Seer: "Can you guys explain the crazy decision to not release this as an installable OS to system builders?"

Harri: "I think the possible decision to limit the product to brand name manufacturers is a good one. For every great system builder store there are 100 bad ones out there."

But its not limited to just OEM's/System builders. It will also be available as software that folks can buy and install on their own hardware. The beta itself is enough to prove that because if WHS was an OEM only solution, then testing would primarily only be done with OEM's and custom hardware solutions whereas the the beta is open to folks to test WHS with their own hardware.

Also, as Kevin Beares mentioned in his blog, http://blogs.technet.com/kevin_beares/archive/2007/01/15/where-are-we-with-the-windows-home-server-beta.aspx , keep an eye out in the public technet forums of WHS when they get started up as they may randomly post invitation codes for the beta.

I was wondering if Windows Home Server will have a HOME Mail Server as well. I would ilke for my entire family to have a single domain name for there emails centralized on the Server. If this is not possible with this new technology can this be done?

I hate to say this but...

I would never both with a such a product unless it comes with shared calendar/tasks.  It should be a toned down version of SBS not Win2k3!!!

Lots of families would love to be on the same page as far as who is going where, when the garbage needs to go out to the curb, who has classes when, etc etc etc.

Why not make use of the Calnedar/Mail clients that are included in Vista? (and make extra features available to outlook users obviously)

It should also make use of basic things people need to do on the web: Blogs and Picture sharing  (couple it up with Live Domains / Live EMail)

Could be a very compelling product...even to more casual users....as long as it has REAL needs that it fulfills.

Great product idea!  Been thinking about Small Business Server but if a couple of features are added, I'd go this route instead...

- Basic group policies that make sense for the family (especially enforcing the new Vista parental controls from the server.)

- Roaming user profiles.  Have my desktop and documents available at ALL computers.

- As others have said: A mini version of Exchange.  I would love to have public folders, calendars, address books for the whole household - as well as the mentioned web access.

- Media Center Functionality for my extenders.

Also a question... How friendly is this going to be for third party add-ons?  I could see extended functions for home automation, security cameras, etc.

Greetings, I like the idea of a home server.  

However this isn't as much of a home server, as it is a backup/file server.  

What is really needed is the ability to add things to the server to connect the home.  VoIP, Media Center, Email, etc.

If/When Version 1 is a failure, will there be a version 2?

Im all for just getting the home server hardware, not building squat and connecting it to my router so long as it:

A. Works, and B. it is reasonably cheap.

I like the idea of remotely accessing content :-)

I like the idea of automated backups

I like a real world solution that is simple

Hopefully Windows Home Server can deliver the goods

Hey Arneh, If that's true it's fantastic news :)

I am not sure where my source was that told me it was OEM only, but I am sure it was a reputable news site on the day of the announcement so this 'misinformation' should be corrected and quickly!

Hoping it hits MSDN for download soon :)