Three SolidQ have teamed up to write the new Dell white paper "What You Need to Know About SQL Server 2008 Community Technology Preview 5 (November 2007)"-exploring what's new in this projected next-to-last look at SQL Server 2008 before it's released to manufacturing.
Using the broad-reaching Community Technology Preview (CTP) program instituted with SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005-instead of a small beta-testing program-Microsoft is able to add value to SQL Server through more and better expert and customer feedback throughout the product's life cycle. With SQL Server 2008 now at CTP5 of an estimated six CTPs before RTM (planned for Q3 2008), you can get your hands on a nearly fully functioning version of the product. In this Dell-sponsored paper, published by Windows IT Pro, Solid Quality's Douglas McDowell, Ron Talmage, and Craig Utley guide you through the latest product enhancements in four areas: mission-critical features, enterprise-management features, database and data programmability, and new business intelligence (BI) features. If you haven't tried out SQL Server 2008 yet, CTP5 is a great place to start!