It’s a big and long awaited day for many of our friends at Microsoft, it marks the release of SQL Server 2005, Biztalk 2006 and Visual Studio 2005. This has been long awaited and unlike some other products, it is accompanied with a ton of documentation, code samples, trial software, webcasts and free live in-person events.

I will be teaming up with the Microsoft SST team as they make it through Florida with this product tour. Orlando IT Professional Association is also helping launch SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005 on December 8th in Orlando and we also have two group meetings (in Tampa and in Orlando) for the SBS community to get familiar with SQL Server 2005.

“These three together continue to provide much better capabilities for the biggest enterprises,” said Microsoft vice president Steve Guggenheimer. “For enterprise customers (these) give them another reason to look at Microsoft technology.”

Thats your token touch of SBS land, Steve delivered the keynote at SMB Nation earlier this year. This launch is coming with an unusual amount of community skepticism. There are many rumors that the Visual Studio 2005 is being launched way ahead of its time with a number of stability issues. What is even more shocking is that they nearly admit to it by promising a prompt service pack. I’m not sure how I feel about this one. For one, I don’t think I should be paying a full price (or even better a premium Microsoft has tacked onto these solutions) if they are knowingly releasing faulty software. Security issues and pesky bugs are one thing and a part of all software, that I can live with, but here is to hoping this is the last of the legacy software Microsoft is pushing out the door and the recent restructuring provides for more rapid, more responsive and more solid software from Microsoft.

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