MS Windows Home Server

If you are the owner of a HP MediaSmart Server then here are some links which may be of use to you.

Work and play from anywhere with the MediaSmart Server is a 5 page lesson detailing subjects such as What’s a server, and why would you need one at home? which looks at the different media types which we can store on our Home Server’s. Remote secure access and how to share your photos and videos remotely with Photo Webshare are also covered in the lesson. The Server is also compared to other storage solutions and finally we are showed how to setup the MediaSmart Server after it is connected to a home network.

The HP MediaSmart Server FAQ is a list of the 20 most asked questions, along with the answers, which is a great resource to find out an answer.

Information specific to the EX470 and the EX475 is also available including product information, manuals, FAQs and information on solving problems. How to setup and install and information on how to use specific parts of the software on the MediaSmart Server’s are also covered.

And finally HPs MediaSmart Server campaign website has webinar’s to watch and lots more info on the EX470 and the EX475.

This time next week will be the beginning of the Professional Developers Conference (PDC) at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Taking place from October 27th – 30th, this years PDC2008 has 2 sessions dedicated to developing for Windows Home Server, that is if you or your business can afford the $2395 USD registration fee.

On Tuesday 28th October from 5:15PM – 6:30PM in room 409A CJ Saretto and Fabian Uhse from Microsoft will be presenting “Developing Connected Home Applications and Services for Windows Home Server”.

Learn how to build applications and services deployed on Windows Home Server that power PCs and devices throughout a connected home. See an example home automation and energy management service, and watch the creation of an on-premises service that exposes HVAC, window shades, and lighting controls to all devices on the home network. Hear how to package the service as a Windows Home Server add-in, quickly create a configuration UI, deploy a PC application for controlling the service, and demonstrate control from other devices such as TVs and cell phones.

The following day on Wednesday 29th October from 10:30AM – 11:45AM in room 409A Brendan Grant and CJ Saretto from Microsoft will be presenting “Exposing Connected Home Services to the Internet via Windows Home Server”.

Learn how to leverage the Remote Access platform in Windows Home Server to expose on-premises services running in the connected home to the Internet. See how to expose a home automation service running on Windows Home Server to the Internet, and watch a demonstration that shows how to expose services that may be hosted on other devices inside the connected home using Windows Home Server as a gateway. Finally, see a sneak preview of Home Server and Live Mesh working together to further enhance the remote experience for the connected home.

More information is available from the Microsoft PDC Website.

The Old

The Stay-At-Home-Servers website has been revamped. Gone are the tongue-in-cheek "America’s Talking" debate show videos and instead are FAQ’s with questions like:

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO TELL MY PARENTS I BOUGHT A STAY-AT-HOME-SERVER?
WILL IT SCARE MY KIDS?

and

WILL MY NEIGHBORS LOOK AT ME?

And it’s now entitled "Stay-At-Home" Server Neighbor Network – An online Bulletin board resource for families with "Stay-At-Home" Servers.

  The New

And the best news of all is that on the Mommy sub-site is a "Mommy, Why is There a Server in the House? video featuring little Billy and the talking Stay-At-Home Server. And if that wasn’t enough you can also read a copy of the book there or buy a copy too!

The Talking Server!

Blog "Windows Home Server – a user’s experience" has built a Windows Home Server into a MSI Wind Desktop. Although the Desktop in only available in the US, the British blog managed to get hold of one and in the process it has saved a third on juice costs.

The MSI Wind Desktop on top of 2 Shuttle SN41G2s

Read the details here.

.NET Developer Dan Hounshell has a great 6 part series about building not just a eco-friendly Windows Home Server, but an economical one too.

Part 1: In search of an Eco-Friendly Economical Home Server
Part 2: In search of an Eco-Friendly Economical Home Server 2, Electric Boogaloo
Part 3: A Cheap and Green Windows Home Server
Part 4: Ordered parts for Eco-friendly Economical Windows Home Server
Part 5: Can I get a Mulligan on the Case Order?
Part 6: Adding a 1TB Drive to my WHS