this is typical microsoft bull excrement. it has been such a pleasure using other db platforms in the last few months, now, because of work reasons i need to install sql server 2008 and the first thing i encounter is an error on the install. it makes me doubt the 'testing' department that microsoft insists is so superior to other software manufacturers. i mean come on microsoft, if u intend to gain further market share and make (force) people to adopt your new technology, get real and make sure that your install file works. not to mention i had to download before hand all the windows service packs, then the .net framework and the service pack for that just to get my computer ready to install SQL 2008. As 'inferior' as MySQL and PostgreSQL might seem in terms of features etc, they are in fact sufficient platforms for most database orientated applications, provided of course you know what your'e doing. Going through the hassle that i am 'forced' to with what should be a simple install of SQL server 2008, then finding out, after i have updated my computer to meet the minimum requirements, that the installer is buggy leaves a very unpleasant taste in my mouth...get real microsoft before you (hopefully) loose your server market share and the linux world makes further inroads - admittedly though i enjoy using (previous) versions of MS SQL but i am getting increasingly annoyed with having to use my paid for bandwidth to download and install huge (possibly buggy) files when ever i need to update my system or skills. total bull excrement. if the 'others' (vendors except Microsoft) had equivalent technology i would move over in a flash!