We know, you're perfectly capable of downloading the release candidate of Windows Home Server (or just waiting it out for the finalized version), but if you'd rather a stranger's machine be the test bed and suffer through those early adopter glitches, Terracode has done you the favor. In a fairly comprehensive review of WHS RC1, we're shown the relatively painless setup process, numerous advanced settings for automated backup, media sharing, and remote access, and even a glimpse into the DLNA streaming capabilities. While the overview took a very visual and numbers driven approach, it was derived that the Remote Desktop function wasn't exactly cut out for "intensive work," but overall, the software performed admirably and could very well be awarded a few extra gold stars if Microsoft irons out the sluggish kinks that were found. So, if you're still feeling anxious about pulling the trigger on trying this yourself, be sure and tag the read link to see what you're missing.

Microsoft has just announced a tasty banana for all you code monkeys out there, in the form of the first publicly available download (well, for non-beta testers at least) of the widely anticipated Windows Home Server operating system. Release Candidate 1, as this build is known, is said to offer a number of improvements over previous betas, and is the first version that participants in the Code2Fame Challenge can use to work on their entries. So go ahead, get your download on, and try to whip up some WHS add-ins that'll net you a portion of the $50,000 prize package.

[Via Windows Home Server Blog]

"Aw, shucks guys, we were just foolin' around." After years of successive Vista delays, and keeping the computer world on edge for the past few months about even further delays, Microsoft is once again settling into their January launch window for Vista's consumer launch, with OEMs supposed to receive the OS in November. Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) should be out early September, though the word on the street is that Microsoft isn't planning on finalizing Vista until October sometime, making RC1 a bit of a misnomer. What RC1 should be is light years ahead of Vista Beta 2, and it sure better be if Microsoft isn't kidding this time about a January launch.

[Via CrunchGear]