Lots of things are going on as always:

1. We completed the "Microsoft position on ESB" document. This will go to microsoft web sites shortly and is our official position. Get it here. In short if you are looking for "ESB" we can help you; but on the other hand we believe ESB is an incomplete implementation of integration and we are price-point competitive to ESB with full integration server features.

2. We have just completed some organizational tweaking that will make us even better suited to deliver future versions of BizTalk Server and the platform.  Very exciting stuff.

3. Don Box, now part of the same broader organization, installed BizTalk Server 2006 successfully. Phew! If Don can install it so can you.  Seriously, we put a lot of effort into the BizTalk Server 2006 installation experience and I hope you enjoy it.  Speaking of which I see lots of people downloading the beta! (thanks and don't forget to send/blog your feedback)

4. It was sunny for 2 weeks in a row with no rain in Seattle.  Crazy stuff! All my new plants didn't like the dry weather too much but  I've been pouring water everywhere and I have baby grass growing so things are looking up...