Slashdot Mirror


Vista Not Compatible With SQL Server

kiran_n sent in an article by Fortune's Owen Thomas on Vista not being compatible with SQL Server. An excerpt: "But now Microsoft has a problem. Vista, its long-awaited update to the Windows operating system, can't run the current version of SQL Server. The company is working on a SQL upgrade that is compatible with Vista — called SQL Server 2005 Express Service Pack 2 — but it's in beta and can be licensed only for testing purposes. Microsoft hasn't set a release date for the new SQL program."

263 comments

  1. I can't help but wonder... by _mythdraug_ · · Score: 1, Insightful

    if people get what they deserve for running a Server application on a Desktop OS.

    1. Re:I can't help but wonder... by nullforce · · Score: 3, Informative

      SQL Server Developer Edition probably falls into this category, as well as SQL Server Express. Both of these might be expected to run on a workstation.

    2. Re:I can't help but wonder... by _mythdraug_ · · Score: 0, Troll

      I expected that response... just couldn't resist the irony of the comment.

    3. Re:I can't help but wonder... by mgh02114 · · Score: 5, Informative
      people get what they deserve for running a Server application on a Desktop OS.


      With all due respect, RTFA:

      (Before any more of you fire off an outraged e-mail informing me that Vista doesn't run SQL Server, go back and read the above paragraphs again: I'm talking about SQL Server 2005 Express, which is the desktop counterpart of SQL Server - not the server version.)
    4. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Salvance · · Score: 4, Informative

      I lead the IT department of a small company, and we use SQL Server Express on desktops all the time. Our clients use it as well, since almost all of them are far too small to own a real server (e.g. restaurants, doctors offices, etc.). We ran into this last week when we installed Vista for the first time to see what would happen. Needless to say, we were rather shocked when none of our internally developed apps would work. VERY annoying.

      --
      Crack - Free with every butt and set of boobs
    5. Re:I can't help but wonder... by drpimp · · Score: 1

      I think we are all guilty of that one. If you are a developer, there is a good chance you are running one of many server applications for development or testing. How many small companies buy an extra machine just to run the servers they need for dev and testing? Maybe a few but certainly not all. My company I work for is relatively small, but there is certainly enough in our budget to get 1,2 or even more machines for what ever testing we need. Instead, every single developer has a development copy of SQL server installed (I cringe admitting that but it's the truth). Being a M$ shop (yet another cringe, but hey it pays the bills) is not really any different than some *nix development shop. Whether it be MySQL or Apache you have running, technically you are running a server software and running on your desktop, hence my point. People will install servers locally for many reasons, other than testing and development there could be a slue of reasons why, I just can't think of any at the moment, but we all know it's true.

      --
      -- Brought to you by Carl's JR
    6. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Alioth · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Well, since even Windows server is a desktop OS (it's a server, why is everything done via a GUI and no decent way to script half the things you need to do on it?) it's perfectly reasonable, really. The very name 'Windows' gives it away as a desktop OS, even if they try and tack on the word 'Server'.

    7. Re:I can't help but wonder... by msobkow · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I'd agree except that most boxen now use some sort of GUI for the admins, though the older and more experienced admins still live in command shells and scripting (automation!)

      But the question of what constitutes a "server" is normally a question of hardware capacity, not artificial restrictions imposed by multi-layer bundling. The prices for AIX, HP-UX, Solaris, Oracle, Sybase, etc. (i.e. both OS and core services) are based on CPU capacity, number of users, and other metrics that have nothing to do with some vague concept of server vs. client. (Plus X-11 and related display technologies reverse the terms anyhow, so they really have no meaning. I prefer digraphs -- data/command comes from here and goes there.)

      The add-on modules for most operating systems and products are feature add-ons -- GIS data type package, enhanced application integration/administration packages, developer/compiler package, etc. The only operating system I know of that clips out all the shell scripting, scheduling services, and other components needed to do real work is Windows.

      There are no "desktop" or "home" editions of Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, VM/MVS, AS400, or other systems because the concept is irrational. You run the same binaries on a two-way HP-UX desktop as on an 8-32 way SMP server. It's just minor configuration variables that change to tune performance; Microsoft is the only one to try to make you pay for those tweaks.

      Or you can download a package that will apply the registry changes and make your desktop act like a "server". To me that just highlights the inanity of the marketting distinctions.

      --
      I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
    8. Re:I can't help but wonder... by jefmes · · Score: 1

      Ever heard of PowerShell? I know, horrible name, but it does give MS servers some scripting legs...

      http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technol ogies/management/powershell/default.mspx

    9. Re:I can't help but wonder... by msobkow · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      If I recall correctly, Bill Gates stated he was trying to emulate IBM back in the '80s. Congratulations!

      They've emulated an outdated business model. ;)

      --
      I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
    10. Re:I can't help but wonder... by rmallico · · Score: 1

      SQL Server Express is not a server class product... its the next iteration of MSDE which is their desktop/workstation database... why is this a problem running it on your desktop.. its SUPPOSED to run on a workstation... and its been out for a while and SP1 has been out since before Vista RTM'd... so they put out a SP2 to support it.. dunno what is the big deal... modded +1 FUD

      --
      sig goes here!
    11. Re:I can't help but wonder... by xoundmind · · Score: 4, Interesting

      RFTA
      Indeed. And perhaps the real question: Why the hell should we care about the compatability virtues of a workstation SQL server?

    12. Re:I can't help but wonder... by rainman_bc · · Score: 1

      There are no "desktop" or "home" editions of Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, VM/MVS, AS400, or other systems because the concept is irrational.

      No, but there are Enterprise versions like SuSE or RHEL...

      And there's versions designed for end users like Linspire. And there's others like Fedora or OpenSuSE or Ubuntu which CAN work as a server, but generally you don't deploy it to the enterprise...

      Sure there's some goofy sysadmins who install gentoo in enterprise situations, but generally this is bad news for the enterprise.

      --
      09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
    13. Re:I can't help but wonder... by midol · · Score: 1

      I don't see how this is a mistake for MS. They get to harvest lotsa $ for the upgraders to the new version. Nice opportunity for the free software community to offer no-cost alternatives, too, if the will is there.

    14. Re:I can't help but wonder... by XMyth · · Score: 0, Troll

      You're cute.

    15. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Tony+Hoyle · · Score: 1

      SQL Server Express is free.

      Someone at MS just screwed up, that's all.

    16. Re:I can't help but wonder... by pete6677 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Considering how Vista doesn't really have all that much to offer over XP anyway, I'm surprised by how many software packages are incompatible with it. Did Microsoft take a copy of XP, tweak it just enough to break compatibility along with system stability, throw in some trivial new features, then call it Vista?

      I'd be very surprised if anyone can make a business case for "upgrading" to Vista. Other than a small handful of situations, I can't imagine it would be worth the trouble.

    17. Re:I can't help but wonder... by blincoln · · Score: 1

      it's a server, why is everything done via a GUI and no decent way to script half the things you need to do on it?

      Windows has traditionally had a pretty crappy CLI compared to Unix, but that's changed with Power Shell (formerly Monad).

      Even before that, there were tons of ways to script anything, provided whoever wrote the systems you were trying to automate did things in a halfway non-stupid manner. DOS batch scripts are the obvious method, but VBScript is very powerful if you're willing to take a little more time to do the scripting.

      Were you thinking of something in particular that you were unable to script?

      --
      "...always new atoms but always doing the same dance, remembering what the dance was yesterday." -Richard Feynman
    18. Re:I can't help but wonder... by HAKdragon · · Score: 4, Funny

      Considering how Vista doesn't really have all that much to offer over XP anyway

      ...but..but..but..Microsoft told me it's the most secure and easiest to use version of Windows yet with enhanced multimedia and gaming functionality! (Of course, they also said the same thing about Windows 95, 98, 2000, and XP)

      --
      "Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs. We have a protractor."
    19. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      other people already mentioned power shell, so why not try running good ol' bash on your windows computer with cygwin? sure, some quirks, but still far better!

    20. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The only business case I could think of is when XP reaches EOL (Which I think is a full year after Vista's been released to retail). As for me @ home. I don't plan on switching for a while. The hardware requirements are still to expensive for me at the moment.

    21. Re:I can't help but wonder... by JudgeJackson · · Score: 1

      I hesitate to ask, since this could be taken as flamebait, though that's not my intention, but I'm curious.... What makes SQL server express preferable to something like Berkeley DB, firebird, etc.? Does it have better tooling in visual studio?

    22. Re:I can't help but wonder... by kabz · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      I installed SQL Server Express 2005 on Windows XP and had no way to get a query plan. This is completely useless to me, so I uninstalled it again.

      Back to the arms of MySQL where these things aren't limited, and maybe I should give PostgreSQL a shot. Btw, I run Oracle at my deskjob, so don't flame me about MySQL, it's still pretty good despite some limitations.

      Oh shit, I just realized, I installed the free edition. Well, still pretty useless, especially to people on Vista, which isn't really that great anyway.

      --
      -- "It's not stalking if you're married!" My Wife.
    23. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's a desktop version in the sense that it can be used for development, but it still a server application.

      The main problem with SQL Server Express Edition is that it is limited to 4 GB dbs, which can be detected and handled, but it is obviously an annoying limitation. Still, it is much, much better than MSDE ever was.

    24. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Khabok · · Score: 1

      on one side, you should care because the market wants it enough to whip it into existence, and someday there may be those of us that must support it, or be compatible with it, or whatever happens to be necessary to keep a clap-trap M$ desktop-server running. Think about what this thing does and what it's used for, and then decide if it's a problem we should be worrying about. This especially applies with those on the ground handling networks and working with desktop software.

      *goes back to his hardware*

    25. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      yes.

    26. Re:I can't help but wonder... by nullforce · · Score: 4, Informative

      I believe Management Studio Express allows you to display a query plan, which is also a free product.

    27. Re:I can't help but wonder... by TheRaven64 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Vista is the most secure Windows yet. Actually, Windows is not that insecure, by itself. It's the applications that run on top of it (including the bundled ones) that have the security holes. Vista removes this vulnerability by not running any applications.

      --
      I am TheRaven on Soylent News
    28. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Luscious868 · · Score: 3, Informative

      The integration with Visual Studio makes it far and away the best DB to use to develop data driven applications and it's a breeze to upgrade your applications and their databases to SQL Server if you need to make the move. If you've got to use MS, there's no better way to go.

    29. Re:I can't help but wonder... by lysdexia · · Score: 0

      When I read this I thought: "Why would they change that name? Leibniz was so very prescient and ... Oh. *blink* It reads as if it rhymes with 'gonad' doesn't it?"

      I don't know what it does yet, but my next Free Software project is going to be called "One-Ball McGillicuddy" in reaction.

    30. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      #1 good for you for testing.

      #2 if you are even thinking of deploying Vista or reccomending it to any customer you need tobe beaten with a stick until bloody.

      test a lot but tell all your customers that Vista is not even to be looked at until maybe late 2007/early 2008.

    31. Re:I can't help but wonder... by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 3, Informative

      It's the same as usual with MS platform. If you decide to go that way, then you're best off going all the way in. Win2003, VS2005, ASP.NET, IIS, MS SQL Server - you'll get more out of those combined than you would have by using them separately.

    32. Re:I can't help but wonder... by pboulang · · Score: 4, Funny

      Can we flame you about running Oracle!?!?

      --

      This comment is guaranteed*

      *not guaranteed

    33. Re:I can't help but wonder... by killjoe · · Score: 1

      The only difference between the distros you sited are the programs running on them and where the repositories point to.

      --
      evil is as evil does
    34. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Chops · · Score: 3, Funny
      (Plus X-11 and related display technologies reverse the terms anyhow, so they really have no meaning.

      I applaud your clarity of reason, sir!

      "Normally, your boss pays you, but when you buy him a Christmas present, you're effectively paying him. So you can see that this whole 'employee' thing is pretty meaningless."

      "Cheap, unpowered speakers normally emit sound, but if you plug them into the microphone jack, you'll be able to record. It just goes to show you what a bourgeoisie lie this so-called 'stereo equipment' is."

      "I flew from New York to LA last week. Now I'm flying back, so as you can see names of cities have no meaning."

      I prefer digraphs -- data/command comes from here and goes there.)

      Oh, I see -- you don't like words that describe things that are different at some times than they are at others. You'd rather use digraphs. Now I understand.

      "I connected to the mail Ph using my work Oo instead of the Ee I use at home."
    35. Re:I can't help but wonder... by AlexDV · · Score: 2, Informative

      This is correct. For the most part, "Enterprise" versions of Linux distributions differ from their workstation counterparts only in that the use repositories containing only the most stable and well-tested version of a given application package, while the workstations can afford to use ones that may be less stable, but contain more cutting-edge features. The other major distinction is the level of support that you're paying for. Most companies probably don't need 24/7 technical support for workstations, while this can be critical for a server. This is not the case with Windows. Vista's seven different editions are all essentiall Vista Ultimate, but with various levels of handicapping imposed on them.

    36. Re:I can't help but wonder... by conglacio · · Score: 2, Informative

      for my studies, I need to be able to have a SQL server running on a desktop version of Windows. There are many students like me who's university lecturers use Microsoft development tools such as Visual Studio, and so we end up having to use it as well. Therefore, many of us have to worry about this issue.

    37. Re:I can't help but wonder... by jimicus · · Score: 1

      Vista is the most secure Windows yet.

      Not true. Earlier versions of Windows didn't support networking in any way. Provided you keep your computer in a locked room, you're fine.

    38. Re:I can't help but wonder... by jimicus · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Why the hell should we care about the compatability virtues of a workstation SQL server?

      How about because if you were developing code for me, and I found you testing your code against the production database on a real server, you'd be out the door so fast your head would spin?

      (Though TBH I wouldn't give you access to the production database anyhow, but that's by the by.)

    39. Re:I can't help but wonder... by msobkow · · Score: 1

      But what you're buying with RHEL or SLED is the service contract that goes with it. It's not a different code base, it's just on a different test-and-release schedule that better serves business. There aren't pieces yanked out to try and force you to buy an enterprise edition.

      Note the name: "Enterprise Edition". Suitable for business, not required for servers.

      --
      I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
    40. Re:I can't help but wonder... by msobkow · · Score: 1

      I love a good biting comeback! Especially when it's clearly been thought out. :)

      Digraphs just clarify the client-server directional relationship between process bubbles. The physical distribution of those processes has nothing to do with whether a box is labelled as having "server" capacity.

      --
      I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
    41. Re:I can't help but wonder... by skinfitz · · Score: 1

      Dont worry - education users are not likely to be running Vista for at least three years.

    42. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Assmasher · · Score: 2, Insightful

      So I guess this means you test your code against a different version of SQL Server database than runs in production, eh? If you did that at our company "you'd be out the door so fast your head would spin."

      This is why people have QA servers to test against. I certainly hope, for the sake of your company, you don't just test against your workstation and then place it in production. LOL.

      --
      Loading...
    43. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      It's because you are a moron. It has nothing to do with the product.

    44. Re:I can't help but wonder... by jimicus · · Score: 1

      Actually, we don't develop any software which speaks to an SQL server anyhow (though we have purchased some commercial software which does). I was talking theoretically.

      In any case, I can see a place for a workstation database to test against initially just to make sure the code doesn't do anything too glaringly wrong. Then check into CVS and do the real tests against a QA database on a real server of the same version/patch level.

    45. Re:I can't help but wonder... by marcello_dl · · Score: 1

      people get what they deserve for running a Server application on a Desktop OS.


      With all due respect, RTFA:

      (Before any more of you fire off an outraged e-mail informing me that Vista doesn't run SQL Server, go back and read the above paragraphs again: I'm talking about SQL Server 2005 Express, which is the desktop counterpart of SQL Server - not the server version.)
      I can't help but wonder if people get what they deserve for running a desktop application on a windows desktop OS. Besides, it's not very scalable software if the server and desktop versions have different degrees of compatibility with the same OS... (those confusing server and desktop with server and client please read instead: normal and crippled)
      --
      ---- MISSING MISCELLANEOUS DATA SEGMENT --- [sigdash] trolololol
    46. Re:I can't help but wonder... by marcello_dl · · Score: 1

      if people get what they deserve for running a Server application on a Desktop OS.
      That was offensive: i run postgresql and apache on a debian desktop just fine.
      --
      ---- MISSING MISCELLANEOUS DATA SEGMENT --- [sigdash] trolololol
    47. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Cico71 · · Score: 2, Informative

      I installed SQL Server Express 2005 on Windows XP and had no way to get a query plan.
      set showplan_text on
      set showplan_all on
      set statistics profile on
      set statistics xml on
    48. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Cico71 · · Score: 1

      There can be several reasons beside tools. For example the express edition can be a subscriber for SQL Server replication, or you may want to take advantage of the new asynchronus infrastructure (SQL Server Broker).

    49. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Salvance · · Score: 1

      Yep, we had wanted to use another free tool like MySQL or PostgreSQL, but either the licensing didn't work for our situation (MySQL) or the database wasn't stable enough on our clients' Windows machines (PostgreSQL). We needed pretty advanced database capabilities, so Berkeley and Firebird databases were out of the question 2 years ago when we started evaluating software. Kind of stinks that there really aren't a lot of good free database alternatives to SQL Server Express.

      --
      Crack - Free with every butt and set of boobs
    50. Re:I can't help but wonder... by cjc1103 · · Score: 1

      Actually I think Vista was started from the Windows 2003 Server code base, so it's more than just a tweaked version of Windows XP. Also they changed things from a security standpoint, so apps that require you to run them as the Local Administrator may not work. So Vista is probably more secure, but in order to do that, breaking some apps was necessary.

    51. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      EMC has created an application called VMWare many may have heard of or Microsoft's VPC for just this purpose. Testing any server app on a desktop OS is just not a good best practice. The information for this article makes this seem as a major issue when it really isn't. You cannot please everyone all the time. If your company relies on running SQL Server on the desktop for any reason and you dont want to spend money on VMWare, then Vista is not for you. There are always exceptions when doing a BDD rollout and if this is the only one or the worst, it is actually a selling point for going to Vista.

    52. Re:I can't help but wonder... by Chops · · Score: 1
      I love a good biting comeback! Especially when it's clearly been thought out. :)

      It's good to hear you're not bitter. My mean-spiritedness was meant with nothing but the best of intentions :-). Thanks.
  2. Oh NO! by anss123 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can't run SQL Server on Vista! Christmas is ruined! Thanks for nothing Microsoft >:(

    1. Re:Oh NO! by PPH · · Score: 1

      I can't run SQL Server on Vista! Christmas is ruined! Thanks for nothing Microsoft >:(


      Hey Santa! It looks like you're going to have to handle that naughty/nice list by hand this year. If I don't get that Ferrari I asked for I'll just assume its a key violation again.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    2. Re:Oh NO! by hawkbug · · Score: 1

      You're dead wrong. There are two very important Microsoft Apps not working on Vista yet, this is one of them. Why is it important? I have a development box running on Vista now which works fine, except for the fact that SQL Management Studio is buggy as hell and makes it impossible to connect to my SQL installs to manage and alter them. The other massive app not working is the Exchange System Manager for Exchange 2003. It stupidly requires IIS 6, which Vista doesn't have and the backwards compatibility from IIS 7 is basically non-existent. This is a HUGE problem for IT staff and developers trying to get a start on using Vista so they can train others, while at the same time continuing their development and administrative work. Microsoft screwed up big time here.

    3. Re:Oh NO! by Paradise+Pete · · Score: 1
      More F/U/D from Slashdot.

      If it's actually true it can't really be FUD, can it?

    4. Re:Oh NO! by ppanon · · Score: 1

      Can you run Virtual PC under Vista? If so, then you could run Exchange System Manager in an XP VM.

      --
      Laissez lire, et laissez danser; ces deux amusements ne feront jamais de mal au monde. - Voltaire
    5. Re:Oh NO! by SavvyPlayer · · Score: 1

      Microsoft thinks (hopes) there are hundreds of millions of people waiting for Vista, and therefore took a calculated risk shipping a product that was not yet 100% compatible with every one of its high-end management tools. In any case, no, this is not "HUGE" when there are several alternative ways to run these tools in the interim (rdp, vmware, virtual PC, the other PC on your desk, etc.) If you want to live on the bleeding edge, expect to bleed once in a while. Sheesh.

    6. Re:Oh NO! by hawkbug · · Score: 1

      Vista has been in development for 5 years and had one of the longest beta cycles for any MS operating system ever. There is absolutely no excuse for them at this point not to have Vista work with their existing production-based administrative tools. So yes, this is HUGE that the supposed king of software development can't make it's own very popular and widely used applications work on it's new operating system. It's very, very sad and unthinkable that they don't have multiple departments working together to avoid this. I would fully expect that third party applications have a rough go for the first few months on a new OS, but I am horrified that Microsoft's own apps don't and won't run anytime soon. SQL is supposed to be fixed soon, however it's rumored that Exchange System manager will never work on Vista, atleast until Exchange 2007 ships and you're forced to upgrade for this as one reason. Vista is publicly available now to OEMs and MSDN subscribers. They have no excuse at this point.

  3. Why? by goodtim · · Score: 1

    Why would you run SQL Server on Vista anyway? Servers don't need shiny graphics.

    --
    "Flee at once, all is discovered."
    1. Re:Why? by BradleyUffner · · Score: 2, Insightful

      How about developers who need to write vista applications that talk to databases? It helps to have a locally running copy of SQL server if you are disconnected from the network so that you can still work.

    2. Re:Why? by richi · · Score: 1, Redundant
      Did you actually read TFA?
      Before any more of you fire off an outraged e-mail informing me that Vista doesn't run SQL Server, go back and read the above paragraphs again: I'm talking about SQL Server 2005 Express, which is the desktop counterpart of SQL Server - not the server version.
    3. Re:Why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is not always easy to justify a server in all cases. A good example is WIN-PAK security card access control which comes with the desktop versions MS SQL but can be configured to use full MS SQL. It runs just fine on Win XP and in many SMB environments, it is rare you will have more than one person trying to RDP to the system. It looks like Honeywell has released a new version to work with Vista, WIN-PAK SE with VISTA Integration.

    4. Re:Why? by glitch23 · · Score: 0

      It's SQL Server 2005 Express which is the desktop version of SQL Server (previously MSDE).

      --
      this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom. -- Lincoln, Gettysburg Address
    5. Re:Why? by aoteoroa · · Score: 1

      Our company is heavily committed to using Act to help organize our sales people, inform managagers, and the opportunity tracking features assists head office understand future demand so we know what to purchase today.

      Act uses SQL Server Desktop as its database engine. If Vista can't run SQL Server then I imagine we can not use act.

      Just one more reason why I hope I will still be able to buy windows xp after Vista is released.

    6. Re:Why? by Zonnald · · Score: 1
      If you read the microsoft blurb about it here you will find that although the server doesn't necessarily work on Vista, the client applications should be fine, with the server on a Win Server 200(0/3) running the SQL Server (Express). Also, they are working on the SP for express, so I can't imagine that you company would be in major trouble if they waited before upgrading the server.

      How ever I did not that a customer of mine had ACT, installed on the server, but all the client workstations also had an instance of MSDE installed, never worked out why, I just assumed the installation guy (from ACT) didn't really know what he was doing.

  4. I believe... by ExploHD · · Score: 0, Redundant

    That is called irony.

    1. Re:I believe... by Jarjarthejedi · · Score: 5, Funny

      Main Entry: irony
      Pronunciation: 'I-r&-nE also 'I(-&)r-nE
      Function: noun
      1 : a pretense of ignorance and of willingness to learn from another assumed in order to make the other's false conceptions conspicuous by adroit questioning -- called also Socratic irony
      2 a : the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning b : a usually humorous or sardonic literary style or form characterized by irony c : an ironic expression or utterance
      3 a (1) : incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result (2) : an event or result marked by such incongruity b : incongruity between a situation developed in a drama and the accompanying words or actions that is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play -- called also dramatic irony, tragic irony

      Nope, doesn't look like irony to me. Irony would be if this problem was discovered while trying to upgrade Microsoft's own servers to Vista. This is just poor planning and communication between departments.

      --
      There are two kinds of fool One says 'This is old therefore good' Another says 'This is new therefore better'- Dean Ing
    2. Re:I believe... by danielk1982 · · Score: 1

      Its the "Alanis Morissette" definition of irony.

    3. Re:I believe... by ExploHD · · Score: 1

      I was actually thinking of The Robot Devil from Futurama

    4. Re:I believe... by tubs · · Score: 1

      (1) : incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result

      Expected result) Microsoft release a destop OS, that their own recommended desktop database server runs on.
      Actual Result) Microsoft release a desktop OS, that their own recommended desktop database server doesn't run on

      I would have thought that would have covered it.

      --

      try to make ends meet, you're a slave to money, then you die

  5. If anybody... by NineNine · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If anybody is moving critical databases to an OS that isn't even officially released yet, then they deserve to have their eyeballs poked out with hot, metal pokers, and then promptly fired.

    In other breaking news, Oracle does not work with Red Hat Enterprise Linux V.5.

    1. Re:If anybody... by VincenzoRomano · · Score: 1

      If anybody is moving ANY critical piece of software supposed to work, should better think to stay with another OS other than Vista.
      Much better if other than Micsrosoft's anything.

      --
      Maybe Computers will never be as intelligent as Humans.
      For sure they won't ever become so stupid. [VR-1988]
    2. Re:If anybody... by _mythdraug_ · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Beg to differ, but the OS has been released to volume customers for about 3 weeks now.

    3. Re:If anybody... by NineNine · · Score: 1

      OK, then let me re-phrase. Anybody moving an important database to an OS that has been released within the past year should be summarily shot and disemboweled. That's just waaaaay too soon to have any of the bugs worked out. At this point, if I needed to set up MS SQL Server, it would go on Windows 2000 as my first choice, then possibly Windows 2003. I wouldn't consider using Vista for anything more than a home PC for another year (I just started allowing Windows XP into my business recently).

    4. Re:If anybody... by RobertM1968 · · Score: 0, Troll

      I beg to differ... the OS has NOT been released - a beta has been. An unfinished version has been released to businesses, while MS is completing/fine-tuning/fixing numerous portions so that it is "Consumer Ready"... because apparently ripping off businesses with a product they know isnt ready doesnt bother MS. There is a reason why the consumer version isnt out yet - unfortunately MS doesnt think it an important enough reason to not sell to businesses - probably trying to get more $$ in from everyone's end-of-year budget surplusses before that $$ gets rolled to next year or re-allocated as part of next year. Some companies hold off major end of year spending until the next year to show higher profitability. Other companies that budget $$ per year need to spend that money to justify their budget (either to increase it or at least keep it static "Why should we allocate $100,000 towards IT next year when you only spent $80,000?") This allows MS to kill both birds with one stone... grab companies that have to justify their budget so it doesnt drop (or the money doesnt get rolled into next year's budget allowance) and also still be able to grab those companies that will resume major spending when the New Year arrives.

    5. Re:If anybody... by Basehart · · Score: 4, Funny

      "OK, then let me re-phrase. Anybody moving an important database to an OS that has been released within the past year should be summarily shot and disemboweled."

      Why can't everybody just get along?

    6. Re:If anybody... by Joebert · · Score: 1
      If anybody is moving critical databases to an OS that isn't even officially released yet, then they deserve to have their eyeballs poked out with hot, metal pokers, and then promptly fired.

      Where I work, we don't even toss stuff in waste baskets anymore, what started as an Affirmative Action hire turned out to be the best Janitor we've ever had.
      We had the Machine Shop next door make him a special walking stick that has a point on the end, now he just walks around the office with that walking stick & a bag.
      As if that wasn't enough, his dog can make a hell of a pot of coffee.
      --
      Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
    7. Re:If anybody... by The+Infamous+Grimace · · Score: 1
      ...an OS that isn't even officially released yet...

      RTFA. Vista Corporate Edition went on sale in November; it's the Home editions that haven't hit the streets. Since SQL is targeted at corporations, not home users, one might reasonably expect SQL to work with the corporate edition of Vista.

      -Peter
      --
      Ignorance and prejudice and fear
      Walk hand in hand
    8. Re:If anybody... by Tony+Hoyle · · Score: 3, Interesting

      It has been released. It's been out of beta for a while - the RTM is available from MSDN right now. The RTM is what the release discs are pressed from.. MS aren't going to make any changes now, except fixes via Windows Update.

      Of course the old rule applies - never install version 1 of anything. The last beta was so poor I haven't even be able to bring myself to install the RTM on the test machine dedicated to it... and there's no customer demand yet (takes about a year to filter through normally. Just starting to get Solaris 10 interest for example).

    9. Re:If anybody... by RobertM1968 · · Score: 0
      Funny, it was MS who made the claim it wasnt yet "Consumer Ready" and it has been posted lots of places including /. The added time was to ensure it was "Consumer Ready" - I think they (MS) would have a better idea of what they are talking about than you. Yes, what is out may be the "final" version for the business release, but that doesnt make it the final release version according to what they say.

      From one of NUMEROUS posts citing the delay in the Consumer release:

      Windows Vista delayed into January 2007

      "We needed just a few more weeks," Allchin said in a conference call. In a press release, he said "the industry requires greater lead time to deliver Windows Vista on new PCs during holiday. We must optimize for the industry, so we've decided to separate business and consumer availability."

      Allchin's comments indicated that the company wanted time to address the last remaining security enhancements to the OS, and that the delay would allow time for all of Microsoft's partners to get on board.

      "We're trying to crank up the security level higher than ever," he said. "This came down to a few weeks. We are trying to do the responsible thing here... Maybe in the past we would have just gone ahead but now we're not going to do that."

      http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060321-6433 .html

      So explain to me why security enhancements are critical to home users and not to commercial users? Also explain to me where you are correct in stating that Vista is done - as opposed to there being more changes (per Allchin himself) slated to be added BEFORE the consumer release is pressed for January?

      Sorry, I guess you have just misread MSs own posts regarding this? Or maybe I have? But I dont think it can be spelled out any better than it has been.

    10. Re:If anybody... by RobertM1968 · · Score: 1

      Here's another great one...

      http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/article.php/3 593251

      Especially the last paragraph...

      Yep... the crap released now sure is ready... so ready that they are refusing to release it to consumers so they have more time to fix security issues "But we want to be sure we have the appropriate drivers ready and all the testing done. If I had to pick one aspect of the [delay] it's because we're trying to crank the security level higher than ever." (Allchin) - and fix "user experience" issues as noted elsewhere in the article - and in numerous other articles...

    11. Re:If anybody... by RobertM1968 · · Score: 0, Troll

      I love how some n00b rated this as a TROLL POST... when it is clearly not. Let's see, MS has publicly stated they have more testing to do, "User Experience" and security issues to fix/enhance/implement for the consumer release... all of which are aspects of an OS I think would be important for anything but a beta release. People are running into compatibility issues with various software packages, including MS' own stuff - BIG USER EXPERIENCE issue to me.

      Now... someone explain to me how the (very relevant) truth is a troll?

      I didnt write Windows Vista... I didnt announce my product wasnt yet ready for consumer release becuase of issues that I think are just as (if not more) pertinent to commercial customer... I'm not responsible for the fact that "User Experience" issues such as compatibility with my own software was fixed - even though previously announcing that such was a work in progress for the consumer release - but not the already released commercial drop.

      Now, as to WHY they did this... I speculated why... maybe MS had other reasons, or their reasons were the same and I was right on the mark - instead of marking the post a troll, how about someone explain to me why a product that MS themselves dont deem yet suitable for consumers because of security, UI, testing and driver issues - is ready for the already happened commercial release?

      Reality isnt based on how you modded the posts - or what YOU want to believe... reality just is - and in this case, even MS admitted it publicly.

    12. Re:If anybody... by Westley · · Score: 1

      I very much doubt that the version shipped to consumers in January will be *any* different to the version on MSDN now.

      The reason it takes longer to ship to consumers than to businesses is that discs need to be printed, packaging needs to be created, etc - whereas businesses can download from MSDN and install directly. Do you think MS is still actually cutting code to be part of the January release?

      Of course, it'll be easy to tell after it's released in January - take a disc image of the version you get in the box and compare it to a disc image available from MSDN now.

      Yes, Vista was delayed. Yes, that changed the date it got into customer's hands - but that *also* changed the date it was available on MSDN. If the final version had been available in a box by now, the downloadable version from MSDN would have been available earlier too.

      Jon

    13. Re:If anybody... by Westley · · Score: 1

      I didnt announce my product wasnt yet ready for consumer release becuase of issues that I think are just as (if not more) pertinent to commercial customer...

      Could you post an article/reference to where MS said this after they'd released it (as RTM) on MSDN? You see, November is significantly after March (which is when the pages you link to were written) - so just because they said in March that there was more testing to do doesn't mean there was more to do after they released it to MSDN.

    14. Re:If anybody... by jacksonj04 · · Score: 1

      In that case I really would like to know what's running on this machine next to me. It sure as hell doesn't say CTP, Beta or RC. Could it be Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition, the same fully released version which has been available to volume licence customers and MSDN subscribers for a couple of weeks now? I believe it could!

      The OS *has* been released. I agree it isn't as polished as a release should be, and it has more than its share of issues, but the fact remains it has been released.

      Finally, does the US financial year actually rotate around January 1st?

      --
      How many people can read hex if only you and dead people can read hex?
    15. Re:If anybody... by RobertM1968 · · Score: 1

      Hi Jon,

      I didnt make (up) the claims as to why the Consumer Release was delayed - Microsoft did. Who am I to assume is correct? Microsoft - or the people who keep claiming they know better than the company who is releasing the OS? Just curious...

    16. Re:If anybody... by RobertM1968 · · Score: 1

      I could post more of them... or you could look some of them up yourself. Google is a great place to start - even though it is a pain to find the newer articles mixed in with the old ones.

      On top of that - keep in mind that the Business Release wasnt ready for pressing Nov 27th... it was ready earlier than that to allow for manufacturing (Nov 9th-ish)... so, tell me, are there no changes in the Business version that was RTM on Nov 9 compared to the Consumer version not yet released?

      If by some chance, factors changed that (according to MS) were delaying the Consumer release, then why is it the release date hasnt been moved up? Just curious... seems weird that they wouldnt be striving for the Holiday Season release (especially with hardware vendors bitching, and MS having to offer coupons for free or discounted upgrades to live up to the promises and appease their channel partners) they originally wanted if the product is ready - as you claim - as MS earlier claimed it was not - a claim they havent retracted in anything but very vague statements that entirely miss the heart of the matter (completing revisions/fixes MS thought necessary for the Consumer release).

      They (MS) dont specify what is RTM (Business or Consumer)... and I've already seen numerous releases of Windows that are identified the same but arent actually the same (yeah, if you look at the full version string there is a difference - but nothing on the box, packaging, manual, disk, etc). And there are enough articles just-pre RTM of the business release, as well as post RTM of the business release still claiming the same reason for the consumer release delay. And of course, they have told some of their channel partners, like CompUSA, the same thing. Maybe they are lying. Weird...

      ok, a few googled results for you...

      Dec 2, 2006 http://1digit.blogspot.com/2006/12/windows-vista-r elease-delayed.html

      Jul 11, 2006 http://www.cio.com/blog_view.html?CID=22868

      Nov 29,2006 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic le/2006/11/28/AR2006112801697.html

      Note the section about them stating that hardware support and software compatibility support is a factor for the consumer release delay. odd...

    17. Re:If anybody... by Westley · · Score: 1

      *All* releases were delayed, compared with when they had originally intended to be released.

      That is a very different matter from whether the delay between the release being available on MSDN and the release being available in a box is due to more code changes being required or production matters (boxes, discs etc).

      In my view, there was *always* bound to be a difference between when download availability and "in the box" availability.

      But hey, we'll see - as I said, we can compare the disk images after the "in the box" release.

    18. Re:If anybody... by RobertM1968 · · Score: 1

      Isnt as polished as a release should be - boils down to needing User Interface work perhaps - which is something MS promised to address for the consumer drop

      and it has more than its share of issues - such as app compatibility, drivers, security issues - which is something MS promised to address for the consumer drop

      Yes, it has been released... my point is, if they dont think it ready for consumers, and have promised to address that for the consumer release, then why the heck would anyone consider it to be ready for businesses? It's not like they are just adding a screen saver to make it ready for consumers... they are fixing things that anyone in their right mind would consider necessary before a product is no longer considered a beta or release candidate - thus Vista for business customer purchase may be available... but in my opinion wasnt finished...

      Oh wait, MS said it wasnt ready for consumers yet, didnt they?

      That was because there were still security issues, UI issues, user experience issues, software compatibility issues, driver support issues - that werent addressed.

      So my final two part question is -
      - If you run a business, are any of those important to you?
      - and if so, is the current Nov 29 release actually ready/finished in your mind?

      Let me know - really curious what you think about that...

    19. Re:If anybody... by RobertM1968 · · Score: 1

      Very true... we will see when the consumer drop hits... maybe it's identical? Maybe it's not?

      If it is identical though, that's really sad, as it means the issues that MS claimed was what was differentiating the Nov 27th and Jan 30 releases were not addressed and the delay was for nothing (other than creating a headache for themselves and their channel partners when it comes time to honor all those "Free Vista Upgrade" coupons).

      Even more sad, is if those issues still havent been addressed by the consumer release, then from numerous headaches already being posted about here and elsewhere, neither version (IMHO) were actually RTM - even though one has already long since been sent to manufacturing, and the other will be on it's way soon.

      -Robert

    20. Re:If anybody... by pboulang · · Score: 1

      yep, cause they think about security last. . .

      --

      This comment is guaranteed*

      *not guaranteed

    21. Re:If anybody... by Westley · · Score: 1

      Okay, let's look at each of those links in turn:

      1) 1digit.blogspot.com: (December 2nd) "Microsoft said today that consumer versions of its next-generation version of Windows would not hit the market until January 2007, dashing plans that it would be on PCs for sale during the 2006 end-of-year holiday season."

      Actually, MS had announced the January date much earlier than that: http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/arc hive/2006/11/08/windows-vista-releases-to-manufact uring.aspx

      From that same page: "And just what is this so-called RTM? It's the major milestone where we can confidently say that Microsoft is done with Windows Vista and will be handing it off to our industry partners: PC makers, ISVs and IHVs." What does "Microsoft is done with Windows Vista" mean to you? To me, it means their part of the code is complete. If hardware manufacturers improve some drivers between now and January 30th, that's fine, great, and I'll update appropriately - but that's entirely different to the picture you paint. Of course, you appear to believe you know more about what Microsoft release than they do...

      2) www.cio.com entry: Well, that's from July 11th, well before the November release, so is irrelevant: There's nothing in there which suggests the code in the November release is different to the code in the January release.

      3) Washington Post: Again, nothing in there suggests to me that there's any difference between the November and January releases.

      And yes, it states that hardware support and software compatibility support was a factor in the fact that Vista has released later than was originally intended. That's *not* the same as saying that there are any compatibility issues which produce a delay between the November release and the January release.

      You seem to want to treat the word "delay" as if it always means "delay after shipping to businesses but before shipping to consumers" whereas in almost every case shown so far it actually means "delay between when we originally intended to release Vista and when we actually shipped it". Can you see the difference?

    22. Re:If anybody... by AlexDV · · Score: 5, Funny

      "Why can't everybody just get along?"

      Hi, you must be new here. Welcome to Slashdot!

    23. Re:If anybody... by Westley · · Score: 1

      No, if it's identical it just means that you have misunderstood the various articles you've posted links to, and they're not talking about issues which mean the November 27th code isn't ready for consumers - they're talking about issues which meant that Vista wasn't ready to meet its *original* release date.

      The delay the articles talk about wasn't for nothing - "the delay" means that Vista is better than it would have been if it had been released early in the year.

      The delay between the consumer release and the business release was always going to happen, and is due to things like production, giving PC manufacturers more time to include Vista in their "out of the box" installations etc.

      Jon

    24. Re:If anybody... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      wow your user name is almost in the millions and you have the balls to call people here noob.

      Youth of today sucks

    25. Re:If anybody... by Fred_A · · Score: 1
      Isnt as polished as a release should be - boils down to needing User Interface work perhaps - which is something MS promised to address for the consumer drop

      and it has more than its share of issues - such as app compatibility, drivers, security issues - which is something MS promised to address for the consumer drop
      So Microsoft and the Windows brand both live up to their reputation so far. Isn't this a repeat of every release there has ever been (as in it doesn't quite work yet but it will) ? So what else is new ?
      --

      May contain traces of nut.
      Made from the freshest electrons.
    26. Re:If anybody... by Ambush · · Score: 1
      mission critical?

      Sophos Anti-Virus requires MSSQL to be installed on the management console. There is very little justification for this management console to warrant a full Windows Server installation, espcially in a SME office environment that doesn't even have a Windows server (like all of my customers who have Linux/Samba servers).

      So where does this leave my customers? Oh, that's right. Vista doesn't need AV software, does it? ;-)

      --
      There are 10 kinds of people; those who know ternary, those who don't, and those now hunting for a dictionary.
    27. Re:If anybody... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I agree that no one should move critical software to an OS that has just been released. People/companies should wait for at least a year or two before even considering it. This is a bit different with open and closed source software. You know what is inside the OSS OS and how mature the software is. Closed source software can include all kinds of "features" you don't even know of. So with open source wait a while before moving to a new OS and with closed source software wait a little bit longer.

    28. Re:If anybody... by fruey · · Score: 2, Funny

      Says 759799 to 633304 !

      --
      Conversion Rate Optimisation French / English consultant
    29. Re:If anybody... by ultranova · · Score: 1

      The delay the articles talk about wasn't for nothing - "the delay" means that Vista is better than it would have been if it had been released early in the year.

      How do you know that they didn't do the DRM and product activation parts last ?

      --

      Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

    30. Re:If anybody... by RobertM1968 · · Score: 1

      :-( Not much it seems :-)

    31. Re:If anybody... by RobertM1968 · · Score: 1

      Gee funny, I seem to remember calling whoever modded down my post a n00b - I never called everyone a n00b. Secondly, my first /. account predates a very high number of people still active on this board as I joined /. in the early days of /. (A few years ago), a year+ of not having an Internet connection in the apartment I lived in unfortunately and I cannot recall the account password - living many miles from there with a new ISP I cant have it emailed to my email address either. The user number is in the 45000 range though, and the account name is an easy one...

      I guess my post confused you to the point you couldnt actually spend the time to respond with a constructive comment - whether that comment was in agreement or not? So you resorted to posting anonymously, and posting nonsense at that.

  6. Other Software by RAMMS+EIN · · Score: 4, Insightful

    SQL Server is definitely not the only existing software that won't work on Vista. Of course, as always, people will swallow the incompatibilities between versions of Microsoft software much easier than they'll swallow the incompatibilities between Microsoft and non-Microsoft software. Likely, many people will express their anger over the incompatibilities, but not attach any hard consequences.

    --
    Please correct me if I got my facts wrong.
    1. Re:Other Software by HappySqurriel · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Likely, many people will express their anger over the incompatibilities, but not attach any hard consequences.

      The unfortunate problem is what kind of consequences can actually be "given" to Microsoft?

      From a buisness perspective, if you stop using Microsoft's operating system you'll have dozens (or possibly hundreds) of applications which are either not supported or not functional on Linux/Unix/OSX; these applications represent Millions of dollars in licences or development that would have to be re-spent immediately.

      From a personal standpoint, I (like most people) am lazy and don't want to switch operating systems and learn another office suite unless I have to.

      Personally, I have spent most of my time convincing companies to switch to web-based development using Java and Hibernate with a focus on abstracting the product from both the Operating System and the Database; one of about 12 products I have developed in the past few years have taken this approach.

      Essentially, we're stuck with Microsoft/Windows until something drastic happens

    2. Re:Other Software by RAMMS+EIN · · Score: 2, Insightful

      ``From a buisness perspective, if you stop using Microsoft's operating system you'll have dozens (or possibly hundreds) of applications which are either not supported or not functional on Linux/Unix/OSX; these applications represent Millions of dollars in licences or development that would have to be re-spent immediately.''

      While I appreciate your concern, the situation is much more complicated than you present it. First of all, there is no need to spend millions of dollars _immediately_; with a lot of software being cross-platform, and many Windows APIs being implemented in Wine, switching can be done gradually. Secondly, just because the software you have been using cost you millions of dollars, doesn't mean the software you will be using also costs that much. Thirdly, although there are certainly costs to switching, the software you switch too might actually lower your costs (licensing, maintenance, downtime, ...), providing a long-term benefit (and the sooner you switch, the better. ;-) ). Finally, Microsoft forces you to switch, too (although it's often referred to as "upgrading"); that's what this whole Slashdot discussion is about. None of this means that switching is a good idea, but it does mean that saying "switching costs millions of dollars" is short-sighted, and would only produce the best result by accident.

      ``From a personal standpoint, I (like most people) am lazy and don't want to switch operating systems and learn another office suite unless I have to.''

      I think that's right on: the software most people are using works well enough for them. Or, alternatively, it was hard enough learning to deal with this software. Why, then, take the effort of investigating alternatives? Especially if others have already done so, and you can ask around, and people will tell you that the alternatives are only for geeks; too hard for the average user, and not up to business tasks. Don't get me wrong: this is a perfectly good attitude. It would be unreasonable to expect everybody to take an interest in software and spend time and effort evaluating all software for themselves. Most people have other interests and better things to do with their time. Laziness is a virtue. Of course, that doesn't mean that people couldn't do much better, software-wise, if they tried.

      ``Personally, I have spent most of my time convincing companies to switch to web-based development using Java and Hibernate with a focus on abstracting the product from both the Operating System and the Database;''

      Do keep in mind, though, that anything that offers to abstract from a platform really is but another platform. Instead of tying your product to Windows and SQL Server (or GNU and MySQL, or what have you), you're tying your product to Java and Hibernate. These come with their own advantages and disadvantages.

      --
      Please correct me if I got my facts wrong.
  7. actually far worse by minus_273 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Actually, not only does it not work with SQL 2005 but it doesnt work with SQL 2000 either. In fact if you try to install SQL 2000 on vista it will try to stop you with messages saying the software has been tested to be incompatible with Vista. MS has not gone on the record that SQL 2000 will NEVER work with Vista. They want everyone to upgrade to SQL 2005 and have no plans to fix SQL 2000. If anyone hasn't used SQL 2005, they have removed DTS packages and the replacement is so horribly broken that simple things like copying a table from one database to another does not work.

    Good thing there is windows server 2003 still.

    --
    The war with islam is a war on the beast
    The war on terror is a war for peace
    1. Re:actually far worse by brian1078 · · Score: 1
      If anyone hasn't used SQL 2005, they have removed DTS packages and the replacement is so horribly broken that simple things like copying a table from one database to another does not work.

      Have you used SSIS? I've been using it for the past year and have found it to work exceptionally well for "copy a table from one database to another" as well as more complex transformations and business logic. Much more powerful than DTS ever was.

      Maybe your problem was a PICNIC
    2. Re:actually far worse by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 1
      Actually, not only does it not work with SQL 2005 but it doesnt work with SQL 2000 either. In fact if you try to install SQL 2000 on vista it will try to stop you with messages saying the software has been tested to be incompatible with Vista.

      So keep running W2K if you want to use SQL 2k. For a business or server environment, a lot of clients don't need more than than that anyway.

      -b.

    3. Re:actually far worse by minus_273 · · Score: 2, Informative

      No, it does not work. Stop lying. The Transfer SQL Server Objects task does not work and actually performs an incorrect query on the source database. You get a message saying the table you have selected to copy does not exist.
      This is knows as the transfer tables hell. example 1

      another thread

      and so on. Just go on google groups and you will see tons of people on the microsoft newsgroups why have been screwed over.

      If you have figured out how to change the query that it performs, please let the rest of us know. If you cant do that show some proof of someone actually getting it to work.

      --
      The war with islam is a war on the beast
      The war on terror is a war for peace
    4. Re:actually far worse by minus_273 · · Score: 2, Informative

      sucks if you are using the development edition on your desktop and your new machine comes with Vista doesnt it? since this is the el-cheapo $18 developer edition, it is fully functional but does not support connections from other machines. There is no option to run it on another machine unless you use remote desktop.

      --
      The war with islam is a war on the beast
      The war on terror is a war for peace
    5. Re:actually far worse by Zebra_X · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Copy database objects from sql server 2000 never really worked correctly either. Under very simple scenarios it works, but when there are foreign key constraints and many related tables sql server does not usually copy the objects in the correct order, and you get resulting constraint violations which ends up faling the package. My experience has been that it is one of the least reliable ways of moving tables and data between systems. To be frank, basing your release process or relying on it to propogate changes from one environment to another isn't great. No other system would you be able to use this process. Just use SQL scripts and insert scripts like everyone else.

      For the most part SSIS is a huge improvement over DTS, it is also much more scalable, and now has it's own dedicated runtime. Components for SSIS are also C# components as opposed to com components under DTS. Theoretically if you code is written well, you can reuse parts of it inside a 2005 DB with the CLR enabled.

      "Horribly broken" is really a rather exagerated claim. No one's software is perfect.

      Also, it's rather rude to call individuals "liars" when you don't have any evidence that that individual is in fact lying.

    6. Re:actually far worse by minus_273 · · Score: 2

      if basic functionality that was in the previous version and supposed to be in the current one is not there, then yes, it is horribly broken. As for rudeness, i called him a liar because this is a known bug thats been around since sql server 2005 was released. If he cant show how he got it to work, then he is lying. Its not an accusation, the query that is run is incorrect. How will it work for him and not anyone else?

      --
      The war with islam is a war on the beast
      The war on terror is a war for peace
    7. Re:actually far worse by Coward+the+Anonymous · · Score: 1
      For the most part SSIS is a huge improvement over DTS, it is also much more scalable, and now has it's own dedicated runtime. Components for SSIS are also C# components as opposed to com components under DTS. Theoretically if you code is written well, you can reuse parts of it inside a 2005 DB with the CLR enabled.


      While all the API's for extending SSIS are exposed as managed API, the internals of SSIS are NOT written in C# for the most part. The engine and most of the built in tasks are C++ COM Components exposed through a managed wrapper. This was done for performance reasons.
      --
      -- Jason
    8. Re:actually far worse by GeckoX · · Score: 1

      What are you actually accusing him of lying about?

      He said he DIDN'T use DTS, he used ssis.

      Heck, anyone that has used SQL server much basically gave up on DTS years ago and went with other products. Personally, we've been using SQL Delta for a few years now for these kinds of tasks.

      So where is he lying? I can't find it, and you've now directly accused him twice of doing so without backing it up or stating what he was lying about.

      --
      No Comment.
    9. Re:actually far worse by aiken_d · · Score: 1

      Phew! If Windows Server 2003 had gone away, we would really have been stuck, forced to run SQL Server on XP rather than the latest-and-greatest desktop OS.

      Seriously, this is the most breathless non-drama I've seen in a while. Very, very few people need to run SQL server on their workstations. Those very, very few people are so deep in development that they aren't going to sweat missing out on Aero, because they're too busy working.

      -b

      --
      If I wanted a sig I would have filled in that stupid box.
    10. Re:actually far worse by Zebra_X · · Score: 1

      Sorry, I should have been more specific "Components for SSIS are also C# components as opposed to com components under DTS" I meant to say that Custom components for SSIS are also C# as opposed to com components". That is to say that SSIS is easier to extend by developers than its predecessor.

    11. Re:actually far worse by minus_273 · · Score: 1

      read the links i provided. copying objects with SSIS does not work in Sql 2005.

      --
      The war with islam is a war on the beast
      The war on terror is a war for peace
    12. Re:actually far worse by Psychotext · · Score: 1

      Damn... I didn't think of that. I assume that you wont be able use enterprise manager to control an offsite server with Vista?

      --
      People that believe in their opinions don't post AC.
    13. Re:actually far worse by minus_273 · · Score: 1

      it complains when you try to install enterprise manager. It might work but even ms says it is unreliable.

      --
      The war with islam is a war on the beast
      The war on terror is a war for peace
    14. Re:actually far worse by man_of_mr_e · · Score: 1

      While it's true that some stuff may not work correctly under Vista, I can assure you that SQL 2000 installs and runs. Every task I've ever given it on Vista has worked fine without issue. I'm not saying there aren't any, but the claim that SQL 2000 "will NEVER work with Vista" is a bit, well, exagerated.

      Even the link you give says this about MSDE (which is a version of SQL 2000)

      "Limited testing indicates that MSDE 2000 may install on Windows Vista, but this is not supported and Microsoft does not guarantee that it will install under all circumstances."

      This is basically "We're not doing anything to make sure it works, but it probably will".

      Also, the FAQ says this:

      "SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Service Pack 1 will run on Windows Vista but has known issues with User Access Control."

      Which means if you turn off UAC, it works fine.

    15. Re:actually far worse by Zebra_X · · Score: 1

      All right, just because I thought that you were blowing smoke up everyones ass I decided to test your claims.

      First, a suggestion, check the dates on threads of conversations. The first thread cited was from Nov, 2005. There was little to no information regarding version. Also, it's difficult to acertain the users ability levels.

      Second, before running around and claiming the sky is falling - maybe you should do some testing to see if it actually is, eh?

      Here is the output from the SSIS based copy tables and data tasks. This process can be accessed by right clicking on the database in SQL Server 2005 Manager and clicking Tasks -> Export Data...

      This will copy the data and objects from the source server to the destination server. You will also have the option of specifying transformations between the source and the target table.

      The test was performed using a single table containing 3 rows of data from hosted in a Sql Server 2000 database, to the same database running on Sql Server 2005. Both instances of SQL Server were located on the same server. The package was executed from a XP64 based workstation using SQL Server Management Studio. Table and database names have been substituted with the string XXXXXXXXX The results of the operation are as follows:

      The execution was successful

      - Initializing Data Flow Task (Success)
      - Initializing Connections (Success)
      - Setting SQL Command (Success)
      - Setting Source Connection (Success)
      - Setting Destination Connection (Success)
      - Validating (Success)
      - Saving (Success)
      - Prepare for Execute (Success)
      - Pre-execute (Success)
      - Executing (Success)
      - Copying to [XXXXXXXXX].[dbo].[XXXXXXXXX] (Success)3 rows transferred

      Messages
      Information 0x402090df: Data Flow Task: The final commit for the data insertion has started.
        (SQL Server Import and Export Wizard)
        Information 0x402090e0: Data Flow Task: The final commit for the data insertion has ended.
        (SQL Server Import and Export Wizard)
      - Post-execute (Success)
      - Cleanup (Success)
      Messages
      Information 0x4004300b: Data Flow Task: "component "Destination - XXXXXXXXX" (61)" wrote 3 rows.

    16. Re:actually far worse by Zebra_X · · Score: 1

      Read my post, you should apologize for your behavior.

    17. Re:actually far worse by Zebra_X · · Score: 1

      PLEASE MOD PARENT DOWN. As you can see from my testing, there is no factual basis for this users's claims.

      Here is the output from the SSIS based copy tables and data tasks. This process can be accessed by right clicking on the database in SQL Server 2005 Manager and clicking Tasks -> Export Data...

      This will copy the data and objects from the source server to the destination server. You will also have the option of specifying transformations between the source and the target table.

      The test was performed using a single table containing 3 rows of data from hosted in a Sql Server 2000 database, to the same database running on Sql Server 2005. Both instances of SQL Server were located on the same server. The package was executed from a XP64 based workstation using SQL Server Management Studio. Table and database names have been substituted with the string XXXXXXXXX The results of the operation are as follows:

      The execution was successful

      - Initializing Data Flow Task (Success)
      - Initializing Connections (Success)
      - Setting SQL Command (Success)
      - Setting Source Connection (Success)
      - Setting Destination Connection (Success)
      - Validating (Success)
      - Saving (Success)
      - Prepare for Execute (Success)
      - Pre-execute (Success)
      - Executing (Success)
      - Copying to [XXXXXXXXX].[dbo].[XXXXXXXXX] (Success)3 rows transferred

      Messages
      Information 0x402090df: Data Flow Task: The final commit for the data insertion has started.
          (SQL Server Import and Export Wizard)
          Information 0x402090e0: Data Flow Task: The final commit for the data insertion has ended.
          (SQL Server Import and Export Wizard)
      - Post-execute (Success)
      - Cleanup (Success)
      Messages
      Information 0x4004300b: Data Flow Task: "component "Destination - XXXXXXXXX" (61)" wrote 3 rows.

  8. Backwards compatibility by pebs · · Score: 2, Insightful

    So much for Windows being great for backwards compatibility.

    --
    #!/
    1. Re:Backwards compatibility by neuro.slug · · Score: 1

      Hey! I'm sure you can run Commander Keen perfectly well, after all the work that MS poured into making sure those legacy 16-bit applications. Bah, who uses enterprise-level databases anyhow? That's not the target customer at all.

      Seriously--don't you think that the backwards compatibility people screwed up just a bit with their priorities?

    2. Re:Backwards compatibility by Lorkki · · Score: 1
      I'm sure you can run Commander Keen perfectly well, after all the work that MS poured into making sure those legacy 16-bit applications.

      I'm sure you must've heard that 16-bit support has been dropped from the AMD64-- whoops, I mean "x64" builds of Windows. Oh well, at least we still have DOSBox.

      Seriously speaking though, big businesses also still run a whole bunch of what you wouldn't hesitate to call legacy software. Legacy also means it's tried and tested, so they'll much rather sit around and keep on using it than reimplementing. On the other hand, growing requirements and maintenance costs can drive them to upgrade their hardware from time to time - so a backwards-compatible operating system can be a good bait.

      Of course, the sensibility of making yourself dependent on such things is a whole different matter.

    3. Re:Backwards compatibility by zifn4b · · Score: 1

      Yup, their priorities are definitely out of whack especially considering that there are people who have implemented backwards compatibility much better than Microsoft and did it for free.

      dosbox
      --
      We'll make great pets
    4. Re:Backwards compatibility by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, the parent post should be modded "funny", not "insightful". Just as most of the posts that tout Windows as "compatible with earlier versions" or "the reason they have so much trouble with bugs is support for leagcy software" etc, should be modded "funny".

      I have supported a lot of home users upgrading to win98, winME, win200, winXP and they all have had issues with hardware and software that just wouldn't work with the upgraded OS. There are always problems with this, in spite of the fact that Microcoft keeps saying they invest so much time on it. The truth of the matter is, they do: for corporate customers that command a lot of attention (i.e. buy lotsa copies of Windows), for hardware companies willing to cooperate (i.e. pay Microsoft lotsa money), or for products of companies haven't done anything to piss Microsoft off lately (like competing in any market area Microsoft would like to own, suing Microoft over any of the illegal actions they used to appropriate IP or, hell, just making bad statements about Steve Ballmer or Bill Gates).

    5. Re:Backwards compatibility by swordfishBob · · Score: 1

      Yes, it should be rated "funny". Back in 1996, OS/2 was more Windows-compatible than any version of Windows.

      --
      -- All your bass are below two Hz
  9. Re:Microserfs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Mice

  10. This is expected by bogaboga · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Since when has Microsoft rolled out a new operating system that is [100%] compatible with its own existing software? Even though I am no geek, I expected updated versions of existing Microsoft software to come Vista. So to me, this is expected.

    Think of it: Did anyone of you expect the current version of SQL Server to simply play nice with the "new and improved" Microsoft Vista OS, with all enhancements, bell and whistles? Heck, these "enhancements" took more than 5 years to implement! Way more time than was planned. Give me a break!

    1. Re:This is expected by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In theory, enhancements, bells and whistles aren't supposed to hamper having system calls follow documented specifications. In practice, Microsoft system calls are buggy, poorly documented, and Microsoft is having a hard time making them behave in the same way. So I'd say Microsoft's main problem is defining, documenting and implementing its interfaces correctly rather than backward compatibility.

    2. Re:This is expected by noamsml · · Score: 2, Funny
      Even though I am no geek

      /me points to the door
      OUT!

    3. Re:This is expected by Nerull · · Score: 1

      Most of those five years seem to have been dedicated to making the UI shinier. (And developing shutdown menus).

  11. Misleading Article by carlislematthew · · Score: 5, Interesting
    The article is about SQL Server *Express* Edition not working on Vista! This has NOTHING to do with the normal SQL Server edition that doesn't run on "workstation" OSs anyway. The express edition is a local (no network connections) version of SQL Server that developers use to develop against so that they don't need a full server to develop against.

    The article implies (and pretty much states) that Vista doesn't work with SQL server, implying that your client/server programs that depend on SQL Server won't work on Vista. They may in fact *not* work, but it has nothing to do with SQL Server!!!

    The article is written by someone that doesn't know what they're talking about, or they DO know what they're talking about and they wanted to get readers and ad-clicks.

    1. Re:Misleading Article by Phil06 · · Score: 1

      MSDE doesn't work on Vista, you need to use SQL Server Express Edition if you are running Vista.

      --
      "...and yet, I blame society" Duke - Repo Man
    2. Re:Misleading Article by fwr · · Score: 1

      You're mostly right, but not about the no network connections. SQL Server Express defaults to no network connections, but you can easily enable TCP/IP connections.

    3. Re:Misleading Article by Sprinkels · · Score: 1

      Agreed. But I should note that SQL Server 2000/2005 Developer (and trial) editions also run on the Windows Pro operating systems. They include all the functionality of Enterprise Edition (but are licensed for developing and testing purposes only). The trial edition is free, but expires after 180 days. A developer edition license costs about € 65. A license may also be included in a MSDN subscription.

      The express edition is limited to 4GB per database (max 16 databases). The product is targeted as an replacement of MSDE 2000, which can be bundled with desktop software (for example for accounting software). But is also marketed to be used for small websites (to compete with free DMBS's). Remote connections are disabled by default.

    4. Re:Misleading Article by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 2, Informative

      Express Edition is not intended for testing only. It's also meant to be used by desktop software in need of a lightweight database engine; a replacement for MS Jet.

    5. Re:Misleading Article by Rogue2u · · Score: 1

      Amen - This just seems like a pointless Microsoft bash again. Besides developers who want to test in an OS evironment and maybe a small amount of people who are using the Express Ed. ala MSDE this have no effect on enterprise grade deployments of SQL Server. Come on people - lets RTFA and use some common sense. Don't spread the FUD.

  12. Must have really bad code by Anon+E.+Muss · · Score: 2, Informative

    If there's one thing the Windows OS team is good at, it's backwards compatibility. I recently heard that a Win32 app I wrote 10 years ago for NT 3.51 still works on Vista. The SQL Server team must have fucked up something big for their code to fail on Vista.

    --
    The key sequence to access my Slashdot bookmark in Firefox is Alt-B-S. I don't believe this is a coincidence.
    1. Re:Must have really bad code by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 1
      I recently heard that a Win32 app I wrote 10 years ago for NT 3.51 still works on Vista.

      We're running a certain real estate industry program that was written in 1988(!) for Windows 3.1 under Server 2k3. In fact, it's one of the only things that we still use Windows for in that particular office, since it's mostly OS X/Linux. To use the program, people log onto the server via Remote Desktop - fortunately, we almost never have more than 2 people using the program, so we haven't needed to buy extra terminal service licenses.

      -b.

    2. Re:Must have really bad code by oohshiny · · Score: 1

      Uh, no, Windows is not good at backwards compatibility: the entire OS has changed radically over the last 15 years. There are some compatibility hacks, but old software does not work well on newer versions of Windows.

      In contrast, 20 year old UNIX software compiles, runs, and takes full advantage of modern hardware; the APIs have hardly changed because UNIX got them right in the first place. That includes the window system.

    3. Re:Must have really bad code by zlogic · · Score: 1

      And what kind of app that was, a calculator or a lite version of a large database server? Some old DOS apps still work with Vista, but that's because they don't rely on weird features or specific hardware.
      Visual Studio 2005 says it doesn't work with Vista, but the only real problem is that some kinds of apps can't be debugged, something to do with UAC which is quite obvious since UAC was introduced after VS2005 was released. SQL Server probably has some quirks with the firewall or other security features.

    4. Re:Must have really bad code by C0vardeAn0nim0 · · Score: 1

      have you tested if this app runs op top of Wine ?

      --
      What ? Me, worry ?
    5. Re:Must have really bad code by DrDitto · · Score: 3, Interesting

      SQL Server is Microsoft's best code. It is clean and well-designed. This is well-known in Microsoft's circle of internal developers. The current incompatibility on a desktop OS probably stems from performance optimizations. It is often said that operating systems just get in the way of DBMS systems.

    6. Re:Must have really bad code by Richard_at_work · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Uh, no, Windows is not good at backwards compatibility: the entire OS has changed radically over the last 15 years. There are some compatibility hacks, but old software does not work well on newer versions of Windows.

      In contrast, 20 year old UNIX software compiles, runs, and takes full advantage of modern hardware; the APIs have hardly changed because UNIX got them right in the first place. That includes the window system. You might want to try that sometime, in practice its not so clear cut on the UNIX side. And yes, I have experience in this area.
    7. Re:Must have really bad code by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 1
      have you tested if this app runs op top of Wine ?

      We tried. It doesn't, unfortunately.

      -b.

    8. Re:Must have really bad code by Not+The+Real+Me · · Score: 1

      "If there's one thing the Windows OS team is good at, it's backwards compatibility. I recently heard that a Win32 app I wrote 10 years ago for NT 3.51 still works on Vista. The SQL Server team must have fucked up something big for their code to fail on Vista..."

      If you use all the standard documented Win, Win32, ODBC, MDAC, multimedia, etc. API calls, your app should run forever.

      In the, literally, thousands of DLL's that Microsoft provides for its many API's, there are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of officially undocumented function calls which are only known internally at Microsoft (for competitive advantage reasons). Odds are is that the SQL Server Express team used some of these undocumented API function calls that had been deprecated (or slightly modified) by the Operating System team in Vista since Vista was allegedly rewritten from scratch. SP2 of SQL Server Express will reintroduce the deprecated or altered function call(s). This would be a variation of Window's DLL hell versioning.

    9. Re:Must have really bad code by multipartmixed · · Score: 1

      Howabout WABI?

      --

      Do daemons dream of electric sleep()?
    10. Re:Must have really bad code by Aqualung812 · · Score: 1
      In contrast, 20 year old UNIX software compiles...
      You lost me at "compiles".

      Seriously, you are talking about two seperate things. Double-clicking an Installshield wizard and having it work in Vista when it was COMPILED on a Windows NT 3.51 box is not the same thing as 20 year old source code still working.

      --
      Grammer Nazis - I mod you "troll" unless you actually add something on-topic. Yes, I know I have mispellings in my sig.
    11. Re:Must have really bad code by oohshiny · · Score: 1

      Seriously, you are talking about two seperate things. Double-clicking an Installshield wizard and having it work in Vista when it was COMPILED on a Windows NT 3.51 box is not the same thing as 20 year old source code still working

      You must be kidding... you don't seriously think that that works most of the time. These days, a lot of software breaks with a service pack upgrade. If anything, systems like Linux, Solaris, and AIX provide better binary backwards compatibility. In fact, the Linux package managers will not only be able to install 10 year old software, they'll also be able to tell you whether it will work.

      See, the nice thing is that with the Linux distribution model, even though they get it, people rarely need to take advantage of binary backwards compatibility, since almost any software they use and install just gets repackaged fresh for the new OS and upgrades without even having to think about it.

      Or, to put it differently, when you say "install", you're already admitting failure. For Linux, 10 year old software just work.

    12. Re:Must have really bad code by Aqualung812 · · Score: 1
      I'm not saying Windows software installation is better. Being able to compile software to fit your OS and hardware is always better. However, not everyone knows how to do that.

      My main point is that the GP's statement that his installer still worked was amazing to me. I almost just expect 20 year old source to compile fine, so I didn't get what it had to do with the GP.

      --
      Grammer Nazis - I mod you "troll" unless you actually add something on-topic. Yes, I know I have mispellings in my sig.
    13. Re:Must have really bad code by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 1
      Howabout WABI?

      Honestly, it works and we already have an SBS2k3 license and an extra box, so it's no big deal to keep running it as is. When something breaks, then we'll fix it.

      -b.

    14. Re:Must have really bad code by oohshiny · · Score: 1

      My main point is that the GP's statement that his installer still worked was amazing to me.

      It's not particularly amazing that that works occasionally. Furthermore, there are some platforms/environments that have that level of binary backwards compatibility far more consistently than Windows.

      I almost just expect 20 year old source to compile fine

      Good luck compiling and running most 20 year old DOS/Windows stuff. A lot of that code is trying to access hardware directly.

      , so I didn't get what it had to do with the GP.

      The point is that UNIX got the APIs right from the start, while Windows has had to start over several times. When Windows gives you backwards compatibility, it's because they have to make an extra effort to ship and support old junk that they otherwise would want to ship and support anymore.

  13. Same as the Zune by Phantombrain · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    The Zune also has the same problem.

    Seems like Microsoft had some comunications issues between it's departments.

    --
    echo YOUR_OPINION > /dev/null
    1. Re:Same as the Zune by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      "Zune also has the same problem"

      Christ, it won't run SQL Server either?

      Lame

    2. Re:Same as the Zune by noamsml · · Score: 2, Funny

      No SQL Server. Less space than a nomad. Lame.

    3. Re:Same as the Zune by dioscaido · · Score: 1

      Vista is not available for consumers until the end of January. Zune is a consumer application. It's probably safe to say that they wanted to get Zune out ASAP in time for the holidays, so they concentrated on the XP client first and foremost. It will support Vista when it is released (a beta is already available that works just fine). The SQL Express issue is more relevant, since Vista is available to businesses. As has been mentioned a bunch of times already the article is misleading though, since it has nothing to do with SQL Server.

    4. Re:Same as the Zune by Beryllium+Sphere(tm) · · Score: 1

      The scary thing being that in five or ten years that won't be funny: we'll expect handheld devices to have the power for things like today's SQL Server. Ten years ago who would have believed a Walkman-like device with a 20G hard disk?

  14. FUD at its best by ThinkFr33ly · · Score: 4, Insightful

    First of all, the title of the post (and the article's title) are misleading. "SQL Server" (suggesting its full fledged version) was NEVER compatible with Vista, or XP for that matter. It's meant for servers, not desktops.

    Second, Vista is NOT RELEASED YET. Despite that, early adopters can download SQL Server Express SP1, which runs fine on Vista, although it is not technically "supported" by Microsoft. In fact, almost all of the issues are easily worked around by running the setup as admin, and SQL Server Management Studio as admin.

    For those people who have additional problems, there is plenty of good documentation on how to get it running, or they can install the beta of SP2, which should be RTM by the time Vista hits the shelves in the end of Jan anyway.

    So despite the author's obvious attempts at a sensational title that would get him lots of hits (and, evidentially, posted on Slashdot), his content is almost pure FUD... and pure gold for Slashdot.

    1. Re:FUD at its best by cwiegand · · Score: 1

      Actually, at my work we have licenses for Vista (thanks to Software Assurance!), and CDs for it (thanks to MSDN downloads!). Now, only us IT/IS people are getting it for the time being, but still. It *IS* out.

      --
      Define sqrt(x) as something really evil like (x / rand()), and bury it deep in a shared include somewhere.
    2. Re:FUD at its best by thona · · Score: 3, Informative

      Your post?

      Bet on. One of the most idiotic ever.

      See: ::"SQL Server" (suggesting its full fledged version) was NEVER compatible with Vista, ::or XP for that matter. It's meant for servers, not desktops.

      Wrong, it was compatible. It is not meant to be used on that - on a poroduction environment, but it is compatible, and a good reason to install it on XP is development. Like having a SQL Server avaialble on your laptop. ::Second, Vista is NOT RELEASED YET.

      Bullshit. Serious. Vista was RTM what - three weeks ago? It is even avaialble in a boxed vervion in shops already in limited distribution (i.e. in SOME shops, wide availability is in january). Companies / developers have download access ot the gold/rtm master code for weeks - like my company is rolling out Vista business between christmas and new year on all desktops, and is inthe middle of testing that.

      Check your facts. Idiotic statements like yours make open source look bad.

    3. Re:FUD at its best by NineNine · · Score: 1

      like my company is rolling out Vista business between christmas and new year on all desktops, and is inthe middle of testing that.

      I'm just curious... is your company's CIO brain damaged? You guys are gonna have a really shitty welcome back to work after the new year. Hung over, and having to deal with a completely new platform. Ugh. Good luck!

    4. Re:FUD at its best by zlogic · · Score: 1

      Vista was released for MSDN subscribers a month ago as well for business customers two weeks ago. The final build was compiled forty days ago. What's more, the SQL Server developers probably ran Beta and RC versions of Vista so they should have been developing the solution for at least a month.

    5. Re:FUD at its best by thona · · Score: 3, Insightful

      ::Vista has NOT been made available to the public Ah yes. So - what are you getting when you buy vista now, there: http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/11/13/HNmscomp usa_1.html More info: http://www.itbusinessedge.com/item/?ci=21919 It is not in wide distribution, but it is out. You an walk intoa CompUsa NOW and get a copy. ::It was made available on MSDN / Windows Connect for EARLY ADOPTERS Bullshit. It was made available. That simple. SOME are early in adopting, but it is the real RTM version. Sure, driver support through third party is crap, but that is not going to change inthe next 30 days. It is the RTM version. The versionsin the shop will be identical to the released images- it just now takes time to get them manufactured and into the distribution. ::If your company runs full fledged SQL Server on desktops, they're morons for multiple reasons. So, I am a moron? Let me get this straight - how else am I supposed to make SQL Server development woork wih reporting services and/or SSIS on my laptop without internet connection? Not all uses of a server product are - for prouduction use. ::And your response to my post showed your idiocy, not mine Let me guess -yyou are american and thus do not value the reality.

    6. Re:FUD at its best by thona · · Score: 1

      ::is your company's CIO brain damaged?

      No. We are jsut a small software development shop (i.e. less than 20 people) and have to provide vista ready software very soon. So far only test environments were running vista, plus limited developer workstations (doubles).

      We take down the whole system between christmas and new year and move out Vista, Office 2007 and Exchange 2007 to our people. ::Hung over, and having to deal with a completely new platform.

      Well, if any of our people have a problem with this they will get fired. I mean, it is not like Vista is new here. Our developers so far all use VIsta to one degree or the other - secondary workstations, test environments. We just delayed the mass-rollout until we have a more quiet day, mostly because the whole install takes so damn long and not all stuff was out yet. Exchange will take the better part of a day.

      On top - what you mean with "Hung over"? It is a work day. ou appear here not in working conditions you get fired.

    7. Re:FUD at its best by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Vista has NOT been made available to the public, only to people who have access to MSDN, and to certain corporate clients.


      Dude, I don't know where you get your ganja, but where I get mine, it don't come Microsofted. Vista was officially released to businesses a few weeks ago. It is not available for consumers (you know, those idiots who roam our streets, not knowing their ass from their elbow) as yet. You'll know when it gets released to consumers. Spam will go up for sure!
    8. Re:FUD at its best by ThinkFr33ly · · Score: 1
      The fact that Vista is "released" in some fashion or another is completely irrelevant. The FACT is that SQL Server Express works FINE on Vista with minor tweaks, and works without tweaks if you install SP2 beta. SP2 will be FINAL before Vista's OFFICIAL release at the end of January.

      Who exactly cares that you can get a copy of Vista at CompUSA? You think the guy who goes and buys Vista at CompUSA is also going to be doing a lot of SQL Server development? Give me a break.

      Let me get this straight - how else am I supposed to make SQL Server development woork wih reporting services and/or SSIS on my laptop without internet connection?


      Ah, cause that happens all the time. After all, I do all my development completely offline.

      If you *really* must do development offline, have you ever heard of Virtual PC or VMWare? VPC is free, and you can run Win2k3 Server on it with all the SQL Server goodness you want. Sure, there is the cost of the OS license and the SQL Server license, but your company either has tons of money, has an MSDN subscription, or pirates its software, since your running full fledged SQL Server on your desktops.

      Furthermore, running SQL Server 2000/2005 (full) on a desktop has NEVER BEEN SUPPORTED. PERIOD. END OF STORY. How can you cry and moan when you've been doing something that has been unsupported from the get go?

      You're making a mountain out of a mole hill so that you can have some kind of faux outrage and bash Microsoft. Get a grip, and get a clue.
    9. Re:FUD at its best by ThinkFr33ly · · Score: 1

      Oh, one more thing, it turns out you CAN develop SQL Server Reporting solutions on SQL Server Express. See this document.

      Yet more evidence that you have no real interest in the facts. It took me about 20 seconds to find that document.

      *OWNED* :)

    10. Re:FUD at its best by GeckoX · · Score: 1

      Wow, you're a real piece of work.

      Where do you work? I just want to make sure there is absolutely no chance whatsoever that I will ever even think of working there.

      Sounds like you work in a code sweat shop, or is it as a spam broker, both maybe? I just get a really really uncomfortable feeling after reading your posts. Something stinks in Denmark I tell you.

      --
      No Comment.
    11. Re:FUD at its best by GeckoX · · Score: 1

      Dude, you're living in a house of cards.

      A dev environment on your laptop is not the same as a staging or deployment scenario. Yes, as you state, you can get this stuff to work...if you must...but it is debatable whether it is a good thing or not. It is by FAR easier and more reliable to run local dev tools for development, ESPECIALLY when isolated to a single machine like a laptop. SQL Express is the right tool for this for just about everyone out there.

      I don't get your attitude or POV. I said it above, and I'll say it again...something just doesn't add up about your comments. I can't put my finger on it, but something is very fishy.

      Either way, do what you will, but what's the need to be such an ass to anyone that is simply trying to point out that what you're trying to do, for most people, simply isn't a very good idea?

      --
      No Comment.
    12. Re:FUD at its best by cyber-vandal · · Score: 1

      www.powernodes.com looks like a likely suspect for his workplace ;)

    13. Re:FUD at its best by LinuxIsRetarded · · Score: 1
      Let me guess -yyou are american and thus do not value the reality.
      Clap. Clap. Clap. That's an excellent way to get someone to agree with you. Why not throw the "n-word" in there as well?
    14. Re:FUD at its best by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is ok he is a Socialist from Europe and have nothing else to do besides be unemployed.

  15. Not an issue, Windows is not a server OS anyways.. by gweihir · · Score: 1

    And obviously even Microsfot knows that very well. Otherwise this mistake woul be stupid in epic proportions. And while I think that MS has reached some pressy impressive hights in OS design supidity, they are not that supid....

    --
    Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
  16. Backwards Compability? Is that so? by Soiden · · Score: 1

    Now I wonder what the people who said Windows really worries for backwards compability have to say now. Surely, they'd find something to say :P

    --
    Minti: What's that huge shuriken in your back?! Kin: It's the instrument of my victory.
    1. Re:Backwards Compability? Is that so? by Afecks · · Score: 1

      Who would have thought beta software would have issues...especially since every other OS gets it right the first time. That's why everyone else is still at version 1.0, right?

  17. Re:Why? - For development. by ziani · · Score: 4, Informative

    You install the "Express" version (which is what the article is talking about) on a desktop/laptop for development purposes. For example, I'm developing a specialized information tracking application that is intended to run on my company's intranet. Our company is 100% MS shop, so we have to design for SQL Server as the back end. I'm using MS Visual Web Developer 2005 Express to create the ASP.Net "business logic" or "mddleware", and a web-based user interface. Visual Web Developer 2005 Express automatically installs SQL Server Express and integrates nicely.

    Just not on Vista, it appears.

  18. I am running SQL Server Standard 64 bit by SeeManRun · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I dunno what the problem is, I am running SQL Server 2005 64 bit Standard edition on Vista Ultimate RTM. Works fine. Only using it because the application I am developing uses ODBC to the Jet engine which has now been deprecated according to MS, so I had to try something else. Seems to work fine, though I don't use it too in depth yet.

    1. Re:I am running SQL Server Standard 64 bit by NineNine · · Score: 1

      Jet has been depricated or ODBC? Oy! Do you happen to have a link to any more info? I just got finished writing an app with an Access back end (easy and cheap). Not that it would be tough to port over, but Access does have some non-ansi standard SQL, and if I'm going to have to switch over to MSDE or PostGre, then I'd rather plan for that now.

    2. Re:I am running SQL Server Standard 64 bit by quazee · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Although there is no official word from Microsoft about Jet deprecation, Microsoft has stopped actively developing Jet.
      There are numerous clues which may indicate Jet deprecation:

      1. Jet is not ported to x64 platform, and probably will never be, according to MS devs.
      You can only install 32-bit Jet 4.0 SP8 on an x64-based Windows OS.
      Since Jet is an in-process component, it is not possible to use a Jet database in a 64-bit application.

      2. Access 2007 uses its own, non-redistributable database back-end, codenamed Ace. Jet databases are supported only for legacy reasons.

      3. Jet libraries have been removed from MDAC 2.8 package. You have to install Jet 4.0 separately.

      4. Many newer MS articles and whitepapers suggest using SQL Server 2005 Express as opposing to Jet, as a superior technology.

      --
      throw new SuccessException("Sig read successfully");
    3. Re:I am running SQL Server Standard 64 bit by SeeManRun · · Score: 1

      I was very surprised go here, and Google will have more on this http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms692882. aspx My app uses only standard SQL so it was no problem, but a few of the queries have to be switched (count distinct being one I had to change immediately)

  19. Re:It's not a bug, it's a security feature! by Coriolis · · Score: 1

    Is this a troll? If not, think, then post. Reading the article would help, too. First, there are there many advantages to having a freely redistributable database engine on desktops. You may already have applications running on your desktop that use MSDE without you realising it. And secondly, as a developer, I find it very handy to have a desktop database to test against.

    Consider that one of the first groups to use a new version of Windows will be the developers (,developers, developers), and you can see that this isn't Microsoft's smartest move

    (Mind you, not that I was going to upgrade to Vista anytime soon)

    --
    Rgasuya aata! : I have been coding Perl and cannot tell where my fingers are now!
  20. shouldn't it be the other way round? by teslar · · Score: 1
    Vista Not Compatible With SQL Server

    [Pointless nitpicking]
    Surely, applications are (or are not) compatible with an OS, and not the other way around. An OS does (or does not) support an application.
    [/Pointless nitpicking]
    1. Re:shouldn't it be the other way round? by jimicus · · Score: 1

      Technically, you're correct. But any business with any sense will look at the applications it needs first, then go base their OS choice on the strength of that.

      So, if $APPLICATION isn't compatible with $OS, it's $OS that gets changed.

    2. Re:shouldn't it be the other way round? by Gothmolly · · Score: 1

      The OS is the Application. The Application IS the OS.

      (apologies to Dune fans)

      This is MS we're talking about, remember? The people who said that the Intarweb and your filesystem should be the same UI ?

      --
      I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
  21. RTFA, dude.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    From TFA:"I'm talking about SQL Server 2005 Express, which is the desktop counterpart of SQL Server - not the server version."

    Nobody runs MS Sql server on their desktop. We are talking about SQL server client - namely MS SQL Express.

    1. Re:RTFA, dude.. by drpimp · · Score: 1

      In our office we are stuck running SQL 2000 on our desktops (ouch I know). SQL Express, accepts client connections, IT'S A SERVER in every sense of the meaning scaled down or not. Mind you I understand what TFA is getting at. Lets state the real point now, one would have thought this would have been tested on Vista already even prior to Express release. I would imagine it was another one of the M$ could give a shit less, produce products now, fix issues later situations typical in the M$ world.

      --
      -- Brought to you by Carl's JR
    2. Re:RTFA, dude.. by yesthatmcgurk · · Score: 1

      $uck dollar $igns, a$$hole. ($orry to di$$ you $o clo$e to xma$. Hope you get ur p$3. Not.)

  22. Just for clarification by Espectr0 · · Score: 3, Informative

    This is about the desktop version (SQL Server Express). Companies don't run that, so this isn't much of a big deal. The regular SQL Server works fine.

    1. Re:Just for clarification by Harlockjds · · Score: 1

      companies don't run it? most companies that do sql server development DO run it on the developers systems so they can develop.

    2. Re:Just for clarification by Shados · · Score: 1

      Actualy, Express is mostly used for local usage. Like, so a lap-top can use data while on the go, or to do particularly intensive reports that would kill the main database. Or in situations where you would need something like Access, but need full SQL Server features. Or even more, as a full fledged database where you don't need more than 4 gigs and 1 CPU.

      While SQL Express -is- used for development with the Express serie of Visual Studio, any companies that do actual SQL Server development seriously, will use SQL Server Developer edition: otherwise you don't have all the tools you require.

    3. Re:Just for clarification by GeckoX · · Score: 1

      He means companies don't run that in production. There will be no need to install SQL Server 2005 on a Vista Desktop workstation for a production system. For anyone that thinks there is, you might want to rethink your line of work ;)

      Express has some minor issues on Vista, but it does work with some tweaking. Once SP2 final is released for it the problems will be solved.

      Bottom line is that the release of Vista, and the not quite finished issues with SQL Express on Vista, are only a problem if you're looking at moving dev workstations over to a vista environment Real Soon Now. Unless you're targetting Vista apps and MUST do this now, as with every other major OS release, you'd be daft to move your dev teams over to it just because it's New and Shiny. It's just not a good idea.

      There really is no problem here. Nothing new, nothing that hasn't happened before many times, nothing that is anything more than a minor inconvenience for the must have early adopters...most devs aren't and shouldn't be in that category.

      --
      No Comment.
  23. Lame by nwoolls · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This crap is getting lame. I'm seeing more and more unfounded "articles" on here because they have to make sure they get the stories Digg has. Newsflash folks. 99% of the articles on Digg are fanboy crap. This one is no different.

    What's funny is there are already numerous comments here, but apparently NONE of those judging and commenting have actually tried what the article seems to be talking about. MSSQL Server 2000 and 2005 run *just fine* under Vista. There may be some minor compatibility problems and yes, the installer warns of these, but you can click right through that. Maybe some issues crop up if you tried to use it as a full fledged server solution as is, but for development purposed they work *just fine*.

    Plus, this article is talking about MSSQL Server 2005 Express, which is the local, chopped up locked down version. The rest of the versions work just fine, plus there will be, soon enough, updates to increase the compatibility.

    Please keep this kind of crap off Slashdot. It's fine to love OS and hate MS. But at least get your facts *sort of* straight. This is just way off the mark.

    1. Re:Lame by Shados · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Worse is, if someone DARED say something similar about Linux, everyone would be up and arm against them. Like if we saw a "MySQL doesn't work on the new version of Ubuntu!" or something. People would flip, -EVEN- if MySQL was only in some ultra-unstable-experimental-of-doom branch.

    2. Re:Lame by noamsml · · Score: 1

      What does Digg have to do with this?

    3. Re:Lame by oliverthered · · Score: 1

      MySQL doesn't work on the new version of Ubuntu!

      There's a big difference, the same people that make the Linux kernel, or Ubuntu aren't the same people who make MySQL.

      --
      thank God the internet isn't a human right.
  24. Re:Not an issue, Windows is not a server OS anyway by rsanta74 · · Score: 1

    Doesn't matter. I know of more than a few non-techies who will be affected by this issue. For one thing, most of the high end financial software is heavily dependent on SQL Server. These data-centric apps rely on it just to even function. I know for a fact that this issue will impact countless accountants, implementers, financial consultants, and not-for-profit organizations. None of these users or institutions require servers or server material. It's just the nature of their business that requires them to have such a utility. Either way, it's only a non-issue for one reason. Companies are not the same as the average end user. You and I might adopt early whereas companies are usually slow to upgrade. By the time they do upgrade to Vista and their software is Vista compatible, this SQL Server issue will be long sorted out. Upgrading one machine is expensive enough. Try upgrading a whole office worth. I know of respectable, profitable companies that are still on Win2K or WinME. The fact that this is a "server" product is of little consequence. Any OS newer than WinME is likely based off of that pro oriented Win2K foundation anyway. Whether or not the end user uses SQL Server is of less consequence than the fact that the core app should support it by its basic design. A pro-level OS should support pro-level needs, regardless of the end user's level of proficiency.

  25. (Shrug) So, they rushed Vista out prematurely... by dpbsmith · · Score: 0

    ...while publicly saying they weren't. So, what else is new?

    Does anyone believe for an instant that nobody at Microsoft noticed this until after the product was released? I'd bet money it was on explicit checklists of release criteria and someone overruled the technical, SQA, and project management staff because they were afraid of getting a chair thrown at them...

  26. SQL Express vs SQL Server by swalters1 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For those unaware this is primarily a concern for people who develop stand alone applications that currently use SQL Express.

    Why use SQL express? It's more stable and more flexible than just using ODBC to connect to an Access database file. Plus you can use all other features that you can not use in Access. It's also the defacto standard for Visual Studio 2005 developers so it gets a lot of use now adays in development. It's also far easier to use than installing the clients for Oracle or MySQL and reduces your program's foot print. (1.2MB vs 35 MB)

    I actually use this, and when testing Vista didn't run into a single problem with it in it's current state. (It installed and ran fine under Beta 1 and 2 although it warned you that it could be unstable, it seems in RC and RTM they actually added it to the "Can't install" list)

    And there's more than one way to connect to a database, SQL express isnt' the primary route, so the article is being VERY presumptious about impact on the industry. It's not writen by someone who knows the difference between SQL server (The server app that runs on Windows Server 2000, 2003 and uses a client program to handle the connections to a server) and the SQLExpress App (For use in stand alone programs and development environments and will not allow connections from any machine other than the host machine)

    It's also amazing that the author of the article thought that you wouldn't test seperately on both platforms. He makes it sound like having to test on Xp then on Vista is a bad thing. Honestly, if you arn't testing on both and on Windows 2000, you're not doing your job right.

    Is it important? Yes, it sucks to have apps that I was testing under Vista Beta 1, that I can no longer test because of the "no-install" flag. But SP to the rescue!

    As for using Oracle vs MS-SQL, which is the bigger point. Well. having to deal with both at work I can tell you, MS-SQL is far easier to maintain and manage and back up. Oracle still has far too many legacy items in 9i and 10 that require "special" treatment. Not to mention that it's error reporting system is pointless 90% of the time, and we have to hand step everything we do to figure out why we're getting an error instead of a single error message that says, "OCA-XXXXX: Column can not hold data" instead of "ORA-XXX: 'DOCNAME' is too long for column." You can imagine what a pain Oracle is when you've got an SQL statement that a page long. I won't even go into how unfriendly Oracle's support is. Half the time you ask them for help the answer is "If you were an Oracle trained admin you'ld know that." How about, "If you put it in the manual, I'd already know that. Or if your people would reply to emails without the snotty tone I'd know that." Ug...

    Sorry about the rant, enjoy!

    1. Re:SQL Express vs SQL Server by sevinkey · · Score: 1

      Sql Express is nice for my consulting business, since we can develop our apps and deliver a backup file for sql 2005 that our clients' IT departments immediately understand how to use an deploy. And each of our developers doesn't need a license for sql server to make it happen.

      That said, we also didn't notice a connection closing problem on one project until after delivery, since sql express limits us to 3 connections at a time, but that was a 2 minute fix.

    2. Re:SQL Express vs SQL Server by larien · · Score: 1
      Huh? How is Oracle difficult to back up? You can:
      • Shut down the database and back up the datafiles (cold backup)
      • Put the database in hot backup mode & back up the datafiles + archive logs
      • Take a database export (not 100% guaranteed but generally good enough)
      Don't know what your options in SQL server are, but I can't say I've found Oracle backups difficult...
    3. Re:SQL Express vs SQL Server by marcosdumay · · Score: 1

      "Why use SQL express? It's more stable and more flexible than just using ODBC to connect to an Access database file. Plus you can use all other features that you can not use in Access. It's also the defacto standard for Visual Studio 2005 developers so it gets a lot of use now adays in development. It's also far easier to use than installing the clients for Oracle or MySQL and reduces your program's foot print. (1.2MB vs 35 MB)"

      Well, SQL express is not the only small foot print database available. Firebird is small (see the embebed version), fast and easy to use on your programs. It is also FOSS (but can be linked to closed source software), so you can port it for any system you are desesperate to use.

      Of course, integration with MS development tools is missing.

    4. Re:SQL Express vs SQL Server by cbhacking · · Score: 1

      It installs. I haven't used it yet, but it the installer only stated there were known compatibility issues, and directed me to download the service pack before using it. Nothing said "thou shalt not install this program on this OS!" The service pack was easy to find and install (IIRC the message included a "check for solutions" button which provided a link to the download page).

      Vista 5744 (RC 2) in both x86 and x64, Visual Studio 2005 x86 with SQL Server Express 2005.

      --
      There's no place I could be, since I've found Serenity...
    5. Re:SQL Express vs SQL Server by swalters1 · · Score: 1

      I looked on MSDN and there's tons of posts about how to make this work and how to work around some of the minor compatability issues. It looks like this is a "Big" little issue. It also looks like my Beta 2 vs the RC1 and RTM had only a temporary suspension of install.

      Stephen

  27. Ironic by Broken+Bottle · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It's kind of ironic that SQL won't run on Vista when Vista was originally slated to have a file system BASED ON SQL. They must have had some serious issues with that file system :)

  28. Minesweeper by PPH · · Score: 1, Funny

    As long as it runs Minesweeper and Solitaire, It'll do about as much as we've got a right to expect from Microsoft.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  29. Any difference between client and server? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Come /. You can do better than that. At least get the facts right in your summary. The article talks about SQL server client called "Sql server express" and not the whole fucking SQL server. There is a big fucking difference between SQL server and SQL server express for fuck sake.

    I use MS Sql on day to day basis (vendor recommendation), and I hate to use it. But at least report the facts. There is a difference between a server and a client!!!!

  30. Corporate upgrades from XP to Vista not likely by zifn4b · · Score: 1

    At least not in the near future. For the most part companies who have workstations running SQL 2000 to access environments with servers running SQL Server 2000 are not likely to upgrade to Windows Vista anyway. There isn't really anything in Vista compared to Windows XP that justifies a company to allocate budget money to upgrade all of their workstations from XP to Vista. Microsoft will probably have to use some strong arm tactic like discontinuing updates for Windows XP. It will be a long time before most companies upgrade to Vista. In fact, most companies that get Vista along with their new machines will probably downgrade the Vista license to XP anyway. I just don't see why this is a big deal at all.

    --
    We'll make great pets
  31. Re:(Shrug) So, they rushed Vista out prematurely.. by anzev · · Score: 1

    Actually, Vista is not out yet, it's just RTM! Which means it's released to manufacturing. Sure, companies can download it, but it's not meant for production use. But your average Joe cannot get it (at least not legally!). As such Vista is also not supported officially by Microsoft (at least not fully), and companies should obviously not move production machines to Vista. That would be idiotic. As far as compatibility goes, I think it's fair to expect this kind of behaviour. It was the same with Visual tudio; it doesn't work. The reason behing it AFAIK is the security that is said to be Vista. I obviously don't know how much of that is true, but If you think about it from a LOGICAL perspective instead of flamebait-one, you'll see that if they really made improvments on various low-level things than it's only logical they broke software which could potentially be unsafe.

    This though raises another issue, why is SQL server unsafe, but hey... that's another issue.

    I also agree with a lot of previous posters who think that such articles should not be posted to Slashdot simply because the editors think that Vista is not good. If you have a founded base for an article, great, but wrtting in sensationalist style will leave a lot of us stop reading this page. It's long since stop being news that matters and is more like Yellow pages for geek news.

    I also think it's pathetic most people say "Vista sucks" before they actually even tried it out. So what if you use Linux? Who cares? So what If I use Windows? WHO CARES! But give the opposite side a benefit of doubt (which regularly fanbody don't).

  32. SQL Server Express is the shit. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yes, this article is a bit misleading.

    Anyway, SQL Server Express is pretty badass. It's a relatively light-weight, stripped-down version of its big brother. It is ridiculously easy to prototype database applications; in fact, it's probably too easy (the VB of RDBMS?). Access is a fucking joke and SQL Server is a bit heavy on the enterprise side of things; SQL Server Express is somewhere in the middle (much closer to Server than Access, thankfully) and is perfect for smaller companies or independent development (it's free). It also integrates quite well with the Visual Studio Express editions (also free).

  33. Re:Microserfs by Morky · · Score: 1

    Corporations don't use OS X because business app vendors don't write software for it. Otherwise we in corporations would deploy the shit out of OS X. It has nothing to do with the quality of OS X.

  34. SQL Express Edition by arnonym · · Score: 1

    To all those guys labeling SQL Express Edition 'not corporate':

    A lot of mobile applications in the business world (CRM, ERP) use the desktop versions of 'real' DBs. Oracle has an Express Edition too. Mobile in this case means notebooks or tablet PCs, allowing offline use of business applications. Sales reps in the pharma-business for example rely heavily on this DBs.

    So the topic of this article IS quite important. However: MS will fix this with SP2.

    --
    sic luceat lux
  35. Re:Why? - For development. by Coward+the+Anonymous · · Score: 1

    SQL 2005 Express is not merely intended for development, it is a replacement for MSDE which in turn is geared as the replacement for Access as a database for local applications.

    I run SQL 2005 Developer edition on my XP machine which comes with all the other SQL tools such as Analyis Services, Integration Services, and Reporting Services among other features.

    --
    -- Jason
  36. Nothing but problems. by Tolkien · · Score: 2, Informative

    I work for a M$ Small Business Specialist, and I have a laptop with Vista Ultimate RTM, I also have SQL Server 2005 Enterprise (with Business Intelligence services).

    <rant> Short answer? I hate it.

    The laptop is a 64 bit HP Turion AMD 2000+ with 2GBs RAM (which my boss considered enough to disable the swap file entirely, it barely is: my load average is 1.5GBs).
    One of the reasons SQL Server 2005 craps out (even during the INSTALLATION of it) is because of the new UAC. Info.

    Also, Business Intelligence (SSIS, at least) services buggy as all hell (regardless of OS):
    1) You can't debug Script Tasks or Script Components (known bug).
    2) With Vista, I can't run my scripts because PrecompileScriptIntoBinaryCode must be True, and when it is, I get "The script files failed to load" error. As far as I can tell, there is no known work-around for this Vista-related bug, yet.
    3) Web Service Tasks (which in our case is the primary reason we're using it to begin with) only work for "some" web services (no known list of these mysterious services, of course).
    4) The Script VBA editor only allows GAC library references (I ended up creating my own DLL to act as a proxy between the web service and the SSIS package), which is a pain in itself.

    The closest "working" dev environment you can have in Vista with VS2005/SQL Server 2005 is with VS2005 running as Administrator, and using SQL Server Management Studio purely for access to remote DBs (running on win2k3, of course). That's IF you exclude SQL Server Business Intelligence Services. This essentially means: Vista is GREAT, if you work around or avoid all the new features.
    </rant>
    Is anyone here currently hiring?

    Wow. Okay, the rant went a tad off-track, now for the positives of Vista:
    1) "Flip 3D": How innovative, but to be fair, the rolodex style is cool.
    2) ???
    3) Aero makes Minesweeper looks cooler!$!$!

  37. Re:It's not a bug, it's a security feature! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Nope, not a troll. As someone who had to deal with the aftermath of sensitive data getting lost as well as someone who has to handle electronic data subpoena requests, the last thing we approve in our corporation are applications storing data in local databases. With the Dec. 1 change in federal court rules e-discovery, application developers are going to see a push-back from customers regarding storing data locally. Locally stored information raises the total cost of ownership of those applications astronomically as soon as a subpoena comes in.

    The mess with a blank sa password on MSDE 2000 and earlier (recall SQL Slammer) was a real wake-up call to having databases locally. Throw in the loss of PII from lost laptops plus the Dec. 1 discovery changes and local databases (and spreadsheets) are going to be a tough sell.

    As a developer, you know you need to be sensitive to the needs of your customers. Developers who do things that make their job easier and their customer's jobs harder or more costly are going to find less and less business.

  38. Re:It's not a bug, it's a security feature! by Coriolis · · Score: 1

    You have to remember, a lot of uses of MSDE involve local applications keeping their local data in SQL Server, rather than flat files or some custom format. This is often data that currently doesn't make sense to keep centrally.

    However, I understand what you're saying about local databases, but I am dubious that the changes to US law will have any major effect. It's because of something you said:

    "As a developer, you know you need to be sensitive to the needs of your customers. Developers who do things that make their job easier and their customer's jobs harder or more costly are going to find less and less business."

    While the management may be serious about legal compliance, persuading the rank-and-file to be as dedicated is largely going to be a lost cause. Unless, of course, being compliant is at least as easy as being non-compliant.

    The reason Excel is so widely used is precisely because it satisfies a need. It fits a niche people didn't really know existed when spreadsheets were first conceived. If you want to wean people off storing their data locally, you (I guess I mean we) have to make storing information the right way at least as easy as doing it the wrong way. And it just isn't, yet.

    --
    Rgasuya aata! : I have been coding Perl and cannot tell where my fingers are now!
  39. Re:Microserfs by TheRaven64 · · Score: 1

    I wouldn't suggest any business use OS X. I like the platform, and consider it to be about the best available, but one thing Microsoft should have taught us is that it's a really bad idea to rely on a singly source for anything. Always make sure you have at least two competing suppliers for every critical bit of equipment. IBM knew this when they made the PC, and so they forced Intel to license the 8088 designs to AMD. Unfortunately, they believed that operating systems were a commodity, and so didn't insist on a second source for the OS...

    --
    I am TheRaven on Soylent News
  40. MSSQL incompatible with Atari 2600, film at 11 by billcopc · · Score: 1

    Maybe I'm just being rude here, but isn't it a low priority to run an SQL Server on a desktop OS ? Yes I know it's for developers but really, if you're developing enterprise software, maybe you should use an enterprise OS, like say... Windows Server 2003 (keep your M$ flames to yourself). "No," I hear you say, "I need to ensure my code is functional on Vista". No, you don't. Your server application needs to be functional on what the client will be using. Last time I checked, serious IT administrators weren't jumping on bleeding edge operating systems to run business-critical apps that ran just fine on the old stuff.

    Vista is intended as a desktop. Longhorn is intended as a server, and guess what: it's not ready yet. What will you do, oh poor ill-equipped idiot database consultant ? Well I guess you'll just have to keep your current OS for development; you probably need to get a new computer to run Vista decently anyway.. one development box, one Vista testing box. Surely a skilled enterprise software developer can afford that, yes ? Hell I'd go all the way and build a true server just like the client has, with a real SQL Server license. That way you don't end up with idiot consultant design errors like "select *" bandwidth abuse, that isn't necessarily obvious when client and server are the same machine, but are cruelly sluggish when that same query flies over 100mb ethernet (or worse). Hey I don't care, it's YOUR career.

    --
    -Billco, Fnarg.com
    1. Re:MSSQL incompatible with Atari 2600, film at 11 by myz24 · · Score: 1

      No, it's not. You'd be surprised to know just how many developers run MSSQL on their local box if they're doing work that requires an SQL server. Also, I would think that if MSSQL won't run, then neither will the MSDE. This is a problem because they've released the business version and business users are the most likely to need MSSQL 2005 to run on their machines.

  41. whatever it takes to force another upgrade by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    if this isn't the case, WTF have the MS SQL people been doing while their own company was developing the OS? Did they not have enough time? Not enough information on how it was going to work? Hardly. It's all in the plan to force people to purchase an update to the next version of MS Product X which will work with their 'new' operating system getting preloaded on OEM systems.

    This is their MO and always has.

  42. X11 didn't reverse anything by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    I agree that the presense of a GUI is completely irrelevant, but:

    concept of server vs. client. (Plus X-11 and related display technologies reverse the terms anyhow, so they really have no meaning.

    Not true: X11 kept the terms the same.

    The X server that you're running is indeed a server: it provides a service to others over the network, who can connect to it. The X clients you're using are definitely clients: if you think xclock is a server, can you start it from your SysV init and then connect to it?

    It only seems backwards in this era because everybody is used to thinking "my little PC is always the client, and the big Unix box down the street is always the server", but that's not true -- just an incorrect generalization.

    If there's something that made "client" and "server" lose much of their meaning, it's P2P services: every process is both a client and a server.

    1. Re:X11 didn't reverse anything by msobkow · · Score: 1

      My point is that the relationship between client and server has to do with the processes that are running on the various boxen, not some magical capability of a "server" box.

      --
      I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
    2. Re:X11 didn't reverse anything by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't dispute that; merely the claim that X11 "reverse[d] the terms".

  43. Doesnt work with XNA either by Nushio · · Score: 0

    Sure, XNA is not on the same level of need basis, but I'd like to do some stuff for the XBLA, and can't unless I install Win XP again...

    --
    Check out Unsealed: Whispers of Wisdom! http://unsealed.k3rnel.net It's an action-RPG about Open Sourcerers.
  44. Re:Why? - For Mobile Database Applications by RobGTX · · Score: 1

    Many companies rely on SQL Server Express or Workgroup for mobile salesforce applications like Siebel, Pivotal, Sage, and even MS CRM. http://www.destinationcrm.com/articles/default.asp ?ArticleID=2352

  45. People Who Run Linux Locked Out of Slashdot!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    yes! you heard right. If you run Linux on your Linksys wireless router and try and use the router by itself to browse slashdot you will not see anything! Of course there is no browser on the router so this is true of trying to browse anything, but the headline wouldnt be near as catchy.

    Give me a break - the headline is FUD, the story is FUD. Are you that desperate to find things to bash Microsoft about?

  46. Netcraft confirms... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Microsoft is dieing.

  47. MSDE is not just for development by gravyface · · Score: 1

    MSDE is not just used for local development -- its used as a local database for many Windows applications (Sony Acid Pro 5 comes to mind). I personally know of two legal applications we support that will not work under Vista if this is the case with MSDE 2000/2005.

    --
    body massage!
  48. /. reaches a new low in FUD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I'm one of those people who reads /. daily but never responds. I'm a hard core Microsoft guy. I like thier server products. I like thier programming tools and I like thier business software. I won't appologize for that. I also don't like the Linux operating system or other various *nix operating systems. I'm capapble of using them. I configure them. I sell them, but it's just not my cup of tea.

    I read /. to get an idea of the pulse of the Linux community. I often enjoy the interesting opinions and I've seriously gleaned alot of knowledge from the articles here. This post however takes the cake for massive FUD and seriously has no place.

    For starters as someone previously pointed out. Software is designed to support a platform, platforms aren't designed to support software. Vista is the platform. SQL Server is software. Now that Vista is RTM, the SQL Server team will revisit thier software and release a service pack that enables it to run on the new platform. This isn't rocket science or news or anything earth shattering. It's just the way things are...

    As you all know. Software is a stack. When you change the bottom of the stack, sometimes you have to retool upper layers of the stack. I suspect that if a new Linux kernel came out tomorrow the majority of current Linux applications and server products would cease to work without a recompilation and some changes to lower level API calls.

    The same thing happened when Windows XP shipped. SQL Server 2000 wouldn't run properly on it. Likewise with Windows Server 2003. This isn't because Microsoft writes bad software. Again, it's because if B depends on A and A changes, B will probably need to change also. The greater the change to A, the lower the chances of B working.

    Businesses know this and expect it. I highly doubt that any competent IT department is clamering to get the latest and greatest OS onto the desktop of thier 'customers'. I suspect that competent IT departments are installing the Vista builds into a lab environment. Testing internally developed applications against it as well as testing 'common operating environment' [COE] applications on top of it.

    I'm sorry if the author of TFA doesn't undestand how software works and how platforms affect software. I'm sorry if Microsoft finally bit the bullet and sacrificed some initial backwards compat in the out-of-box configuration in exchange for an enhanced security model. I'm shocked that /.ers don't have the ability to step back from thier passionate position on a completely absurd position paper. Seriously peeps... this is the best you can do today?

  49. What news... by Phoobarnvaz · · Score: 1

    First...it's Microsoft's flagship MP3 player...now it's at least two server products from Microsoft. I can understand third-party products not working yet with Vista...but not current or your own products six years old or less. Looks like another cluster**** on Microsoft's part.

    Can't wait to hear all the new buyers of their new Vista PC's start bawling when they bought their $300 PC with Vista & not being able to run their old software or any of the new DRM boondoogles. Am so happy I'm not in tech support anymore & having to deal with all the boo-hoo stories about users not knowing about the overpriced digital handcuffs they just bought.

    --
    Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia. - Charles M. Schulz
  50. Microsoft SQL Server by RealGrouchy · · Score: 1

    Not stated in the article summary is that SQL Server is a Microsoft product.

    Before I realized that, I wasn't sure exactly why this was MS's problem.

    - RG>

    --
    Hey pal, this isn't a pleasantforest, so don't waste my time with pleasantries!
  51. This is simply incorrect by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    from
    http://www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/express/sysr eqs.mspx

    Vista Home Basic and above (SQL Express SP1 and SQL Express Advanced SP2)

    Here's the deal. SQL Server 2000 is not supported on Vista, this includes MSDE. For SQL Server 2005 SP1, only Express Edition is supported on Vista. The other editions must wait for SP2 to be officially supported.

  52. Re:Microserfs by Frankie70 · · Score: 1


    Corporations don't use OS X because business app vendors don't write software for it


    And business app vendors don't write software for OSX because Corporations
    don't use OSX.

  53. Latest news! by Klaidas · · Score: 2, Funny

    Some server software might not work on an OS that is in development stage.
    Later it has also been announced that the Sun is hot. We're waiting for more breaking news...

  54. Huh? by ch-chuck · · Score: 1

    Maybe I don't fully understand (on 5th beer while reading/typing) but I have Vista Beta RC1 (build 5600)
    running in vmware with SQL Express 2005 and having no problem serving simple asp applications on another vm, odbc, etc.

    --
    try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
  55. Re:(Shrug) So, they rushed Vista out prematurely.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This has nothing to do with bugs in Vista. Microsoft could have waited fifteen more years and this problem would still persist. The problem lies in the security model Microsoft is migrating towards; one which jails everything by default regardless of the current user. This is a new world for most applications and it is inevitable that some will break at one point or another.

    Microsoft fully acknowledged this fact quite a while ago pertaining to SQL Server 2005 Express Edition. The problem doesn't cause the software to flat-out not work, as one of my development laptops sitting next to me can testify. The problem can cause certain portions of the functionality to behave differently or fail. Microsoft has identified these issues and will have fixes made publically shortly to remedy them. There are many other known Microsoft products with similar issues, including Visual Studio, where the sheer nature of interprocess debugging violates the new security specifications.

    Of course, Microsoft is damned if they do and damned if they don't. Their origins are in a CP/M clone designed to function specifically on the smallest of hardware which was totally incapable of any notion hardware abstraction, multitasking or process separation. They've managed to migrate from that to a mainframe-derived kernel with deep levels of security all the while maintaining an incredible level of backward compatibility. But it is impossible to move forward without breaking legacy. It's not possible to implement a protected kernel without preventing user mode applications from direct hardware access on demand. It is not possible to emulate a total "superuser" environment under the confines of a regular user. Windows does what it can under emulation or bizarre trickery to ensure a very large pool of existing applications continue to function as advertized, but there is always a limit.

    There is no other system where this is the case. With the move to Intel Apple threw out access to every single piece of software written prior to the conversion to PowerPC, only ten years prior. Microsoft would be crucified if they attempted such a move. I will agree that Microsoft does take it quite a bit too far. They'd probably be better off slamming the security door shut and locking down every user on the machine, all existing programs be damned. But to the majority of the market who would simply see their software failing under the new operating system, that is not a reasonable solution.

  56. Re:Microserfs by Morky · · Score: 1

    Exactly. It's a chicken-and-egg problem. That's why Apple isn't even trying for that market.

  57. Re:Microserfs by Morky · · Score: 1

    I agree with you in principle. However, since Apple is nowhere near in danger of monopolizing the PC market, and because the move to Intel removes the problem of Apple's sources of hardware supplies drying up, I don't think the single-vendor aguement in this case would be a real threat to an organization. The problem for a business using OS X would start the day the company wanted to run Business Objects, a web-based app that requires IE, etc.

  58. SQL Server 2005 Express Service Pack 2 ??? by VGfort · · Score: 1

    Kinda reminds me of Super Street Fighter Turbo 2 Zero EX : Third Strike

  59. Last I checked.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    SQL 2000 doesn't run on Windows XP either. It brings up an error that you're trying to install a server product on a Desktop OS.

    Surprise, it doesn't run on Vista, another DESKTOP OS. Wake me up when it doesn't run on Longhorn server, that would be news.

  60. Not Really True by mark99 · · Score: 1

    I run SQL 2005 (SP1) on Vista RTM, and on Windows XP professional. They might not be supported (after all they are server product, and those are workstation OSs), but they work just fine.

    Actually SQL 2005 (SP1) gave me a few problems on Vista, I only got it to run as a local admin, probably because I don't fully understand the new Vista security model yet. But this is okay for me, I just want to develop on Vista anyway.

    This is a lame post. There are lots of compatilbilites between lots of MS products, what do you expect when you have so many?

    The same is true of every Linux flavor, all IBM products, and even Apple. It will surely be true of Google before too long with all those software guys they hired to write whatever they wanted, however they want.

  61. User Access Problem by ramrom · · Score: 1

    Nothing too sensational here. SQL Server Express does not work because it assumes that the user has admin privileges on the machine, there is already a fix for this, the problem is expressed here http://blogs.msdn.com/sqlexpress/archive/2006/10/1 1/getting-things-working-on-vista-aka-dealing-with -user-account-control.aspx Sumary:
    In short, SQL Express assumes you're an administrator on the computer in order to give you permissions to do things. As part of the default installation, we create Logins for the Builtin\Administrator user and the Builtin\Administrators group and assign both of these Logins to the SysAdmin Fixed Server Role. This way, everyone on the computer who is part of the Administrators group, is automatically a SysAdmin. This does not work in Vista.

  62. How ironic... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    DB2 works with Vista, but SQL Server doesn't.

  63. This broadcast brought to you by... by foamrotreturns · · Score: 1

    The "Oops Department."

  64. Re:Not an issue, Windows is not a server OS anyway by gweihir · · Score: 1

    A pro-level OS should support pro-level needs, regardless of the end user's level of proficiency.

    They do. Microsoft just has nothing that qualifies as ''pro-level''. Instead they compensate with marketing and monopoly. Those that fall for it, get what they deserve.

    --
    Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
  65. Vista is a Client NOT a Server by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you want to run a server, install 2003 server & then 2005 SQL server. 2003 server should talk to Vista. Interfaces & Services are taking a bigger footprint than ever before i.e.: XP has a history of more Patches & KB's than Win2k3. Why not flip it & push all of your Wintel apps over MyODBC connectors w/ MySQL in the linux distro of your choice on the backend? :P Got Sudoku? -SB

  66. No, This Isn't Expected by Quantam · · Score: 1

    Obviously the probability that you can make upgrades to core pieces of an OS and not break SOMETHING approaches 0 as the number of things that are possible to break increases. But MS has actually done an exceptional job of keeping the percentage of old things that work on new OS high (feel free to try to prove me wrong with your own calculations with regard to the percent compatibility of other major OS). MS also produces some of the most correct (in terms of complying with things like limited user restrictions, etc.) programs I've ever seen (now if they could only get a handle on those security problems...).

    Thus it's alarming that so many major programs are failing on Vista. With as much effort as they put into maintaining backward compatibility with the most obscure programs, it's rather pathetic that they didn't notice compatibility problems in one of their own flagship products. Maybe MS is changing, after all (who was it that wanted that, again?) :P

    --
    You have tried to support your argument with faulty reasoning! Go directly to jail; do not pass Go, do not collect $200!
  67. Re:It's not a bug, it's a security feature! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You have it nailed quite well. We made compliance as easy as non-compliance by forcing virtually 100% of all users, IT included, to run as Restricted Users. They simply cannot install anything without explicit approval. Yes, we had to make some permissions changes on certain folders but by and large it was less excruciating than any of us thought. It also knocked adware and spyware problems out of the box. We used to have three or four laptops FedEx'ed in each week and last year it was six for the entire year.

    What forced this move was our first SarBox audit for unapproved software programs. On 1,100 computers, we found 900+ such programs. Last year we found 20 and they were all because of local IT staff giving inappropriate elevated privileges. That move now reflects on their performance reviews.

    We also bounced a half-dozen well known vendors out the door because their applications required local admin rights and we simply were not going to do that. Some SQL apps were bounced because they required SQL authentication instead of Windows auth or because their apps required running under the sa account. We "just said no" to such apps.

    We did have two interesting issues where line people evaluated apps at home and signed contracts on their own. When the apps didn't work correctly in a lockdown environment or did not work correctly through an authenticating proxy server, we refused to make exceptions and made them find alternatives. They also had to either eat the original contract or negotiate their way out of it.

    We've moved about half the corporation into a centralized environment with Riverbed WAN acceleration appliances. Our goal is to eliminate all local servers at the plants. We're also using Group Policies to ban Outlook PST files and people have to keep their email within limits. This one is our biggest pushback issue, but the Law Dept. is solidly behind it. :-)

    We'll work with anybody to meet their business needs but some people simply think it's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. That doesn't play any more. The costs are simply too high.

  68. Not a Problem by YetAnotherBob · · Score: 1

    If you are using MS to run a web site, just don't upgrade operating systems until the upgraded server is released. Say about 2010.

    Or, you can buy a nice Suse system from your Microsoft rep that will do the job nicely until the full MS solution is available. Who know, by that time, MS may own Suse outright.

    Wow!! How things change. Just last year I never thought I'd see MS selling Linux. Makes me wonder how long it'll be before we see the flagship products able to run in Linux directly. The next few years are going to be INTERESTING. Windows for Linux, Office, Hmmm. I wonder what Stallman will think of that??

    --
    Everybody knows 3 people with my name.
  69. Ever hear of VMWare by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This article is misleading. You cannot run the SQL Server 2000 components on the desktop, that is true, but not very many users do this or need this except a small number of developers testing SQL in the environment. Vista still allows the ODBC and OLE connections needed to SQL Servers with the caveat that all applications should be tested for compatibility on a new OS (applications requiring a connection to SQL or any application). The information for this article was probably put out by LINUX or Novell initially as a major issue when it really isn't. Quote from the article; "Microsoft's oversight with SQL is one reason, among many, why analysts don't expect Vista to appear in the workplace until 2008." The entire article makes this seem as a huge impact to users and is full of half truths without all of the facts, just as most Microsoft bashing articles are.

    Many companies involved in BDD rollouts are limiting applications that are allowed to be deployed to the desktop, server applications being one of them. EMC has created an application called VMWare many may have heard of or Microsoft's VPC for just this purpose. There is no reason to hold up a Vista BDD Rollout for a few developers. This is good information to have as long as it is used in context when evaluating exceptions. There are always exceptions when doing a BDD rollout and if this is the only one or the worst, it is actually a selling point for going to Vista.

    You cannot please everyone all the time. If you are the exception to the rule and want to run SQL Server on your desktop and not follow best practices for developement or testing then Vista is not for you.