BKTYMNT4.RVW   980410

"Teach Yourself MCSE Windows NT Workstation 4 in 14 Days", Robert
Bogue/Emmett Dulaney, 1998, 0-672-31192-5, U$35.00/C$49.95/UK#31.95
%A   Robert Bogue rob.bogue@thorprojects.com
%A   Emmett Dulaney edulaney@iquest.net
%C   201 W. 103rd Street, Indianapolis, IN   46290
%D   1998
%G   0-672-31192-5
%I   Macmillan Computer Publishing (MCP)
%O   U$35.00/C$49.95/UK#31.95 800-858-7674 info@mcp.com
%P   434 p.
%T   "Teach Yourself MCSE Windows NT Workstation 4 in 14 Days"

This study guide for exam #70-73 of the MCSE is weak on certain areas
of explanation and operation, but fairly good on the presentation and
review of exam questions.

Chapter one looks at underlying technologies, such as file systems and
network topologies.  The material included as additional notes is a
mix of "real world" and Microsoft promotion.  For example, the first
page notes that FAT32 is strictly limited to Window 95B, but promotes
NTFS as the safest and most secure file system, because of its
transaction and security provisions, even though a relatively minor
error can render an NTFS system unrecoverable.  Unattended
installation is covered in chapter two.  Chapter three deals with
installation and removal of the system.  Configuration of hardware, in
chapter four, provides minimal information, but should not be a
problem for old DOS techies.

Chapter five is primarily concerned with disk and printer sharing. 
User and group profiles are covered in chapter six.  The OSI (Open
Systems Interconnect) conceptual model is presented in chapter seven,
along with some of the networking dialogues.  More networking details
are given in chapter eight, NetWare connectivity in chapter nine, and
dialup network connections in chapter ten, but a number of important
items (such as the difference between user and login preferences) are
not covered.  Peer Web Services is described in chapter eleven.

Chapter twelve discusses running applications of various types. 
Performance and optimization are complex tasks, and the lengthy
chapter thirteen reflects this.  The only chapter that is longer is
fourteen, covering the details of troubleshooting.

The questions asked at the end of chapters are realistic in terms of
the exam, and the answers given explain the reason for the choice
rather than simply noting the a given answer is right or wrong.

Basically, this book provides a fairly sound guide to running Windows
NT Workstation, albeit with some gaps in specialty areas.  It should
prepare readers for the MCSE exam, providing both the relevant
information, and a reasonable feel for the type of questions to
expect.  The "14 day" conceit may be a little optimistic, particularly
in view of the disparity in the size of some chapters.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1998   BKTYMNT4.RVW   980410