Thanks, Michael. If you don't like the latest RTM date for Microsoft Windows Server 2003, wait a minute. The latest target date to start duping disks is now March 28, sources close to Microsoft said. A company insider also confirmed that this is the latest proposed release-to-manufacturing date. Previously, the RTM had been scheduled for March 19, which followed an earlier target date of March 12.

None of the Windows Server 2003 delays are expected to have a big impact unless they end up jeopardizing the product's official launch, slated for April 24 in San Francisco. At the event, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and other company executives are expected to unveil the long-awaited operating system, along with 64-bit SQL Server 2000, to much fanfare. So it follows that Microsoft would want to have all of the relevant software products to be generally available as of that date. Solution providers with the current Windows Server 2003 beta said they believe Microsoft is just cleaning up some last-minute details. "It's nothing major," said one partner, who requested anonymity.