Rating: 
Summary: Very "Reader Friendly" but still VERY relevant information.
Review: SMS Installer provides very needed technical information on creating automated installations using this scripting tool. Rod Trent's writing style is very easy to read yet is still able to provide highly technical information. This is one of the few technical manuals that provides lots of screen shots so that you do not need to be in front of a PC while reading. Thank you Rod. Please write one on Wise for Windows Installer.
Rating: 
Summary: Good for Novices
Review: The book is mostly a reiteration of basic features, good for those starting to use SMS for scripting.
Rating:
Summary: Rich in information, lacks organization and content
Review: The first two chapters are reasonably well laid out covering most of the basic functions that are relevant to most Windows-based GUI's with a few extra SMS Installer functions thrown in. Overall, what you'd expect for a Windows-based product. Chapter three and four deal with the SMS Installer basic options, file names, pathing, how to repackage an application. Most of what you'd need to know to get started. This is where the light reading ends. Chapter 5 is a monster, and represents over 1/2 of the entire book. It has lots of detail, but I could never understand the logic of how the information was supposed to be presented. Very difficult to consume this level of info non-stop. The bottom line: A book that is full of information, if you know what you're looking for. Otherwise, it is not a method to learn scripting using SMS Installer. You'd better have some knowledge of VB/VBScript, or a similar programming language if you want to make this book useful. Not a tutorial. Useful as a reference only. Not readable in a linear fashion. Assumes an advanced level of programming knowledge. No real-world references. But, as of now, this in the ONLY book on SMS Installer. WROX where are you???
Rating:
Summary: SMS Installer is a necessity for any SMS Administrator
Review: This book contains all of the information necessary to quickly become an expert user of SMS Installer. For those who already are, it contains valuable information and resources to help get those software distribution projects done. I highly recommend this book to anyone who uses SMS Installer. It's well worth the investment.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for those new to SMS Installer
Review: This book is a great reference for those new to SMS installer, as well as more seasoned SMS Administrators. It has a very solid "tips" section with code samples... I attended SMS training (offered by a Microsoft-approved vendor) and found it somewhat lacking where SMS Installer was concerned -it focused more on day to day administration and monitoring and was too basic. This book was MUCH better. I refer to it often. If you are new to Administration, I would also suggest buying the other McGraw Hill book "Administering SMS" as a companion to this book. Using both, you will be up and running in no time.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for those new to SMS Installer
Review: This book is a great reference for those new to SMS installer, as well as more seasoned SMS Administrators. It has a very solid "tips" section with code samples... I attended SMS training (offered by a Microsoft-approved vendor) and found it somewhat lacking where SMS Installer was concerned -it focused more on day to day administration and monitoring and was too basic. This book was MUCH better. I refer to it often. If you are new to Administration, I would also suggest buying the other McGraw Hill book "Administering SMS" as a companion to this book. Using both, you will be up and running in no time.
Rating:
Summary: Woo-hoo!
Review: This book is awesome! I've dabbled in SMS Installer for a while, but this book forced me to get serious about it. I love the way the book progresses through the product allowing you to go from beginner to pro. The flow of the book is very logical and the organization is right on target. And, the CD full of like 500 scripts has kept my nose to the computer screen for two days!
Rating:
Summary: Woo-hoo!
Review: This book is awesome! I've dabbled in SMS Installer for a while, but this book forced me to get serious about it. I love the way the book progresses through the product allowing you to go from beginner to pro. The flow of the book is very logical and the organization is right on target. And, the CD full of like 500 scripts has kept my nose to the computer screen for two days!
Rating: 
Summary: Good but...
Review: This book is quite good, but if you already know WISE installer, then you will get very few. Also, this book is only related of the installer part of SMS and scripting, and you will get nothing about SMS in general (hardware/software invotory, Query, Software distribution and advertisement, license metering...)
Rating:
Summary: Nice reference, but not a tutorial
Review: This is a OK reference title, but that's it. Don't expect a step-by-step guide or tutorial. Nor, real-life scenarios. This is not a substitute for classroom learning.
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