Customer Reviews

Windows® 2000 Professional Bible

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

 

 

The back cover says this book is for the beginner to advanced user. I strongly disagree. It has practically nothing to offer for the intermediate to advanced user. It concentrates too much on the similarities between Windows 2000 and Windows 95/98. Too much time is spent on navigation and use of basic applets and programs; Internet Explorer and Outlook Express are already familiar to most people who have used Windows 95/98 for any length of time, just to mention a couple of examples. The book mentions virtually nothing about one of the most compelling reasons to use Windows 2000 Professional, security. File security and group permissions are glossed over; the functions of the various local groups is completely ignored. New features, such as file encryption and quota management are given no coverage. Installation isn't even covered until Chapter 23, and what is presented is very shallow. If you want to know what is different about Windows 2000 from Windows 95/98 then this book is not for you.

This book is geared toward the both the user and the Tier I & II helpdesk support person who needs immediate familiarity with Windows 2000. It's not for Server Administrators or Developers, nor is it the ultimate reference for troubleshooting. This is a great book to read cover to cover to learn where Microsoft has relocated all of the NT4 functions & services and get the low down on the new bells & whistles they've added to 2000. Most readers could get through 4 or 5 chapters a night because how well it is written and the helpful screen shots Mr. Desmond has included, instead of wading through techno-lingo in a Microsoft manual. The CD is a nice bonus of shareware / freeware.

The author really hit it on the head with this one. This book answers all of the little nagging questions that I have with my new operating system. Including installtion and troubleshooting. It may not be for the high level admin, but it is useful for new users and power users alike.

This is the first time I have read a book on an operating system that is actually readable. Well written, informative, packed with useful information.