As many of you probably know the free Avast! Home is my antivirus of choice, and there is a new Beta available for people running the recently released Windows Home Server (WHS). Anyone can download and install the Beta, and one of the big advantages that you'll receive by using it is the central management screen that's integrated into the WHS Console pictured above.

Newegg just setup the Windows Home Server product page, and they will be selling the OEM version for $190 starting October 12th. Microsoft will not be selling a retail version of this in stores, so OEM is the only way you can get it besides for buying a pre-built Home Server device.

“Code Names” have been around for hundreds of years, although the reasons they are used have varied.  For example, militaries around the world have used code names, as do some governments and corporations . A series of posts Mary Jo Foley over at ZDNet has done regarding some of Microsoft’s code names got me intrigued with  how they come up with the names that they use, and the meaning behind them.

Isn’t it great when sites like Amazon are given information regarding a product, and they publish the details right away. I think Amazon is known for leaking pricing and release dates of items, and they’re at it again with the HP MediaSmart Home Server.

After 3-years in the making Windows Home Server has been sent to manufacturing. It was tested internally by 1,000 Microsoft employees which eventually grew to more than 100,000 public Beta testers. It was supposed to be sent to the manufacturer on June 22nd, but it apparently suffered from some minor delays.

Back in January when CES was underway, we mentioned Windows Home Server, but haven’t really had much else to say about it since then. To refresh your memory, Windows Home Server works without interaction to simplify tasks among the computers in your home.