're also welcoming Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008 (albeit delayed until the second half of the year). Last year was the Office 12 wave and Windows Vista...this year, it's about the server and application platform.
With respect to virtualization and Hyper-V (which is still in beta) - I'll tackle that topic in greater detail in a few weeks. In fact, I'll be posting in the next several weeks on some of the new features - stay tuned!
Lastly,
Add a little humor to your day and visit this site, if you haven't already. Make sure you watch the video!
http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/pages/about-lone-server.aspx
P.S. Please subscribe to the blog with your favorite RSS Reader. Outlook 2007 works great!
