Microsoft SQL Server Black Book: The Database Designer's and Administrator's Essential Guide to Setting Up Efficient Client-Server Tasks with SQL Server

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Summary: Finally, an easy to understand guide for the new DBA
Review: I am a new client server DBA. My background consists of many years of mainframe programming. After making the "switch" I was desperate for help with my new endeavor. A colleague at a recent technical conference recommended Patrick Dalton's SQL Server Black Book. Being a beginner, I have found it extremely easy to read and understand. It has provided me with a solid base level understanding of SQL Server and has allowed me to perform my job with much more confidence. It is packed with many "real world" examples that I had experienced first-hand. I have incorporated many of Mr. Dalton's solutions into my own system, several of them word for word right out of the book. I would highly recommend this book for the SQL Server DBA.

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Summary: I found the book to be extremely helpful as a new DBA.
Review: I have been a mainframe person for several years now and had NO prior knowledge of the NT/SQL world. I found this book to be very helpful in the install/configuration process of my personal workstation/server. I was able to follow the step by step instructions that were listed on pages 45 thru 65. The screen illustrations were exactly as they appeared to me during installation. I have found the 'warning', 'pitfall' and 'Note' sections to be especially helpful. Overall, the book was easy to read and has been a wonderful resource coupled with the SQL books online.

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Summary: Good Publisher & Bad Book
Review: You know how your 2-year old can outgrow clothes on the drive home from the store? This is a book written with the same kind of longevity. Everything in this book is trivial, shallow, and obvious. There are at least 10 better books in the Amazon search list on SQL 6.5. I really like this publisher but keep looking, there are many fine SQL 6.5 books out there and this aint one of them.