The thing about Windows XP Professional is, users love it. It has a slick interface and it behaves far more intelligently and predictably than some of its predecessors. The new system of software registration aside, Windows XP surely is the most highly acclaimed Microsoft operating system since Windows 95. Which means you--you being the system administrator, or organizational computing guru by some other title--have to know how to make it go and how to make the changes that users and bosses will inevitably require.
Configuring and Troubleshooting Windows XP Professional provides you with the procedures you need to get jobs done in a hurry, plus a considerable amount of background information that will help you comprehend what's really going on. The authors' work can't be called all-encompassingly deep, but it is solid and well researched, and will answer most administrators' questions most of the time.
The formula used here is pretty standard, and generally effective. The writer will open his discussion of a subject--virtual private networks (VPNs), say, or performance logging--with some background information, then proceed to relate one or more procedures (stepped, but not too lavishly illustrated). Concluding prose explains variations upon the procedure, or how the subject at hand interacts with some other Windows feature. One particularly nice feature of this book (and of others in this series): The question-and-answer pages at the end of each chapter. These aren't put in as afterthoughts and are a good way to gain valuable nuggets of knowledge about Windows XP. --David Wall
Topics covered: Microsoft Windows XP for power users and administrators. Particularly nice coverage goes to installation of the operating system, configuration of networks--including virtual private networks (VPNs) and dial-up network connections--and disaster-preparedness utilities like IntelliMirror and restore points. This book ships with a quiz CD for those readers with exams in their future.
User review
Beginners only
Although this is a nice thick book, I didn't find any information in this book that couldn't be found just configuring Windows XP and using the help file. If I knew nothing about TCP/IP or DNS it would be helpful. Also, the CD is just the book on CD, it doesn't include any utilities or neat things for windows.
If you know nothing about computers this book might be helpful. If you have been using computers and need a resource book, look somewhere else.
User review
Excellent WinXP Book
This is a great book for system admins. I've noticed in my reviews of other popular WinXP books that they spend a lot of time telling you how to work the right mouse button, and what a `window` is. This book takes the tech perspective, and has a ton of tips, tricks and secrets you won't find in the other books. As the editor of the largest Windows XP newsletter out there, ,,. , I give this book a `two fat thumbs up`. It doesn't get much better than that!
