This might give some indication as to why it has been a while since the last post. I am trying my best to help my sales team, customers, and even myself become more educated on the many different editions of the Microsoft products.

It was bad enough before Vista, but now with the way too many numbers of Vista editions and the 32/64 bit differences, it is just getting to be too much to keep in one persons brain. So, I am at least going to dump some of the major points here. So you know, this is as much for my benefit as for anyone who actually reads my junk here.

Windows Server 2003 R2 Major point here - it moves to "extended support" 7/13/2010
32 bit Standard: 4GB RAM max, up to 4 procs, 2 node cluster
64 bit Standard: 32GB Ram max, up to 4 procs, 2 node cluster
32 bit Enterprise: 64GB Ram max, up to 8 procs, multi-node clusters
64 bit Enterprise: 2TB Ram max, up to 8 procs, multi-node clusters

SQL Server 2005 http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/compare-features.mspx
32 bit Standard: 4 procs, OS max for memory, 2 node cluster support
64 bit Standard: um, yeah, it's the same for SQL - at least something is easy
32/64 bit Enterprise: unlimited procs, OS Max on Memory, multi-node clusters

With SQL there are a few additional features you get with Enterprise: Indexed views, database partioning, parallel index operations, and some good integration tools. Check the link above for the full set of feature diffs.

Office SharePoint Server
This one is kind of like SQL Server; it's pretty easy. There is actually no difference in Enterprise/Standard as far as the server goes. Also no difference in price tags. That the server though. The CALs (client access licenses) are where the differences come in.

The Standard CAL gives you all the workspaces, doc libs, lists, enterprise search, Records management, workflow, publishing features, profiles/my sites, and a bunch of the other well known SharePoint features.

The additive Enterprise CAL brings along Excel Calc Services, Froms Server, Report Center and the Business Data Catalog (BDC - not to be confused with the depricated backup domain controller).

Other Product CALs
Here is another cool link to see what features the CALs for the different products include: http://www.microsoft.com/calsuites/enterprise_product.mspx

I will try to add OCS and Exchange edition information a little later. I'm not too sure I will EVER add the Vista editions.

Yes, I think I might just be. I recently went out to Best Buy and grabbed a brand new Gateway laptop. That right there comes close to qualifying me as crazy. I just haven't been a huge fan of the cow for a long time, so it hurt a little to buy that one. But, it was the ONLY 64 bit, 4GB RAM, 250GB HD I could find for under $800. So, it's mine.

The second issue is it has a Red outer shell. I am a Georgia Tech guy, so this too hurts too much to discuss further.

Next crazy thing, it came preloaded with (gulp) Vista Home Premium 64 bit. I like the 64 bit. Not too sure about Vista and REALLY not sure about Home stuff and not being able to join domains. OK, so I actually like the Vista OS now. And I REALLY love the 64 bit and 4GB RAM on it. And, hate the home premuim. It doesn't support Virtual Server 2005.

And finally, the thing that really makes me crazy: I am now watching my brand new PC, now loaded with all of my great tools/data already (about 2 days worth of effort), attempt to "upgrade" itself to Vista Ultimate 64 bit. Yep, taking a perfectly working Vista machine and screwing with it. I am TOTALLY nuts. The stuff I do just to have Virtual systems. I really am crazy.

My professional career in IT has been an exercise in self-teaching on many systems and applications. With that in mind, I have to say simply this: I LOVE MICROSOFT!

Now I know there are MANY complaints about the company and their products over the years. Still, they are one of the best companies around at delivering user friendly applications and tools that don't require extensive training for end users. Even the development tools (Visual Studio) make life easier for developers than many of the other development platforms.

So, while I know there are those out there preaching Google Apps, I am staying forever devoted to the Gates Empire. I can deal with the bugs that frequent the early releases of the MS products (always love that first service pack) because I know that even with those bugs, it will be a product that is easier to use than say Borland (wherever they are now), IBM (Kill Notes - still cracks me up that it actually comes WITH Lotus Notes), Unix, and Linux.

Even with the most complex products in the MS line (SQL Server, BizTalk, SharePoint), the end user of these receives a terrific experience with consistent interfaces. Now, granted, developers of these systems might have some legitimate gripes; they are not always a great development platform and require a different mindset than standard development. Additionally, Microsoft is pretty good at using "standards" that might not be so standard. Again, I give you that, but what they are doing is building products geared for making end users more productive and proficient. So, developers just need to suck it up and dig into a new mentality sometimes. Afterall, without end users YOU DON'T HAVE A JOB!