I have been messing around with Search Server since MS has released it and I think that overall it will fill a great need in the market for lower (notice I did say low) cost Enterprise search solutions.  Companies evaluating search solutions can download Search Server 2008 express and use it for free!  For those who are evaluating Arpan Shah has pointed the search world to some screen casts that Richard Riley has put together.  So I usually don't like to duplicate what is already out there but it doesn't seem like these links are readily available so I thought I would pass the word along!

 These are some very nice and simplistic demos which go into the many facets of standing up your Search Server to some actual configurations and explanations.  So go check them out off of Arpans Blog:

1. Installation & Configuration: http://www.microsoft.com/winme/0711/31250/Installation_and_Config/Default.html
2. End User Experience: http://www.microsoft.com/winme/0711/31250/End_User_Experience/Default.html
3. Federation: http://www.microsoft.com/winme/0711/31250/Federation/Default.html

Cheers

 Jason Medero