It’s another exciting time in our space as Microsoft gets ready to roll out many new SMB focused products. The two I’m most excited about of course, are the two new editions of Small Business Server 2011:

• Small Business Server 2011 Essentials
• Small Business Server 2011 Standard

WAIT you say… what happened to SBS PREMIUM?? What about my clients who need that second server, and/or SQL to run their business?

Never fear!

Microsoft has changed things around a bit (for the better in my opinion). There will now be an ADD-ON available for SBS 2011 customers – Small Business Server 2011 Premium Add on.

We can now offer our customers more options, based on their specific needs and budgets.

I’ll be posting seperately on each edition over the next couple of days, going deep into the features and benefits of each. each. In the mean time – why not download and try the Beta’s out for yourself today!

Sign up here – http://connect.microsoft.com/sbs

But I’m back now and looking forward to getting plugged in!

Exchange 2007

Many thanks to Tim Barrett of “No Geek Left Behind” for posting this exciting news!

Microsoft has (finally) released the wrapper / installation tool for the Exchange 2007 SP2 install on SBS 2008 (and there was much rejoicing!) Previously, if you tried to install SP2 for Exchange on SBS 2008 you had to start messing with the registry per KB 973862. Thankfully, that’s no longer necessary with the installation tool. You can download it from the Microsoft download site.
 
Title: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP2 Installation Tool for Windows SBS 2008
Date Published: 12/28/2009
Download size: 604 KB
File name: SBS2008-KB974271-ENU.msi
Download URL: Click here

See Tim’s post for more details and instructions

I bought a MacBook Pro.

After playing with it for a few days I realized a couple of things:

1. Macs are quick, tight, crisp and reliable
2. It would be hard to go back to PC hardware
3. I MISSED Windows 7 terribly

Then something serendipitous happened. VMWare released “Fusion 3“

Fusion, along with it’s two excellent competitors – Parallels and VirtualBox allow Mac users to mount Windows (and other operating systems) virtual drives and run those machines alongside Mac OS X. But it gets better!

Both Fusion and Parallels will allow you to run your Windows programs not only in their virtual desktops, but RIGHT WITHIN the OS X desktop!

You can even cut/copy/paste between Mac and Windows programs, and access files on each other’s drives!

This makes my usage decision a no brainer. I can have the best of both worlds!

I am a PC. AND I’m a MAC. The fight is over.

Imagine a situation where you need to install Windows Vista or 7 in a system but you don’t have access to DVD drive. We all know Windows Vista, Server 2008 or 7 comes in DVDs and you’ll need a DVD drive to install them. Then how will you install them? The solution is, you can create a bootable USB drive which can be used to install Windows without using DVD drive.

There is a new GUI based tool available here at Tweaking with Vishal which will allow you to easily create this bootable USB OS install. Now THIS is going to come in handy. Especially for all those Netbooks being sold today!

Thanks to Tim Barrett of No Geek Left Behind for providing a link to this handy tool!

The release candidate of Windows 7 is out in the wild, and everyone I know who’s running it has nothing but praise! This really could have been the RTM version. It’s rock solid, FAST, and has many new and updated features which you’ll love.

Check out the Windows 7 site for a lot more info, check out Windows 7 today!

Zune HD

• The upcoming Zune HD will output HD content to your HDTV
• Have a very nice batte4r efficient OLED multi touch display
• Built in HD Radio tuner
• Wireless built in
• Can be managed from ANY computer – not just ones you “activate”
• Zune has a subscription service – one low price per month for all the music you can handle, plus five FREE songs per month you can keep forever

One thing did really disappoint me. At the Zune HD site there is a link to “get the latest information on Zune HD”. I clicked the link and it told me it only works for US users.

WHAT??? Is this information so secretive that Canadian’s just can’t know? Another Microsoft idiotic decision around borders. But I’ll STILL be buying the device!

Bing Search Portal

Can any search engine take away GOOGLE’s reign as hte number one search engine on the web? BING just might be the one!

Microsoft made the preview of BING public today, and you can tell it’s not your fathers search engine. Taking a bit of a new approach to internet searching, BING provides not only very relevant results, but also provides great tools such as related searches, on page live video previews, and even live pricing of airline fares, etc.

I know many who have made BING their default search engine and/or home page already.

What an interesting time for the web. BING, Google Wave… as if we already didn’t have enough reasons to sit at the computer

iTunes Canada gets real content!

This is huge. We all know that Canada gets the short end of the stick these days when it comes to things like access to HULU, Pandora  and other sites and services which broadcast US content. So I’m EXCITED to announce that iTunes Store Canada is now offering HD content, and even better – US CONTENT!  Could HULU and PANDORA be next?

U.S. and HD TV come to Canada’s  iTunes

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It looks like it’s growing up! Microsoft has announced that “Bing” is coming soon. And it looks like it just might be worth taking notice of.

They are touting it as a “Decision Engine” more than a search engine. if you watch the video you’ll see what they mean. Does this mean they are NOT trying to compete with Google?  Or are they trying to be more than Google? Not sure yet. Information Week has posted a good article with more in-depth info.

Either way, the impression I’m getting is that they may just be getting search right this time. I’m looking forward to playing with this!