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http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive/2008/05/28/announcing-small-business-server-2008-rc0-public-preview.aspx
As most of you know, getting in on SBS 2008 beta has been impossible, so for those of you anxious to finally get a chance to play with it, here ya go...
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The SBS Product Team would like to hear from the Windows SBS Community. This survey is completely anonymous. The main purpose of the survey is to find out how valuable your experience is with the community resources and information that is available to you today as a member of the Windows SBS Community. They also want to know what they can do to improve your Windows SBS Community experience. Please access the survey at the link below:
SBS WW Community Survey 2008
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Five Misunderstood Features in Windows Vista
I don't know how many times I've had to respond to the "UAC sucks" statement, so here's an official response from Microsoft about why it's in Vista. Hopefully it'll help you understand the feature and some others that seem to be magnets for negative perceptions. BTW, as always, you may find some information in the doc more cogent and valuable than others, but this is a start. [Also, my title statement above about everything you wanted to know about UAC was intended more as a teaser than factual statement - you should research TechNet for more info on UAC if you want it.] One of the key things to know about UAC is that it is very easy to turn off, either thru Control Panel Users node or thru Group Policy. In any event, I would put this doc on my recommended read list - it's only 9 pages and has some good info, esp I'd recommend you not miss the final section called "Adoption Impact".
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Since I just posted a blog encouraging my small business partners to come to WWPC 2008, let me point out that there will be a huge focus on Small and Medium Business in this year's WWPC, including a discounted registration fee for SBSC partners. See below for more info and for a registration link.
WPC: 2008 SMALL & MIDSIZE BUSINESS PARTNER FORUM AND SMB TRACK
Register for the third annual Microsoft Small and Midsize Business Partner Forum (formerly known as the Small Business Symposium). This year, for the first time ever, the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference will include an end-to-end experience for partners focused on the small- and midsize-business market segment. We’ll feature a one-day interactive event on July 7, as well as a new small- and midsize-business track throughout the entire Worldwide Partner Conference, taking place July 7-10 in Houston.
SBSC partners can take advantage of special discount WPC pricing of USD$1395 (full conference fee is USD$1795) – details, special registration code and link to the registration tool can be found online. Partners using the special registration code will be automatically registered for the SMB Partner Forum on July 7th.
The Small and Midsize Business Partner Forum, held on the first day of the conference, is a networking and learning event for Microsoft Small Business Specialists and other SMB-focused technology providers who want to strengthen their small-business practices. During the interactive one-day Small and Midsize Business Partner Forum—and through the first-ever small- and midsize-partner track held throughout the Worldwide Partner Conference--you’ll have the chance to gain insight on how to balance customer needs with your own growth objectives.
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WWPC 2008 will be my 5th one. WWPC has grown every year and part of the reason for that is that we have a very large percentage of returning partners. In fact, I have never met a partner who has been to a WWPC that has not intended to go to subsequent ones. Of course, there is a conference fee, and a week away from the business is a significant investment for the small business partner, which make it more difficult, but I wanted to encourage my small business partners to at least check it out, and I wanted to mention the significant value that thousands of partners get from attending to encourage you to give it a shot. As you can see, it's in Houston this year, in July as always. Come and see me there. If you are one of the following groups, I would like to make plans to see you at WWPC, please email me at my personal email - ronaldg47@hotmail.com. IF you are also in one of the following groups and are signing up for WWPC 2008 for the first time, I would like to know that as well. Cheers, hopefully I'll see you there.
Groups:
OK-based partners (or OK-based SBS User Group)
KY-based partners (or KY-based SBS User Group)
TN-based partners (or TN-based SBS User Group)
CiNPA SBS SIG (Cincinnati-Dayton area SBS UG)
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“Make $$$ Selling Open Licenses with TechData and Microsoft!”
TS2's own J. J. Antequino will be hosting a webcast on May 20th with Tech Data Senior Product Sales Champion, Patrick Duroseau. They we will be discussing The Big Easy Offer, Open Value VAR Rebate, and more to help to know which programs and promotions work together to save your customer money and help you make money?
Here is the link to register for our Webcast on May 20th
https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?publisher=12&delivery=246362
If you miss the live webcast, check back on Partner Learning Center
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I'm hoping all of you are now familiar with the Big Easy offer, here's some new updates to the offer. For those that may not be familiar, Big Easy is a "subsidy" that puts money in the partners' pocket. There's links below (at bottom) if you need more info...
The Big Easy Offer just got bigger and better than ever. What that means for your customers is bigger choice and bigger value. What that means for you is a bigger sales opportunity.
In addition to the products and licenses that were already available, check out what's new:
Higher Subsidies*
For Windows Server® operating System and Small Business Server products
Open License and Software Assurance (L&SA) Coverage*
For the SQL Server®, Windows Server, and Small Business Server product groups
More Microsoft® Office Project*
The Project Open License is also now included.
*Applies to all qualifying purchases between February 1, 2008 through June 27, 2008.
Get the word out to your customers using the latest materials in the Big Easy Offer Ready-to-Go Campaign and other sales resources currently available.
To make your life easier, we have also built a new Excel calculator that will help you work out how much money your customers can save.
Ready to Go Campaigns 
Big Easy Calculator 
For additional information on The Bigger Big Easy Offer, visit
https://partner.microsoft.com/us/bigeasyoffer
*Offer open to qualifying U.S. commercial and government organizations participating in eligible licensing programs. Partner subsidy dollars will be awarded for qualified purchases between Feb. 1, 2008 and June 27, 2008. Purchases must be registered by July 31, 2008 and subsidy dollars expire 90 days after issue date. Subsidy dollar amounts depend on many factors. For this information and minimum/maximum purchase requirements and other restrictions, see full terms & conditions at http://www.microsoftincentives.com/bigeasy/terms.aspx.
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Well, we've been talking about EBS in TS2 events since last fall, so hopefully most of you know what it is and are anxious to give it a try. So here you go...
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/cc184869.aspx
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http://sbs.seandaniel.com/
I suspect many of you already knew/know about Sean's site, but just in case, here's a great site/blog on SBS. As more and more info starts to become available on SBS 2008, some interesting new things are coming to light - like ISA going away. On a related note, in one of his recent blogs, Sean discusses the upcoming move to a single NIC default scenario for SBS 2008. He has an excellent section with SBS Community Links and another section with SBS Team blogs. Enjoy...