Also showing them the intergration of WHS to a Media center Computer would also be helpful but only if they also demonstrate the functions of a "true" media center computer. almost every one with Vista has Media Center but 90% of them don't know what it does or how to record tv to it, and how that would benifit them in conjunction with WHS.

Also don't put a 17 year old "thinks he knows it all" Sales person at the display to do the demonstrations, but have an actual Microsoft certified Geek who knows the product inside and out do the demonstrations.

Funny, but also makes you think. There might be a general problem in how Microsoft tries to sell their stuff. That's especially true for the WHS. I would say, keep it as simple as possible. Focus on the main advantages. Don't be too technical. It can be a nice toy for savvy people, but you don't have to advertise it specifically to them, at least not in a retail store. If you want the average Joe to buy it, try the Apple way, make it sexy.

Cheers
CM

Have a media centre(HTPC) display area showing the funtions and services of whs streamed from WHS Interlaced with film clips.
Digital wirelessPhoto Frames flicking throught photos streamed From A WHS. A advertiement included at random. "Your digital photos, doubley safy with WHS duplication.
Music Streamed.
Etc
Last lots of avertising boards having something like "WHS/HUB saving and serving your digital life"
I could go on!

Second how do you show the benefits of WHS? I think that the ability to store all your photos in one place, the ability to see your photos on an XBOX, the ability to remotly access your computes, and the ability to recover a lost hard drive are the bigest benefits of WHS.

So, in a store, they should set up multiple sections where there are WHS, Laptops, XBOXs, and TVs where all this can be demoed. It would be really interesting if they could come up with a five minute demo where you can create a video or picutre of yourself, wipe out the hard drive it is on and completly recover it. You just need enough places where people can do this.

There should also be Windows experts who can answer peoples questions.

For pretty much all of the features advertised it will take some level of knowledge or time to setup to their maximum potential in the average environment.

By that I mean the first line on the official WHS site :
"Everybody needs Windows Home Server" is void by the fact that not everybody can setup a home server. Can you honestly say that it as easy to get a server ready as say an iPod or camera so that ANY able bodied person could use it in the way that such other mainstream devices can be used. Part of the problem is that it relies on too many outside factors like a good gigabit network and broadband with a router, not to mention an ISP that won't block/throttle your ports (tell that to the average person and see the response)

It doesn't even need to get to that level; can you put it at the same level of friendliness as even standard consumer Windows SKUs. The fact that the forums here are very active also proves that it isn't ready yet.

It might not have come across in the post but believe it or not I love WHS and its the core of my network. But it is not mainstream ready yet and thus cannot be advertised as a mainstream device i.e "just plug it in"