Rating: 
Summary: This is not your one stop shop to MCSE
Review: After reading ... users' reviews, I purchased this set of books to help me prepare for MCSE 2000 tests. I have been a sys admin for three years and W2K admin for more than one. I figured I didn't need the full MS course material or some of the more comprehensive books out there. Now after finishing two books and passed two tests (70-210, 70-215), I can share with you my experience.
I'm somewhat disappointed with the books. The chapters in books were fairly easy to read and understand. One book 70-215 only took me less than ten hours to finish. Just don't think that will be enough for the test. The books didn't cover all the topics in the tests and many of which were covered were not deep enough. I scored between 90-95% in self-test at the end of book, in thirty minutes or less. During the actual tests I used almost all the time allowed (two hours) and barely scored around 800 out of 1000 points. Had I not the experience, I would most certainly fail the tests.
This set of books should not be your only set of MSCE test-prep material. Experience and/or actual lab systems are crucial. I would have given the book 2.5 stars, two star for contents and half star for price.
One tip for readers of these books: You don't need to know where every option is for the test, like the book led you to believe, just know they exist. For example, don't spend your time memorize whether Advanced or General tab that DHCP log option resides. MCSE test almost never ask these kind of interface question.
Rating:
Summary: This is not your one stop shop to MCSE
Review: After reading ... users' reviews, I purchased this set of books to help me prepare for MCSE 2000 tests. I have been a sys admin for three years and W2K admin for more than one. I figured I didn't need the full MS course material or some of the more comprehensive books out there. Now after finishing two books and passed two tests (70-210, 70-215), I can share with you my experience.
I'm somewhat disappointed with the books. The chapters in books were fairly easy to read and understand. One book 70-215 only took me less than ten hours to finish. Just don't think that will be enough for the test. The books didn't cover all the topics in the tests and many of which were covered were not deep enough. I scored between 90-95% in self-test at the end of book, in thirty minutes or less. During the actual tests I used almost all the time allowed (two hours) and barely scored around 800 out of 1000 points. Had I not the experience, I would most certainly fail the tests.
This set of books should not be your only set of MSCE test-prep material. Experience and/or actual lab systems are crucial. I would have given the book 2.5 stars, two star for contents and half star for price.
One tip for readers of these books: You don't need to know where every option is for the test, like the book led you to believe, just know they exist. For example, don't spend your time memorize whether Advanced or General tab that DHCP log option resides. MCSE test almost never ask these kind of interface question.
Rating:
Summary: Not Bad..
Review: I found 2 books are simple to follow: Win2K-Pro & Network Infrastructure. But other 2 books make me confuse and the topics discussed inside is not explainned in depth. The software included is somehow useless!! However, I passed my core with this book anyway :)
Rating:
Summary: Mixed Feelings
Review: I have mixed feelings about this book set. I would describe it as a decent set to read before picking up something like Exam Cram or a Troytec guide. Reading it makes you feel fairly comfortable with the subject matter -- something I always look for in a *first* book. (I tend to over-study). The downside would be the lack of decent walk-throughs to accompany the text and lack of detail in a few areas. While I definitely benefited from the books, I'm not 100% sure that I would buy them again. Of what I've personally read, I would recommend the Osborne books as a good all-around set and Exam Cram if you want/need something else. I've been a NT4 MCSE for four years so my take on these (or any) books is likely different from someone just starting out.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Let Dummies fool you into thinking it has no depth!!!
Review: I used Transcender and this book in conjuntion for about 1 month and I was able to easily pass the 70-210 test. I am an Administrator and an MCSE but 2000 is completely different(at least what they test the test covers mainly changes between NT and 2000). I work for a company that still uses NT 4.0 and I have never really used 2000 in a large network enviornment like the one I currently handle, however this book really helped meout. It is good to cross reference between Transcender and this book. The way it is written gives you very simple explanations to problems you may find in other texts. It is definately a must have especially for the core 4 price. There were many questions on the exam that were almost worded the same in the practice tests in this book.I will end up spending [less money]instead of $2000 dollars on a crash course to get my MCSA.
Rating: 
Summary: Search No More
Review: Out of all the MCSE books out there, this one takes the cake. I bought this book to help me out at my job and even pursue MCSE certification. This book is excellent for both beginners as well as expert computer professionals, even if you have no experience with networks, this book covers all the exam objectives you need to get certified. On the other hand, If you are looking for an in depth book that will show you all the ins and outs of Windows 2000, this is not the book for you. As I mentioned before, from what I could read through the volumes, this book focuses on the MCSE exam objectives in order to get certified. What I like most about this set of books is that you could literally start from any chapter or any book in order to study. Nowhere in this series does the author assume you've read any previous chapters or volumes. Needless to say, this proved to be very convenient when I grew tired of being on the same chapter or holding the same book. I quickly realized I could skip chapters and peruse through the other three volumes with ease. The Author was consistently clear and concise every time. My personal favorite is the volume that covers Exam 70-210. If you're serious about certification, DON'T MEMORIZE TEST ANSWERS. Concentrate on the material related to the content of the practice exams. Everyone fails a certification test or two on the first try, so give each exam the respect it deserves. By all means, do the hands on exercises, play the Quiklern game, setup your own network at home - if at all possible, and study hard. I can't wait until the Quiklern game becomes internet gaming ready!
Rating:
Summary: Search No More
Review: Out of all the MCSE books out there, this one takes the cake. I bought this book to help me out at my job and even pursue MCSE certification. This book is excellent for both beginners as well as expert computer professionals, even if you have no experience with networks, this book covers all the exam objectives you need to get certified. On the other hand, If you are looking for an in depth book that will show you all the ins and outs of Windows 2000, this is not the book for you. As I mentioned before, from what I could read through the volumes, this book focuses on the MCSE exam objectives in order to get certified. What I like most about this set of books is that you could literally start from any chapter or any book in order to study. Nowhere in this series does the author assume you've read any previous chapters or volumes. Needless to say, this proved to be very convenient when I grew tired of being on the same chapter or holding the same book. I quickly realized I could skip chapters and peruse through the other three volumes with ease. The Author was consistently clear and concise every time. My personal favorite is the volume that covers Exam 70-210. If you're serious about certification, DON'T MEMORIZE TEST ANSWERS. Concentrate on the material related to the content of the practice exams. Everyone fails a certification test or two on the first try, so give each exam the respect it deserves. By all means, do the hands on exercises, play the Quiklern game, setup your own network at home - if at all possible, and study hard. I can't wait until the Quiklern game becomes internet gaming ready!
Rating:
Summary: It is very good for beginners
Review: Since I am a beginner at Windows 2000 I was looking for a nice book set that woul fill my needs for study to the Mcse test. I found in this book a well organized material that has been a good guide line for my project of been a Microsoft Certified Professional. But i have to advice that this book is not for people that want a deep knowledge of Windows 2000. For this I indicate the Microsoft Resource Kit that will cover all the details of this operation system. The Dummies series have the advantage to be written in a objetive language and this followed that same path. The part that covers the exams 70-210 and 70-215 are the best. The others (exams 70-216 and 70-217) need to be complemented with a study in another material, like Resouce Kit.
Rating:
Summary: MCSE For The Rest Of Us
Review: This package is without a doubt, all you need to pass the MCSE core exams. You can pay thousands of dollars for a certified Microsoft school, or make this small investment to reach your goals. I recommend this book to anyone considering the field of Networking. This has saved many students both time and money by cutting to the chase and eliminating the chaff. The lab exercises are great! Set up a small network in your home with a few cheap pc's, load Windows 2000 Advanced Server and go to town. You'll never look back!
Rating:
Summary: MCSE For The Rest Of Us
Review: This package is without a doubt, all you need to pass the MCSE core exams. You can pay thousands of dollars for a certified Microsoft school, or make this small investment to reach your goals. I recommend this book to anyone considering the field of Networking. This has saved many students both time and money by cutting to the chase and eliminating the chaff. The lab exercises are great! Set up a small network in your home with a few cheap pc's, load Windows 2000 Advanced Server and go to town. You'll never look back!
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