For starters, it's a very well-written book - starts with some great explanations of Security Fundamentals - the buzzwords, the protocols & algorithms, threats, risks, and vulnerabilities. I've read many security books, but seldom have I found just the right balance - as technical as it needs to be, but still interesting enough for the non-techies.

The section on Installing Exchange With Security in Mind is particularly interesting. Everything you want to know about messaging/Exchange security is covered - SMTP Relays, spam, content filtering, antivirus, SSL, MAPI/RPC security, et al. Great coverage of email encryption and Public Key cryptography, Outlook client security, POP/IMAP security. Can never get tired of readng about securing Outlook Web Access.

Overall, a must-read for Exchange admins. The only thing I would've liked to see is: i) this book to be released at least a year ago.. this one's at the tail end of the Exchange 2000 lifecycle - too close to the Titanium (Exchange 2003) release. ii) Perhaps some more coverage of specific vulnerabilities of SMTP and Exchange, and how secure Exchange is compared to other messaging systems - Notes, Sendmail, etc. THE TRADEOFF (or benefit rather) is we have a book that can still be carried with one hand... still under 400 pages without the index. Remarkable! (A round of applause for Paul Robichaux..)

Bharat Suneja
MCT

After wading through many different NT 4.0 Administrator Bibles, I found this book to be an excellent read. Having not had previous experience supporting an NT environment of any kind, I was looking for some serious help to get up to speed. Well this book did it.

My copy of this book now sports many little "sticky" markers and is wonderfully colored with highlighted and underlined notes. The only "bible" that I've read completely.

This book is well written, easy to follow and does not need to be read in sequential order. I jumped from chapter to chapter and still found the information useful. I have now jumped from "scared" to try it, to "hey let's dive in mode." It's a wonderful feeling when you can get information from a book and feel confident to stride forth into the strange and unknown.

I found an acronym that was new to me, and told the publisher. The next thing I knew, I received a surprise e-mail from the author explaining the acronym with examples. So how many authors do you know that will take the time to answer your questions?

For those people who need to learn or to become experts in Win2K Server Security, this book should be your first purchase.

Of the eight books currently in print on SQL Server 7 and on my bookshelf this one ranks at the top.

The text flows in an easy to read manner. The illustrations are all legible and placed around the text referencing them. What a breath of fresh air! The CD-ROM actually has useful material on it versus the junk that one usually receives on an accompanying CD.

The book is well organized and presents SQL Server 7 in a manner that maximizes learning. I am giving some very serious thought to using this book as a text for the Masters class that I teach on Database Servers.

Messrs. Otey and Conte have done a superb write. While not the panacea or end all you will be hard pressed to find one single book that accomplishes so very much at an exceptionally affordable price.

Spend the money to buy the book. It belongs on your desk at work. What more can be said?

Regards

Of course, this being a book on SQL Server, it is very Microsoft-centric, with examples pointing toward VB and Visual C++, but I expected this.

All in all an excellent resource.

Because both Sybase and SQL Server understand the Transact SQL format, it was a helpful! The documentation in the book was so good, I have not yet even taken a look at the included CD-ROM!

I want to encourage ANY intermediate to advanced VB/Database developer to buy this book! BUY THIS BOOK FELLOW VBers and Access developers!!!!!