Windows Server 2003 R2 is nearing completion

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Microsoft said on Thursday that it has reached the near-final, Release Candidate 0 (RC0) stage for Windows Server 2003 R2, an update to its server operating system. The software giant said it remains on track to release a final version of R2 in the second half of the year.

Designed as a moderate update to the operating system, R2 is a paid upgrade, but by adding features while leaving the core of the OS intact, it's designed to require less testing. The update includes improved branch office and storage management abilities and other capabilities, some of which have previously been released as feature packs. R2 is based on the core of Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, which was released in March. Microsoft plans to release R2 for its standard, enterprise and datacenter editions and for both 32-bit and 64-bit x86 chips, but not for Intel's Itanium processor.

Talkback

It's disappointing to find out, again, that Microsoft seems more interested in pushing additional functionality (which 10% or less of us will use in full) and even wanting money for that rather then providing us all with free solid security updates that last longer then a month.

Also knowing that R2 is just an interim since Vista (Longhorn) version 1 will follow and right after that a whole range of (security) fixes. Followed by Vista version 2 along with (security) fixes ofcourse. Etc, etc.
Not to mention WinFS, DRM, serious SQL redesigns, SharePoint pushes, ISA pushes and what not that'll come in and far between. Oh my, there's also SenderID, SmartTags, BlackComb, IE7, .NET 2, MS XML, etc, etc. And that's not all because third-party suppliers will have to come up with something new at some time so that'll introduce a nice onslaught of making various third-party products work on the same platform version while one third-party product is still in the pre .NET stage and another is right on top of cutting edge technology and anything in between.

Oh goodie, the second golden age for IT consultants, advisors, resellers, contractors. solution providers, developers and what not is approaching if they can have their way. Tons of billable hours and plenty of excuses to point the finger of blame at are awaiting for them. That is, if you're the customer ignorant enough to be on the receiving end of all that. Whatever happened to: wait and see, proof me wrong first, put your money where your mouth is and all that?

via Facebook 1 September, 2005 22:36
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