14 DAY TRIAL // Windows Home Server is a product designed to be implemented at the core of a home network. Delivering sharing, back-up, storage and remote access capabilities, Windows Home Server was introduced by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates at CES 2007 in early January. Ever since the early days of 2007, Microsoft has claimed that Windows Home Server will be made available in the second part of this year. The Redmond company announced that, initially, Windows Home Server will be bundled with the HP MediaSmart Server, but that other devices from alternative manufacturers would follow. Additionally, Microsoft also planned to offer Windows Home Server as a stand-alone product in select scenarios, according to Joel Sider, Sr. Product Manager, Windows Server PR.
Now, Todd Headrick, the product planner for the Microsoft Windows Home Server, has potentially offered a clue pointing to the release of Windows Home Server in direct connection with the company's Code2Fame Challenge. "The clock is ticking, entries must be postmarked by Saturday, August 25, 2007, and actually received by Microsoft by Friday, August 31, 2007. Looking forward to seeing some great add-ins," Headrick revealed. On June 12, the Release Candidate of Windows Home Server went live. This illustrated the fact that Microsoft is indeed close to releasing Windows Home Server to manufacturing. And the Code2Fame Challenge time table is associated with the availability of Windows Home Server. In this context, the final product could be just two, three months away.
In the meantime, software and hardware developers have the chance to win $50,000. "Create cool software and/or hardware add-ins for Windows Home Server to simplify the digital lifestyles of families everywhere-or just to geek out. We are looking for creative use of the home server as a platform, as well as useful, cool, easy-to-use, and solidly performing value-adds to make Windows Home Server even more useful for families around the world. Add-ins for Windows Home Server can help extend the customer experiences in the digital home. Two types of add-ins are applicable for the Code2Fame Challenge: software add-ins and hardware components. Windows Home Server and the Windows Home Server SDK enable the development of rich software solutions for the home that can combine always available services, configuration UI, Web applications, and applications that run on a home computer and interact with Windows Home Server," Headrick stated.