Customer Reviews

MCSE: Windows 2000 Core Requirements (2nd Edition)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Working with several different study guides in our training center, we've concluded that the Sybex series of study guides is the best on the market. Some students complained that the first editions didn't have adequate questions. Sybex made some big changes for this edition and now the questions pretty much hit the mark. This book has many such questions, including an adaptive exam and select and place questions, and it has Palm OS flashcards which are also a good way to quickly brush up on the details you need to know for the exam. The CD also contains WinSims, as Sybex calls them. They are basically step-by-step videos (avi files) of how to do the exercises in the book, with a few interactive examples thrown in (we use these as supplements to our classroom instruction, suggesting that students review certain videos on topics we don't have time to cover.) The videos are a great way to actually see what the exercises explain. Like any book dealing with the new MCSE track, you can't just read the text and pass the exam. That just doesn't work any more (back to reality, folks.) Students have to put in their time working with Win2k (although working on the WinSims is a realistic substitute for many things.) Overall, excellent set of books, and definitely much better than the MSPress books and, as a whole package, better than Osbourne's.

While I would hesitate to say that the first editions of these books stunk, Sybex really stepped it up with the second editions. I had a chance to look at the first editions, and decided to go with another book (which was not very helpful). As an MCSE in NT 4, I have the basic understanding and experience needed to pass these exams. But unfortunately, I have test anxiety. The review questions in these books were extremely helpful, as well as challenging. They gave me an idea of what to expect when I was ready for the test. I used the Net Infrastructure and Directory Services books to prepare for the exams, and I passed. In addition, the real world examples and Exam Essentials section helped me gleen from the text what was very important.

These books are good if you are a beginner in the field. Reads well. But being an MCSE/MCT for years, the book is basic. Some facts have been omitted. Plus I have found misleading info in the text and errors in the test answers to name a few. I started to circle mistakes and I realized that I am proofreading a book that I spent $105 dollars on.

A person relying solely on the book to pass the tests is just asking for trouble.

I can't believe how lacking these guides are so far!!! I have taken the MCSE 4.0 track a few years ago, and I swore by sybex. They got me through thick and thin. I have taken the Proffessional exam for 2000 (and passed no thanx to this set), and I am about to take the Server exam, and these books aren't based on the 2 I have looked at so far are no where NEAR enough to get you through. I teach windows NT to students and they ask me for recommendations on books for 2000. I would say stay with Sybex previously, but not anymore. I cub who's mother was killed by a hunter, stranded all alone fending for myself. What happened?

With that said, its not all bad. It does have SOME interesting things in it, but there is just way to little detail on some very important topics. Good for a beginner just getting into Microsoft and wants an intro, but bad for someone trying to learn it, or even worse, take an exam!

I am a long-time MCSE 4 and I purchased this set to help me get through the core exams. I am also a CNE-5, CCNA, CCDA. I studied these books and passed the Professional and Server exams. I then studied the directory admin and network admin in preparation for the 70-240 exam. Fortunately, I have 2 cisco routers, 3 hubs, two servers, a cable modem, 2 workstations and 2 laptops. I was able to test everything I read. I was able to pass the 70-240 exam, but I believe it was due to hands-on instead of bookreading. I am going for the 70-219 exam next but won't be buying the Sybex book for this. This set will help you pass the exam if you are able to do all the exercises and create new ones on your own.

I bought both the Sybex and the MS books and must say that the Sybex books are considerably better; I think I was just paying for the Microsoft name on the others. The topics are well-organized and correlated well with the exam objectives. The Simulators allow me to go through the steps of almost every exercise, though you can click only on the correct place, and not go off in other directions (unlike Sybex's Virtual Lab.) There are a lot of practice questions on the CDs, many in depth, and several were pretty similar to questions I saw on the actual exam--thought not precisely the same.
I would recommend these books, for certain, though you do need to work with Windows 2000 as well.

I liked Chellis's books for NT 4. These are good, too. I passed three of the exams on the first try, but Server took my three times. The exams are hard. I worked with Windows 2000 for about four months on the job before taking the exams. I'd recommend that much time with the OS, plus lots and lots of practice questions. I don't know if I'd shell out the $$ that Transcender requires.

I used the Sybex books for the NT 4.0 exams so I figured why not use them for the 2000 exams.

I thought the 70-210, 70-215 and 70-216 books were good, BUT the 70-217 book is terrible. Lots of mistakes, awful questions at the end of the chapter. I even found some incorrect answers within the questions provided.

I'm not sure if I'm going to use Sybex for any of the others.

I've read the book and found it to be very helpfull. This is a very good book for some taking the Microsoft exams but you still need to do some extra reading.

Don't get me wrong, these will get you there. But when the other reviewers say that there are inaccuracies, they're not kidding. I think it has to do with their simplified language. Their definitions of Group Scope for example are convoluted, and seemingly contradicts actual functionality. Just compare their definition of a Domain local group in the 70-217 manual to a decent reference manual, or the online help for that matter, and see if you think they got it right. I don't. I wouldn't rely on them for day to day admin, and besides the Microsoft press books usually provide eval versions of the OS for the test labs you'll want to make.