As Microsoft closes in on the release to manufacturing (RTM) for SQL Server 2005, company officials are making the final, hard choices about what gets cut from the "Yukon" product. One feature that didn't make it: Database mirroring. Senior VP Paul Flessner said customers told Microsoft mirroring needed more testing. So now Microsoft is committing to "release it (database mirroring)for general use as soon as you tell us it is ready." Another feature that is being delayed: Express Manager. Flessner explained: "We are in the process of building a scaled-down version of our SQL Server 2005 Management Studio for SQL Server 2005 Express Edition." Flessner said that technology also will ship once customers say it's ready.