Are you ready for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3?
Postponement of SQL Server 2008 release has become old news now and within the SQL Server community (especially MVPs) there has been a state of commotion in demanding Service Pack3 for SQL Server 2005 version, true its the time isn't it!
Coming to SQL Server 2000 version it is coming to end by March 31st 2008 from Mainstream support as per Product Lifecycle page for instance SQL Server 2000 64 bit edition mainstream support will end by 08th April 2008 and extended support will end by 09th April 2013, that is similar to other editions of version 2000.
With the Changes to the hotfix releases for the support fixes SQL Server 2005 service pack & hotfix has became a confusion state of mind for SQL Server users, where many hotfixes and cumulative updates were releases such as we blogged How to get a list of SQL Server 2005 builds that were released after Service Pack 2 was released? & SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 Cumulative Update 5 is available for download with a request to CSS!. During a recent usergroup meeting few users raised this point about patches and service packs for SQL Server 2005, specific to SP3 version as compared to a few cumulative updates and issues with SP2. We believe it will be general trend from Product group to release or announce a candidate for SP3 as compared to the SP2 release in March 2007.
So further joy and to count your vote refer to post - Want a Service Pack? Ask for it! here.