Rating: 
Summary: Undecided?
Review: First time I saw this book I wasn't sure. I thumbed through it and it looked really good. I went home logged on and searched for Sql books. I bought another book based on reviews. Few weeks ago after getting nowhere with the other book. I bought this book. The rest as they say is history. I am now a firm believer (I've even bought two other books in this series)! If you want to learn Sql server this is the best book. I use it just about every day and it has come to the rescue more than once.Buy this book you won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Field Reference!
Review: First, this is not a "teach yourself book" it is a reference, geared toward field engineers. With that said, this is a fabulous carry everywhere reference (small; roughly 8"x5"x1" in size) that has just about everything you need to know (from a DBA perspective, that is) for maintaining/installing/etc. SQL Server 7.0. The book is broken into four sections: I. Administration Fundamentals - Configuring and Tuning II. Administration - Managing Enterprise, Core DBA, Security III.Data Administration - Backup/Recovery, Import/Export, Distributed Data/Remote Servers, Replication IV. Performance, Optimization, and Maintenance - Monitoring/Profiling, Creating Tables/Indexes, DB Automation/Maintenance Having worked with SQL Server for several years now, I have always dreamed of having a book that summarized (with examples) all aspects of installation and maintenance (and wasn't a 4" thick luggable). Stanek has done it. The contents are well laid out with a very thorough index. Examples are well laid out (step-by-step) to get you through what-ever issue you are working with. The book contains stored procedure calls, but is not a Transact-SQL manual (actually it would be nice if the author would come out with a T-SQL Admin Pocket Guide also!). I consider this a must-have for every SQL Server DBA's library. It will not gather dust, but instead become VERY dog-eared.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Field Reference!
Review: First, this is not a "teach yourself book" it is a reference, geared toward field engineers. With that said, this is a fabulous carry everywhere reference (small; roughly 8"x5"x1" in size) that has just about everything you need to know (from a DBA perspective, that is) for maintaining/installing/etc. SQL Server 7.0. The book is broken into four sections: I. Administration Fundamentals - Configuring and Tuning II. Administration - Managing Enterprise, Core DBA, Security III.Data Administration - Backup/Recovery, Import/Export, Distributed Data/Remote Servers, Replication IV. Performance, Optimization, and Maintenance - Monitoring/Profiling, Creating Tables/Indexes, DB Automation/Maintenance Having worked with SQL Server for several years now, I have always dreamed of having a book that summarized (with examples) all aspects of installation and maintenance (and wasn't a 4" thick luggable). Stanek has done it. The contents are well laid out with a very thorough index. Examples are well laid out (step-by-step) to get you through what-ever issue you are working with. The book contains stored procedure calls, but is not a Transact-SQL manual (actually it would be nice if the author would come out with a T-SQL Admin Pocket Guide also!). I consider this a must-have for every SQL Server DBA's library. It will not gather dust, but instead become VERY dog-eared.
Rating: 
Summary: Great reference guide for SQL Server 7
Review: For those administrators out there that are responsible for SQL servers, this is a must-have book. Being somewhat partial to MSPress books/manuals, I was especially impressed with the "handi-ness" of this one. Not very heavy on underlying technological details, but a great aid when you're looking for an answer or stored procedure switch.
Rating:
Summary: Great reference guide for SQL Server 7
Review: For those administrators out there that are responsible for SQL servers, this is a must-have book. Being somewhat partial to MSPress books/manuals, I was especially impressed with the "handi-ness" of this one. Not very heavy on underlying technological details, but a great aid when you're looking for an answer or stored procedure switch.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent coverage of all the basics
Review: I was home sick and read this book through from cover to cover. This book covers all the basics. I would want to have a total coverage book around as well for reference, but for getting all the basic questions answered, this book does the job. It's hard to find answers to general questions in the heavier reference books due to their total coverage. This book gets to the point and tells you how to accomplish specific and important tasks. It's also light and small (relatively), so if you're a consultant you can easily carry it along with you. It's very clearly written.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding! You won't find a better SQL Server admin book.
Review: I've bought several sQL server books in the past. This is the ONLY sql book that I actually use. Its a great guide and reference and it has answered every SQL Server question I've ever had (so far). I highly recommend this book. I don't think you'll find a better book to get you through the day to day admin tasks. The book also covers lots of advanced subjects and it does so extremely well.
Rating:
Summary: A True Believer
Review: The SQL Server Pocket Admin Guide covers the major areas confronting a DBA: Admin, Data Administration, Performnace Monitoring, Backup and Recovery and the like. More importantly it gives clear examples of syntax for things from ISQL and OSQL to creating jobs to run DTS packages. The one thing it needs to include is an FYI or "gotchas" section. The pocket administrator is not so good at indicating what it is leaving out. For example: Restoring backups to other dbs with different owners but identical schemas is non-trivial. DTS packages running stored procedures do not allow for error trapping. This mean if the SP raises an error, the DTS package will not notice and continue as if the SP ran successfully. While you can not expect a pocket administrator to cover these details. It should briefly indicate that these are issues to be considered, but beyond the scope of the reference. Other than this oversight, it is an excellent reference.
Rating:
Summary: Solid Reference, but missing some details
Review: The SQL Server Pocket Admin Guide covers the major areas confronting a DBA: Admin, Data Administration, Performnace Monitoring, Backup and Recovery and the like. More importantly it gives clear examples of syntax for things from ISQL and OSQL to creating jobs to run DTS packages. The one thing it needs to include is an FYI or "gotchas" section. The pocket administrator is not so good at indicating what it is leaving out. For example: Restoring backups to other dbs with different owners but identical schemas is non-trivial. DTS packages running stored procedures do not allow for error trapping. This mean if the SP raises an error, the DTS package will not notice and continue as if the SP ran successfully. While you can not expect a pocket administrator to cover these details. It should briefly indicate that these are issues to be considered, but beyond the scope of the reference. Other than this oversight, it is an excellent reference.
Rating:
Summary: Good coverage of major administrative activities
Review: This book does a good job of covering the major activities confronting a DBA, such as back-ups, recoveries, creating and using DTS packages, scheduling jobs, etc. Furthermore, the book provides concrete syntax or screen shots as part of the step-by-step descriptions. Overall this is a fine addition to a DBA's library. My only complaint is that in some sections, like configuring mail for SQL Server, it uses only MS software for the examples.
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