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 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.

Have not had a chance to read book yet.
But came on time and price was right.

I guess I am too dumb for this book.
It didn't help me at all with basic information

I guess I am too dumb for this book.
It didn't help me at all with basic information

This book, like so many, is among the annoying books that pretend to offer everything to a "dummy"

The first couple of chapters look innocent and make you think that you are going to get alot of knowledge out of this book, but as you get to the chapters that are most important, the simplicity and clearity of the text is thrown out the window. He starts using terminology without defining it, doesn't break things down, and is just plain confusing.

The approach is this:
A is for apple.
B is for bat.
E = m c Squared.

The customer looks at the first few chapters and buys the book.
[...]

This book, like so many, is among the annoying books that pretend to offer everything to a "dummy"

The first couple of chapters look innocent and make you think that you are going to get alot of knowledge out of this book, but as you get to the chapters that are most important, the simplicity and clearity of the text is thrown out the window. He starts using terminology without defining it, doesn't break things down, and is just plain confusing.

The approach is this:
A is for apple.
B is for bat.
E = m c Squared.

The customer looks at the first few chapters and buys the book.
[...]

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 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.

...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.

...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.

I wish they has 0 stars as a choice to rate this book. This book is for someone who has very little experience or who has never installed a server. I usually like the dummies books as they are easier to read and understand but this one was a DUD!!!

I wish they has 0 stars as a choice to rate this book. This book is for someone who has very little experience or who has never installed a server. I usually like the dummies books as they are easier to read and understand but this one was a DUD!!!

I bought this book to help study for the Windows 2003 server exams. Unlike the other Techno-Geek Dummies books, this book does not contain ANY exam practice questions or a CD with a sample exam. This book is also not as humorus or entertaining to read as other Dummies books. The first 9 chapters are a basic review of simple networking, like cables and how to install a NIC. You probably won't see much from the first 9 chapters on the Windows 2003 Server exam. Chapter 11 starts getting more technical and explains Active Directory fairly well, but this chapter also says that many topics are "beyond the scope of this book". This book is geared more towards a novice who has never setup a server before. I still think it's better than most of Microsoft's MOC books though. At least this book has real world examples and cuts through Microsoft's hype. If you are looking for an all in one study guide to pass the server exam though, keep looking.