Exchange server 2000 - Exchange 2000 Exam Cram

Author

Exchange 2000 Exam Cram

Neonrh

2003-07-02, 4:21 pm

I'm persuing my W2K MCSE and while I do not need this exam for an elective, I want to obtain it due to its value. I worked with 5.5 a few years ago and did some connectivity with Lotus Domino as well. Has anyone used the Exchange 2000 Exam Cram book and do you have any opinions on it? I recall a lot of the basic 5.5 stuff and mainly want to get a refresher. I'll also be picking up the MS Press book and going through the lab exercises. Any other recommendations?

jeff_j_black

2003-07-02, 4:44 pm

I have the large hardback edition from the ExamCram folks, but mine might be titled "ExamPrep". I found it to be a pretty frustrating book. The first chapter was devoted to the word paradigm. From there, there were serveral helpfull chapters, but it got really bad when for several chapters, the bulk of text mainly consisted of screen shots of the various dialgoue boxes, and a description of each facet of these dialogue boxes. Very dry, there has to be a better way to present the requisite knowledge, without reiterating the obvious.

Never was there any kind of step-by-step installation of Exchange and the few practice exercises did not go very in depth. I got better results using the Microsoft course descriptions, Technet and Exchange Help files. I am an expert on this book, I have had it since November. Although, when I finished it, I tossed it in the trunk of my car and swore I would never pick it up again, I have since started to skim through it to cull over the good stuff therein and skip past the 'paradigms' and dialogue box descriptions.

I did a month-long workout with the Microsoft Press Exchange 5.5 book before starting Exchange 2000, as I had no experience with either. I found this book to be a joy to read and hands-on at every step.

I have collected too much other documentation from the Internet to justify purchasing another book, but the Sybex edition for this topic looks pretty good. I got the CD from it, with the book in PDF format, and got a couple hundred pages into it before I changed my tack.

So, Yes Microsoft Press, Maybe Sybex, Probably Not ExamPrep.

Best of luck, with your Exchange 5.5 background, you will enjoy the new features of Exchange 2000.

Neonrh

2003-07-09, 11:02 am

Great feedback thank you. I've always liked the MS Press books for truly learning how to use a product. I'll likely hit that first and follow-up with the exam cram book. I'll be sure to post my findings in the book review section.

Thanks again,

Ray

Joan0618

2003-07-30, 7:21 am

I am in the same position as you - spent years as a Msmail and Exchange 4 and 5.5 admin, have certs in all but need to update my skills and have no experience with 2000 internals. Don't need for MCSE but want to go back to being more of a specialist.
I bought the MSPress book.
I've always liked the Exam Crams because they were easier to carry around, and easy to read on an airplane (they don't take up more than one seat)! I have not been able to find an Exam Cram for this test, I would probably buy it for a second book if I could. But never as a primary.

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