BKWNT4CR.RVW  970804

"Windows NT4: The Complete Reference", Griffith Wm. Kadnier, 1997,
0-07-882181-9, U$39.99/C$57.95
%A   Griffith Wm. Kadnier
%C   300 Water Street, Whitby, Ontario   L1N 9B6
%D   1997
%G   0-07-882181-9
%I   McGraw-Hill Ryerson/Osborne
%O   U$39.99/C$57.95 905-430-5000 fax: 905-430-5020 louisea@McGrawHill.ca
%P   744
%T   "Windows NT4: The Complete Reference"

I am more than willing to admit that Windows NT is a grown-up operating system. 
It can handle multiple users, multiple processes, networking, and security. 
All of which means that NT is also a very complex operating system; and, it
acts like one.  NT is not simply a more stable version of DOS with a GUI
(graphical user interface) front end.  Yes, you *can* use NT as just a more
expensive form of Windows (on a more expensive machine), but if you want to
make that greater expense worthwhile, you have to learn something about
administration.  (If I read one more puff piece extolling NT's "ease of use" in
comparison to the difficulty of "UNIX administration," I think I shall throw
up.)

All of which is by way of saying that a single volume that purports to be a
complete reference to NT demonstrates a great deal of hubris.  In any event,
this book is *not* complete.  NT Server gets very short shrift.

In regard to NT Workstations, the "complete" appellation is slightly more
justified.  The book does at least open most of the topics that NT users would
be interested in.  At this level, the problem arises with the "reference" part
of the title.  Yes, the topics are all there, but only as a recycling of
standard documents.

(And as long as we are on the subject of standard, the author of this work has
thoroughly bought into the "Microsoft-saves-the-world" philosophy.  NT is the
One True Operating System and all should bow towards Redmond five times per
day.)

If you really need an answer to a problem, you will have to find it elsewhere.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1997   BKWNT4CR.RVW  970804