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Can a Linux man survive in Windows Land?
40hz:
Why would you pick Windows Server 2008 for your personal computer? Nobody uses that on their personal computer.
-Deozaan (January 17, 2009, 12:44 AM)
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Actually, Microsoft doesn't seem to think it's so odd.
One of the new features added to Server 2008 is an option to install a package called the Desktop Experience:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc772567.aspx
Desktop Experience Overview
The Desktop Experience feature is a new feature in the Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 operating system. The Desktop Experience includes a variety of applications and features that are provided in the Windows Vista® operating system. If you use Windows Server 2008 as your primary operating system you might want to have some of these Windows Vista features available for your daily use.
What’s in the Desktop Experience feature
The Desktop Experience feature includes the following Windows Vista components and features:
* Windows Calendar
* Windows Mail
* Windows Media Player
* Windows Aero™ and other desktop themes
* Video for Windows (AVI support)
* Windows Photo Gallery
* Windows SideShow™
* Windows Defender
* Disk Cleanup
* Sync Center
* Sound Recorder
* Character Map
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I think it's a great idea for students; individuals that need regular Windows but also want to become familiar with Microsoft's server product line; smaller businesses that need basic server functionality (i.e file & print services) and could use an additional workstation for occasional use, etc.
You obviously wouldn't want to be doing this on a mission critical server, but there are times and situations where running the server as your desktop OS makes sense.
Many independent MSoft consultants in my area do just that.
8)
Darwin:
Be careful switching to Windows Server 2008... I did it, and overall was very pleased with the result. However, I have 4GB of RAM and never did see much in the way of jump in performance over Vista. The other, more pressing caveat, has to do with shareware licensing. Some of my applications cannot be installed under a server OS without paying a HUGE premium to upgrade to a server license. There are workarounds in the sense that you can spend time looking for FOSS alternatives or competing products with more generous licensing terms, but I didn't feel the benefits of running Server outweighed the cost re: my time and any additional outlay of cash it was going to require to get to where I wanted to go with it.
FWIW, the apps I had trouble with included Acronis True Image Echo Workstation and Disk Director. The straw that broke the camels' back was something else - which escapes me at the moment ;D
No doubt YMWV...
:two:
Darwin:
PS I went back to Vista...
40hz:
The other, more pressing caveat, has to do with shareware licensing. Some of my applications cannot be installed under a server OS without paying a HUGE premium to upgrade to a server license. There are workarounds in the sense that you can spend time looking for FOSS alternatives or competing products with more generous licensing terms, but I didn't feel the benefits of running Server outweighed the cost re: my time and any additional outlay of cash it was going to require to get to where I wanted to go with it. -Darwin (January 17, 2009, 11:58 AM)
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Doh!
You're absolutely right. I completely forgot about that little wrinkle in a lot of EULAs
(i.e. 'personal use' ≠ running a server OS ).
If you're not eligible for NFS/NFR pricing on certain software, it can get expensive very quickly.
FWIW, the apps I had trouble with included Acronis True Image Echo Workstation and Disk Director. The straw that broke the camels' back was something else - which escapes me at the moment ;D
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Probably most antivirus/antimalware and backup apps?
It usually comes as a shock to most new server owners when they discover that their days of free antivirus and backup software just came to an end.
I get more complaints about the cost of security software for Windows Server than I do just about anything else. Which is to be expected when you consider that many security products for Windows Server are more expensive than Windows Server itself.
Stoic Joker:
Stoic Joker: it's nice to see that he's giving it a fair shot, yes. And I don't feel that I'm "picking apart the details", I just find it's relevant noting that buggy drivers can bring down an OS whereas a usermode application won't... and I've been bitten by ACPI bugs (I assume :)) on linux.
-f0dder (January 17, 2009, 10:00 AM)
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lol I wasn't trying to imply you were wrong for targeting the details, I simply ment I wasn't going to jump into it also (it's too easy at that angle) as any Windows guy knows IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL is flakey driver issue.
I was just taking a stab at being positive about the article's intent. :)
P.S. Did you ever get my PM, or are you trying to ignor it?
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