Windows 2003 Server - Frist Look

Windows 2003 Server - Frist Look
February 25, 2004 · Woojae

I just finished installing Microsoft Windows 2003 server. I’ve been messing around with Linux for the past couple of months, so I did not have much time to experiment with any Windows 2003 server. After working with Linux for the past couple of month, I must say installing Windows was a refreshing experience. Everything in Linux is complicated and difficult. If you don’t know what you’re doing with Linux you can make some serious mistakes. Here is my analysis of Windows 2003.

THE GOOD

  • They added the famous TAB COMPLETE function that is commonly found in UNIX computers. Woohoo. Now I don’t need the type as much on the DOS prompt anymore. I could just type “cd prog “, and the rest of the text will be completed automatically. I’ve been asking for this function in windows for years, and they finally included it this version of windows.
  • Security is very good. Microsoft has put some serious effort into making things secure by default. They enforce password complexity rules by default. They restrict Internet Explorer, so most websites with fancy active X, and Java controls are difficult to access. Even the URL redirect is restricted as a default on internet explorer. Most services are not installed on default.
  • Stable. Windows 2000 was stable, and Windows 2003 is supposed to be even more stable.
  • Installation is simplified. No more complicated DNS setup. The installation of the active directory is largely automatic.

THE BAD

  • Bad Hardware support. My SoundBlaster Live, and Intel Network cards were not supported by Windows 2003 server.
  • Have trouble connecting to SMB shares from a Mac. I had no problems connecting from a Mac under Windows 2000.

Recovered from the Wayback Machine — originally posted on woojae.com (“Where Nerds Meet”).