MCDBA Administering SQL Server 2000 Study Guide (Exam 70-228)

Rating:
Summary: --
Review: It has covered many topics in exam. However, when you answering the questions, you will find this book is quick simple without covering the in-depth info. Therefore, you need to search many info from Book online instead.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: The content is nicely presented. Real life problems are discussed in detail. Administration tasks are covered with practical examples. Overall a good book to refer for exam 70-228.

Rating:
Summary: Terrible book
Review: The first four chapters are full of examples and exercises, but don't explain how to install and configure the software. Why would installation be relegated to the fifth chapter? This book totally left me on my own to get SQL Server 2000 installed and configured so I could follow the first four chapters. In fact, I'm not even sure what the the first four chapters are for since most of it is repeated in more detail in the later chapters. Also, it's full of typing errors. Some of the intended deletions and corrections are actually still included in the text. It's very easy to see that there wasn't much effort put into this book. It's poorly organized and edited. Not only are some of the answers wrong, but in some cases the information completely contradicts itself. I've read several certification books from many different publishers, so I believe I have a good idea of what a well written book is, and this isn't a well written book. I wouldn't suggest it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: great study guide
Review: The questions and simulations provided in the CD are very helpful for preparing the exam, 70-228. The exam watch tips were excellent. Overall, the book is a tremendous help for preparing for the exam.

Rating:
Summary: Good book for certification
Review: The questions in the CD are really good. The exam watch tips in the book helped me focus on the exam.

Rating:
Summary: Can't compete with many other better books
Review: There are better books to buy.
This book is too simplisitic to be of much help with the exam. It needs editting, index is useless, there are lots of blatant errors, etc. A year or two ago maybe there weren't many alternatives, but now I'd recommend the Microsoft "Training Kit" book as much better, or additionally "Inside Sql Server 2000" for reference. For example test questions, the Microsoft "Readiness Review" is more realistic (albeit very brief), or spend the $$ for Transcender, etc.

Rating:
Summary: It's OK, but not straight to the point
Review: This book does cover most of the exam objectives. Unlike Sybex books, it puts a "Certifiation Objective" label before a section that is supposed to cover a paticular objective but does not tell you which exam objective that is. The book is wordy in many parts and does not go straight to the point. But it does explain each topic properly and with reasonable depth. Playing with SQL Server 2000 will help you understand the book better. If you are new to SQL Server, this book can help you become a qualified beginner. The accompanying CD contains software that helps you revise the book's topics, not just an electronic version of the book.
This book takes a different approach from Sybex's study guides. If you are used to Sybex, you may not like this book.

Rating:
Summary: Because zero stars isn't an option
Review: This book is terrible. Period. The writing is dry, probably only 25% of the material is applicable to the exam itself, and the book is filled with inaccuracies. I sincerely doubt the author even took the 70-228 exam before writing this book, ... A complete waste of money, avoid this book like the plague.

Rating:
Summary: Because zero stars isn't an option
Review: This book is terrible. Period. The writing is dry, probably only 25% of the material is applicable to the exam itself, and the book is filled with inaccuracies. I sincerely doubt the author even took the 70-228 exam before writing this book, ... A complete waste of money, avoid this book like the plague.

Rating:
Summary: Good place to start
Review: This is a good place to start and get the basics. The labs do not require you to trash your network and join the SelfPaced domain like the Microsoft counterpart. This book by itself will not leave you fully prepared you also need SQL Programming by Example! Even though Programming by Example is geared toward 70-229 (which you are probably going to take next anyway) to be fully prepared for 228 you need to see some actual code.