Product Reviews

Windows NT Server 4 Unleashed won't be most people's idea of a fun read but, despite the dry subject matter, this is a surprisingly engaging book. The structure of the book is nothing unusual: it covers the fundamentals in five parts from the installation process, through managing the Windows server and maintaining the integrity of the software (including a section on advanced security) to dealing with the applications server.

At first glance, the manual appears heavy with text and limited in visuals. The authors have, however, succeeded in imparting even the most complex information simply and directly. It's a perfect example of how to balance the conflicting

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needs of accessibility and depth of information.

Throughout the text there are highlighted areas of information, identified by icons, which are both relevant and useful. The issues that these areas deal with are intelligently thought out and comprehensive in their nature, covering, for example, the means of working around, or providing tools for, particular problems with changes made to features in successive versions of NT 4 as well as security issues that arise during the course of the book.

You also get sections on dealing with the intricacies of remote access, on interacting with other operating systems and, in Chapter 19, one of the best sections dealing with the Registry I've seen in any book. The only criticism I have is that there could be more cross-references.

Particularly useful is the Tips and Tricks appendix . It contains genuinely useful and valuable insights into the sort of everyday problems that crop up yet demand a deep knowledge of the software to resolve.

It's clear from this book that the authors have considerable experience with NT 4. Although it may not be your idea of a riveting bedtime read, for those who need to learn and understand how to implement NT 4 I can honestly recommend it.