Windows 2000: The Complete Reference

Rating:
Summary: I know about that but how do you use it!!
Review: I bought this book because the one I was looking for wasnt available in the store. Im still kicking myself for not being more patient and looking online first. The main problem I have is that it briefly explains many of the features but never seems to tell you enough about using and configuring them to be useful. If your a complete beginner and just want to get to know some of the features of Windows 2000 this book might be ok. For advanced users you should try another book.

All is not lost though...Its 1000+ pages makes for a great door stop.

Rating:
Summary: I know about that but how do you use it!!
Review: I bought this book because the one I was looking for wasnt available in the store. Im still kicking myself for not being more patient and looking online first. The main problem I have is that it briefly explains many of the features but never seems to tell you enough about using and configuring them to be useful. If your a complete beginner and just want to get to know some of the features of Windows 2000 this book might be ok. For advanced users you should try another book.

All is not lost though...Its 1000+ pages makes for a great door stop.

Rating:
Summary: Detailed and easy-to-read
Review: I did not see the other reviews when I bought this book in a hurry, now I'm really glad I chose this one instead of the many other Win2k books.

Like most other titles in the "Complete Reference" series, this book is not only technically comprehensive and accurate, but very easy to read and use. Screenshots and procedures are described in lucid details, and notes and tips are easy to spot and mark. From Win2k architecture to installation pains to setting up every aspect of the system, the book shines in leading you through every complex process.

My only gripe about the book (and other Complete Refrence titles) is the book cover, which curls easily in humidity.

Rating:
Summary: The Complete Reference is FAR from Complete
Review: I ordered this book to assist with tasks like setting a global wallpaper for all users, and other specific items. All this book entails on that topic is how to change the wallpaper. It mentions manditory profiles, but does not instruct how to create or use them. In one small paragraph on the topic it tells you to see a previous section. That previous section just tells you to see the section that just refered you to the previous section. Ever hear of the term--endless loop?

Overall, I'm very disapointed and I feel I wasted 40 bucks. Plus, I am now hesitant to purchase books without being able to browse them first.

Rating:
Summary: The Complete Reference is FAR from Complete
Review: I ordered this book to assist with tasks like setting a global wallpaper for all users, and other specific items. All this book entails on that topic is how to change the wallpaper. It mentions manditory profiles, but does not instruct how to create or use them. In one small paragraph on the topic it tells you to see a previous section. That previous section just tells you to see the section that just refered you to the previous section. Ever hear of the term--endless loop?

Overall, I'm very disapointed and I feel I wasted 40 bucks. Plus, I am now hesitant to purchase books without being able to browse them first.

Rating:
Summary: Bootup chapter is excellant
Review: I've never been able to find a book that describes the bootup sequence like this one does. It gives very good detail with specific file names and which process hands control off to which other process. The rest of the book is just as informative. Now if I can only get the OS to work as well as the book does. :)

Rating:
Summary: Make the transistion a whole lot easier.
Review: Moving from one operating system to another requires planning, preparation and above a complete understanding of what changes will occur. You need to know what the new operating system has for features and you don't want to spend a lot of money learning. Windows 2000 The Complete Reference should be at your side.

Covering both Professional and Server, this book gives the reader a complete look into Microsoft's latest creation. Both authors show their expertise of the subject throughout the 1050 plus page book. The authors make sure that you have been given every last detail in your quest for upgrading or starting from scratch.

The book also serves as a first step to the certification of MCSE2000 and the amount of information covered is nothing short of amazing. From the installation and configuration of Windows 2000 to the new files system and troubleshooting, the authors take on the responsibility of informing the reader about what can and can't be done.

Topics like RRAS, the new TCP/IP, MMC, Active Directory, IIS5 and so much more is included. Figures, tables, diagrams, real life examples and detailed explanations are but a few of the major highlights of this book.

Classes on both server and professional would cost over $3,000.00, you pay under $40.00 for this book and the financial investment is definitely worth it. The book should have included review questions and possibly a cd-rom with Windows 2000 utilities, however this is no way detracts from the overall value of the book.

Rating:
Summary: McGraw Hill should stick to high school text books...
Review: This book should NOT be called a complete reference. It should be called INTRO to windows 2000 prof./server. It offers VERY brief discussions on some of the most important topics....IIS, configuring user profiles for access rights. Don't buy this book if you want something that will GUIDE you and EXPLAIN the parameters you are changing and configuring. Someone mentioned they used this book for the MCSE...i have no idea how they could have used this book and passed the test. Someone...PLEASE change the title from REFERENCE to INTRO, BRIEF, or something of this nature.

Rating:
Summary: McGraw Hill should stick to high school text books...
Review: This book should NOT be called a complete reference. It should be called INTRO to windows 2000 prof./server. It offers VERY brief discussions on some of the most important topics....IIS, configuring user profiles for access rights. Don't buy this book if you want something that will GUIDE you and EXPLAIN the parameters you are changing and configuring. Someone mentioned they used this book for the MCSE...i have no idea how they could have used this book and passed the test. Someone...PLEASE change the title from REFERENCE to INTRO, BRIEF, or something of this nature.

Rating:
Summary: This book saved me
Review: When my company decided to roll out Windows 2000, all of us who had to do the work were nervous. This book was a lifesaver.

The authors took the trouble to explain architecture and theory, using language that was easy to understand. The examples and directions for getting specific jobs done made more sense than other books I tried. Because they gave so much good background information, it was easy to do what needed to be done.

If you want to understand what you're doing, instead of reading a lot of instructions which might not even match what you have to do, get ahold of this book. Don't try to do such a complicated thing as setting up Windows 2000 without this book at your side every minute. I feel like I owe them a thank you letter.