Comments on: Microsoft’s Foundation – what a waste of time

By: onedarkmoment

onedarkmoment — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:58:03 +0000

So Microsoft release Foundation Server, and I have to ask either you go for a NAS box, anbd if you need more, get a SBS 2008 server, have Microsoft forgotten SBS already?

By: MadaboutDana

MadaboutDana — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:58:01 +0000

Makes me laugh. I already have a nice virtual server setup – ’s called VMware and it runs our Web 2.0 extranet beautifully (on a Win2000 host OS, believe it or not). Easy to back up (using several different methods, including timed snapshots) and free. What can I say? Microsoft do take their eye off the ball sometimes – look at what you get included with a Synology NAS, for example: drag’n'drop Ajax-based web file manager, website hosting (with MySQL and PHP built in), music streaming, a very nice web-based admin console and sundry other goodies (oh yes, blog system, too). All for unlimited users. Makes you think, eh?

It’s all to do with exposure, I suppose – judging by the quantity of Microsoft e-mail that hits SME mailboxes, they rely on swamping you with enticing info. And yes, it’s nicely presented and it is enticing. Ironically, it’s the overkill that puts you off (how many people – especially from busy SMEs – really make time to attend webinars? No, I mean… really? Think about it, enthusiastic marketing people…).

By: Jowelboy

Jowelboy — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:39:58 +0000

What does this server give the small business that a pc running Linux NAS (free) doesn’t give you?
With all the restrictions, you are getting a basic file server. aka: NAS (did I mention it’s free?) also, I’d wadger a small amount of money that an older spec’d PC running a NAS would perform as well as Server Foundation on a modern PC.
Value-add? It’s like DRM for the Server industry.

By: Dave Marchant

Dave Marchant — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:12:47 +0000

How about Microsoft Windows Home Server which will support 10 users, has ability to duplicate data to protect against disk failure, has deduplicating backup capability for up to 10 PC’s and again is intended for distribution on a system by OEM’s.

Seems to have far more capability than 2008 Foundation.