Rating: 
Summary: Just read it and shut up!
Review: I'm tired of reading reviews by individuals like Alain Maashe-Mengueme, and Steven M. Toth, whining about the MCSE exam. This book was obviously written (as are most of the books I've read by Mark Minasi) for the mainstream and power USER. And as such, it is well written, and complete with very useful information.I've read many computer books (my substitute for formal computer training)- quite a few of them by Minasi, and I have yet to be disapointed by one of his works. Mr. Maashe-Mengueme and Mr. Toth, If you're looking to pass your MCSE exam, purchase a book that's self-described to help you achieve that purpose, but don't give negative reviews to a fine title that never claimed to do such! Also, I really appreciated the review by hbj200 who reviewed other books on the same topic and was able to compare them, (something lacking in most other book reviews), and rated the book based on what it really is, a book for users. Keep up the good work hbj200. See you soon in the top 10!
Rating:
Summary: The 2nd Edition is OUTSTANDING
Review: If I only had one book on Win2000 Professional, this 2nd edition would be it! Note: The first edition of this book was good for beginners but did not go deep enough for power users. However, in the second edition, the Minasi we all love from his classic "Win2000 Server" is back--and he is at his best. The 2nd edition is still useful for beginners, but it also has the meat that power users are looking for. Very clear and totally comprehensive.
Rating: 
Summary: Mastering...I dont think so....
Review: It's a great book for beginners to intermediate Windows 2000 Administrators.If you are at a senior Level, this book is not for you. How to setup network printers, understanding network cabling and setting up a modem, its far from Mastering Windows 2000.
Rating:
Summary: Indispensable
Review: It's another great title from Minasi. From the first page forward I could see this book would occupy the corner of the desk where I stack the things I need to put my hands on every day. I'm also working on my Microsoft certification; Minasi's books provide essential background information to help you actually learn the objectives, versus learning what it takes to pass a test.
Rating:
Summary: If you own Win 2000, you need Minasi's Mastering Win 2000
Review: Just the premise of using an operating system daily for critical content and not having a resource like Minasi's MW2k is setting yourself up for trouble. Murphy's Law has never been proven as authentic as often as in the world of computers, and it is only by offering a great review for this book and heartfelt thanks to Minasi for writing it that I can hope to persuade people to realize the priceless value of this tome. Priceless, because a signature talent of system failure is to make whatever irreplaceable work you have disappear forever. Even though I backup religiously, twice I had found myself in the situation of loosing client material at the hands of system errors, both of which I was able to solve just by referencing Mastering Win 2k. Just the chapter "Fixing Windows 2000 When It Breaks" alone justifies the price of this book. I had originally planned to use this book only when needed, but after experiencing the wealth of valuable information in one chapter I am now reading it cover to cover. If you use Windows 2000 professionally or just somewhat regularly, you need "Mastering Windows 2000", period.
Rating:
Summary: The perfect reference for a non-computer geek
Review: Mark Minasi's Mastering Windows 2000 Professional, Second Edition is typical of the quality of his past books. The second edition is very thorough, well written, easy to understand and probably the most important reference that I have for Windows 2000 Professional. Quality advice, technically accurate and containing many tips and warnings of potential traps, it simply is a required text for anyone working with this operating system. Since my experience has taught me that Mark Minasi's books were quite simply the best on the market and this edition was as timely, thorough, accurate and detailed as any of his other works, I checked out the first edition and soon found out why it had received many poor reviews. There is no better reference for the advanced user nor no better book for the beginner to learn the system accurately and in detail than this book. Buy the book, keep it within reach at all times, get to know it well, because if you are a system administrator it is going to become your best friend... second edition only though.
Rating:
Summary: Most authoritative book on the market
Review: Mark Minasi's Mastering Windows 2000 Professional, Second Edition is typical of the quality of his past books. The second edition is very thorough, well written, easy to understand and probably the most important reference that I have for Windows 2000 Professional. Quality advice, technically accurate and containing many tips and warnings of potential traps, it simply is a required text for anyone working with this operating system. Since my experience has taught me that Mark Minasi's books were quite simply the best on the market and this edition was as timely, thorough, accurate and detailed as any of his other works, I checked out the first edition and soon found out why it had received many poor reviews. There is no better reference for the advanced user nor no better book for the beginner to learn the system accurately and in detail than this book. Buy the book, keep it within reach at all times, get to know it well, because if you are a system administrator it is going to become your best friend... second edition only though.
Rating: 
Summary: What do you know about Windows 2000 Professional?
Review: Most everyone who uses a personal computer has questions from time to time about its operating system. Even advanced users need some assistance with troubleshooting, and everyone can use a little additional training every once and a while. This reference guide offers both how- to advice on correcting problems and general guidance to help Windows 2000 users better understand the system.
One thing that makes this book a little different from others is the format. It includes bulleted text, screen shots, and other symbols that are typical of a reference book. But it also includes a good amount of reading material to supplement the screen shots and the reference- style text. In this regard, this book is like a study guide, which makes it more useful than other reference books that step you through things but don't explain as well as they should.
I think this guide could be even better if it included more advanced techniques. There is some material about advanced topics, like one would expect with a book that claims it is supposed to help you "master" the subject. But the majority of the guide is for beginners and intermediate students of Windows 2000.
Many reference books exist for users of Windows 2000 and other operating systems, so this guide is not alone. But I think the combined approach of reference book and reading book makes this one of the better guides on the market for understanding and utilizing Windows 2000.
Rating:
Summary: Well written and thorough "how to"
Review: My library consists on a number of reference books and I would not be without books written by Mark Minasi. I am 2 elective exams away from MCSE and would regularly reference his book when needing to know how to do something. This is not a sole source book if your goal is MCSE certification, but is is an extremely thorough and easy to follow "how to" if your goal is to learn how to use this operating system.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as expected
Review: This book did not cover the important new features of Windows 2000 Professional. Four chapters were wasted on HTML and VBScripting. The examples were poor and often hard to follow or actually incorrect. Not enough time was spent on how to configure 2000 Professional. There are many great new features and this book does not do a good job of explaining and showing you how to configure them. Mark, how about spending a chapter on helping us configure IIS before spending 4 chapters on writting VB scripts.
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