A Win2K Pro Guide that Hits its Target
This Win2K Pro study guide will appeal to a broad audience, from novices starting out in IT to advanced Win2K implementors.
- By Warren E. Wyrostek
- November 01, 2000
As a Microsoft trainer, for Windows 2000 certification
training I can heartily recommend New Riders' MCSE
Windows 2000 Professional Training Guide by Barker
and Harrison. It's a well-organized, comprehensive text
that is aimed at preparing those who plan to take the
70-210 Windows 2000 Professional exam. The guide should
appeal not only to career-changers and NT 4.0 MCSEs who
want to upgrade to the Win2K-MCSE, but also to experienced
Win2K professionals. Barker and Harrison successfully
present a vast quantity of material through a variety
of methods. Excellent descriptions, superb tables, graphics,
and screenshots are only the peak of what a reader encounters.
Barker and Harrison organize the text around the seven
main objectives covered on the Professional exam. Each
chapter covers one main objective and all corresponding
subordinate objectives. Readers who need to brush up on
one topic or task can easily find the appropriate section.
Just knowing facts will not get you certified in Windows
2000. You must have some hands-on experience.
This book, through a variety of instructional features,
helps to point out relevant experiences that you might
encounter during the test. Each chapter contains "Step-by-Step"
boxes to walk the reader through hands-on tasks. In Chapter
1, which covers Installing Windows 2000 Professional,
the "Step-by-Step" boxes move the reader through several
installation options that include running the Setup Manager.
These are "mini how-to" manuals. "In the Field" sidebars
are also distributed throughout the book to provide the
reader with information that, although not directly relevant
to the exam, can be very helpful in day-to-day networking.
"Exam Tip" boxes are also abundant, helping the reader
focus on skills and facts that have a high probability
of being on the Professional exam. It's like being with
an instructor who every so often says, "You can expect
to see something like this on the exam." "Case Study"
sections are abundant in order to help the reader apply
the conceptual knowledge gathered to that point. A Scenario
is presented followed by a detailed Analysis. These are
excellent.
One of the best features of Barker and Harrison's text
are the end of chapter exercises. Under the title of "Apply
Your Knowledge," the authors reinforce the facts and tasks
covered in the chapter. They do this through lab-type
exercises, Review, and Exam questions followed by an answer
key. The "Apply Your Knowledge" sections are comprehensive
exercises that can help you make sense of a ton of material.
Part II of the book is a Final Review.
The chapter called "Fast Facts" is 64 pages long and
worth the price of the book. It summarizes all the major
points covered on the Windows 2000 Professional exam.
I found it to be the most helpful part of the whole book.
In a short 64 pages, I found one of the best study guides
I've seen.
The only drawback with this text is a shortage of final
exam questions at the end of the book and on the accompanying
CD. The book contains 58 questions with answers and the
CD has just more than 200 questions. I have found when
preparing for an exam that a test bank of 400 questions
is optimal. Most career changers in my classes feel that
the more questions there are, the better.
Still, the MCSE Windows 2000 Professional Training
Guide is an excellent investment if you are seeking
certification. It can be used for self-study or to supplement
other training methods. It will probably have wide appeal,
from career-changers to NT 4.0 MCSEs who want to upgrade
their certification. Even experienced Win2K folks find
it useful as an excellent technical resource. I heartily
recommend it.
About the Author
Warren E. Wyrostek, M.Ed., MCNI, MCT, MCSE+Internet, CIW CI, CCNP is devoted
to technology education. Warren's main joy comes as a Contract Trainer in Prosoft,
Microsoft, and Novell technologies. At heart he is a teacher who loves what education offers.