Microsoft Windows Home Server Unleashed Reviews

• Excellent Windows Home Server Reference and Home Networking Book - All In One!

  
  By A3MLKJ1HHA2SX0 on 2007-10-18
  How often do you purchase a book on a topic and end up not only learning a wealth of information about that topic, but also getting a treasure trove of information on a related topic? In "Windows Home Server Unleashed" the author has created not only a terrific reference manual for the newly released Windows Home Server product, but also includes an excellent primer and how-to on home networking that is among the best I have seen!
  
  Let's start out talking about who this book is for -- geeks. It's chocked full of helpful information, tweaks and "behind the scenes" information about Windows Home Server. The author not only tells you about what it can do out of the box -- but how you can extend it to bring out its full potential, such as creating shared calendars or your own internal (and external if you wish) family website to display vacation photos, journals, etc. You'll even learn how to use SharePoint technologies to extend WHS in a way that makes it seem as if you've been doing it for years!
  
  The book is also good for those amongst us who are comfortable with computers, but want to take that next step. Who see the value in setting up a home network and using Windows Home Server, but want to do more than just share files and automate backups. It's for the Geeks-in-Training, and you couldn't ask for a better training manual.
  
  The book itself is filled with 800 pages of information about Windows Home Server and home networking. You'll find out everything you need to know to get WHS up and running in your house -- regardless of whether you bought the software and installed it yourself or an "out of the box" appliance with WHS already installed. And don't worry if you are still running Windows XP, 2000 -- or even Millenium Edition in some cases! For many of the examples on how to use WHS features the author covers a variety of operating systems -- including Linux and Mac!
  
  I am a tech guy, and therefore am an early adopter of Windows Home Server and this was the first book to hit the bookshelves on this amazing new software from Microsoft. I was just expecting to get a book that walked me through WHS and its basic features, but what I got was a reference I could use to really tear into it. It's not a book you read cover to cover, but rather one you refer back to each time you are ready to try out something new and push the envelope.
  
  If you are thinking about getting Windows Home Server, do yourself a favor and add this book to your bookshelf. You will soon find that you are extending Windows Home Server to do new things and bringing your home network to life by adding useful features that brings the entire family into the digital age.
  
  

• Best for those who are 100% Microsoft

  
  By AFE275TD1871Q on 2007-11-16
  If every part of your software world is Microsoft branded, this book is great. It assumes all your client machines run Windows Firewall; there's no mention of how to work with Symantec, ZoneAlarm, or other popular products. It tells you how to make WHS talk to your Zune [We all have several of these, right?], but doesn't even acknowledge the existence of iPods and iTunes. All video collection and playing is assumed to happen through Microsoft Xboxes and Media Extenders, using only MS software.
  
  This is all so perverse and disconnected from the real world that I found myself wondering why the obviously well-informed author left these giant holes.
  
  The "Unleashed" in the title led me to expect something I couldn't get from Microsoft directly. Actually, "Tightly Leashed" would be more accurate.
  
  

• Excellent Reference Resource

  
  By A1LFSX1ELR8XI on 2007-11-24
  An excellent reference and resource book for Windows Home Server(WHS). It is not intended to be read cover to cover but piecemeal as problems or needs arise.
  
  Pros:
  - covers all of the essential, including system requirements, installation, setting up, maintaining and troubleshooting WHS
  - has additional tips on optimizing WHS
  - uncovers many undocumented features to really bring out the power of WHS
  - provides nonWHS related information on TCP/IP, the Windows Server 2003 underlying operating system, and running your own website
  
  Cons:
  - can be difficult for nontechies to read since it assumes a certain level of knowledge of using Windows and also uses certain technical terms without explanation. Even ones that are explained, like a stack or layer, use an explanation that is technical in nature
  - sometimes the instructions are redundant in that the book will repeat verbatim a 12 step process that was just covered a page before but with only 1 change in the steps
  
  Bottom line: A great reference book for intermediate users.
  
  

• Great Reference Book for Windows Home Server

  
  By A2A3CSAYMZO6OK on 2007-12-11
  I purchased this book as a reference to use during setup of the HP MediaSmart Server,
  HP EX470 MediaSmart Home Server (AMD Live/ 64 Bit Sempron Processor, 500 GB Hard Drive). It was very helpful in the setup of the server, and I'd recommend it for anyone using either the HP package or a home-grown server. The HP MediaSmart Server itself is a superb integrated package that exceeded my expectations. I'd give it 5 stars.
  
  

• MS Windows Home Server

  
  By A2UB2G5YS0AG0 on 2007-12-14
  I was involved with the beta testing of WHS. I wish I had this book at that time. If one is using Windows Home Server this book is a must have.
  
  

• HP EX475 MediaSmart Home Server (AMD Live, Windows Home Server, 1 TB Hard Drive)
• HP EX470 MediaSmart Home Server (AMD Live, Windows Home Server, 500 GB Hard Drive)
• Windows Home Server For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
• Windows Home Server Users Guide (Expert's Voice)
• Windows Home Server Bible