Want to get your hands on SLQ Server 2008, but don’t have any hardware? Check out www.sqlserverbeta.com. You get RDP access to a SQL Server 2008 server, with your own account space so you can test your scenarios in a quasi-real world environment. From their site:
So
set your sights on the horizon and take advantage of this chance to
play with real-world technology before it hits the mainstream – test it
with your real-world data, with your own custom scenarios, while it’s
still under development. This is your chance to influence the product
that you use every day – in a secure, hosted working environment.Important Note: This Beta offer
should not be used for production systems, but can be used to fully
test and experience Microsoft¹s newest, most intelligent data platform
in a hosted environment free of charge.Create your own brave new world –
experiment, test, explore and push SQL Server 2008 to its limits – then
report back to your fellow explorers on your experience in the
Community discussion forums and blogs. Compare your findings with your
peers and colleagues – and share your opinions and assessments.
SQL Server Beta is a joint effort between PASS, MaximumASP and Dell. Hat tip: SQL Server Magazine.