Windows Home Server Beta Open To Public

Microsoft has just opened its upcoming home server OS, codenamed “Vail”, to a public beta

The beta requires its own dedicated machine because the install itself wipes the system clean.  Microsoft says that the Vail beta only works on 64-bit systems, with the minimum requirements being “a 1.4 GHz x64 processor, 1 GB RAM, and at least one 160 GB hard drive.”  It offers the following

• Extending media streaming outside the home or office
• Multi-PC backup and restore
• Simplified setup and user experience
• Expanded development and customization tools for partners

I think this really represents the philosophical difference between Microsoft and Apple when it comes to product development – especially on the software front.  Over the last two years, Microsoft opened its very well-received Windows 7 to open beta, collecting tons of data regarding a wide variety of configurations as well as user feedback.  It also won them a nice amount of goodwill, made all the more valuable after Windows Vista.

At the same time, Apple closes itself off, allowing only certain people to beta its operating systems.  Granted, Apple runs on a much smaller variety of hardware, but this top-down approach stands in stark contrast to Microsoft’s “programming in the sunshine” beta style.

Given a choice, I’d rather beta a Microsoft product simply because it seems more egalitarian.

(via Windows Blog)