operating systems

Mark Minasi's lastest incarnation of his excellent Mastering Windows NT and 2000 series continues his tradition of bringing solid tech information to us in an easy to read format. His books are on my short list of computer publications that I enjoy reading from cover to cover (most seem to wind up being used like an encyclopedia).

I've purchased every edition of his Mastering NT or 2000 Server book since the second NT version and have found very useful information in every edition. I often have three copies around (one at the office, in my car, and at home). With the great addition of the text in .pdf on the CD, I've reduced to two copies (sorry Mark and Sybex).

As a Microsoft MVP, I answer technical questions in support forums and regularly recommend Mark's Mastering Windows 2000 Server book to people who are attempting to use a new feature or having a 2000 problem.

In embarking on the path to learning system administration, I find this book invaluable. This humungous tomb is packed with just about everything imaginable in administering Windows 2000 Server. I looked at other books, and found that they are more focused on Microsoft certification, but is more useful for getting the job done, not passing a test.

Some of the things I like were excellent sections on support for legacy systems, even profile support for DOS-based Windows (Win 95/98/Me) and Windows NT OSes (3.x and 4.x). There's also coverage on nice features like creating MSI packages, terminal services, macintosh support, smtp services, etc.

Some things I wish were there, even if only an appendix or a small section, would be coverage of command line tools like netsh, net, netstat, tracert, ipconfig, etc., scripting with perl/vbs/jscript with MSI, ADSI, WSH, etc., and some notes on registry tweaks like turning off certain annoying "features" like APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing), toggling encryption for SMB authentication, etc.

Overall, if you do anything with W2K Server, this book is absolutely a must. If you are in a shop using Win 2K/XP/2K3 and older legacy systems Win 9X/Me/NT, then this book is very useful as well.

First I should say that I've read quite a few tech books, as I'm in the business, and I've purchased quite a few from amazon. Some books have been good and others not so good. This is the first one that has ever prompted me to write a review.

Mr. Minasi has achieved quite an accomplishment with Mastering Windows 2000 Server. I am in the process of reading cover-to-cover (and there's a lot of space in between those covers!), currently about half way through, and this is honestly the only computer book I've read thus far that has not left me with one question. As you read through this massive tome, it's as if Mr. Minasi is reading your mind and the answer to the very question you've been conjuring is no farther away than the next page. His writing style is also a delight, keeping your interest from one page to the next (that's not an easy thing to do when your explaining such topics as group policy or creating the proper DNS infrastructure).

Near the beginning of the book the authot explains that the book is not meant for MCSA/MCSE preparation. However, I'll be going for these exams very soon, and I already feel like my knowledge on the topics contained in this text have increased exponentially. I wouldn't think of becoming 2K certified without consulting the high points of Mastering first.

In short...the $50 you drop on this monster will repay you tenfold in the knowledge that you'll get out of it. You won't be dissapointed!!!