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Windows Home Server turns RC1 today. June 13, 2007

Posted by nitestrike in : Review, Tech , add a comment

Microsoft released Windows Home Server (WHS) RC1 (Release Candidate 1) today, well actually yesterday for those of you on normal time. They are opening up the testing for those of you who did not have a chance to try it out in Beta. I have been fortunate enough to have been using it sense Beta 2.

To be quite honest I have been wondering for a couple years now why Microsoft had not produced a product such as this, but there is a time and place for everything. So when they did announced it earlier this year I was quite surprised. From first impressions I would have to say that this is an extremely solid product. It does what it needs to and does it simply and well. Which is what they need for the average, non-technical type that they are and should be targeting Windows Home Server to.

The basic features are this:

This allows you the freedom and security of accessing computers and files where you need, when you need them. Each of the workstations have a small client installed on them that allows you to monitor you Home Server. The Windows Home Server Consol, as it is called, allows you to maintain user accounts, monitor backups, maintain data shares, and watch over the general health of the WHS.

From my personal experience I can say that the backup and restore functionality works really well. I had my Windows Media Center PC’s OS drive crash, and with the supplied recovery CD was able to-do a complete restore of it and have the computer up and running with little effort. It even detected which computer that I trying to restore, and when asking what restore I wanted set the Media Center computer as the default.

I am certainly going to be buying Windows Home Server once it comes out, and I would highly suggest it for those of you that have several Windows PCs at home, share data across those computers, and are looking for an easily managed solution.

 

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Eureka!!! July 29, 2006

Posted by nitestrike in : Entertainment, Review , add a comment

Eureka (imdb), the new original series from the SciFi channel, is quirky with great dialog and plot potential. I found the show to be very engaging and kept my attention, which does not happen much, usually I work on my computer while I watch TV. It has a cast full of familiar faces to most, yet not easily recognizable, helping draw you into the characters. The character development and introduction have been good, but will hold out on judgment until I have been able to see a few more episodes. The series revolves around the town of Eureka, a quant little town out in the woods, who’s major employer is General Dynamics (GD) a research facilities of sorts. Thus far I have seen the two hour Pilot and Episode 1, and am looking forward to the new episode, Tuesday August 1st. You can catch the full pilot on the web at SciFi Pulse, or the link from the Eureka page.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see Matt Frewer, as Jim Taggart, a “biological containment specialist” Aussie, who has the tools to handle any situation. Frewer, best known for his dual roll in the TV show Max Headroom as Max Headroom and Edison Carter, has also stared in other sci-fi shows including Taken, PSI Factor, and Lawnmower Man 2.

Till Next time.