Disappointed with Exchange 2007 Beta 2
I’m unimpressed with the management interface in the new version of Exchange. Things that could be done very simply in Exchange 2003 now require that you not make any typos in the arcane command-line interface that you’re required to use with 2007. The new console looks like it was made for a Linux distro — very watered down functionality and horrible discoverability.
I guess they hired a BSD/Linux guy to create the new Exchange management interface 
Check out the rest of the thread at: http://forums.msexchange.org/Disappointed_with_Exc...tm.htm
BetaTester Says:
August 1st, 2006 at 3:32 pm
I completely agree. Although I appreciate having all the features accessible via a scripting language, I don’t want to be forced to use it for everyday tasks.
Every function *should* be accessible through the GUI. If they want a cleanrer menu, that’s fine. Give me a toggle option to display all the advanced features.
Benopp54 Says:
August 3rd, 2006 at 3:30 pm
I would like to agree with the majority here.
I am a “Windows Guy” mostly because I am visual learner (photographic memory). I remember where this setting and that option are in the UI. I think this is what makes most of us Windows Admins. I am not good with syntax of command-line nonsense.
I understand the ability to “script” mass changes is very helpful but not at the sacrifice of a well-rounded UI.
The ISA Server 2004 UI is in a class of it’s own. I had that UI memorized in minutes. No CLI there.
Boo…CLI that detracts from UI
Horray… beer
Thomas Shinder Says:
August 3rd, 2006 at 3:46 pm
Hey guys,
I’m in full agreeemnt with you. I’d like to have the CLI to perform mass changes and to automate routine tasks, but the stuff they’ve removed from the UI isn’t that kind of task. It’s basic one-off configuration of the SMTP service, certificates, POP3, IMAP4 and much more. I’m really hoping that they’ll not take us visual guys for granted and work on providing a world-class UI, like the ISA firewall team did.
Thanks!
Tom