James Moody: Geek in Paradise

No, not the Lady Vols, the Men’s Team!

What a great job Coach Bruce Pearl has performed in Knoxville these past few years, bringing the Vols to their first ever #1 ranking, with a gutty 66-62 win over Tiger High on their court.

Now it’s time to finish out their first SEC Title in 41 years, then begin their March Madness run for the National Title.

I say, it’s great to be a Tennessee Vol! Go Vols!

I also can’t forget to give a plug to the best Tennessee related forum on the ‘net, Vol Nation. Many thanks to vol_freak for giving us a place to gather.

Update: Video of Vols returning home in the middle of the night to a large crowd at Thompson Boling Arena. Kudos to uTsPooNy.

Still shots of the return trip, courtesy of VolMike98.

Tags: Tennessee Volunteers Basketball Tiger High Memphis State Bruce Pearl #1

Chris Rue over at the funcave brought up an excellent point regarding SBS 2008 CAL’s for Standard and Premium versions. He saw mention of separate CAL’s on the banner in the release and rightfully mentions how much of a pain it will be to obtain separate versions of the CAL’s if a client decides to upgrade from Standard to Premium during the life of the server.

And if you’re talking initial install, then the different CAL prices simply becomes one more option that needs explaining.

That’s where the train goes off the rails.

Shortly after his post, Sean Daniel posts that yes, there will be separate versions of the CAL’s. It would have been nice if they had just kept it simple like SBS 2003 CAL’s.

There is a change in the way Client Access Licenses (CALs) work. Standard edition will have Standard CALs and Premium will have Premium CALs

One can only hope there is an easy upgrade path between Standard and Premium CAL’s. I hope Microsoft gets it right.

Tags: Microsoft SBS 2008 Standard SBS 2008 Premium CAL

From The Official SBS Blog

Today Microsoft is announcing the Windows Essential Server Solutions family of products.  The family includes Windows Small Business Server 2008, formerly known as code name "Cougar" and Windows Essential Business Server 2008, formerly known as code name "Centro".

Windows Small Business Server 2008 is built upon Windows Server 2008 and includes:

• Windows Exchange Server 2007
• Windows SharePoint Services 3.0
• Enhanced Remote Web Workplace
• One-year trial subscription to Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server Small Business Edition
• One-year trial subscription to the new Windows Live OneCare for Server

SBS 2008 Premium also includes SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 to run on a second server.

Windows Essential Business Server 2008 is built upon Windows Server 2008 and includes:

• Exchange Server 2007
• Forefront Security for Exchange Server
• System Center Essentials 2007
• Next version of Internet Security and Acceleration Server

Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Premium Edition includes SQL Server 2008 technology.

Of interest, is the trial subscriptions to Forefront Security for Exchange and OneCare for Server. I hadn’t seen those mentioned in any of the talk covering what SBS 2008 would include, so it comes as quite a surprise to me. What better way to get people to make the swap than to include a free year with each purchase. I imagine most consultants already have their preferred vendors in place (ExchangeDefender, Symantec/Trend, etc.) so it will be interesting to see the uptake on ForeFront and OneCare.

I do like the addition of Server 2008 into the SBS 2008 Premium product as more and more clients are hopping on the Terminal Services wagon with great enthusiasm. I know the majority of the small business owners I’ve pitched to, have had the "yes" look when I cover the fact that they would be able to work from home. When I see that look, even though they may not say yes then, I can pretty much guarantee a call back within a few days with the go-ahead. Inclusion of Server 2008 is a great move imho as long as the price point is within tolerance.

Of course, both products are 64-bit only, which for me, comes at a great time for the clients I have are due for a new server this year anyway. This will make the new hardware sell easier since they need new hardware for the new OS.

Official Press Release

Tags: Microsoft Small Business Server 2008 Essential Business Server 2008 Server 2008 ForeFront OneCare

I came home this evening to this dandy gem sitting in my inbox.

Improving the Windows Vista experience for you and your customers

Microsoft is constantly looking for ways to improve our programs and products to help Partners sustain business profitability for long-term success.
Guided by the valuable suggestions and feedback from our partners, we have been working hard to improve Microsoft Windows Vista, culminating in the upcoming Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1). We’ve also heard concerns about how we have supported Partners with Windows Vista and have identified ways to improve the Partner experience.
Here’s what you can expect from us over the next few months:

• Delivery of Microsoft Windows Vista Business with SP1 via a Special Action Pack shipment to Partners worldwide soon after SP1 RTM. The kit will include full-install licence keys (not upgrade) in regions where Partners have not already received them, to make it easier for you to deploy the final release of Windows Vista Business SP1 for internal use.

• One full-install licence key for Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 for internal use, so you can learn more about this product’s benefits and features for customers who need a single PC to fulfil their work, travel and entertainment needs. We plan for this software to be delivered in your regular Action Pack quarterly update (April/May 2008).

• A comprehensive set of readiness resources to enable you to sell and support Windows Vista solutions for your small or mid-sized business customers as Windows Vista momentum builds with the release of SP1.

• Exciting incentives and promotions that reward you for learning, using and selling Windows Vista.

This change to the Action Pack is something that Action Pack subscribers have been wanting for the past year when Vista Business Upgrade was included in the Action Pack. This will cut the installation time in half by giving us a full version OS versus the Upgrade, which required us to install, then upgrade that installation to be able to activate with the Key provided. Having SP1 integrated within the DVD will be another welcome addition.

I, for one, will be happy to finally be able to install Ultimate on my laptop for the added security of Bitlocker.

Are you looking forward to the Action Pack changes as well?

Tags: Microsoft Microsoft Partner Action Pack Vista Vista SP1 Vista Business