Windows 2000 Administration for Dummies

Rating:
Summary: Quite a helpful read
Review: Compared to Microsoft's documentation, this was great---a lot more straightforward. (Microsoft could do a lot for their image if they'd produce user guides of this quality instead of the garbage they generally put out.) The printer coverage was particularly helpful. It also made a BIG difference in my understanding of the variations in features and capabilities between the multiple "flavors" of Windows 2000 that are out right now.

Rating:
Summary: There are Probably Better Ones Out there!
Review: Having worked as a systems administrator for a Windows NT (as well as Unix and Linux) network(s), I found this book to be completely silly, and of hardly any real use whatsoever. Bellmo's attempt at providing an intelligent and useful guide to the implementation of a W2K server and network is no better than a Public Relations blurb for Microsoft. He relies on a number of unsupported assumptions about the superiority of W2K without actually discussing (or demonstrating) how this latest version from the Microsoft family is better than the previous one. He wastes valuable time praising the new "bells and whistles" W2K has to offer, when he should have spent more time and energy explaining (and showing) how W2k might make your LAN more reliable and less costly. This book, like so many others, is mostly just technical hype.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I havent gotten heavily into 2000 yet, but I plan too soon. I did find this book very helpful, and has me planning on using 2000 more soon.

Rating:
Summary: Pass on this one
Review: Would this book be helpful for someone new to networking and Windows 2000 Server who wants to set up a simple network? No, it's almost completely lacking in specifics (how to's). Is it helpful for the experienced adminstrator? Probably not, it's too basic. Is it helpful for those in the middle? No, because it lacks both specific configuration instructions and in-depth explanations. As a person completely inexperienced with Windows networking, I needed a book that would walk me through the configuration of Windows 2000 Server, and the configuration of the client machines. This book was nearly worthless for me. I ended up configuring my server by painstakingly clicking on the countless 'help' indexes in Windws 2000 Server, and experimenting with configuration settings through trial and error.