Time will tell how Microsoft will use the two parallel release channels over the long haul.
The quick release of features in the semiannual channels and the long term reliability that people have
come to rely on provide different assurances to different people.
The not so gradual move of many services and server roles to Azure may take part of this decision out
of the administrators hands.
However you look at it there is change coming down the line and however that change plays out.
One thing is for sure you don't want to be surprised by a decision outside of your hands may throw a
wrench into your I.T. strategic plan.
You can stay in the know by reading articles on popular tech news sites and subscribing to Microsoft's
online magazines or you can be part of the conversation.
Windows insiders is a program that Microsoft introduced to give the tech community access to the ever
evolving versions of Windows when nano server was introduced in Windows Server 2016.
There was overwhelming response from the community to make it even smaller and easier to deploy for
application development environments.
The discussion showed no real need for it as an infrastructure platform.
As a result nano is no longer a deployable platform but an application environment with an incredibly
small footprint.
What could happen with the rolls and features you want or plan to use if you stay out of the conversation
getting involved is easy.
If you browse to insider dot windows dot com you can sign up to participate in the development of Windows
workstation environments or you can click on the for business link at the top and choose Windows Server
getting started to take a look at and join the conversation about Windows Server.
On this page you can register for the Windows Insider program including access to preview copies of
Windows Server and the windows Admin Center and other applications.
Then you can download and install these various products.
Let's take a look at what these downloads currently include under Windows Server.
We have the long term service channel and we have the semi annuals as ISOs so that you can install your
own machines or as virtual hard drives ready to bring up as a virtual machine under additional downloads.
You can have access to some of the other projects that are currently underway.
This preview copy of the Windows admin center has already been replaced by the general release.
But this is a good place to keep an eye on and download for your own trial version use any of the next
versions of Windows and the management products.
But the Windows Insider program is about more than just downloading and testing out the next thing.
The other feature that's available to you on The Insider windows web page is the ability to engage to
join the conversation.
From here you can look at the feedback hub and you can participate in the Windows Insider tech community.
You can follow discussions that might hold answers to some of your questions about how new features
can be best used.
You can join the conversation by adding comments or questions about features that you would like to
see developed and maintained but even if you're only reason for joining windows insiders is to access
and test coming versions of products.
It's still a valuable program.
The information that you can gain will help you to build an understanding of what's happening next and
what your fellow administrators are asking for and that's going to be valuable information when it comes
to planning the next steps for your I.T. infrastructure.