In-Depth Features


The Redmond Reader Survey

Readers reflect mixed emotions on Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, virtualization and the corporate juggernaut that is Microsoft.

Always Open for Business

Follow these best practices to help ensure high availability for your mission-critical applications.

Build an IT Structure for Compliance

Any of these solutions can help ensure that you're following organizational policies or regulatory requirements.

Windows Server 2008: Taking a Closer Look

Virtualization and configurability in Microsoft's new server OS present enterprise IT shops with both challenges and opportunities.

Laying the Groundwork for Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Redmond's new database server is a complex product often running mission-critical apps. You can't afford to not get it right.

Searching for an Answer in the Enterprise

As the clamor from IT shops for better internal search grows louder, competition among vendors both large and small gets hotter.

Windows Server 2008: So Far, So Good

Enhanced administration, security, IIS updates and virtualization promise to make moving to Microsoft's new server OS worthwhile.

Exchange Servers: Highly Available and Happy

With Service Pack 1 out, admins should know that there are a few tricks to updating clustered Exchange 2007 servers the right way. Here's a guide.

What's In Store for Storage 2008

Disaster recovery tends to become a focus during any period of economic uncertainty -- and 2008 will deliver uncertainty in spades if market pundits are correct.

On The Server Side of Terminal Services

Windows Server 2008 is just a month away and one can't-miss feature is Terminal Services. In this second of three parts, we look at the Server Manager makes managing TS a breeze.

The 2008 Editors' Choice Awards

Here are our selections for the products we believe you just can't live without.

PowerPoint 2007 Wins Fans

SmartArt and other new features clinch its spot as the must-have presentation tool.

Google's Secret Weapon

While it soft pedals direct competition with Microsoft, the search giant quietly keeps working on open source projects designed to undermine its archrival.

Infrastructure Optimization for IT

Infrastructure Optimization is Microsoft's shot at an IT maturity model. It may not be a panacea, but it can help streamline IT operations.

Above the Rest: Windows 2008's Terminal Services Client

One shining gem you can't ignore in the new Windows Server 2008 OS -- one which might compel you to upgrade -- is the implementation of Terminal Services.

SQL Closes the Distance

Redmond is gaining, but when will it -- or can it -- overtake longtime market leader Oracle?

The List Issue

Our staff picks out the best, the worst and the most unusual in this eclectic set of categories.

Top 5 Tricks for Excel and Outlook

Like their Office 2007 brethren Word and PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook have some snazzy new features as well.

Excel 2007: New Features Outweigh Upgrade Hassles

Although most users still struggle with the new ribbon interface, many say Excel 2007's new features make it a worthwhile upgrade.

Microsoft MapPoint vs. Virtual Earth

Packaged software or Web service for running mapping applications?

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