Review of MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-293): Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server(TM) 2003 Network Infrastructure (Pro-Certification) (Paperback)

I really wonder if the people who have reviewed a few hundred books and wrote a review of this even read the books. I was shocked to go back after purchasing this bookset to reread the reviews that led me to purchase this set. When I read the reviews I also noticed how many other books some of these people read. I thought wow, they must read all day. Their reviews were nothing but glowing.
A friend of mine claims this book set is designed to force people into taking classes, I must agree with him. The chapter reviews contain questions that were not presented in the section. The companion CD has test questions that also contain questions that are not covered in these books. Every time I found these questions I had to question my own abilities. I asked others to prove me right. To further compound the difficulties were the format of the questions. In some questions the correct answer(s) was the "best practice(s)", this would exclude some answers as being not proper even though correct. Other questions had just the opposite and required any possible even though not a "best practice" response.
My point is that if you have only these books to help you pass the expensive tests then you might consider some classes. I don't feel that this set will allow you to pass the tests without a lot of other studying. I would hate to think that some people pass the test by learning the question pool instead of learning the subject matter. I claim to be no expert in any subject. I am sure I can get trained and certified despite the curves thrown to me with this set with a lot of extra effort and training matter. Thank you for your time.

Product Description
Announcing an all-new MCSE TRAINING KIT designed to help maximize your performance on Exam 70-293, a core exam for the new Windows Server 2003 certification. This kit packs the tools and features exam candidates want most-including in-depth, self-paced training; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and a robust testing suite. It also provides real-world scenarios, case studies, and troubleshooting labs for the skills and expertise you need on the job.

Focusing on how to plan and implement a Windows Server 2003 network infrastructure, this official study guide covers topics such as server roles and security, infrastructure planning/design, routing and remote access, server availability, network security planning, and security infrastructure management.

Ace your exam preparation and ramp up quickly on Windows Server 2003 by working at your own pace through the lessons, hands-on exercises, and practice tests. The Readiness Review Suite on CD, featuring advanced technology from MeasureUp, provides 425 challenging questions for in-depth self-assessment and practice.Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives or chapters, and get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers-including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get a 180-day evaluation version of Windows Server 2003 software and a 15 percent exam discount voucher-making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment.

Click Here to see more reviews about: MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-293): Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server(TM) 2003 Network Infrastructure (Pro-Certification) (Paperback)

Review of 70-293 Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure (Paperback)

Craig Zacker is a fantastic technical writer. He presents his materials in a clear, concise and straightforward manner. He wrote two different text books for this course, this one and also the MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-293): Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server(TM) 2003 Network Infrastructure, Second Edition. I actually used both to prepare for this exam. I left my program at school early to take a job. This is the second course that I have completed in self-study. Zacker's books were a great asset.

This book is designed to be used in a Microsoft Approved Academy and is an official MOAC textbook. It is designed for use in a classroom setting. The program I did at school was modular and basically was a chapter a day, with review and exam at the end of the course. This book with its shorter chapters and being direct to the point is great for that environment. On its own it needed a little beefing up and I turned to his other text for extra exercises. The student CD includes a lot of resources to help you prepare for the exam, practice test software, and a pdf of the textbook. I find the pdf's a great resource because I can keep my whole IT library with me at all times for quick reference and when searching for something you remember, but do not recall the specifics.

Zacker's books are always a pleasure to read. His style is both engaging and challenging. This book was definitely an asset in my developing IT knowledge and in preparing for the exam.




Click Here to see more reviews about: 70-293 Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure (Paperback)

Review of Upgrading and Troubleshooting Networks: The Complete Reference (Book/CD-ROM package) (Paperback)

When I look for a book on networking I want a book that will help not only for Microsoft but Novell. The Complete Reference lives up to its name and gives you a wealth of information to make the job of network technician a whole lot easier.

Packed into this 900 page-networking world ofinformation is information from soup to nuts. Starting off with the OSImodel, you move on the hardware, protocols, operating systems, connectionand directory services and administration...

Withfigures, pictures, tables, diagrams and notes to help you understand eventhe most complex of issues, the author presents the information in a clearand detailed way that will help the beginner to the expert. The authorpresents the information in an organized fashion from beginning toend.

The book should have included a cd-rom with utilizes for Novell,Microsoft and Unix. The book seems to be as up to date as any book I haveread and the information seems to very accurate. Overall this is one book Iwill have in my technical reference library.

Product Description
Handle the ins-and-outs of networking. This solid resource explains how to integrate the latest technologies into legacy networks, install and configure hardware and software, enable the most efficient network protocols and services, and a whole lot more.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Upgrading and Troubleshooting Networks: The Complete Reference (Book/CD-ROM package) (Paperback)

Review of MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-293): Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server(TM) 2003 Network Infrastructure, Second Edition (Hardcover)

Generally, MS-Press Self Paced Second Edition books are good. Especially they did a great job on 290 and 291. This book, however, is an exception. This book does not cover many exam areas at all, and I am not talking nuances. There is no mentioning in this book about PKI certificate archival (new feature in Server 2003 family, well tested on 293 exam), or the GC placement, and several other areas. Those subjects that are covered in the book, are not covered in depths, in fact, they look like poor summaries and will not prep you for the exam in any way, nor will they prepare you for real life situations. Author jumps around same topics and is not able to clearly explain most of them. Practices are not worth installing a fresh copy of Server. There are no good "Exam Tips", like in other MS-Press books. I doubt that Craig actually took this exam.
I understand that no exam preparation book alone is enough to prepare for the exam, but those that I read so far, did a pretty good job on it. I was able to ACE several Microsoft exams using Self Paced guides and Testout videos.
This book tried to trick me into thinking that 293 exam was peace-of-cake. It is not! Do not be fooled. Exam is probably as hard as 291. It may seem easier after taking 291, but without that preparation 293 would be close to impossible to pass for the first time. Yes, it is in some ways similar to 291, but it covers whole bunch of different topics, and focuses on a different agenda. This book will not help you pass the exam. Book is a joke.


Product Description
Announcing an all-new MCSA/MCSE Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on Exam 70-293, a core exam for the new Windows Server 2003 certification. This kit packs the tools and features that exam candidates want most-including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and a robust testing suite. It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs for skills and expertise that you can apply to the job.

Focusing on network infrastructure management for Windows Server 2003, this official study guide covers topics such as implementing, managing, and maintaining IP addressing, name resolution, network security measures, routing and remote access, and monitoring and troubleshooting network infrastructure.

Ace your exam preparation and ramp up quickly on Windows Server 2003 by working at your own pace through the lessons, hands-on exercises, and practice tests. The flexible, best-of-class test engine on CD features 300 practice questions and pre-assessment and post-assessment capabilities. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives or chapters, and get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers-including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get a 120-day evaluation version of Windows Server 2003 and a 15 percent exam discount voucher-making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment.

From the Publisher
Key Book Benefits:- NEW-Fully reengineered study guide written by exam-certified authors- NEW-Deeper, more focused coverage of exam objectives and sub-objectives-plus instructive case studies and troubleshooting scenarios to enhance your performance on the job- NEW-300 practice questions on CD, with a test engine that enables customized testing, pre-assessment and post-assessment, and automated scoring and feedback- NEW-Complete objective-by-objective review section, plus a tear-out exam-mapping grid- NEW-Exam tips based on real-world test experience- NEW-120-day evaluation version of Windows Server 2003- 15 percent exam discount voucher from a leading authorized testing center (limited time offer)- Microsoft Encyclopedia of Networking, Second Edition, eBook- Practice files on CD- Entire study guide in searchable eBook format

Click Here to see more reviews about: MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-293): Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft® Windows Server(TM) 2003 Network Infrastructure, Second Edition (Hardcover)