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Still no firm date on SQL 2008 Express edition download date

It's now 11th August 2008 and Microsoft's website for SQL Server 2008 still lists availability of Express edition as "SQL Server 2008 Express will be available for download at the end of August 2008". We know that SQL server 2008 was already RTM (released to manufacturing) so the only thing they need to do is to ensure that express edition does limit resource usage as per their specification (1 cpu only, 4 GB of data storage per database maximum, no native scheduling with SQL Server Agent).

That process does not take weeks, I have a feeling that they made a decision to delay 2008 Express until such time that it is very close or coincides with availability of full 2008 server line. That of course will take a few weeks as duplication is a multistep process. The DVD duplication starts by creating glass master, which is literally etched into fine polished glass. This master then can be used to imprint dimples into plastic disc when the disk is formed. Afterwards, the coating process comes in when aluminum, gold, silver or platinum is used in a form of gas to create mirror finish to reflect laser light. Then the dvd is glued together and coated. The whole process does not take more than few days but considering that microsoft is going to print large numbers and then will have to package them with COA and licenses, it will take some time. That is the reason behind the delay from the point of RTM to DVD availability. My belief is that they want to shrink the time between Express and DVD availability by artificially holding back 2008 Express download until "the end of August 2008" with no exact date specification.

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