Windows Small Business Server 2003 Best Practice

I ordered this book primarily because Microsoft Press was not going to release their version for some time and I needed to learn the product. I found the information to be very informative and well written. I am looking forward to the release of the Advanced version which is due shortly. I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone who needs to learn about Small Business Server 2003.

Being a computer network admin I have read many technical books over the years and almost all of them could put you to sleep. However, Harry's style is much more like a conversation than a dry lecture. The only other technical author I have found like that is Mark Minasi. This book does an excellent job of covering the important SBS topics and it offers many recommendations for other resources to help you learn and support the product. I learned a lot and I am looking forward to his advanced book in this series as well.

Once again, Harry has published a Best Practices Book that has truly practical advise and easy to follow instructions on setting up a Small Business Server 2003 server (SBS2003).This book is geared towards the intermediate crowd and uses a structured setup methodology so that novices are able to setup the SBS server and connect clients, resulting in a fully functional network. The driving idea behind the SBS2003 product is to cater to small businesses without needing a tech-head guru to set it up for you. Here is where Harry's writing (and humorous anecdotes) come in and complete the circle by giving detailed step-by-step instructions with explanations teaching the proper "SBS way". He provides a fail-safe methodology pointing out caveats as well as deliberates the reasons why, providing an insight view on the cool tools included in SBS2003 server.As a seasoned SBS'er, I recommend and give this wonderful book to my clients, especially clients that want to be trained on administering the network themselves. It helps overcome their intimidation by the Server Management Console and inner SBS workings, providing me with a liberated and happy customer resulting in referrals and repeat business. If you plan on making your living as an SBS consultant, follow the step-by-step methology and you can't go wrong. If you are a business owner and do-it-yourselfer, you want to do it right the first time. The money is extremly well spent and you will be up and running in a spiffy under the guidance of the SBS Guru, without the need to know all the tech jargon.Again, Harry delivered a steadfast SBS bible, consistent in structure and methodology. I highly recommend this book.

As an SBS consultant that travels around doing nothing but SBS installs and maintenance, let me tell you that this is the first book under my arm and in electronic format on my laptop that I take to every client encounter. Michael Domingo's (editor mcpmag.com) words ring loud and clear.....use as a bible!Harry Brelsford is known for his wit and personality and that shines to the forefront in this book. Harry is also all about being practical and using other resources (which he talks about extensively in his book) so you can get your work done smarter and quicker which of course translates directly into a greater ROI with SBS 2003. Your value as an SBS consultant/user will directly increase as well.Harry has direct communication with Microsoft SBS developers and combined with his real life use of SBS 2003 as a consultant this translates into best practices that are littered throughout the book. This will help you setup SBS right the first time and know what works and what doesn't. These best practices alone are worth the money.SBS 2003 is an awesome product, why use a reference that is anything less than awesome??? Get this book, put it under your pillow at night and wake up an SBS guru!Tavis PattersonTAZ Networks