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Summary: A must have Windows 2000 Server reference
Review: If you're running, or planning to run, a Windows 2000 Server network, buy this book. I took several classes on Windows 2000 to bring myself up to speed for a migration this summer. I walked away from the classes in a daze, still confused about active directory, group policies, and remote installation. This book filled the gaps and more. I actually read it from cover-to-cover like a novel, and enjoyed it. This book covers the ins and outs of what you'll be working with in Windows 2000 Server for 90% of the time. It was light on areas such as profiles and AD schema, but those are topics that could fill seperate books.Buy this book first, and read it. Then, if you need more specific information on a certain topic, buy a book devoted to that topic.
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Summary: One book to rule them all, and in the darkness, bind them...
Review: Although I've worked as a Windows developer for several years, my background is really in Unix systems. So when I changed jobs and became PC Support Lead, I needed a book that I could read (without falling immediately asleep) to learn everything I needed. Well, I haven't finished reading the WHOLE book yet, but I must say that the chapters I have read have been extremely informative and quite readable (mostly the AD/DHCP/DNS/WINS stuff so far). I've been pouring over the Active Directory migration strategies and the book has REALLY helped me understand many of the issues involved (I'm sure there are books devoted ENTIRELY to this topic, but Mr. Minasi et. al. give some excellent real world tips and procedures). I have never seen the previous THREE editions, but the fact that there WERE three previous editions made me feel confident that the authors were serious about keeping the information up-to-date (I waited an extra week to order just so that I could get the latest edition). The book is huge, but it covers a lot -- I just wish it was easier to lug around. You CAN install a copy of the book in PDF format, but you have to have the CD installed to use it -- not much help on my laptop unless I lug around the external CD drive. Still, it does allow the book to be in TWO places at once. If you're looking for ONE book to introduce (or further educate) you to Windows 2000 Server, then skip the Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit and start HERE!
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Summary: Two thumbs up! A great reference for a huge product.
Review: This book is a monster, but it has everything you could possibly want to know about Windows 2000 including a great basic introduction to Active Directory. I have an earlier edition of this book, but I love it! It is well organized, accurate, and easy to use as a reference. The author's writing style is easy to read and enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book Except Sybex Published It
Review: The content and clarity of this book are great. Minasi presents this material at a level that is useful even for us 'non-experts'. Would've given this book at '5' except for Sybex. Unfortunately, Sybex locks out any ability to print a few pages to carry around as a reference, or cut and copy to, say, send as an email. For this reason, I won't be buying any more Sybex books until they stop this practice. It just takes away too much functionality of the book.
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Summary: worth its weight in gold
Review: I am a technical writer, and the target audience of the documents that I write is mainly network administrators. I do not have any direct work experience administering a corporate network, but I have had some IT training and even managed to get a Windows NT MCP certification by passing one of the NT exams. I have just finished the chapter in this book that explains TCP/IP and I am absolutely stunned by its quality. This is the clearest, most straightforward explanation of this concept that I have ever read. I have no doubt that I will eventually get through this entire book (and it's a big one). I am looking to take two things away from reading it in its entirety: a more complete understanding of Win2K (can't wait to read the explanation of how Active Directory works), and a greater knowledge of how to write engaging and understandable content for a technical audience to apply to my own documentation work. I have no doubt that I will reap both benefits. I know how challenging it is to write highly technical documentation that is both clear and readable, and I have to say that Mr. Minasi and his team of writers are to be highly commended for their skill and outstanding effort.
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Summary: Buy it!
Review: I first came in contact with Mark Minasi's work in 1992 while working with the State of Texas. He produced a training manual on PC hardware support that was required reading. To be concise, since reading that book I buy any book he authors if it relates to a topic I'm working with! If I need a reference and his name is on it, I buy it ASAP.
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Summary: GREAT RESOURCE
Review: This book is a complete reference.......even for a smart beginner. All you need is this book and time to read and you have info at your finger tips.....this book cover everything in detail.
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Summary: Reference and tutorial
Review: Just enough tutorial info, good enough to use as a reference ( even on many of the corners and shadows of windows). It isn't the best available for tutorials, but if you are looking at this book, you are probably advanced enough to need a book that doubles in both, but not needing too many basic references ( i.e. you should have some experience dealing with Windows in it's administrative capacities, though I was only a programmer with basic experieince at best) . If you can find the control panel and networking properties, this book is for you. Major plus for the fact that this book is VERY readable for a computer book. Much better than the also very good, though not as encompassing and much dryer Server Administrators Companion from Microsoft. All in all, you will not go wrong with this book. One of the best Comp books i have used. A strong four stars at worst.
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Summary: Mark Minasi is Good!
Review: I am an NT4 MCSE with a first degree, A+ and Network+ credentials and have been a Systems Admin for one of the largest Insurance Companies in the Caribbean and I am now preping to do my Windows 2000 MCSE. I have never read a well put together technical manual as this one. I bought Mark's book based on reviews here at Amazon and elsewhere and I don't regret it. Though I have just started it (chapter 5) I feel like I have an expert with me who knows the everyday hassles sys admins face in mixed environments. His writing style is so very smooth. Normally I am very critical of manuals like the Sybex study guides (which I also bought and are full of errors), but I haven't found a fault with Mark's yet except that maybe for beginners it might be a little hard to keep up. Even so, I think he still does a good step by step job for basic tasks for novices. I really appreciate the way he relates to NT4 Sys Admins. throughout the chapters I read. Sorry I don't have the time to say more. I will recommend this book to anyone. Keep it up Mark!
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Summary: Best of the Best
Review: As an owner of a computer consulting firm and a past professor of computer sciences at the college level, my experience has taught me that Mark Minasi is one of the premier experts on Microsoft operating systems and problems. My first experience with one of his books was after actually trying to do roaming user profiles in Microsoft Windows NT and finding that out of five books I consulted only Mark Minasi's was accurate and complete. The others were written from Microsoft White Papers which had an error and the authors had obviously not actually set up the profiles because it was impossible given their instructions. Since then I always look for Mark Minasi's books first and have always found the most through and useful information in them. This book is no exception. In Mastering Windows 2000 Server he covers all the topics that you need to understand and setup a system. Topics covered include DNS, Active Directory, security (internal, remote, file level, etc.), heterogenous networks, the MMC, TCP/IP, IIS, RAS, Software Installation and dozens of other areas. His treatment of each area is thorough and written in a style that most readers with a basic understanding of computers can easily understand. It is not a book that is specifically pointed toward passing one of the MCSE exams but is much more useful than those books that teach you how to spit out Microsoft answers. Instead it actually gives you the foundation and knowledge to actually work with the system and resolve real world problems, something that most exam focused books do not generally provide. This book should be on the bookshelf of any administrator who is working in a Windows 2000 Server environment or anyone who wants to understand the system. While my company has several technical books on the 2000 Operating System, Mark Minasi's are always the most consulted. The other books are in such good condition that they could be sold again as new.... but not Mastering Windows 2000 Server by Mark Minasi. It is simply the most complete, accurate and understandable book on Windows 2000 Server on the market.
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