2008-09-07 Perfect for beginners, nice refresh for the rest.

Who should read this book? In my opinion nearly everyone who is planning on using 2K8 technology in the future. Let me explain why, but first I have to make a short recap:

MWS2K8 NF is an easy to understand, well written introduction to server 2K8. Mark and his co-authors are making a very good job outlining all the important aspects of configuring and running a server and of the most basic functions it has to fulfill. He makes it very clear that you should think twice about buying this book if you would consider your skills "intermediate" or higher, respectively if having read his server 2K3 books.

20 Minutes into the book I thought "well, I have been warned that this a book for beginners" and it definitely is most valuable for beginners. If you think about getting into system administration (maybe from a User-Help-Desk job or just for fun during school) this one is for you. You want to make your MCITP certifications? Go for this book and develop an understanding of the Server OS, you can read boring exam-preps later, this book will set the foundation for the detail knowledge you will have to memorize anyway. If you get some self-test cd's (and of course the rest of this series, which isn't released at the time of this writing) you probably could skip the Self-Paced Training Kit books altogether, learning new stuff is just more fun with Mark. I also did like the fact that this book was based on the RC version, MS-Press books (like SPTK) usually feel a little rushed and you have to check the errata quite often. In contrast, this one seems very "finished" (sorry, can't think of an better word). There are 1-2 editing mistakes, but that doesn't affect the content.

That said, I also think that even experienced admins will enjoy this book, it's a very pleasant read with bits of new information thrown in. After finishing Windows Internals (also highly recommended!), I really enjoyed reading something without sweating all the way. You don't have to "work" this through, take it as a nice refresher and just read a bit faster if you think a chapter takes you to much by the hand. Some people will consider this a waste of time, to which I have to respond that I actually enjoy reading a nice piece of IT literature, like other people enjoy a good movie. You might be more "efficient" by just reading the stuff that changed, but "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" and Mark can be quite funny.

To conclude: Buy it, I already preordered the next 2.

P.S.
Did I mention that Mark also answers emails very fast?