Rating: 
Summary: Without question, the BEST Server 2003 book on the market.
Review: After reading the reviews for this book that were already posted, I can honestly say that I don't think those people read the same book I did. I found more useful information in this book than any other on the subject. And apparently those who are having trouble finding what they are looking for are unfamiliar with a helpful little tool called the "index". Yes, the book is long, but that doesn't mean it is too long. Have you ever seen the Server Resource Kit from Microsoft? It's four times as long as this book. Just because Minasi is thorough doesn't mean the book is too long. I would rather have too much info than not enough. The book is well-written, easily understood, yet at the same time it is also very technical. There is nothing wrong with a technical manual that is written more like a conversation between two people instead of the traditional writing style found in so many other technical manuals; in fact, I would recommend that the folks over at Microsoft Press take a few notes from this book. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a one stop shop of in-depth information about Server 2003. Well done, Mark.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Coverage!
Review: Wow! I picked this book up a couple of weeks ago and, as someone coming from a Unix background, I was completely floored by how well this book gets across the gist of the Windows server platform so effectively! I thought that the Active Directory coverage was really well done and have already got a test bed running at my university. The DNS section really saved me too, as I only had experience with BIND. The filesystem coverage, IPSec and Certificates explanations were all concise. So far, I've been able to get up and running really quickly with this book. I like the CD that's included too, as it keeps me from having to haul the actual book to my data center. Great work!
Rating:
Summary: mastering windows server 2003
Review: An excellent book all around. I believe that Mark tells us in the forward of the book that this is essentially a revised edition of the Windows 2000 book, which is somewhat true. This book sits on my desk open to one chapter or another pretty much all the time, as did the previous version and the version before that. I have been running a Windows 2000 Active Directory for about a year now after about a year's worth of planning and I consider myself to be fairly proficient. Yet, there are very few days that go by when I don't need to refer to Mark's book. I purchased the Mastering Windows Server 2003 book to prepare for my upgrades and found that it isn't *just* the Mastering Windows 2000 Server book along with the changes in Windows 2003. Instead, I found that LOTS of the material has been updated. In fact, material that has been the same for two or three editions has now been updated. I needed some real detail on an NTFS problem that I was having, and found a completely revised file system chapter. It is obvious to me that a lot of effort was put into making this edition even better than the last one was. I've yet to regret staying current with the new editions of the book and this one is no exception. Nowhere else have I found as complete a volume on the workings of Microsoft's server OS and all of its pieces in such a readable and easy going format. The book has a great writing style and the CD sure comes in handy. The volume stays on my desk in the office and the cd stays in my case. Together they have made my job so much easier!
Rating:
Summary: Hail to the ranking member of the tech writing world!!
Review: Once again, I am extremely pleased with this book. This is an in-the-trenches type book that will help you get your job done. It is not meant to be a general overview of Windows 2003. It is not meant to only uncover the changes that have been made in 2003. What the heck kind of book would it be if it only had all of the new features that 2003 offered. Minasi could put that in a stinkin magazine article if he wanted to. For all you people out there that want a read that just outlines the new features of 2003, then download a blasted white paper from Microsoft. I don't agree one single bit with any of you folks who cry about seeing the same matierial in the 2003 book as in the 2000 books. If the feature is implemented and managed the same way in both 2000 and 2003, what in the heck does the wording need to be changed for. The book is called Mastering Windows Server 2003 not Mastering What's New In Server 2003. The book has to cover the full spectrum people! And it does just that, magnificently. You folks that gave this books such a low mark (1 star) and wrote the most unprofessional and incorrect comments are probably the very ones that live at his web the he provides us for !!!FREE!!!,by the way, trying to fix your Active Directories that you let the "Wizard" create for you, or pulling your hair out trying to come up with a solution for all the infighting and political turmoil that exists in your organization because this group of admins does'nt want that group of admins to get the Enterprise Admin privelages. The answers to these and many, many more issues are brilliantly covered in this book. In a nutshell, you will be a better Windows administrator after reading this book..period. You will read about things that you will not find anywhere else...promise! Minasi crosses bridges in this book that most people don't. Everything that he writes about is thoroughly tested by him or his co-authors before they even think about putting it to paper. I truly beleive, that the "Mastering" series of books have done more to make me a better administrator/designer ( and I am really good!), than any other book or class that i have ever read or taken, hands down!! And if you don't have the 2003 book in your arsenal, you are going to spend a lot of time searching white papers, forums, and many other books for information that you could have found right here in this book. I'd rather spend my time being productive instead of searching all over the place for answers to something. It's your choice!
Rating: 
Summary: Worth the Price
Review: Although not his best it's still better than the rest of the books on Windows Server 2003. Mark's writing is humorous and he really gets you the answers you need. The nice thing on this 1st edition is it has the CD where other 1st editions in the Mastering didn't.
Rating:
Summary: Best Ever!
Review: This is the simply the best book on Windows that I have ever read. The coverage is complete and thorough. This book makes some terribly boring topics very easy to read and understand. A job well done!
Rating:
Summary: Unfair Criticism - New Readers Be Open Minded and Consider
Review: I wish more people who have IT jobs, who own Mr. Minasi's books and enjoy the benefits of his website, would actually write reviews for this book.Some reviews posted here have been inordinately harsh. May I suggest to a potential purchaser of this book that if you find yourself being aggressively swayed against this book based upon the harsher reviews that you at least go to your local store and preview the book yourself. Maybe take an overview look at Chapter 2 of the book. I suggest this because if you are turned away from this book due to "unbalanced" criticism you may be turning away from what I have found to be a great resource. Some unfair criticism is as follows:
1. Mr. Minasi states right up front that Windows Server 2003 is not a drastic change from Server 2002 (I am talking about the Operating Systems itself). Accordingly some of the info in this book is repeated from his Server 2002 book. If this is your first Minasi book however you will get the benefit of both Server 2003 and Server 2002 since Mr. Minasi discusses both - as needs to be done. It does obviously address the changes and issues that come with Server 2003
2. Some criticism has been that there is too much fluff. Some sections may seem too "basic" for the intermediate user but let me suggest this: First, Mr. Minasi fairly advises the reader in advance when a section may be too basic for the more experienced reader and he directs such a reader to skip that chapter and directs the more advanced reader to the appropriate chapter. Nonetheless, even as a person who has been employed in the IT field, I found some of his "basic" stuff a nice refresher.
3. On the issue of Mr. Minasi's co-authors: For those of us who have come to be very happy and comfortable with Mr. Minasi's writing style, we would prefer that the entire book be authored by him. However, like the doctor who often refers to the specialist, I believe Mr. Minasi's intent was to offer up the same. I can't know for sure obviously. I admit that I always prefer his writing. However, let's be fair in that many books are co-authored and no book is perfect. (though one completely authored by him might be more perfect).
4. Mr. Minasi is also fair in that right from the beginning he states that his book is not a book to prepare for an exam. This is true but may I suggest to serious IT "wanna bes" that this book is a great way to prepare for true understanding and can be purchased in conjunction with "cram" books. Don't sell that important facet of the book short.
5. As far as one true criticism: yikes the print is small. Accordingly, I have no rebuttal on this issue. However, I will say this: I will take one annoying small print book over several larger font-sized books that convey less. I am neither a friend nor relative of Mr. Minasi's: simply a real life person who has worked in IT, had a system admin job and has and is benefiting from Mr. Minasi's book. I am sure there are other well written tech books, but this one is at the least worthy of being part of your library and at the most a great asset.
Rating:
Summary: Good Reference for Beginning or Experienced Network Admins
Review: When something goes wrong on my network or I have to performa a task I'm not familiar with, the first book I turn to is this one (or its previous incarnation, Mastering Windows 2000 Server). I've found Mark's "Mastering Windows Server..." books to be invaluable references. It is easy to find a How-To book which documents the steps to add a network printer, how to subnet and so forth - what I especially like about Minasis' book is that he not only explains how to perform a task, but often explains why it is done that way. While it is possible to read the book from front cover to rear (and I haven't finished it quite yet) flipping to any pertinent chapter provides quick help where needed; this morning a friend and I referred to Chapter 14 to work on getting a Win95 machine connected to his domains terminal server. I don't have money to throw away on NT reference books that are not useful - this is the third Minasi Server book I've purchased, and I consider it money well spent.
Rating: 
Summary: An Inconvenient Tome
Review: Mastering Windows Server 2003 is a decent showing from this respected author and his contributors. It is an evolutionary work, based in large part on Minasi's prior Windows Server texts. That said, the would be buyer should know the following: The PDF version of the book, contained on the CD-ROM enclosed within, is protected and does not allow any of text to be printed. This came as an immense disappointment to me. The book itself is too thick and too heavy to comfortably read while commuting, in the bathroom or in bed. I had hoped to print out a chapter at a time and read the book that way, but this is impossible. If you cannot devote the time, concentration or physical space to read this book at your desk, you will find it less than useful. I would suggest you find another book. I received Mastering Windows Server 2003 over a month ago and haven't gotten past Chapter 2 yet for these reasons. On his Web site, Mr. Minasi has a FAQ containing an explanation as to why the PDF version of the book is protected. I don't accept that potential piracy is an excuse for inconveniencing a purchaser who has spent forty-odd dollars for the book. I would check whether other texts from this publisher suffer with the same issue before purchasing them.
Rating: 
Summary: Inch deep, mile wide, avoid this like the plague...
Review: Ridiculously superficial coverage of Windows Server 2003. If you purchased any version of "Mastering Windows 2000" you should NOT purchase this book as the amount of overlap between that title and this one is staggering. The new features found in 2003 could have fit within a 10 page on-line errata page and you're essentially paying for 1800 pages of re-hashed and re-warmed Windows 2000 material. I don't know who the target audience for this book is supposed to be - it's far too light-weight for working administrators, too dense and obscure for newbies, and absolutely useless beyond belief for anyone attempting to upgrade their MCSE's. This book is genuinely a mess from start to finish and it is becoming pretty obvious that Mark Minasi is involved in far too many side projects. He use to do a few things really well and now he's doing a lot of things really poorly. His Linux Admin book was seriously out-of-date the day it was released. Cut back on the side projects(the classes, the seminars, the speaking engagements, the consultations, the multiple book series, the magazine columns, etc.,), Mark, as you're doing your reputation a serious disservice. I too, am sending my copy back. Also, it is true that the font size makes reading the book an abysmal experience and a book at this price should be printed on better quality paper instead of cheap... glossy. I can get headaches for free - I really don't need to pay for them.
|
