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.

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Review of Microsoft Windows XP Step by Step (Cpg-Other) [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

Whenever a new Operating system from Microsoft comes along I like to make sure that I understand the basics to ensure that I can support the end user community when the transition takes place. Microsoft Press step by step series is a great way to work with the application and learn what it takes to support it at the same time.

The book begins right at the very beginning with the login process to both the Professional and Home versions of the software. The book has you working with the desktop and the user profiles. I found that the coverage of both versions is good but there could have to separate books produced.

Setting up user accounts, the taskbar, shortcuts are the next areas you will work with. From there you move to the hardware section, working with local and network printers, scanner and cameras to name a few of the hardware components.

Files management is given serious coverage and well as folders and the personalization of the XP environment. Working with the communication section you'll be able to link up to others, the internet and a network.

Games, Music, Photos and troubleshooting round out this very complete book. With the practice files on cdrom included and the ability to learn at your pace maybe the new trend in the learning process.

Product Description
MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP STEP BY STEP offers self-paced instruction to the beginning-to-intermediate user who wants to get the most out of Windows XP. This personal training system offers easy-to-follow lessons full of clear objectives, a wealth of task-oriented procedures, and dozens of real-world business scenarios. MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP STEP BY STEP consists of friendly, straightforward instruction with dozens of full-color screenshots and illustrations to help you learn exactly what you need to know at your own pace. A companion CD-ROM includes practice files that are tightly integrated with the lessons, plus movie-style demonstrations of key procedures. Other features include a "QuickLook Guide" for easy visual navigation, a "Finding the Best Starting Point for You" section to help you decide how to get the most out of the book, and a special lay-flat binding to keep the book open during lessons.

About the Author
Online Training Solutions, Inc. (OTSI) is a traditional and electronic publishing company specializing in the creation, production, and delivery of computer software training. OTSI publishes the Quick Course® and Practical Business Skills™ series of computer and business training products.--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Review of Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary (Bpg-Other) (Paperback)

Yes, this "Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary" did cover the most important networking and Internet terms. Its appendixes harbour updated Internet codes and domain names. But, with just over three-thousand entries, no non-beginner would pay serious attention to it.
Its greatest strength lies in being both elaborate and portable. However, many common high-tech jargons and Programming acronyms were excluded: thus ensuring that the book remains palatable only to inexperienced learners.

Product Description
With today's fast pace of innovation in networking and on the Internet, new technical terms appear constantly. This handy pocket-sized dictionary-a subset of the terms found in the popular, recently updated Microsoft Computer Dictionary, Fifth Edition-promises to keep people up-to-date on the latest terms they need to know. It includes more than 3,000 of the most important terms about the Internet and networking, and it also provides appendixes of Internet country codes and domains, common file extensions, and Instant Messaging emoticons and acronyms. It's the ideal Internet and networking reference for home, office, school, or wherever the latest technology takes you!

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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.




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Review of Microsoft® Computer Dictionary, Fifth Edition (Cpg-Other) (Paperback)

This book is not for the novice computer user. I bought this book for my 74 year-old father, who has just recently dipped his toe into the vastness of the Internet. He needed something that would let him look up the termshe reads about so that he'd understand what a URL is, know how to read anemoticon, and be able to chose between compressed or uncompressed JPEGs.

While the book gives him that information and more, it does so usingmore complicated definitions than he'd like. He gripes that when he lookssomething up, the definition is filled with words he doesn't know, which hethen has to go look up as well!

So, while this book might be an excellentresource for an experienced computer user, it's not geared towards thenovice. What he needed was "The Internet for Dummies" orsomething like that, but wouldn't get the joke if I'd sent it to him.

Bottom line, buy this book if you have a basis from which to work, avoidit if you're just beginning in computer and online work.

Product Description
The fifth edition of the award-winning MICROSOFT COMPUTER DICTIONARY now features more than 10,000 entries! It's been fully updated and expanded to cover the latest technologies and terminology you will encounter at work or home-from encryption to XML, Linux to Microsoft .NET, Tablet PCs to digital TV. MICROSOFT COMPUTER DICTIONARY clearly and authoritatively defines computer terms and concepts-including the myriad acronyms, jargon, and slang the high-tech industry generates!

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Review of Microsoft Windows 98 Step by Step (Step By Step (Microsoft)) (Paperback)

I wish I'd never upgraded from 98, This worked great for an IBM Thinkpad with W98-SE and a desktop PC also, good book with lots of explanations for the computer n00b

Product Description
MICROSOFT WINDOWS 98STEP BY STEP provides a procedural, personal training system for those who want to get up and running on Microsoft Windows 98 as quickly and easily as possible. The easy-to-follow lessons include clear objectives and real-world business examples so users can learn exactly what they need to know, at their own speed.

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Review of Running Microsoft Windows 98 (Paperback)

I finished this book last month and really enjoyed reading. This sounds strange but, I looked foward to getting off work, going home and reading this book. I have read a number of MSPress books and found this to be themost enjoyable and informative. This book covered most features in 98without going into too much depth. This is one book that I will not donateto the public Libary! I just started reading "Running MS Excel97" co-authored by Mr Stinson. I hope this book is as good as Win98.

Product Description
Microsoft Windows 98 will change the way people access information on the desktop and the Internet. Packed with information about what's new with the new version, this book provides concise help with Internet access, using Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0, and with using new features.

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Review of Microsoft Windows 2000 Core Requirements, Exam 70-210: Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional (Hardcover)

I found the book more like a user manual. Thebook does not discuss or gives examples like the sybex book I used for my NT 4.0. However, if you have the patience, the book teaches you all about Windows 2000Pro.

Another thing I like about the book is that there is no mention ofNT 4.0. Some Windows 2000 books in the market are face lift of their NT 4.0editions. But not this one. This book was written from ground up.

Butthis lack of NT 4.0 Coverage can be another hurdle for new NT specialist.You will try in vain to look up the Windows 2000 equivalent of an NT 4.0feature.

NO CD-ROM with the book !

I found the book helpful, but ifyou can, wait for the other publishers who are famous for their self studyguides.

Product Description
This official Microsoft training kit teaches IT professionals how to install, configure, and administer the Windows 2000 Professional desktop operating system-as they prepare for the corresponding MCP exam. Topics include setting up and troubleshooting the software; monitoring and optimizing system resources such as files, printers, and applications; and configuring hardware devices and drivers. Students learn through skills-based tutorials and hands-on lab exercises. The content covers Windows 2000 Professional in a generic server environment, though many examples reference Windows 2000 Server. An economical alternative to classroom training, this kit enables students to set their own pace and learn by doing.

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Review of Microsoft® Windows® XP Step by Step Deluxe, Second Edition (Step By Step (Microsoft)) [DELUXE EDITION] (Hardcover)

The previous review posted for this book is so negative and completely misleading. The book is full of practical examples, tips, and tricks for working smarter with Windows XP.It's especially useful for people (like me) who learn visually--there are a lot of graphics to help you find your way along, and to make sure you've doneIt's certainly a lot more than the 500-page printout of a Help file the previous reviewer would have you believe.

Product Description
Teach yourself exactly what you need to know about using Microsoft Windows XPincluding the latest service pack and other updates one step at a time! With STEP BY STEP, you can take just the lessons you want or work from cover to cover you drive the instruction. And now, with the Deluxe Second Edition of this popular guide, you get even more content, more tools on CD, more cool things to learn and experience! Personalize your PC from screen saver to system settings Set up your e-mail and instant messaging Install a printer, CD/DVD burner, extra monitor, or camera Connect to the Internet or another networkCreate your own movies and slide shows; add special effects Troubleshoot and tune your own system Use new security features and system updates from Windows XP Service Pack 2 ready to download at Microsoft.com/windowsYour Deluxe Edition CD includes: Microsoft Windows Movie Maker 2 softwarePlus! Photo Story 2 LE softwareWindows Media Bonus Pack software Microsoft Power Toys for Windows XP software Microsoft Computer Dictionary, Fifth Edition, eBook 10,000+ entries!Microsoft Encyclopedia of Networking, Second Edition, eBook Microsoft Encyclopedia of Security eBook Complete STEP BY STEP eBook Skill-building practice files Links to Windows XP-related downloads and additional information

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Review of Microsoft Windows Nt Technical Support Training (Microsoft Certified Professional) [CD-ROM] (Paperback)

This is an excellent training kit. It is not only simple to follow, but it covers all the basics that a Network Administrator needs to know in the field of Windows NT Technical Support. I recommend this book for allbeginners who want to develop their carrier in the field of NetworkAdministration and Support, but definitely purchase the book "Windows NTNetwork Administration" before you purchase it. I really appreciate boththese books and CDs.

Product Description
This complete self-paced training program is for those who favor self-training over classroom training and those who want to supplement their classroom work. This kit, successor to the bestselling kit for version 3.x, is designed for computer professionals responsible for the administration and support of Windows NT. COVER TITLE.

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Review of Microsoft Office 2000 Technical Support Training Kit [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

Microsoft is famous for having the most popular operating system in the world and rightly so. They are also the leading manufacturer of application suite software with Microsoft Office 2000. Now Microsoft Press gives you the ability to pass exam 70-090 with this training kit.

This combinationbook and cd-rom is simply one of the best study guides for Office 2000going today. The complete and detail book, which is also on the cd rom,gives the information you need in order to support Office 2000 and also topass the exam and obtain your MCP.

You find information on planning yourdeployment and upgrading software, customizing Office 2000, setting up andmaintaining Web Server services, increasing productivity and alsoinformation on the applications as well.

Like other Microsoft TrainingKits, this is certainly a winner. Whether you are the Application supporttechnician or the Network Manager there is something in this kit for you.Why spend thousands of dollars on formalized training when ............ you can have all the information at your fingertips.

Product Description
The OFFICE 2000 TECHNICAL SUPPORT TRAINING KIT addresses the objectives for a new MCP exam, Exam 70-090: Implementing and Supporting Office 2000 on Windows NT(r) 4.0.The Kit covers the installation, deployment, and collaboration support of the various Office applications, as well as upgrading, web support, supporting remote users, and customizing Help. The OFFICE 2000 TECHNICAL SUPPORT TRAINING KIT is designed both to train professionals in the skills they need to do their job and to assist them in passing the exam.

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