Windows Server 2008 R2 trial available, full version on MSDN, TechNet

We can see that Zune and Desktop OS raise passions more than servers lolololo

...still waiting for the RTM OPK bits.

Super Snooze, huh? Hardly. Anyone saying that hasn't touched a tenth of what WS08 can do - much less R2. Just a sample... we deployed a TSWEB gateway for a banking system and leveraged RemoteApp to support a legacy application that is now securely available to users, regardless of where they are and what system they are running. NAP ensures the connected clients conform to policy. We used all existing hardware, so the costs were very low. Among the problems that were solved included a clear and easy to use pathway off of XP (the apps run on an older W2K3 server internally and only GW supports the connected sessions via TSWEB and RemoteAapp). The legacy apps run as though they are installed locally, after having logged into a secure website and simply clicking on them. In this case we supported the remote use of a loan/lending suite and added other tools. Remote Desktop access is also provided, for users who need desktop access to office systems - but the point here is that they don't need to. We retired a fleet of private lines, VPN hardware and of course the time and costs associated with device updates and licensing. We regard this sort of thing as a good example of "Cloud Computing." Costs? One Windows Server 2008 server license and some added RAM. The impact has been huge and the new modern services, accessible from secure WSS 3.0 based collaboration spaces has been wildly popular - users had to learn nothing new and have to do much less than previously required, The legacy app is identical in function to what it was - only now it can be accessed much more easily. I know it isn’t as sexy as a new shiny consumer electronics device – not unless you’re the small bank president or loan officer responsible for a good bit more than how good you feel about some new gizmo. While it's only one example of what is possible under WS08, it is practical and reflects the value in the product. I’d look at what is there and use some imagination about how it can be used, before I’d scoff at it and label it a snooze-fest.

Amen to 64bit only, and single .ISO at that. With 2003 I had 8 ISO files, 2 per each version of 2003, 32bit standard, 32 enterprise, 64bit stan.....you get the picture. Now its time to plan my 2003-2008 AD migration!

@rr0de74@live.com, The only client requirement is the web browser. See, http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730673(WS.10).aspx Why would I want to run a third-party client/server when I don't have to? Yes, one could approximate this capability in Citrix, but part of the requirement and goals were to not have to use Citrix or something similar. The larger goal was to fnd a path out of XP, and at the same time, deliver a far better user experience where apps were executed as though they were locally installed, with their own systems tray entries. I was very clear about what the only new costs were and yes, Citrix is far more costly, but direct costs associated with it were only one part of our overall goals. Reduced complexity and operating costs were others.