Rating: 
Summary: Take Windows-Control In Your Own Hands
Review: Batch programming was yesterday. Windows Scripting is a much more powerful new way of controlling windows. The book places much emphasize on how to access all the hidden functions already available on your system including FTP/Web site synchronization, scanner control and NT user account management. It shows you how to call secret and undocumented API functions, access databases and tap into type libraries to retrieve undocumented system information. Scripting Secrets is an adventure tour through the internals of your computer. It reveals lots of details about how processes work or how windows organizes its windows (and how your scripts can take window snapshots or extract icons). Still, there are things you shouldn't expect. Don't expect JavaScript (as the book would have doubled in size and WSH is not to be confused with JavaScript web site programming), and don't expect XML (I just couldn't find any real advantage that justifies the effort of writing XML scripts but if you disagree, let me know). I'd love to hear from you (good and bad) at tob@compuserve.com.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Choice
Review: I purchased this book to become a better admin. I didn't have any programming experience, but after this book I can do so many great things with scripting and ASP. I really like the scripting primer in the beginning, it really give you a good foundation to work from. The only drawback that I don't like about the book is the author's use of his own COM objects. Many of the scripts and examples in the book can be performed with built in Windows Objects. But that's my only complaint.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Choice
Review: I purchased this book to become a better admin. I didn't have any programming experience, but after this book I can do so many great things with scripting and ASP. I really like the scripting primer in the beginning, it really give you a good foundation to work from. The only drawback that I don't like about the book is the author's use of his own COM objects. Many of the scripts and examples in the book can be performed with built in Windows Objects. But that's my only complaint.
Rating: 
Summary: Very practical - helped automate my daily work
Review: I put it to practical use quickly -- writing a script that helps me launch some favorite files and to find markers inside files. Its been mentioned that it is entirely VBScript and VB. There is no JavaScript. That was fine with me, but many others could be bothered by that. There is a not-too-detailed table of contents, and then a very detailed table of contents - great for finding things and reviewing. Also, each chapter begins with a list of topics to be covered. Each chapter ends with a concise but complete summary of what's been covered. They are both very helpful. That the entire book is on the CDROM is a bonus - making it the entire book searchable. (The CDROM also contains all of the code which is also obviously helpful). He explains things very well, sometimes evolving scripts through 3 or 4 editions, each one illustrating some new features and improvements.
Rating:
Summary: Very practical - helped automate my daily work
Review: I put it to practical use quickly -- writing a script that helps me launch some favorite files and to find markers inside files. Its been mentioned that it is entirely VBScript and VB. There is no JavaScript. That was fine with me, but many others could be bothered by that. There is a not-too-detailed table of contents, and then a very detailed table of contents - great for finding things and reviewing. Also, each chapter begins with a list of topics to be covered. Each chapter ends with a concise but complete summary of what's been covered. They are both very helpful. That the entire book is on the CDROM is a bonus - making it the entire book searchable. (The CDROM also contains all of the code which is also obviously helpful). He explains things very well, sometimes evolving scripts through 3 or 4 editions, each one illustrating some new features and improvements.
Rating:
Summary: A Superb Scripting Resource!!
Review: I tried a number of books to learn more about scripting. They gave me bits and pieces of information but not the depth, breadth and clarity provided by this book. The book is very well written, full of extremely useful information and examples and is fun. Many of the things I was trying to do with scripting I could find no information on until I got this book. What I learned from this book I simply could not have learned from any other resource that I could find. In addition to the excellent text there is included an extermely useful CD-ROM that contains the scripts from the book, VB projects, and components. You can use all of these immediately and to great advantage. I recommend that you take some time to learn them and not just use them "out of the box" because doing so enhances what you'll get from this book. In summary, this is an excellent book. It is an informative, enjoyable read and an excellent resource for all your scripting work. If you're going to take advantage of the power of scripting you absolutely must have this book!
Rating:
Summary: A Superb Scripting Resource!!
Review: I tried a number of books to learn more about scripting. They gave me bits and pieces of information but not the depth, breadth and clarity provided by this book. The book is very well written, full of extremely useful information and examples and is fun. Many of the things I was trying to do with scripting I could find no information on until I got this book. What I learned from this book I simply could not have learned from any other resource that I could find. In addition to the excellent text there is included an extermely useful CD-ROM that contains the scripts from the book, VB projects, and components. You can use all of these immediately and to great advantage. I recommend that you take some time to learn them and not just use them "out of the box" because doing so enhances what you'll get from this book. In summary, this is an excellent book. It is an informative, enjoyable read and an excellent resource for all your scripting work. If you're going to take advantage of the power of scripting you absolutely must have this book!
Rating:
Summary: Packed with tips on undocumented features
Review: I unfortunately own three books on VBScript: two that I regret, and Weltner's book, which I should have just bought in the first place. I would have saved a hundred bucks. Weltner's book is packed with tips, undocumented features of WSH, 500 scripts on the CD-ROM, and lots of information about more advanced uses of VBScript such as Win32 access and using COM objects from scripts. Other books do not let you see the real power of the Windows Script Host, and they're so BORING. Weltner is fun to read. I have to disagree with another reviewer: the lack of JScript in Weltner's book is such a GOOD thing. Keep in mind that if a WSH book does both VBScript and JScript, then there is wasted duplication (maybe half the book is just repeating the same thing but in JScript). You definitely want to learn VBScript instead so that your skills will port over to straight Visual Basic and IIS ASP pages. If you want JScript for client-side HTML pages, then you're looking for a different kind of book anyway. Besides, VBScript is easier for beginners to learn.
Rating:
Summary: Packed with tips on undocumented features
Review: I unfortunately own three books on VBScript: two that I regret, and Weltner's book, which I should have just bought in the first place. I would have saved a hundred bucks. Weltner's book is packed with tips, undocumented features of WSH, 500 scripts on the CD-ROM, and lots of information about more advanced uses of VBScript such as Win32 access and using COM objects from scripts. Other books do not let you see the real power of the Windows Script Host, and they're so BORING. Weltner is fun to read. I have to disagree with another reviewer: the lack of JScript in Weltner's book is such a GOOD thing. Keep in mind that if a WSH book does both VBScript and JScript, then there is wasted duplication (maybe half the book is just repeating the same thing but in JScript). You definitely want to learn VBScript instead so that your skills will port over to straight Visual Basic and IIS ASP pages. If you want JScript for client-side HTML pages, then you're looking for a different kind of book anyway. Besides, VBScript is easier for beginners to learn.
Rating:
Summary: Scripting Encyclopaedia
Review: If you intend to go to a desert island and want to do Windows scripting there take this book along. You don't need any others. It's all there! If you need real secrets with lots of examples, they are in the text and on the CD for you to use them, if you need VBScript and WSHost reference it's on CD too. And not only that: you'll learn a lot about Windows in general. At least I did. It is a very practical book. One warning though: it is VBScript (not JScript) oriented. Although this fact is mentioned in the Publisher overview I think it should have been emphasized more - to avoid the disappointment one of the reviewers had. I think a listing of Contents would be nice, or did I miss it?
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