Not Impressed!!
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Honestly - utter rubbish!!
There is several times ive read chapters and not known what the hell they are talking about. They do alot of 'Then all you have to do is close this' without actually telling you what the hell THIS is or wher to find it!!!!I'm already a dba on SQL Server 2000 so i though this would be a good top up!!! Ive gone back to googling the chapeters and reading up somewhere(anywhere) else....
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It's an IT textbook
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This is my first Microsoft Press textbook/training kit for an exam - and this is exactly what is focuses on - getting you through the exam.
It's very dry (and rather boring), and I much preferred reading the Wrox books Beginning SQL Server 2005 Administration, and then Professional SQL Server 2005 Administration (which appear to be comprehensive as well as being more readable).
Still, this book comes with a CD for 180 trial licence for SQL Server 2005 - and a Measure Up CD with exam simulation software.
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Good training guide, poor as a reference book
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These books have a tough expectation list as people want them to provide all they need to know to get through the associated examination and be a first class refernce book. The five-star rating applies to the former of these requirements as this is the market the book is aimed at. Having sat the examination I can say that all of the questions were answered in the book - and from previous exposure to these books that is not normally the case.
As a reference book it fails, simply because it is not intended as such and more obviously because to cover all the topics adequately it would have to be five times as long. That said, the section on Service Broker is way too vague - the knowledge it imparts will get you through the examination but will leave you floundering in the real world.
Use the book to pass the exam and to introduce you to the new technologies - look elsewhere for more in-depth practical (i.e real world) material.
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Great reference
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This book covers all of the 70-431 topics in just about as much detail as you need for the exam without over complicating matters. It also comes with 450 questions which is really useful in testing your knowledge. The explanations are in easy to understand english, with the possible exception of HHTP endpoints which could be done with abit more clarity. On the whole an excellent guide for the exam
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