MS Windows Home Server

Windows Home Server & Marketing

Analyst Michael Gartenberg from Jupiter Research has a great article on Windows Home Server, but as Colin Walker from Randomelements states, it needs to be marketed correctly in order for it to be the successful product that it should be. Give it a read.

Colin is also in the process on writing an article on WHS for a computer magazine in the UK. I have read a copy of his work and we wish him all the best here at MSWHS.com. Great job!

The HP MediaSmart Home Server now listed on Amazon

The HP MediaSmart Home Server are now listed on Amazon.com.(1,2) There are two models to choose from, which are both basically the same unit with larger HDD’s and are spec’ d out with an AMD Sempron 64Bit CPU. The EX470 has one 500GB HDD and three empty bays, and the EX475 has 1TB of storage comprising two 500GB HDD’s and two empty bays.

Although no pricing is listed, they are expected to retail around the $600 mark for the EX470 and approximately $750 for the EX475. Both will be bundled with HP’s Photo Webshare application for the sharing of photos and video.

Thanks to James B of the Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist Blog for the pricing details that leaked on the Internet here and here. (These are Google cached pages as the pages were taken down).

UPDATE: According to an article at Computerworld the systems will be available at Amazon from September 15th 2007.

Media Center Show Podcast on WHS

Ian Dixon’s The Media Center Show is a weekly Podcast focusing on Digital Media and Windows Media Center. In this episode Microsoft MVP Richard Miller explains how to integrate Windows Home Server with Windows Media Center. We are taught how to use Windows Home Server to store and share Recorded TV and recap on some of the features of Windows Home Server. You can catch the 48 minute The Media Center Show #119 @ TheDigitalLifestyle.com.

There is also a great guide on the site explaining how to Play Pre-Recorded TV from WHS and how to record Live TV direct to WHS which works for Vista , MCE 2005 and the Xbox360 also.

Bits & Bobs

• Todd Headrick the Product Manager on the Windows Home Server Team has stated that the marketing team plans on updating the Windows Home Server Web Site to include product demos, customer testimonials, technical briefs, etc. To provide a lot more information to the basic consumer and also the enthusiasts that want to learn more about how the software works “under the hood”.
• The Random Musings Blog has more details on the WHS add-in DHCP4WHS and how they configured it.
• Hardware vendors will be using “Powered by Windows Home Server” on their packaging and marketing materials and Microsoft will be doing joint marketing with them.

Time is Running Out – Code2Fame Challenge

Many Add-Ins have been published for Windows Home Server. If yours is good enough why not submit it for the Code2Fame Challenge?  NOW is the time to submit it as an entry (entries must be postmarked by August 25, 2007).  Over $50,000 in cash and prizes is up for grabs don’t miss out on this chance to win!

Rules and how to submit can be found at:  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/partners/challenge.mspx