You can also use Windows Server 2008 if you don't want to use Vista SP1.

The Azure CTP is MS' first step into the cloud computing and S+S (vs SaaS) world. The azure.com site may seem all buzzwords, but the developer portal and msdn library pages provide some excellent developer information http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/dd163896.aspx[^]. S+S is software + services, not just software as a service, but services running in the internet that interact with local software. So far, MS is really doing this one right. Be on notice, this may become something you will have to know... Addtl info: My take on moving to Azure: http://rdaarchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/02/making-move-to-microsoft-azure-ctp.html[^] Azure developer center: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/default.aspx[^]