Windows Home Server thread

Jan 8, 2007 | blog

There is quite a thread of discussion of the upcoming Microsoft Windows Home Server accumulating over at Tailrank.  From the little information I’ve found on the device, it is designed to be a central repository at home for files and backups.

Mainly destined to be a media-file storage device, I wonder if this really makes as much sense as everyone thinks it does.  Without a simple (as in automatic – not even one click), offsite backup solution that would keep a copy of the consumer’s files in case the server drives failed.  Otherwise, the liability of file loss is simply being moved from the PC to another device.

As far as a local cache of extremely large video and audio files, it may be of use for people trying to go “all digital”.  It would also me of use to all the users that have any amount of family videos that they want to back up and keep online for viewing.

Personally, I’m not really sold on the idea of a home server – I don’t see the need.  Though I will admit that even as little as 8 months ago, I would have thought differently.

What are your thoughts?

Via: Tailrank – Windows Home Server will live in your closet, simplify your life

Would consumers buy a Microsoft Windows Home Server?

Jan 4, 2007 | blog

I’m not sure that many would. The biggest use of a home server would be for storing recorded video in its original high-quality state.

Most consumers don’t know what they would need a server for and those that have moved into recording or watching video content are using services like SlingBox or Orb. These types of services allow them to watch live TV over the Internet from anywhere with a broadband connection.

What else would consumers use a server for? Let’s try some ideas:

  1. Email: No, Yahoo, GMail, Live Mail, and many others have that tied up – why host or store your email anymore?
  2. Streaming Media: Why, with YouTube, online audio services, iPod/iTunes, and the like would you want to manage all those files and stream them?
  3. Web Server: Huh, all the free blogging services, hosting services and such – even the fee-based services are cheap! Why bother with managing a server?
  4. IM: Nope, GTalk, Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, etc… is where your friends are. Not “Bob’s Messenger” with you and your mom.

Well, I can’t come up with much more in the time I have, but you get the drift. A year ago, I still would have thought this was a great idea, but now I think MS would be better served coming up with better Vista licensing plans for consumers with multiple computers – Office too!

Via: Neowin.net – Microsoft to unveil Windows Home Server at CES

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