Microsoft to give Home Server the Time Capsule treatment

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 8 Sep 2008 at 16:59

Microsoft is planning to revamp Windows Home Server with a user interface to compete with Apple's Time Capsule, according to a company job ad.

In a rather loosely worded advert on the Seattle-based Computerjobs.com website, Microsoft claims it wants to turn Windows Home Server into "THE backup and Media Server within the home."

To achieve this lofty goal, the company plans to overhaul the Windows Home Server UI to compete with Apple's wireless backup device, Time Capsule. "To staff up a rock solid team for delivering the top notch UI for the next release, we are looking for a developer with a strong passion for slick UI," the job ad reads.

"You would be responsible for designing and coding the very visible and highly confidential UI capabilities that we are adding to Windows Home Server.

"Just to give a couple of examples: Time Machine compete [sic] UI for backup and restore, Windows Media Center integration UI, Live Mesh integration UI etc. are three of the top UI deliverables for our next version."

And although the "wow" might have failed to materialise for Vista, Microsoft is keen to make an impact with Home Server. "We do not take UI lightly and have assembled a team that will bring the concept of servers into the home with rave reception by both analysts and consumers."

No pressure, then.