Customer Reviews

Windows Server 2003 for Dummies

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

 

 

...it provides a Windows Server 2003 reference for people who are starting from scratch (a.k.a. Dummies). I'm really shocked by the other reviews. This book promises no coverage whatsoever of any exam objectives for Microsoft's exams. I am a, sometimes blunt, redneck from West Virginia (now transplanted to Ohio), and I must say that only a true dummy would buy this book to prepare for an exam. In that light only should the book be condemned (I have a real problem with the whole "for dummies" series as an adult educator myself, but that's another story for another review.), in that a true dummy buying the book is probably making a bad decision anyway - as they do not have the capacity to make an educated decision, since, by definition, a dummy (according to webster: one without intelligence; and intelligence is a lack of the ability to learn) cannot become educated. In the end, the market for the "for dummies" books should be about .001 percent since that's about how many people would be "dummies".

If you are new to Windows servers and networking in general this is a phenomenal book with which to begin. If you are a seasoned Windows veteran, and you buy this book, you might want to consider an occupation that requires little planning and thought. It's obviously for the beginning Windows admin.

In most of my reviews, I try to focus on the book itself and the value it brings, but I had to point out the misrepresentations of the other reviews.

This is my first review of a book, so please allow me a few mistakes. I am a chemist who is being forced, by work circumstances, to become more of an IT person than I thought possible. I will be administering a client-server system in our laboratory. I needed to find a book that would expand on the very limited knowledge that I currently possess. I found that book in "Windows Server 2003 for Dummies". The first couple of chapters are basic network setups, after that they got more in depth and to the point of what I needed to know. I'm obviously still learning and I use the book as a constant reference. I have since purchased "Microsoft SQL Server 2005 for Dummies". I only hope I find this book as useful.

This is my first experience with the "Dummies" series of books and I am quite pleased. It is complete without being too "techie". I am an IT person in a small reegional hospital and we are changing from a NT 4.0 based server to a 2003 based server and I was concerned about easily changing all of our users over to the new system. I am hoping this book will make the transition easier.
This is my second experience with purchasing from Amazon online and they were pleasent experiences.

The worst Dummies book I've ever bought.

That is, I'm sure much of the information is very useful, BUT IT ISN'T _REMOTELY_ A DUMMIES BOOK!!!!

It is clearly aimed, not at "dummies" or rank beginners with Windows Server, but at people upgrading from Windows Server 2000 or even NT Server. That would've been fine, if the title weren't dummies anything but something like "Upgrading to Windows Server 2003", but it isn't.

On the other hand, it wastes time discussing basic networking concepts that any intermediate user already knows, or shouldn't even be thinking of trying to administer a server. Maybe I shouldn't be but, running a small nonprofit without the resources to pay $100/hr. for someone to do it for us, it isn't a matter of choice.

What I needed, and still need, is a book that clearly introduces server concepts to someone who's never used it before, as one might expect a Dummies book should do.

This book has answered all of my questions about server 2003, and allowed me to efftively implentment a central server into my bussiness. Combine this with the great service provide by Amazon and it's suppliers, and you have a truely great product.

Windows Server 2003 for Dummies

An awful book. Way too much time spent on trying to be cute, and not nearly enough time spent on what you need to know to run the NOS. A lot of the information given was completely inaccurate, and if I did not know a little about networking this book would have caused me to waste dozens of hours of my time due to the fact that some info given is just plain wrong. I would try and sell it to re-claim some of my money, but I do have some standards. I would hate to be the one responsible for being the one who put this book in the hands of a network novice and causing them a million headaches. It will make a nice log for the fireplace come winter. Do not buy.

This windows server 2003 book for Dummies, was just what I needed. Amazon had all my books I've needed so far. Excellant service.

No matter if you want to know a little or a lot about Windows 2003 Server, this is the book for you.

I explains how to use it, and why it does what it does. If your a beginner or expert this book will guide you

through the process of setting up this server.

Good job explaining every aspect.

Seems to be fine so far. I have very limited experience with the nuts-and-bolts of networking so it's been good.

I am a developer who is installing a 'real' network for the first time--up to this point, my partner and I have used an NAS device attached to a router. This is a very good book for getting a Windows Server 2003 box up and running, configuring it as a domain controller, and adding users to the network. It does a nice job explaining essential networking concepts and terms along the way. But it's a Dummies book, so don't expect an in-depth treatment of either networking or WS 2003. In other words, this book won't prepare you for a Microsoft certification exam. But from here, you can easily go into a more detailed treatment, such as Windows Server 2003 Bible. Recommended for networking newbies working on their first WS 2003 installation.