Honestly, things aren't getting any easier; whether dealing with DBA specific issues or larger infrastructure issues the world isn't getting any easier. Cloud computing, web 2.0, whatever, these days identifying/fixing a problem with a specific application often involves understanding a "system" (or is it eco-system?) from soup to nuts and everything in between. If only it was as simple as “the database is slow”.

One of the things that struck me with all of the new “management features” in SQL 2008 was that many of them did not apply to “standard” installs which creates a barrier to entry that can only hurt MS in the long run – why in the world would a company/client consider buying the “enterprise” edition of SQL server just to get those “special” management features when competitors offer similar functionality at a lower price point?

Note to MS: You are the target, best move before somebody 10 rings you – your only option is to be better, faster, cheaper than the competition.