Barney's Blog

Blog archive

SQL Server: We Have Lift-Off...Almost

I'm not exactly sure how Microsoft ships products. This week, Microsoft announced that SQL Server 2008 is released to manufacturing. This is such an exciting event that it comes with its own acronym, RTM. That's TWU, or Totally Weird and Unnecessary.

So it's Aug. 7, 2008, and SQL Server code has been sent to the manufacturers, who'll get it in your hands by the middle of next month, more than a month later. What exactly is the manufacturer doing? It could be making boxes and burning CDs, but that's SOS (So Old-School). But these days, it's all about the download. So what's taking so long? Maybe you can tell me at [email protected].

In any event, subscribers to TechNet or MSDN can check out an eval version now, and volume license customers will get it late next week. Or you could just wait 'til Sept. 15 and buy one of seven different versions. That's right, there are seven different versions ranging from a free compact version, a developer rev, a Web edition, all the way up to the high-end Enterprise release.

Posted by Doug Barney on August 07, 2008


Featured

  • Nebula

    Ahead of AGI, Microsoft and OpenAI Redefine Their Partnership

    In a recapitalization announced Tuesday, OpenAI has launched a new public benefit corporation (PBC) called OpenAI Group, giving Microsoft a 27 percent ownership stake valued at approximately $135 billion.

  • Veeam Acquires Securiti AI To Unify Data Resilience and AI Security

    Veeam Software is making a strategic move into AI and data security by acquiring Securiti AI for $1.7 billion.

  • Microsoft Adds 'Mico' Virtual Assistant to Copilot in Major Fall Update

    In a significant feature update, Microsoft on Thursday said it is reshaping its Copilot AI platform with features that deepen user personalization and enable real-time group collaboration, among other perks.

  • Nutanix Partner Central Rolls Out To Boost Channel Engagement

    Nutanix on Wednesday launched a new platform, Partner Central, to give its channel partners a unified digital workspace for managing sales, tracking incentives and collaborating more effectively.