14 DAY TRIAL // Windows Server 2008 goes to Apple... All the way. Of course that not the actual Windows Server 2008 operating system, but the Internet domain WindowsServer2008.com. Go ahead and try the link. What appears to be a domain that could only be connected with the last 32-bit server operating system from Microsoft automatically redirects users to the official Apple website. InsideMicrosoft initially speculated that the domain had been acquired by an Apple fan poised to trick around with the Redmond company.
But this is apparently not the case. The fact of the matter is that the domain belongs to Symmetry Technical Consultants of Coral Gables, Florida. And Symmetry Technical Consultants is a Microsoft Certified partner, which means that the company is deeply involved with Microsoft. The Certified partner label is the second highest designation that the Redmond company offers, as an integral part of the vendor channel program. This may explain why Microsoft is not the owner of the WindowsServer2008.com domain.
But nonetheless, the situation is bound to at least hurt Microsoft's reputation, as the company is gearing for the worldwide launch of Windows Server 2008, at the Heroes Happen Here event in Los Angeles, on February 27, 2008. The Redmond company, owner of the Windows Sever 2008 brand, will of course move to put a stop to the use of the domain to redirect to Apple. However, for the time being, Microsoft has issued no official statement and the domain still points to Apple, with a little twist that sends visitors to the iTunes page.
"Our apologies but there was an error with your session (perhaps you were away from your computer for a while). Click here to return to the download page," reads the error message presented to users. Obviously, the redirection is done instantaneously when visiting the domain. Being away from your computer is out of the question. And clicking the link displayed in the massage lands the users on the iTunes page. Throughout this, the URL in the address bar does not shift even for a minute. Even if the users visit additional pages on what appears to be the Apple website, the URL remains unchanged.
