Lotus Foundations does not require Linux knowledge. My response to Windows Server HQ Blog post.

Just read a very interesting blog post over at Windows Server HQ Blog by Lisa Szpunar .

In fact bloggers (and blog commenters) are hating on Windows Server 2008 Foundation all over the internet.

OK naysayers, it’s not your cup of tea. You suggest using a Linux or Lotus product instead. But you need to realize that if you are comfortable with the word Linux then you are not the target for this product. I say that Microsoft must have made it for a reason – but who is it for?

Lisa, I welcome you to try Lotus Foundations. Don’t be scared by the word Linux. You might notice that we don’t really advertise the linux part either in any of our advertising collateral.  For the record, it is designed to not require any "Linux" knowledge at all . In fact, it is a plug and play appliance that you can just turn on and setup through a web browser within 30 minutes flat! No Linux required.

In fact, from consumer perspective, think of it as an Apple’s OS, which is unix underneath but you don’t get to see it – unless if you really want to poke inside.  On that note, Lotus Foundations also benefits from high reliability, security and high efficiency that comes with using a Linux based kernel.

No Conficker here nor Patch Tuesdays? Come join the revolution. Save some money while you are it -keep one box running for years – whether you have 2 employees or 500 – with lower total cost of ownership than Windows based ‘Foundation’. Kinda like the magic box for the small businesses!

CNET.COM – Windows Server 2008 Foundation: April Fools?

CNET calls the Windows Foundation Server an April fool’s joke from Microsoft. It is definitely hilarious to see the different postings all over the web about the confusion this is causing. If you are offering just an OS, how is a small business owner suppose to run its most basic infrastructure needs. Where is the email? Where is the backup? (I am not going to be picky here, even the most basic one)?

And then you limit it to OEM only? In simple words, an end user can pick it up and run it. Which is a great idea but I thought it was designed for folks that don’t have IT staff on hand? How is a dentist suppose to figure out their server needs? Is it plug and play like the Lotus Foundations Appliance? A personal touch of a VAR ensures that the product is properly installed, configured and deployed. Microsoft missed this as well. Need some friendly advice? You should have kept it simple like Lotus Foundations.

Unlike Windows Small Business Server, which comes bundled with applications, Windows Server 2008 Foundation "is only the operating system and is aimed at single-processor servers with fewer than 15 users." Small businesses need to be wary of things that sound too good to be true.
Link: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-10209302-62.html?tag=mncol;posts

On the other hand, folks are still confused as to what the server actually does ? Yet, some folks in the comments section seem to be blindly recommending it. If I just want to run a server to host some files, I can do that with even my home PC.  Can I not?

Check out the site and enjoy a few chuckles. Atleast, folks are understanding that this is just a strategy to compete with Linux.   Although, I still think that its a fail strategy and yes, I love using Microsoft Fail joke. (sorry!)

Another good post on Windows Server Foundation which states that it is primarily for the non-developed world.  As far as I know, folks outside of North America are more open to different alternatives. Please correct me if I assumed wrong.

Few more links for you to enjoy:

http://www.computerworld.com/article (They ended up referencing yesterday’s post.)

Finally, because Foundation comes pre-installed on servers, companies are not allowed to re-install the operating system on other hardware, even if their original server crashes and dies. Sinkevicius said that is because Foundation server is similar to resellers’ versions of Vista or XP that come pre-installed on desktop or laptop PCs and cannot be transferred to other hardware.

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harrybrelsford.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/windows-server-foundation/