Codenamed “Q” (and previously codenamed “Quattro"), Windows Home Server is designed to be almost diabolically simple, and after two and a half years of active development, Microsoft feels like it’s arrived at an interface that is simple enough “even for mom” while being powerful enough for even the most jaded  power user.  Microsoft will open up the product to an outside private beta test in late February and then ship it in late 2007.

While this certainly appeals to my inner geek, I can’t really think of why I would want one.  My old P233 MMX runs my weather server, web server and FTP server.  It also acts as a back-up repository for my ‘back-up of back-up’.  My Ximeta network drive serves as a primary back-up.  Do I really need something like this?  Microsoft is betting yes.