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I had lots of questions before buying this book, and I bought it based on the reviews provided by this "forum."I didn't make a mistake by purchasing this voluminous archive. Yet, his directions to putting it altogether are still great.If you've purchased a ready-made WHS system from HP or others, or if you've built your own WHS, this book will save you much frustration. WHS is must-have-software for anyone with two or more computers, and this book is the only book I've found that stands up to the hopes I had of learning to use the system properly and effectively.
There are many do's and don'ts. Now I use it as a reference guide, occasionally looking up something that might be of interest to me.If there is a negative about this book, it's that it is slowly becoming outdated. WHS is something of a mystery when first installing it; it's not like a typical operating system.
It covers all you need to know and more. It will easily break if you don't understand its nature. But with this book in hand, I was able to learn enough that I haven't had a problem since the day it arrived.
Moreover, just a smidgeon of what the author writes in explanation of how some of the functions work is no longer true. I wouldn't want to be without it.
Want to integrate it with your XBOX360. I bought an HP Media Server months ago and wanted to see what all it would be capable of.I bought this book and it's been a disappointment. It covers essentially 80% of the items that are in the help file, manual or available online and really doesn't cover anything else.More importantly, I'm shocked to see that there's no server support for the Zune - and this book further extends that silence. This book isn't going to help you.The other 20% (from the 80 I mention) covers some other functional basics, but not to the extent that I would assume would satisfy your average geek. At least not this one.This book also becomes quickly dated by the fact that many add-ons have become available since it's publishing.I would recommend users simply search online and view all the free information out there, especially since the Home Server has been out for more than a year now.
Microsoft Windows Home Server Unleashed is one massive book. If you have a small business (whether or not it is home based), you should learn about this product. You need not be a "geek" to a) use Windows Home Server or b) read this book. If you are considering a separate, network-attached device for use with Time Machine, it might be worthwhile to consider a WHS for Time Machine.(It's a little curious to me that a reviewer commented about the lack of information about using iTunes with WHS.
WHS is not just for home users. It's hard for me to write a review of this book without duplicating many of the things already said about it here, but I'll try my best.1. It not only covers everything you need to know about how to make WHS the center of your small network, it covers a lot of general networking concepts as well. Secondly, while a lot of iPod users consider the Zune to be a joke, as a consumer who's used many different MP3 players the Zune being sold today is MUCH nicer than older versions. Many small businesses can easily justify the expense of WHS for its incredible backup capabilities alone.
In many respects, it's several books rolled into one.And there is plenty of information about integrating Apple Macintosh computers into the network. And while the Zune may never supplant the iPod in popularity, it is getting better with each new release).Microsoft Windows Home Server Unleashed is well worth the investment. Whether you buy a ready-made server from HP or others, or build your own, Windows Home Server is an fantastic product for home users interested in managing and safeguarding data on their home networks.2. The reviewer also chided the author for a discussion about integrating Microsoft Zune into WHS. I don't think there is a more comprehensive, easier and cheaper way to do image-based backups of desktops and notebooks available.
But if you run a small business from home, or you have several desktops and/or notebooks (including Windows and Macs) you should definitely look into WHS as a sure-fire way to easily backup your data and monitor network health. First, the book provides much information about the growing amount of third-party support for a number of applications and services -- including iTunes. My only misgiving is not purchasing this as an "e-book" from the publisher web site.
My only concern was, it was not system specific. Great book full of good information, as in any of these books if you are not a novice you have come across this information already in other publications. However it does a great introduction job. I have a HP Media Smart Server and would have like to see a touch up section on that system. That said good book which you could always go back and reference.
Even though WHS weasrs a very pretty face for home users, its internal plumbing is still very complicated. Like all such series, there have been a number of weak titles, but this one shines on top of the hill. In 23 chapters, McFedries tells you everything you need to know about installing, administering and using WHS. He never gets lost in his own detail, even though many of the subjects covered in this book lend themselves to meandering.
That's not a complaint: it's as compliment. McFedries stays unerringly on topic - and that is a quality to be praised and appreciated. Particularly so here, for Windows Home Server (WHS) is a somewhat simplified version of Windows Server 2003, a very potent and complex server platform. It's a pleasure to find a technical book as well done as "Microsoft Windows Home Server Unleashed" by Paul McFedries. If you're considering installing or have installed WHS, you should really consider this book. There are about 750 pages of text on WHS and related subjects and around 80 pages of appendices.
The level of detail is very impressive. The author covers related subjects that may not interest everyone and may be well beyond the competence of many, such as running a SharePoint Site on WHS, working with the WHS Registry and scripting WHS.
It's the only book I've bought about WHS and the only one I can see needing. McFedries' writing style is fluid, polished and lucid.
Everything you really might need to know about WHS is to be found between the covers. Effortlessly, McFedries walks the reader through the less complex WHS interface and use - and then explores the deeper roots.
He really accomplishes this very well. McFedries has turned out a remarkably lucid technical book on an inherently complex subject.
Excellent.Jerry
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