Windows Server 8 - A Windows 8 System For Serious Users?

Question

Browsing through the Windows 8 blog, and re-reading an article I saw once before, something caught my eye... (bold emphasis mine)

In Windows 8, ReFS will be introduced only as part of Windows Server 8, which is the same approach we have used for each and every file system introduction

Many of us have expressed disappointment at the realization that Windows 8 appears to be moving away from the needs of serious users, who need computers, not entertainment systems or browsing devices.

Could it be that Windows Server 8 will fill the bill?  I have long been thinking there needs to be two different versions - one for fun and one for work.

Does anyone know where more information can be found about what could be in Windows Server 8?  Will it have any Metro abilities?  Is it likely to be released at the same time as the consumer version?  Is there any kind of beta planned?

One can assume that by choosing a Server version we might have to do without some things...  By this I mean, based on past experience, we might find that various new "gee whiz" devices might not work with it, apps that require Metro support might not work, even serious apps might not support it (for example, Adobe Photoshop does not claim compatibility with Windows Server).  Of course doing without things is generally not preferable - ideally we could have a serious system that would provide fluff on demand.  Unfortunately, I don't see this happening unless Metro can be made to take a permanent second seat to the Desktop.

If serious / business users flock to a version of Windows that shies away from the fluff, maybe the designers of serious software will embrace it more than they have Server versions in the past.

Food for thought.

-Noel

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Detailed how-to in my new eBook: Configure The Windows 7 "To Work" Options

Answer 1

Does anyone know where more information can be found about what could be in Windows Server 8?  Will it have any Metro abilities? 

@ Noel

IIRC there was a Build presentation on this which made it look as if the server was "Metro-ized" too.  

I'm on W7 now and don't think I can access Build without W8 to confirm this recollection for you...

Oh.  It's on Channel9 now

http://channel9.msdn.com/events/BUILD/BUILD2011/KEY-0002

Watch the demo for Remote Desktop at about 01:05:xx

However, if you look at the other demos, they are essentially all Click, Click, Click... while the Start Screen button is always shown unused.

BTW I only realized a few days ago that I can combine Alt-Tab with Touch!  What a difference!   No more  Alt-Tab Tab, Tab, Tab  or  Alt-Shift Tab, Tab, Tab.   Have you tried hooking up a Tablet to be your Start Screen yet?    <eg>

Robert
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Answer 2

No, and I really have no interest in a touch screen / tablet.

• I haven't tried a Windows tablet, but I have an iPad 2 for casual use.  I know what they do, and this is arguably the best there is.
• I have a high powered desktop workstation with mouse and keyboard and multiple monitors for business/serious use.

I just don't have a need to grow these two together.  You could argue making the tablet more powerful could be helpful, but stunting the desktop in the process just isn't acceptable.

They serve completely different needs, and provide VASTLY different functionality.  While I can use the tablet away from home to keep up with my eMail, navigate while on the road, play games, do a little browsing (can't post here though), I am a hundred times more productive on the desktop, because I can type 80 wpm as needed, I can seriously multitask (which I always need), access the network via fiber, trust my calibrated color, do very accurate, fine design work because of the mouse accuracy, etc., etc.

People keep hoping upon hope that there will be a "serious user" switch in Windows 8 when it releases, which will allow you to stay on the desktop, but I'll believe it when I see it.  Microsoft wants us tramping through Metro as much as possible because it will support their App Store.

It's like someone somewhere wants us to believe a computer is a computer is a computer and all we need is a bunch of little, simple ones.  WE KNOW BETTER.  It's like saying you could replace a Nascar with a few Prius models.

I really want to know what Microsoft themselves are going to use for development.  Perhaps they're just so rich that they can take a 75% productivity hit and just put 40,000 engineers to the task of building the next version.

-Noel

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Detailed how-to in my new eBook: Configure The Windows 7 "To Work" Options

Answer 3

Windows Server 8 Developer Preview has a Windows 8 platform and Metro user interface. However, no Metro style apps are available but Internet Explorer 10. It also does not have Windows 8 graphic bootloader. The Developer preview has only Datacenter version, however, it can be installed either as a full server, server-core only or server-on-demand (a new feature).

It has a new Server Manager application and other new features as compared to Windows Server 2008 R2. The Server 8 Developer Preview comes with no Windows Defender pre-installed like Windows 8 Developer Preview. Some desktop applications will not work in Server 8 (unlike in client DP).

Server 8 Developer Preview will run until August 4, 2012. The beta version may or may not be released.

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Vladimir Shipitsyn

Answer 4

Thanks for the info, Vladimir.

Ah well, back to hoping for a "serious mode" in the Windows 8 mainstream release then.

-Noel

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Detailed how-to in my new eBook: Configure The Windows 7 "To Work" Options

Answer 5

Just an addition: yesterday Microsoft issued an update postponing the expiation date for both Windows 8 Developer Preview and Windows Server 8 Developer Preview to January 15 2013. The update is available through Windows Update and must be installed before March. Thank you.

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Vladimir Shipitsyn

Answer 6

Noel,

I am starting to feel the same as you.  For more information regarding the development cycle of Server 8, see http://blogs.technet.com/b/server-cloud/.  Filter by the Windows 8 tag and you will see some good stuff you will not necessarily see in the Building Windows 8 blog.

I assume the Server 8 beta will be available only to paying MSDN subscribers, similar to how the DP of Server 8 was released.  I just hope MSFT also releases it to paying Technet subscribers (like me) for testing and evaluation.