After a month-long delay, Microsoft on Tuesday released an update to a version of Windows for small businesses that includes new features for patching PCs and a $200 price cut.

Microsoft's "release 2" update to Windows Small Business Server 2003 comes in two editions. A premium edition bundles Windows Server, Exchange Server 2003, and SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition for a list price of $1,299, a $200 reduction compared to Small Business Server 2003, released three years ago. A standard edition bundles Windows Server and Exchange for $599. Customers will also pay a $99 client access license fee for each PC or user that connects to the server, up to a limit of 75.

Again, this is good news. I'm not sure how many small businesses use this software, but considering it's MicroSoft, I'd guess quite a few regardless of how good the software is.

Many people dream of taking a hobby and turning it into a successful small business, and many entrepreneurs are lucky and savvy enough to make it happen. But profiting from a passion still takes hard work, and hobbyists-turned-business owners often find they spend more time running the company than enjoying a pasttime.

Elaine Hodgson started out as a biochemist, working for NASA and private companies for about four years. In her spare time, she played video games and found herself increasingly drawn to the idea of creating them. So she took some courses in programming that enabled her to start working for small companies that manufactured games.

People often dream of doing a job that they love, so it seems like a natural extension to try to make your hobby your job. Would that I could open a music store that also sells ping pong paddles, muppets, cartoons and novelty ninja swords. Sadly, making a business is more complicated than that.

Congressman Steve Israel (D-Huntington), in his capacity as a member of the House Financial Services Committee, has announced that the US Small Business Administration is making low interest loans available to Long Islanders affected by last October's storms. The storms resulted in more than two feet of rain and caused $22 million in damages.

SBA offers loans of up to $40,000 for renters and homeowners to repair or replace disaster damaged personal property such as furniture and clothing. Homeowners are eligible for loans of up to $200,000 to repair disaster damaged primary residences. Loans to businesses of all sizes as well as non-profit organizations are available of up to $1.5 million to repair damage to real estate, machinery, equipment and inventory. Small businesses unable to meet operating expenses due to storm damage may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

I didn't realize the Autumn storms could get bad enough to warrant insurance. Perhaps they should offer heat relief to the South as well!

Fortune Small Business announced that Acme United Corporation has been ranked 53rd on the sixth annual FSB 100 list of the fastest growing small companies in America. The list which is comprised of public companies appears in the July/August issue of FORTUNE Small Business and is available at FSB.com.

Walter C. Johnsen, President and CEO said, "We are excited that Acme United has been selected for the second year in a row as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. We continue to expand our distribution channels, gain market share and invest in new products."

As long as they keep on making the best anvils in the world, Acme will stay on top in my book.

Hawaii is getting into the spirit.

The Honolulu district office of the Small Business Administration will play matchmaker late this month -- with entrepreneurs and lenders.

"The goal of that day is to actually take in loan applications," said Diana Jackson, a counselor with S.C.O.R.E., an organization that the SBA employs to help businesses get loans and other assistance.

What is Franchising?

Is Franchising a successful means of operating a business?

What are the advantages to Franchising?

What are the disadvantages to Franchising?

What are Business Plans?

How can I benefit from a Business Plan?

What should I include in my Business Plan?

How frequently should I review and update my Business Plan?

What is Business Insurance?

How do I choose the right Business Insurance?

What is the most common type of Business Insurance purchased by small businesses?

What Business Insurance options are available that pays for health care?

What is Outsourcing?

How can Outsourcing benefit my business?

What are the risks/disadvantages of Outsourcing?

Should I use Outsourcing in my business?

When Rich Chadwick's business was booted from his house -- his daughter needed his office space as a bedroom -- he didn't spend much time looking around for new office digs.

He went to the Enterprise Center at Salem State College, a small business incubator that provides office space and business workshops, among other services.

Here's an excellent little article on commonly-perceived myths many non-small business viewers hold:

So many aspiring entrepreneurs dream of the numerous rewards that await them when they finally break free of the shackles of the rat race and become their own boss. But many see only the gold at the end of the rainbow -- and go into it with misconceptions about what it's really like to own their own business. They think funding sources are just a phone call away, that they'll have time for weekly golf games and will be rolling in the dough faster than you can say "Ch-Ching."

To help you sort out the myths from the reality, we've put together a list of the top 10 "small-business myths." We've included the most common, inaccurate information you may have encountered, along with the real skinny on starting your own venture, so you can make smart, informed decisions for your business.

The government doesn't subsidize any businesses?? That doesn't sound right. Then again, I must be thinking of actual legitimate subsidization, and not handouts to Halliburton and Enron. Whoops! Where did that editorial come from? Leave me alone.

I find this article pretty apropos, considering that I'm going to start grad school this week. I especially like the comment made by one woman in the article: Grad school isn't just about getting an actual degree, it's about shmoozing the hell out of people and making business contacts. Let's get the disillusionment out of the way now.

Building and running a small business often consumes most of an entrepreneur's time, leaving little room for other pursuits. Yet many company owners decide to get an MBA, believing it will help them be better managers, marketers and bosses.

And because many business schools have programs designed to be squeezed into a business person's overscheduled life, a graduate degree doesn't have to be one of those "some day" pipe dreams.

Google doesn't exactly scream "small business" in my mind. I guess they thought so too...

Internet search giant Google on Monday night began offering small businesses a free way to offer coupons online.

Online coupons run near the business listings of Google's specialized local search area, called Google Maps. It's like an online yellow pages, but with clickable links to websites, and mapping information.

It's hard to know exactly what Google is playing at with these coupons beside the obvious, but perhaps the initiative is designed to introduce new customers (read: potential advertisers) to the company.

Good question.

In 2002, the chamber approached the Northern Kentucky International Trade Association (NKITA), with a proposal to become an umbrella organization of the chamber to help support small businesses in the region. NKITA, now a part of the Northern Kentucky Chamber, educates the community and promotes international trade and regional growth.

Since 2002, NKITA has grown to a board of 25 local businesses and more than 400 members. It provides forums for their members to exchange ideas as well as develops ongoing relationships with international associations and institutions.

Going international can be tough for a small business - shipping costs and delays can often diminish profit/return, but the unlimited potential market can also be a jackpot if you play your cards right.

I found this Q&A session to be eerily reminiscent of that particular moment in Billy Madison. You know what I'm talking about...

The area of your question that most intrigues me is the emphasis given to having your employees do the right thing. I suppose that this means acting in concert with guidelines, policies, procedures, etc. I'd also like to think that it has to do with employing ethical business practices.

In today's business climate, adopting an ethical approach to business is not just something that is nice to do. No, it is something that is absolutely necessary. You don't need me to tell you that the bar has been raised over the last few years in this regard. In the wake of Enron and other organizations that have strayed from the true course, renewed attention has been given to doing things by the book, playing by the rules, etc.

All jokes aside, this question is pretty darn relevant with all the hullabaloo over Enron and MicroSoft in the corporate culture.