Certification Books

Overall I think this book is well written. It will get you well prepared for the Exchange exam.

If you have a clear understanding of the Microsoft core technologies but are new to Exchange this book is about as good as it gets in my opinion. Bear in mind that the technical scope and depth of Exchange Server 2003 is substantial and therefore hard to understand easily in a clear manner without the correct training material.

To begin with I was pleasantly surprised at the logical way the book was laid out. The best part was the way concepts were explained in a clear and complete manner. Of course there were many concepts below my level which too were explained serving to give me a new perspective into an old understanding which has proven to be valuable also.

As I worked through this book, which I found really easy to do, I experienced light bulbs lighting up all over the place and dots being connected everywhere. I had a great experience with this book. It has taken me a lot further along the way.

I would have given the book a 5 star rating, but I do not know if it covers all of the test material.

Going forward, I will look for other training material by these same authors.

You always here people saying that they already know enough about subjects before taking an exam, this book will prove people wrong and make it easy to take the exam. The material is very clear and easy to follow.

The Sybex MCSE 70-284 book has enough information about Exchange Server 2003 to make you an expert, and it equips you with more than enough details about the product for the test. However, to pass the exam you will also need to know a good bit about Exchange and how it relates to various LAN/WAN scenarios that assume you have a strong networking background. This information can be picked up by taking the other MCSA/E core exams beforehand, or by gaining 1+ years of experience as an Exchange admin. 70-284 is the last test you would take if you're going for the MCSA or MCSE.

I think that the authors did an excellent job, except for some printing errors which might not be good for new comers. I suggest that the authors create a list of such errors and post them on their website to stay updated.

This is the best book available for both study AND reference for NT4. It covers what you need to know for the Enterprise AND Server exams, and I suggest you keep a copy at your desk as a reference (I do). It is clearly written, with the best step-by-step instructions you are going to find ANYWHERE. Go through this book completely, and you will not only be ready for the tests, but you will have a real UNDERSTANDING of what is going on in NT4, which is far more important that simply passing a test.

Excellent book, easy to read with all pictures. The details cover all topics that needed for the test.

This book was the foundation for successfully passing the Enterprise, Server, Workstation, TCP/IP and Exchange tests. This book takes you from the ground up installing, configuring, and managing NT Server in the Enterprise. I highly recommend it.

This is a good prep book for the MS Exam (70-086), but you'll still need some hands-on before doing the exam, either a class or in a "semi-production" environment. As always, Sybex/Mortensen has put together a rather thorough review of how to use a Microsoft product to your best advanatage, while helping you avoid common pitfalls (I've used several of Sybex' books). I highly recommend SMS 2.0 by these guys, regardless of how you're going to use it (exam prep. vs. reference for an Site Server install). It's a keeper!

The content seems pretty decent in this book. However, the number of test questions and answers that are incorrect, whether typographically or factually, is alarming (e.g., Pg.92, q.3 is typed wrong and then the explanation is wrong too). Also, the descriptions of SQL security(pg.108) tells of a distinction between Mixed and Integrated Security and then doesn't tell you which mode is being described. User connections on pg.110 incorrectly calculates 85 user connections when the data leading up to this states 50 + 20 + 25 = total connections. A technical book needs to be precise and editted stringently. These ambiguities leave doubts in the minds of prospective test takers. Its bad enough that the MCSE exams try to trip you up with wording without the preparation guides further complicating the situation. The fact that this is the only full-fledged study guide I've seen on SMS 2.0 makes it difficult to dissuade people from buying this book. However, I wish the producers of these books would spend the extra time and resources to ensure that the product is more bulletproof. I don't mind a misplaced comma or an "or" where an "of" belongs, but when key facts and test answers are incorrect, it leaves the reader wary of the whole process. I'll get off my soapbox now.

The Mortensen/Heldman SMS book is about as good as any technical reference gets.

The book is generally free of technical and typographical errors; there are some, but they are minor. The writing style is clear, often remarkably so when dealing with complex technical issues. Although it is a lengthy book it is 'fluff free'; the book consistently deals with SMS issues of substance.

If you have no experience with SMS, it would be hard to pass the test based on this book alone. The book will serve you better if you have access to a SMS lab where you can follow the examples. Be aware that the sample questions on the CD were the same as those in the book, although these questions are excellent. I found it necessary to review another source of sample questions before taking the test.

All in all, among the best....

This is the best MS SMS 2.0 book available in the market. I have used Microsoft training kit as well. Comparing these two books, Mortensen has explained architecure in a concised manner along with good lab exercise. Got to have it for anyone wants to learn SMS.

Very readable. Concise. A great overview. Given the price, a great value.

Certification seekers: If you have a lot of real-world experience this will be useful in pointing out what you haven't had to deal with but will be on the test. Those taking classes to prepare will find this a much more pleasant review than slogging through the Microsoft Press book again. Useful for those taking the 70-215 test as well, as the 70-218 rehashes many concepts begun in 70-215.

Possible improvements:
If the CD tests were expanded/enhanced, value would be even greater.
In the text: Need more "On the Test" mentions.

Great coverage of a new topic. I read this book. Took one transcender. Passed the test. I like the book because it's all meat and no potatoes. It was easy to read and edited very well. My first Passport book and I enjoyed it very much. I usually use the red and blue Syngress books, but I think I found another favorite.

This book is easy to read; excellent writing style, not boring at all. It contains a good summarize of important concepts for pass and understand the 70-218 Microsoft test, but CAN NOT BE your one resource. You'll need another book for 218 or have strong knowledge and "hands on" experience working on Windows2000.

Recommended book for use with this: MS-PRESS Book 2nd Edition.

There are certification books and manuals designed to cover the exam beyond the objectives and then there is those books whose purpose is to hammer home the finer points of the exam, this I one of those books.

Cutting down the material to cover the most important facets of the exam while ensuring the objective are met is what we have in this manual. Overall the author has given you a handy reference manual. Keep in mind that this book is a supplement to studying and you will need other books.

The book is setup in a manner that covers each objective from beginning to end. Each chapter has a study time frame to set a guide for you, although you can take as much time as need in the areas you are having trouble with.

Throughout the book there is exam tips and notes as well as review questions at the end of each chapter, which should give you a good handle on the exam. Also included is a cdrom with more question to practice with. What the author has done is taken the reader straight to the exam point, without sacrificing content.

I think the book helped some. The real exam is alot harder than any of the practice questions in this book. The book is packed with lots of questions and answering as many questions as you can is the only way to do well on the test.

This book was well laid out and enabled me to pass my NREMT exam.

this book was very helpful in reeinforcing my knowledge, but really didnt do much to prepare me for the actual national registry test since the test really doesnt test your knowlege and core abiblity, only your test taking ability. in this book the questions all for the most part have one clear and concise answer however in the national registry a question could have four potential right answers, but you have to chose the best one even though an argument could be made for all four, i have read through and used several national registry prep books and this one is still by far the best one .

The book is full of questions like you will see on the Registry exam. By keeping "score" while reading the questions, you can determine sections of the exam on which you need to focus your preparation. It's a good study tool.

Very well designed. If you are looking to pass oracle exam, this is one of the best references you can have. If you do not have Hands-on experience then you might want to read some other books too. Otherwise, this is it. It covers everything necessary for the exam.

With this book you will be able to pass 1Z0-026 exam. But if you want to pass it with score above 90% you should use other resources as well. There is a good reference list at the end of each chapter.

This is a good place to start learning about Oracle Networking. You will pass your exam if you rely only on this book, but to be comfortable, I strongly suggest you read the Oracle documentation and get practice tests. The practice test in the book was easier than the exam. This book will give you a good foundation, and good and detailed examples.

After reading tons of material for the Net Admin test, this book is by far well presented and easy to understand in all the main areas. Use it as an excellent review book. The exam prep questions, however, are not close to the real thing but good for learning anyway. Makes a good teaching supplement also.

Similar to another review, the title of the book is sort of deceiving. This book intensively covers hardware. Although, it doesn't cover anything dealing with operating systems or configuration.

As for the actual content of the book, it is great. Very complete, well written, and simple step by step directions. It covers many aspects of hardware. The book is primarily written for (mostly) modern computers (from 2000+). It barely covers older machines, but old machines aren't really an issue anymore.

In terms of technical manuals, the author makes it pretty interesting while providing additional information about certain memory, graphics cards, sound cards, etc. that may otherwise be difficult to obtain. It was a great supplimentary book for my A+ certification.

I came back to an IT and deployment division with my hardware skills a tad rusty (sorry to say floppies were dominant last time I worked with hardware). I bought four different books and was not happy with any of them when I happened upon the Chase MSPress book in a colleague's book shelf.

This book quickly helped me get back up to speed and was enough to make me get two of her others (Excel 2003 from O'Reilly and her FrontPage 2003 Savvy? from Sybex). Particularly looking forward to the XP Encyclopedia from Wiley&Sons I just saw listed for the first time tonight because my enterprise workplace is only now making the move from NT4.51 and 2000 into XP (almost in time for Vista's release, don't you know?). Jim Boyce's name is also on it and I've also liked his work.

Most of the books you find on PC hardware are so simple that they really don't provide you with the information you are seeking. Finally this book has come out with sufficient detail that it will indeed help you find problems with your computer, tell you what features to look for in your next one, or provide the background to understand the older system that you may be working on.

This is a full sized - 656 page - computer book that is quite up to date. It is quite up to date, including information on things like the new Serial ATA disk drives and the AMD Opteron that is changing Intel's thoughts on how to do their next CPU's.

The book is intended to help with installing, upgrading, fine-tuning and troubleshooting your PC. It also provide a bit of information to help pass the CompTIA A+ certification. Notice I said a bit of information, this is not a cram guide to the test. This book presumes that you really want to know how the PC hardware works, is configured, or what to do if it doesn't.

...But this book may not live up to the product descriptions claim that it will "-and even prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exam! ".

No, I have not purchased this book. I am a student in pursuit of A+ certification and am researching texts to accomplish that goal. I know that the A+ cert requires two tests for completion, Core Hardware and OS Technologies and currently sets the objectives at 2003 standards and that now the test designations are 220-301 & -302. The 2004 publiction date is a good sign that it meets the new requirements. Upon examining the "Inside this Book" section and a careful study of the Table of Contents for this book I noticed that it covers Core Hardware well, but has only one 50 page section on OS's. Careful, my understanding so far indicates that the OS exam is just as detailed as the Core exam if not more so and those 50 slim pages on the subject probably are not enough for that aspect of the cert exam. Notice the title.. "PC Hardware and A+ Handbook".

The product description could be more accurate by probably saying "-and even prepare for the CompTIA A+ -CORE HARDWARE- certification exam! ".

Also examining the T of C showed that it is extensive on the Hardware side, but many subject matters are treated in just one or two pages, so depth in the topic matter may be lacking in relation to preparing for the test. All supposition on my part, as again I have not read the book.

It is not my intent here to "Rake" the book as bad. As a matter of fact I'm interested in some of the topic matters outlined in the T of C and the books specific chapters, such as Ch. 2 OS's info looks intriguing and Ch. 3's insights on a "Toolkit". As well as others.

But even though I am a knowledge junkie and enjoy Oh! thats where that came from mysteries, my ultimate goal here is to have a book which will accomplish my objective. Educate me upon the subject matter I will be required and expected to know for COMPTIA's exam questions. If the book does that then it will also train me to be a fine PC Technician because COMPTIAS exam objectives and questions are tailored toward troubleshooting and resolving daily in house PC physical problems and OS glitches.

Yet, here's the rub! MOST training textbooks do a wonderful job of compiling facts and history about Hardware or OS specifications and how all of the standards and engineering come come together to make lets say a hard drive, but then fail to make the connection to the the real world of how to implement those facts about HD's into practicle skills and knowledge of the common malfunctions of the HD itself when one or more of those specs or standards stops functioning.

Comptia wants you to know that when you have a "data error reading on drive C:" that that problem indicates you've got bad sectors on the hard drive, (actually clusters of verticle sectors on the cylinders of tracks on the platters of the HD) and that you would use ScanDisk to scan for them and have that "Utility" software do its magic in fixing the formatting error or physically damaged area of the HD if possible and/or marking them as bad. The textbooks usually just explain what a cluster of a HD is and how to determine what clusters are (if your book is so thurough) and then somewhere else in the text it talks about utility software, such as scandisk, that are included in the OS's system software, but never links the two in a practicle way to resolve an error code or typical result of the error condition. I'm affraid thats exactly whats in store with this text and would have to purchase something else to accomplish my goal. Wasting time and money.

Thats what I've come to know in this Certification game that is being played out. I am deeply appreciative of all those who have taken the time to post reviews because, through them, I've been able to piece together some common pitfalls between textbooks and what Comptia tests on. I've learned what I need in the way of prep material and what generally to expect on the exam. That I need both facts and some history, but be keenly aware that the book must link that knowledge to practicle TROUBLESHOOTING and problem resolutions which ultimately leads to passing the Comptia exams and trains me to be the answer guru for my customers.

You are going to shell out money for an education no matter what. Don't let marketing get in between you and your pocketbook and the goal. Most of all know what is required to obtain the goal and look for books and prep material that fulfills those requirements. Remember, tech certification info is perishable over time. Test objectives, hardware and software change with time requiring constant upgrading in the texts themselves. Be publication date aware in relation to your certs current requirments.

Heres my path. Comptias web site. Get the objectives and read all their site info on certification. Take the time to read the A+ book reviews posted on amazon by individuals, lots and lots of them on different texts. Get a feel for their disappointments and successes and their pointers. Go to about.com and review the a+ section info. Brave it out and buy at least one textbook and make sure it comes with practice exams and questions. It probably isn't going to be "the be all and end all" book to your certification, but it's the start. My research has narrowed down my choices to:

The A+ Certification and PC Repair Handbook (Networking Series) by Christopher A. Crayton ,

A+ Training Guide, Fifth Edition by Charles J. Brooks,

A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide (5th ed.) by Michael Meyers, Scott Jernigan

These are the tomes, 800 plus page reference manuals. Your going to need at least one tome. They are listed in my order of preference.

The A+ Exams Guide: (Exam 220-301), (Exam 220-302) by Christopher A. Crayton;

Practice tests and questions are essential. This is my choice (probably Chris's book tome as well). These are what will make or break your abilities to link tome knowledge and troubleshooting competentcy in passing the exam. They force you to learn to link the facts and practicle skills implementation. It's just the way its done in certs. I'll have to say I have a personal bias against Exam Cram books and practice ?'s.

I hope this helps. I'll post a review about the texts I buy out of the above list and give my apprasial as to there worth when I get through them and something concerning the testing process as well.

Worth every penny. Would not have passed the exam without it. Listen to the audio on your ipod and read the book. Excellent

If you are working toward becoming a program manager, or a current program manager wanting to pursue certification, this book is excellent. It is well written and has exam preparation software so you can practice testing prior to taking your certification exam. The only shortcoming, which is very minor, is that the entire book is published black and white, which is somewhat boring and not as useful for charts and graphs. I assume that is a cost reduction for publishing and kept the price down.

The PMBOK guide is organized by knowledge areas, and this text presents the material by process groups. Looking at the project management processes from both perspectives was very helpful. The practice exam questions on the CD are close to what I saw on the actual exam, which I passed on my initial try. I also downloaded the audio recaps of each chapter to my iPod so I could listen while commuting. A couple of minor errors/typos, but overall I would recommend this book.

This is a good book for PMP aspirants. This book when read in conjunction with PMBOK is of immense help.

Would recommend to all PMP aspirants.

Great book to use as a kick-start or introduction into JUNOS, studying for JNCIA, or just an intro into network protocols. The book is accurate and concise and will build a firm foundation for anyone wanting to explore Junos further.

It is enought for a very first beginers on networks topics, but it is a low level book

Great book! Easy to read, full of great information. Helped me pass my test with ease!

Targeting Jncia: This book allowed me to pass my jncia on the first try. It is helpful and the questions are truly in depth and a very good practice for the test. It was an easy read even for me!! And I don't read so good. If you want to start seriously persuing your Juniper certs this is the way to go.

This book is a must-have for system administrators and security professionals.

A must-have for windows 2000 administrators and security personel.

Well to start, I really like this book, PERIOD. I am a MCSE, MCT. We are using NT 4, and most likely be evaluating Windows 2000. I have already used w2k for months, home lab, will be teaching w2k, implementing w2k. I need quick, precise info on w2k security. I am taking the w2k security design beta/real exam as well. I am also taking the w2k betas (including the w2k Security Design 70-220 in about 2 hrs). I also plan to teach the MOC for w2k Security as well as become "expert" on security issues as well as implementation in w2k.

Its best if you have w2k adv server set up, parent/child domain but while waiting this book will get you up to speed in a hurry. At work we are using buzz words like public key, VPN, Radius server as well as doing this. Also smart cards and certificate services which I wish I read his book before I took the betas but I will be ready when the real exams come out. With this book I get to read about w2k security and there are quick little exercises to demo the w2k security features. Oh yes the price of the book is quite reasonable. So get the book, become an expert on w2k security. The review is a bit rambling but in 70 min or so I am taking the w2k Security Design beta, a "neat" way to spend 3-4 hrs on a Saturday morning.

This book suffers from lack of organization, content, and insight, seemingly copied from a Microsoft Website lesson, assumes far too much without authority and delivers too little. We tried contacting the author, Ian McLean, but his email address bounced. Then we found his website does not answer and even the name server email address bounced. Perhaps he received too many negative emails.

As an example, the use of Active Directory best requires a DC installation. But the author fails to mention this which can be disastrous and lead the inexperienced reader on an endless quest. This sort of problem is rampant throughout. He writes in a rambling dialog guised as decent reference to the layperson but usually without a reference point. Even experienced Network Administrators would have problems following his chaotic, amateurish chapters.

There are far too many omissions in the book, far too many inaccuracies. But the main problem is trying to follow what he's written in some kind of decent order. This is not a reference, but a mess. I was quite surprised at how badly written it actually is.

Robert Jennings
Computer Science Editor
The Oregon Herald