Ok. We made a lot of announcements around SQL Server 2005 today. I'll try to capture them all here but may miss a few in my haste:
1) We released the June CTP. It will be available to anyone. Yes, anyone! Like AOL CDs, you'll get probably 10 copies of the June CTP from many different sources plus it's downloable from Microsoft.com. Enjoy and provide feedback!
2) Reporting Services changes. We moved the report server all the way down to Express. Report Builder is now all the way down to Workgroup. You asked for it, we delivered. Check out the new SQL Server 2005 SKU matrix at http://www.microsoft.com/sql/2005/productinfo/sql2005features.mspx
3) We announced the first SQL Server 2005 benchmarks for both TPCC and TPCH. We blew away both SQL Server 2000 and Oracle on compatible hardware. For those of you wondering if SQL Server 2005 scales better than 2000, make no doubt about it, the benchmarks show how we are anywhere from 2-5x faster than 2000. With SSIS, we can even be faster than even that against DTS.
4) SQL Server Migration Assistant for Oracle launched. Go to your Oracle friends, give them the migration assistant that converts data and PL/SQL to T-SQL. Get them off their bad Oracle habit fast :) http://www.microsoft.com/sql/migration
5) All TechEd attendees get a copy of SQL Server Standard Edition when we release. Yes, a free copy of Standard Edition!
6) SQL Server 2005 Developer content. Win $50k for first place. That could buy something real nice, like lots of XBoxes! Check out Paul's post on it at http://www.theserverside.net/news/thread.tss?thread_id=34252
7) A new readiness kit for SQL Server 2005. It includes whitepapers, samples, links to webcasts, etc, etc. You can get the DVD via ordering it from the Microsoft website.
8) Starting with the June CTP, you can download books online separate from the product from the SQL website. Download it, install it, study it, enjoy it!
That's a lot . . . . Signing off from Teched. . . . .
Tom