Customer Reviews

Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 Administrator's Companion (Pro-Administrator's Companion)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

If you can't seem to follow the directions of the wizards that come with SBS 2003 (or want a second opinion to confirm that what you're actually reading in the wizard dialog box is, in fact, what is printed there), then this book is for you! Maybe that's what "companion" means - you can follow along with the wizard. But if you're looking for something more, well, it is pretty in hardcover and should look impressive (albeit dusty) on your shelf.

However, if you're the type of person who is admining an SBS server, then you're probably somewhat technically proficient and probably require resources beyond what is to be found in this book. I bought it for help with two problems I was having, which after visiting the SBS 2003 community newsgroups I discovered lots of other folks are having. This book does not address these issues (DNS and XP Pro issue, the Nov 24 Sharepoint issue) nor does it provide you with the information needed to solve them. I also reviewed some of the other more common types of probs folks had and I don't think I could have fixed them just from the info in this book, either.

Frankly, you're better off with Microsoft's Knoweldge Base articles and the SBS 2003 Community group. But it is pretty, thick and impressive looking. Its just all style, little substance.

Edit: (...) yes, I read it (some parts many times over, searching for an answer). I've been running some flavor of Novell, NT or Windows servers for 15 years and have high expectations for after market references. I don't need a walkthrough for a wizard (who does?) - I need help with problems that aren't covered by the wizards. Just go to the community boards on MS' site and read the responses from the MS techs to see what kind of info you need to solve production environment problems. That info is not in this book and you can get it for free from MS KB articles and the boards. Just being honest.

This book accomplishes exactly what it sets out to: Provide a clear guide for setting up and administering Windows SBS 2003. It assumes virtually no experience on the part of the reader - passing familiarity with Windows should be enough. And that is the goal of SBS 2003 - to let non-IT Pros enjoy the benefits of a Windows Server OS without spending a fortune in consultants.

Would you buy this book if its title were the one above? Or how about: "Dummies Guide to SBS Server 2003", or even "Learn SBS Server 2003 in 24 Hours"?

With the advent of Small Business Server 2003 and the brand new underlying technologies found in Windows Server 2003, IIS 6.0, Exchange Server 2003, Sharepoint Services, and the .NET Framework, it was exciting for me to see this book was due for release in March, which later was pushed to April. I waited a long time to get it. To my great disappointment, the title of the book does not at all reflect the true substance in its contents. Part 1 of the book is all about basic understanding of Operating Systems and Basic Networks, which does nothing to shine a new light on the subject. So, excitedly, you rush through it to get to Part 2 of the book. "Aha!" you say to yourself: "Now we will learn all about this brand new system". However, you will find nothing more that a somewhat more-in-depth explanation of the SBS 2003 Wizards underlying the system, lots of information readily found in the Help files of the Operating System and its supporting systems. Indeed, the Hardcover format is impressive as the previous review talks about, and the book's thickness would have been a lot thinner if it were compiled into ONLY necessary information.

After reading some of the other reviews I did not want to take the chance of ordering this book online, so I went in to the store to check it out for myself. I ended up not buying this book. The (negative) reviewers were right on. This book's format goes something like this: "To open a file follow these steps: Step 1 click "File". Step 2 click "Open".... ". It goes on and on like this. Many pages are wasted handholding the reader through steps that are obvious just by looking at the screen. I was hoping for something that would actually map out and explain how Small Business Server 2003 can be set up to efficiently run a small business (i.e. mine) and take the computing hassle off my hands. I implore these authors to go back and rewrite this book from scratch with the time-pressed small business owner in mind.

This book covers a LOT of ground, and includes a lot screenshots and diagrams, as well as providing a brief primer on each concept it discusses. This is not a "got all scenarios covered" book. But what it does cover, it does excellently. If you're relatively new to the Windows server environment, you've found your book (well, your first book at least). Every time I've had a question about my installation, I've been able to find it quickly via the table of contents (haven't even had to crack the index yet - this book is very well organized).

If you're a Windows Server 2003 guru, much (but certainly not all) of the book will be irrelavent to you.

Don't listen to the sourpusses, I don't believe they can't have read this useful and well-written book. It's for consultants AND do-it-yourselfers. The whole point of SBS is to let the wizards do their thing -- this book tells you what's going on behind the wizards and how to use them to your advantage. The first reviewer says the "book does not address...DNS and XP Pro issue, the Nov 24 Sharepoint issue" which is just not true. He can't have even looked in the index!
The first part of the book is about planning and anyone wgho dismisses that as unimportant, is not in touch with reality. Planning is where most OS books are weak but not this one.
If you're considering SBS for your business, this is the book to get. It will take you through the entire process from planning to installation to configuration and on to more advanced features. Buy it, read it, you'll be glad you did.

This book has at least 50 good tips of useful information that go beyond any wizards. Reviewers who say this book has nothing but wizards, probably did not actually read the book.

There are sidebars titled "Under The Hood" and "Real World" that provide explanations and suggested practices. There also are sections entitled Note, Tip, Secutity Alert, Caution and Planning that provides additional emphasis and information. The authors specifically state that "... this book is required when you want to do something slightly out of the ordinary--or when you need additional understanding of what a wizard is doing." (See page xxii.) In my humble opinion, they accomplished that feat very well.

I have been using SBS since version NT 4.5 so I'm not a newbie. Yes, some of the information may already be known to experienced users, but it is nice to have it all at your fingertips. It also can validate your current practices and give you confidence that you are doing it right.

If you want a written tutorial on how to use the Wizards in SBS 2003, then buy this book right away. If you are looking for a pratical guide for SBS 2003, shop for something else.

I find this book to be of value ... great for the beginner to the SBS platform [and trust me .... if you know Windows 2003... you don't know SBS]

Buy this book if you are installing or supporting SBS 2003.

I was setting up a small network at my home to do software development in a networked environment. This book was very useful in helping me set up one server to handle all aspects of a managed network. I recommend it to anyone who needs to learn (or brush up on) setting up a Windows 2003 SBS machine.