Tom from Ramblings Of a Home Server User is giving away 3 copies of the Windows Home Server 120-Day Evaluation kit. Although it is not officially available as yet, Tom has been able to get hold of some copies.
At least now we can see what it is going to look like.
Thanks for the pics Tom, just one of the benefits of working with the Windows Home Server Team
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Writing for Australian magazine apc, David Flynn has the lowdown on Aussie distributors of Windows Home Server. Ranging in price from $203 to $269 and David writes:
“That $66 gap is proof that anyone wanting to roll their own server should shop around.”
And some retailers would only sell it to him with a mouse or another small item of hardware. More details at apcmag.com.
This week PCMag Radio by PC Magazine has devoted airtime to reviewing Windows Home Server amongst other things. Hosted by Sascha Carroll the 49 minute MP3 download has the relevant WHS information 10 minutes in, and lasts approximately 12 minutes.
One of our US contributors Paul Roberts kindly sent some pics of his Windows Home Server software package that he has finally received.
I am sure he is one of many of our American readers who are happy to finally get hold of a copy of Home Server.
Fancy a good looking case for your Windows Home server, then look no further than the Chenbro ES34069 Mini-ITX Home Server Chassis. It not only includes 4 hotswap drive bays but also supports a slimline DVD drive, external power adapter, lockable front door, IR and a memory card reader.
An extremely nice piece of kit which is expected to sell for around $236.
More information and a PDF datasheet and user’s manual are available from Chenbro. Thanks to JohnCz for the info.
American OEM distributor TechData is charging $161 which is the wholesale price for 1 copy of Windows Home Server. They are also offering a 5% discount on a purchase of 5 or more copies. Although they are taking orders, stock is not expected till the end of October and it looks like they are only expecting 50 copies and these are still on backorder.
Thanks to Bob Crook for the info.
Microsoft’s OEM Partner Center has two online presentations available for viewing:
Selling Windows Home Server 101
Clearly communicate the benefits of Windows Home Server to your customers. Become familiar with its simple setup and ease of use. Explore different approaches to customer objections.
Selling Windows Home Server 301
This advanced course helps you explore the Windows Home Server solution. Discover the Windows Home Server solution benefits and how your customers can use its key features to unleash the power of their home networks.
Although designed for training sales staff the benefits of WHS, these presentations are informative and fun. To make sure you have paid attention to the material a quiz is provided at the end of each course.
Please note that to view these presentations you must be registered with the OEM program.
We posted back in September that the avast! WHS Edition BETA program was due to start on the 1st October (2007). A few days later than expected it is finally here and since the product is scheduled to be released in the first half of November 2007, this is a very short beta.
Besides providing protection of the Windows Home Server machine, it also supports the management of other avast! antivirus products on the home network if you have any installed. This is performed directly through the WHS console, by means of a new configuration page.
Installation on the WHS machine
The downloaded avast! WHS Edition beta package must be run on the server itself by using a remote desktop connection. When setup completes, let it reboot the server.
Installation on the client machine (Optional)
If you have Avast installed on any of your client machines or want to install it on any of the client machines download the appropriate installer from section 2 or 3 from the avast! WHS Edition BETA web page and run the beta installer on the client machine in question.
To access the management features, open the WHS console, and navigate to the “avast! antivirus” tab. The page lists all computers with the WHS connector (plus the WHS itself), their current protection status, their avast! version etc. Via the Properties button scans can be scheduled and notification reports for different events reported. Scanning history, a scan all feature and even the machines’ subscription details can be updated. All of the above tasks can also be performed by a right click on the individual machine name including turning on/off of the shields and updating the software.
The real power of the software comes into play once the “Start main avast console” is clicked. From here you can view your “captured” infected files, set the sensitivity of the resident scanner, update the virus database, select removable media and folders to scan and lots more. Just as if you were logged in directly to your server machine.
More information and the downloads are available from the avast! WHS Edition BETA page. Additional help and support from the WHS section of the avast! support forums.
Out of the two biggest computer part suppliers in the US only newegg.com has stock of Windows Home Server. Priced at $189.99 and a 3 day shipping service at $4.99, Americans can finally get a copy of Home Server.
As one of the customer reviews stated:
“Having beta tested this program, I was one of the few(?) who got mine as soon as Newegg got it…”
Unfortunately the other top US supplier Buy.com is still showing Home Server as being temporally sold out. But when in stock their pricing is cheaper at $170.99 plus free delivery.
Cheaper than both newegg and Buy is California based eWiz.com, where $163.77 will get you a copy.
For those of you further North, Canadian NCIX.com have stock and are charging $179.99 CAD.
It has been announced on the MSDN Subscriptions Weblog that their acquisitions team is working with the product group to include Windows Home Server in the MSDN offering. The WebLog which is run by the managers of the online and offline MSDN Subscription program stated that they expect WHS will be offered, but do not have an estimate of availability.
