MCDST 70-272 Exam Cram 2 : Supporting Users & Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Windows XP Operating System (Exam Cram 2)

MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-271): Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System (Pro - Certification)

Operating System Theory

MCDST 70-271 Exam Cram 2 : Supporting Users & Troubleshooting a Windows XP Operating System (Exam Cram 2)

Format: Paperback
Author: Dan Balter
ReleaseDate: 15 July, 2004
Publisher: Que
Rating:

Don't buy this book, it's awful.
I have copied and pasted it below. I believe my email to the editor explains it all.

Mr. Tittel,

I have been a huge fan of your Exam Cram books for the last few years and they have helped me pass my A+, Network+, and CCNA certifications. Currently I am working of my MCDST certification and bought your books expecting the same standards your other books hold. Unfortunately, your Exam 70-271 Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Windows XP operating System is not only a disgrace to your line of books, but to you as the editor. I have to ask; did you even read the book or edit it? There are too many spelling and grammatical errors to even list in this book. Many times it should say drive, and instead it says driver or vice versa. You have many of the wizards name's wrong, such as on page 200 first line under Migrating User Settings with the File Settings and Transfer Wizard it says "The File Settings and Transfer (FAST) Wizard. " The funny thing is it's the File and Settings Transfer Wizard, otherwise FAST makes no sense the way it is printed and if that's not bad enough on page 201 you have a screenshot of the wizard showing it's correct name. The questions you ask in this book also are horrendous because they contradict what is true or just make no sense. Here is an example of a contradiction. Earlier in the book it says Windows XP can't be upgraded from Windows 95, this is true, but then in question 6 on page 213 it says "After upgrading a group of computers running Windows 95 to Windows XP Professional. " See something wrong there? Here is an example of a question making no sense. Look at question 23 on page 336. The question asks for the Power User group and the Administrator group, so logically and correctly the answer should be A, but no you have it as answer C which is the same exact thing as A but leaves out the Administrator group so it would be wrong. In conclusion I must say this was one of the most poorly written and poorly edited books I have ever read. So please, revise this book immediately and get any remaining ones of the shelves because most people are furious about this, you should check out the reviews on Amazon. com and elsewhere.
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Good book, relevant material
I actually learned some things about XP that I was not already aware of. Overall it was a good book withs lots of relevant material. I haven't taken the test yet, but with the included Cheat Sheet and CDROM, I think I will be well prepared.

I wish there were a 3.5 stars
Of course, real world experience is really the key to passing an MS exam. This book was very helpful in preparing for my 70-271 exam. If you know what you're doing, check this book out and read it. I think some of the material is more appropriate for the 70-270 exam than the 70-271, and last but not least, ExamCram needs a better editor. There are spelling, and consistency errors in the book (particularly with boldface items. ) It is not edited as well as other ExamCram Titles.