Don't really have an opinion on Windows 8 (other than no interest in switching to it), but the fact that Microsoft is using the same user interface on Windows Server 2012 has really turned me off Microsoft. I certified on Windows server products for many years but I won't be on 2012, and I'll be recommending 2008 R2 and Linux for server-side solutions.

Why Microsoft thinks IT people want that sort of interface on the server side mystifies me.

Fortunately you can still do a server core installation, which does away with the GUI completely -- but I wish W2K12 offered a middleground option.

__________________
Lots of diesel W126s in the past
Current: 1991 Toyota 4Runner with an OM603