Microsoft have just announced that Windows Server 2008 has been released to manufacturing. I’m really looking forward to this product becoming publicly available and my own testing has been very positive so far.

I have to correct one point made in Microsoft’s blog announcement, it was stated that Server Core doesn’t install a GUI which is incorrect:

With server core, you can even install a GUI-free server.

When you set up a Server Core box, you still get a GUI, but you don’t have a shell. This isn’t just semantics, it’s a fundamental difference. A Linux or Unix server can be installed without a GUI – all you get is a terminal screen. However the Server Core still presents a graphical interface, you get windowed command prompts and can run several graphical tools and utilities, but you don’t get the Explorer shell or associated components.

Can your phone do this?

[Link]

That’s right – unless you too are the proud owner of a Nokia N95, then I can absolutely say that my phone is better than yours. I bought the N95 last week and it’s by far the best phone I’ve ever owned. Check out some of the features:

• 5MP camera (with Carl Zeiss optics)
• VGA video camera @ 30fps
• GPS
• 3G and 3.5G (HSDPA)
• Wi-Fi

And there’s hundreds of apps available too. My favourite so far is the Sports Tracker app which links in with the GPS to track distances, speeds, and routes of your running/walking/cycling workouts. Check out the Nokia site to see my last ride along the Wellington ridgeline – can your phone do that?

The only person I know who may think that their phone is better than mine is Sandy with her iPhone – but it’s not even close. When the iPhone has 3G access, a GPS, and an SDK, then the iPhone will probably win, but until then I’ll definitely give up the beautiful iPhone interface for the features of the N95. And anyway I still get my Apple fix with my iPod Touch…