Editorial Review

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Reviews (3)

Great for Ref. - Awful for Exam
Well laid out (seems to be printed directly from ISA's Help system), and does an excellent job of explaining ISA's vast configuration, features and positioning.Will also make a great reference guide.However, if you plan on taking the 70-227 exam, and you don't have real world firewall/proxy experience, don't rely on this book to get you over the 70-227 hump. Poor book for Exam
What a poor book from Microsoft Press !!!! It is useless for exam 70-227. Tons of point are missing e.g. Application Filter , Rule application order (only outbound mentioned, no inbound) !!!! It also dont tell us whole picture of ISA architecture !!! Just learn how to click click click is useless !!! Dont use this book !!! Just waste of $$$ !!!

Get ready to pass the the exam
A definite "must have" when working for your certification. The information is to the point and easily understood. I would recommend this kit to anyone wanting to achieve MCSE ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - MCSE    2. Computer Books And Software    3. Computer Data Security    4. Computer Networks    5. Computer security    6. Computers    7. Computers - Certification    8. Internet    9. Internet - General    10. Internet - Hardware    11. Internet - Security    12. Security - General    13. Security measures    14. Computers / Internet / General   

Reviews (26)

Excellent Service
Very satisfied with service and book.Product was in good condition as advertised.Arrived within a week of order.Overall very happy with the purchase, would buy again from this seller.

Good read but riddled with errors.
The authors did a fairly good job in making the dry content matter of BCRAN quite readable and easy to absorb.Out of the whole CCNP curriculum, this was by far the dullest of subjects, but at the hands of Thomas & Quiggle, it was handled nicely.All chapters were clearly written, though the practice questions at the ends of the chapters could have been tougher.The big problem, though, is the fact that this book is full of errors.Thankfully, they're mostly of the editorial kind, glaring at the reader from the page.They actually helped me to see whether I was following the text properly in my mind.If something was out of order, it immediately jumped at me.Obviously not everyone finds such errors "helpful," and it's a shame that a decent book like this was probably rushed to the print and barely edited.

A Great Book to Own: Both for Test and forWork
I use this book as a main reference book for Remote Access network setup/maintenance in my daily work. And this was the only book I read throughly during preparing my BCRAN test ( I took test the first time last week and passed with a score of 853). I did NOT read Graig Dennis' Cream book but I did all practice questions. I spent one day read briefly on Catherine Paquet's BCRAN book and did all questions on each chapter(Very good questions). I believe ANY single one of those books contains ALL the information you will need to pass the test. The question is how much you can understand the technology only based on the reading. I have to say, I work on the remote access on the daily basis, but still there were a couple of questions on the test I was clueless (the solutions are on Catherine's book but I doubt if I would pay attention on them even I read). So the best bet is get your hands on. At least do all the Case Study on each chapter of this book. Good Luck! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification - Cisco    3. Computer Books: Integrated Systems    4. Computer networks    5. Computers    6. Computers - Certification    7. Examinations    8. Networking - General    9. Remote access    10. Study guides    11. Networking packages   

Subjects:  1. Business Software - Powerpoint    2. Business presentations    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computer graphics    6. Computer programs    7. Computers    8. Computers - Other Applications    9. Graphic methods    10. Microsoft PowerPoint (Computer    11. Microsoft PowerPoint (Computer file)    12. Presentation graphics software    13. Computer graphics software   

Reviews (17)

Perhaps the worst certification book I've used....
I'm an MCSE (Windows NT 3.51, 4.0, 2000, and 2003) who has passed a total of 17 Microsoft exams.I used this book as my primary study material for passing the 2003 upgrade exams.
worked for me
Using this book, and a little real world experience, I nailed the MCSA exam, and (barely) passed the MCSE exam.However, a considerable amount of information on 70-296 seemed completely new to me after closely reading this book.I'd recommend a little extra preparation for it--either practice tests or another book. One or two questions, and I would have gone the other way.

Helpful
The content in the book itself isn't bad. The CD is a little buggy though. For example, the online version may or may not run on some PC's. However, since the book is more important it is a good study guide. The pratice questions in each chapter aren't bad but can't properly simulate the "testing environment" like the CD should be able to do. And since the CD doesn't work 100% of the time, you may miss out on this aspect of certification testing. Like all books, there are mistakes and the study material is adequate but hands-on practice should be a requirement. Since this is just a study guide and not a manual or technical text, you can't rely on it to be only source of knowledge. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - General    2. Certification Guides - MCSE    3. Computer Books: Operating Systems    4. Computers    5. Computers - Certification    6. Operating Systems - Windows    7. Computers / Technical Skills    8. Microsoft Windows   

Reviews (5)

I'd by this for a dollar!
Best of the bunch.Require a detailed read with plenty of challege questions from various sources.But basically the one you want!

Not recomended
I do not recommend this book for anyone planning to take exam 70-224. It does not go anywhere in depth as what you need for this exam. It only gives you a general overview of Exchange 2000 and some excercises in it are flawed and will not work if you follow the steps in this book.

Quite Helpful
I found this book more easier to understand than the "Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 Implementation and Administration Training Kit". This text is better organized with regard to the correct order of tasks to perform from the first chapter to the end. The other text tends to force you to search around. In addition, the text is more straightforward. Passing 70-224 isn't a breeze like the other exams. Experience is a mandatory to get Exchange to work properly with Active Directory. This text will ease the burden of understanding the details of the necessary skills. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification Guides - MCSE    3. Client/server computing    4. Computer Books And Software    5. Computers    6. Computers - Certification    7. Electronic data processing per    8. Electronic data processing personnel    9. Examinations    10. Groupware - Exchange    11. Microsoft software    12. Operating Systems - General    13. Study guides    14. Computers / Technical Skills    15. Electronic mail (email)    16. Networking packages   

Subjects:  1. Business Software - General    2. Business Software - MSOffice    3. Business Software - Powerpoint    4. Computer Books: Integrated Systems    5. Computers    6. Computers - Other Applications   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Internet General    2. Computer Books: Word Processing    3. Computers    4. Computers - Word Processing    5. Word Processing - General    6. Computers / Word Processing / General   

Reviews (3)

Very Good: but one tiny flaw
I purchased this book in order to prepare for the MOS certification exam. It is very detailed; instructions easy to follow. Although I am an experienced Excel user, it took me a few days to go through it and complete all the exercises.
Passed the MOS Expert Exam-Highly recommended
I also agree-unless you're a study maniac, this cant be covered in one weekend. Before I started this book, I took an Excel Intermediate class, and that just started my appetite. Purchased the book, studied it for a few weeks, then after I was able to do the practice exams with no problems, I felt I was ready for the exam. I passed on the first try, and just about everything that is in the book, was on the exam...except for adding a button on the toolbar for a macro. Good - but not in one weekend
This book proves to be the best virtually all-encompassing prep tool for The Excel 2002 Microsoft Office Specialist Exam.That being said, you won't do it in one weekend - as the hype fallaciously proclaims - unless you're one of two things - an Excel freak or ... settling for the Core cert.Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - General    2. Computer Books: Database    3. Computers    4. Computers - Spreadsheets    5. Spreadsheets - Excel    6. Computers / Spreadsheets / General    7. Computing and Information Technology    8. Excel   

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - General    2. Certification Guides - MCSE    3. Client-Server Computing - Windows    4. Computer Bks - Communications / Networking    5. Computer Books And Software    6. Computers    7. Computers & Technology    8. Computers - Certification    9. Networking - General    10. Computer Software Packages    11. Computers / Technical Skills    12. Microsoft Windows   

Reviews (1)

OK but is lacking in areas
This is a good starter book if you are taking your 70-290 exam but it is not enough. I took the exam and there were questions that I needed more detail on than what was mentioned in this book. One of the practice tests is worthless but the other is of pretty good quality (near self test level). Hope this helps. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - MCSE    2. Computer Bks - Operating Systems    3. Computer Books: Operating Systems    4. Computers    5. Computers - Operating Systems    6. Operating Systems - Windows    7. Microsoft Windows   

Reviews (1)

Examcram 70-219 - money well spent.
I reciently bought Examcram 70-219...
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Subjects:  1. Business Software - General    2. Certification    3. Certification Guides - General    4. Computer Books And Software    5. Computers    6. Directory services (Computer network technology)    7. Electronic data processing per    8. Electronic data processing personnel    9. Examinations    10. Internet - Web Site Directories    11. Microsoft software    12. Study Guides    13. Tests    14. Computer Programming    15. Computers / Technical Skills    16. Microsoft Windows   

Subjects:  1. Certification - Cisco    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers    4. Data Transmission Standards And Protocols    5. Data Transmission Systems - Broadband    6. Integrated Services Digital Networks (Isdn)    7. Networking - General    8. Networking - Network Protocols    9. Software - Productivity - CDROM / PC    10. Computer Communications & Networking   

Reviews (5)

Great book if you have a lot of experience.....
I am using the passport series to work on my MCSE. I have taken two exams (70-290 and 70-293)using just this series as guides and have passed both first time.I have been working with NT/AD technology for years so I am looking for concise info concentrated on what I need to pass exams and find these books fit the bill.
supplemental only
Do not rely upon this book only. You will be disappointed. Also, the book assumes that the reader already has knowledge of this server. Statements like "spend some time looking at the group policies" are supposed to help. Come on there are over 160 group policies on the 2003 Server. I have taken the 70-290 twice and did worse the second time. The night before I reread most of this book which I don't think helped much. I really haven't found anything that matches the last test that I took (70-290).
Wonderful Book!
There are only a small handful of computer books out of the many dozens I have purchased in my career that I not only wanted to read cover to cover, but have. "Mike Meyers' Windows Server 2003 Certification Passport" is one of them. As someone who uses Windows Server 2003 daily and teaches it to others in a college setting, this book is a refreshing change from the other Windows Server 2003 books on the market. The "Certification Passport" presents its content in a fun format as a "travel guide" to Windows Server 2003. I found that this book expertly crafts the material into something that you were reading because to have to, into something you want to. It injects humor into many topics, and makes material that would otherwise be rather dull, appealing to its readers. Students (and teachers) will find the end-of-chapter questions helpful, but it is the book's writing style, to the point, clear, and interesting, that will make you come back to it again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - General    2. Certification Guides - MCSE    3. Client-Server Computing - Windows    4. Computer Books And Software    5. Computers    6. Computers & Technology    7. Computers - Certification    8. Computer Software Packages    9. Computers / Technical Skills    10. Microsoft Windows   

Reviews (1)

Microsoft Office Excell 2003:Comprehensive Course (Microsoft Office 2003 Series)
Overall it's pretty good.It's very methodical, thorough, and straight forward as a teaching tool to learn the Excel program.A good knowlege of business math helps in understanding what the program can do otherwise it can sometimes be a stretch to fully comprehend the application.It's a solid independant study text.However, I am greatly frustrated by typos and other errata, thus, the 3-Star rating.There is a revised edition that is supposed to have been edited for the problems.I'm a little surprised that Microsoft allowed the publisher to go ahead and publish this text due to the high degree of technicality required in the industry.The manual at the user/learner end should not contain any errata. But, on the up side, figuring out what the correct info should be in order for the instruction to be correct or make sense helped in the learning process. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - General    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (23)

Possibly the worst book I have ever read
I have CCNA, A+, Network+, and WIn2k Pro. So I have some basic understanding to fall back on. Yet another ambiguous book
This volume should only be used as a reference (at best) and not for exam preparation.I think Microsoft should stick to writing pamphlets that sell their products, and refrain from books explaining them.Many concepts are "introduced" at an advanced level, making the reader (me in this case) reread its passage and finally reference other books to get a clear notion of what this book is trying to relay.All in all, this book is a waste of time if you want to prepare for the 70-215 exam.CERT should issue a warning about reading it.

Sure miss Exam Cram series...
...but this one can do the trick.Unfortunately, MS Press has been laborious in providing far more info than needed to pass the test.I work with Win2k Server daily and most things can be figured out by poking around so, really, they've gone overboard with this.If you want more info than you really need, get it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification - General    3. Certification - MCSE    4. Certification Guides - MCSE    5. Client-Server Computing - Windows    6. Client-Server Computing - Windows 2000 Server    7. Computer Books: Operating Systems    8. Computers    9. Computers - Certification    10. Educational Software    11. Electronic data processing personnel    12. Examinations    13. Microcomputer Operating Environments    14. Microsoft Windows server    15. Microsoft software    16. Operating Systems - General    17. Operating Systems - Windows    18. Study guides    19. Books    20. Microsoft Windows   

Reviews (49)

A Joke and ripoff
This is a useless book. It has so many errors that you will have headache. Very poor explanation. Normally MS Press books are good but Microsoft did a very poor job on this. I should use this book in fireplace to get some benifit out of it. I would like to give this book negative star if I can but I cant.

Keeping it Real
Definitely this book contains some useful material. The first chapters make a good impression, but as you go further you start to see that something is wrong. The author was facing an aggressive deadline and did not take into consideration anything. Code samples are full of errors
The authors were apparently faced with an aggressive deadline for this book because it's exceptionally bad, even relative to other MS Press books. Due to the inaccurate writing and poor editing I wasted many late-night hours trying to get the sample code provided for the labs to run properly. Very little of the prescribed code even runs at all, without modification. Corrections for the most obvious errors are published on the MS Press support site but many of the other problems are quite subtle. I'm a decent programmer -- If I do say so myself Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification Guides - MCSD    3. Computer Books And Software    4. Computer Networks    5. Computers    6. Computers - Certification    7. Electronic data processing personnel    8. Examinations    9. Hardware - Personal Computers - General    10. Internet - World Wide Web    11. Microcomputer Application Software    12. Microsoft .NET Framework    13. Microsoft software    14. Programming Languages - C#    15. Programming Languages - Visual BASIC    16. Study guides    17. Tests    18. Computers / Database Management / General   

Reviews (21)

A terrible book, full of mistakes
DON'T BUY THIS BOOK! It is full of mistakes, and I don't mean typos. There are outright incorrect statemetnts, for instance:
Needs Improvement
If you are new to SQL server and want to know the basics of the application then this books if your you. If you want to pass the exam however then I suggest you look else where. The material is too simplistic and there are too much typo errors. I read the book twice before turning to other materials like the Transcenders and Self Test software and I must say had it not beenforthe other materials that I used I would have failed the exam.

Because zero stars isn't an option
This book is terrible.Period.The writing is dry, probably only 25% of the material is applicable to the exam itself, and the book is filled with inaccuracies.I sincerely doubt the author even took the 70-228 exam before writing this book, ...A complete waste of money, avoid this book like the plague. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Certification    2. Certification Guides - General    3. Computer Books: Languages    4. Computers    5. Computers - Certification    6. Database Management - SQL Server    7. Electronic data processing per    8. Electronic data processing personnel    9. Examinations    10. Microsoft software    11. Programming - General    12. Programming Languages - SQL    13. SQL server    14. Study guides    15. Unix (Operating System)    16. Computers / Technical Skills    17. Database software    18. Internet    19. SQL   

Reviews (6)

Great starter book, lots of info.
Lots of good info. There are some technical terms that were not well defined, but most of the critical information is there. Book is a great starting point. It gets you familiar with all the important concepts of IIS.

Too basic, and lacking focus
If you're considering this book as a basic intro to web technologies, then perhaps it's a decent choice. If you're looking for in-depth details on IIS6, then you should choose another book.
Great book for beginners, but not an idiot's guide.
Hey, it's a great book for beginners. I knew a very little about IIS and windows server before I started. Stuff like what a service is, what an HTML file is. You know, point and click, the basics. If you don't know this stuff then get a basic Windows server book before you read this book. However, if you know the basics of how to use a computer, then that's right were this book picks up.
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Subjects:  1. Certification Guides - General    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers    4. General    5. Operating Systems - Windows    6. Computers / General   

Reviews (1)

Good book to study for the exam
I didn't read this entire book, but rather went through the practice exercises included after each chapter.If there was something I couldn't do, I read that section.I just passed the exam, which wasn't as hard as I expected, and I think studying this text this way definitely helped.I just bought the same book for the Access exam, and would recommend this series. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business    2. Business Software - General    3. Certification Guides - General    4. Computer Bks - Certification    5. Computer Books: General    6. Computer programs    7. Computers    8. Computers - Certification    9. Electronic spreadsheets    10. Examinations    11. Microsoft Excel (Computer file    12. Microsoft Excel (Computer file)    13. Spreadsheets - Excel    14. Study guides    15. Computers / Technical Skills    16. Excel   

Reviews (7)

Good for gving you false confidence.
First there'e the misleading title - COMPLETE CONCEPTS & TECHNIQUES Misleading title
I teach Advanced Visual Basic. I inherited students who took the prerequisite course, Visual Basic from instructors who used this book. All the students I got in Advanced Visual Basic had absolutely no idea about programming. All they could do was draw good looking forms with some controls on them and copy the code from Shelly and Cashman book. It does not provide challenging, unsolved programming projects for the students.All the studentslearn is to copy its forms and its code.Whatever this book is, it cannot serve as a good textbook! not a sound investment
The purchase of this book was a horid mistake.Only people who either want to learn a VERY little bit of VB or have cash to burn (in which case you should e-mail me for some ideas) should buy this book.There are other books which have a much lager, more usefull, scope. The book does hold your hand throughout the proccess, but it never lets go.The pace is way to slow, even for the newest newbie.The authors must have had elementary school children in mind while editing.It's more of a kids picture book than a textbook.Trust me... don't waste your money!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Basic (Programming Language)    2. Certification Guides - General    3. Computer Books: Languages    4. Computers    5. Computers - Certification    6. Programming - General    7. Programming Languages - BASIC    8. Programming Languages - Visual BASIC    9. Basic, Visual Basic & QBasic    10. Computers / Programming / General