Several reliable sources reported me Microsoft is expected to released Virtual Server 2005 R2 Enterprise Edition for free during next week, possibly on Monday.
If true with this move Microsoft will try to embank actual VMware strategy, based on VMware Player, upcoming Server and virtual appliances.
Just yesterday I wrote how Microsoft is actually the big absentee of virtualization market. I doubt this move will help much.
Note: this information didn’t come from any Microsoft channel and although I’m a Most Valuable Professional (MVP) I was completely ignoring the move.