New SelectViews Show Posted
Need your help and opinion on a question in the show! We’ve just posted this week’s SelectViews show – I’m headed up to Microsoft later in the week and wanted to make sure we got the show out for you. Open source feedback, the SQL Server 2008 Slip, the 60-second SQL Server tip of the day and a whole lot more are all in the show. Check it out when you get a second!
Also available:
[Watch] the prior SelectViews here. Open source gotcha, discussion list watch, events and a LOT more…
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SQL Server 2008 Availability Date Changes…
James wrote in with a slightly different tact on the whole debate. This seems to be a common theme that I’ve received a good number of emails about – Software Assurance.
"I am one of those that is not greatly affected; it’s a bit disappointing because I’ve already done so much preparation and feel I am ready to upgrade and run through the full gambit of testing. But, in another view I’d rather have them produce a product that might have a few less bugs because they took an additional 6 months.
What really seems to bother me is the Software Assurance aspect of things. I’ve read that many people had originally felt relieved that they would be able to take advantage of the Software Assurance they purchased nearly 2 years ago and obtain the new SQL Server 2008. Now, it can be looked at in a couple different ways (is the glass half empty, half full, or just plain stolen right out from under your nose?). You can look at the purchasing of Software Assurance as a gamble and those who may have theirs expire in April 2008 just simply lost the gamble.
Or you could look at it as though Microsoft maybe intentionally is delaying the release? Would MS do that? Could it be true…is it possible that a company is delaying the release so they can gain further monetary value for their efforts?
You definitely could look at it as an underhanded trick…but, you never know…maybe MS will decide to give those people a break. I certainly wouldn’t hold my breath until MS even acknowledges this occurrence. Boy, I’m sure glad I told my vendor to hold off on my purchase of SQL 2005 (with Software Assurance) until I hear for sure what is going on with SQL Server 2008.
It’s exactly reasons like this I tell my employer to hold off on buying any software until you definitely need it; it’d be nice to purchase the software and have it ready to go when you are ready for it…but, why would you when you don’t even know if the software will still be supported (when will SP3 for SQL 2005 get released…[is the] rumor [true] that MS says they have NO intentions whatsoever to release it?).
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a Microsoft vigilante; I just don’t agree with the events that have been going on here lately…especially the whole build everyone up to expect a launch in March and hold the huge “Launch Event” in January..then tell everyone AFTERWARDS that the product won’t really be ready until Q3 (if we’re even that lucky). It kind of leaves a sour taste in your mouth when this happens.
All of this brings up another good topic…what is the use of Software Assurance if the company claims they target to release software every 2 years, and then later says well we mean 2-3 years? Should Software Assurance methods be changed from a specified year to a specified release package? Maybe we should get some sort of a guarantee of the Software Assurance from those selling it to us and be able to hold them legally liable? Like I said this is a whole different topic though, and I think should probably be visited sometime soon.
As for me and my current Software Assurance position; I am sitting pretty. I am still developing off of SQL Server 2005 and holding off on buying any production set software until I know what’s going on with the release of SQL Server 2008. If I am ready to go to production before the release of SQL Server 2008 then I am certainly going to purchase SQL Server 2005 w/ Software Assurance (chances are hugely in my favor to win the gamble). However, I am very certain that if SQL Server 2008 is released (or within 2 months of getting released) then I am waiting for it to be released and will purchase the new version and go through the final stages of testing to ensure it works…and without a doubt say NO way to Software Assurance…I don’t have 2 – 4K to just give away to others!!!
That’s my 2 cents worth…It’ll be interesting to see what publicity occurs when the Software Assurances start to expire when we’ve passed the original launch date of the product. Who’ll be first to take a lunge to get a moral victory!?"
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