Microsoft® Office SharePoint® Server 2007 Administrator's Companion

Useful reference & the eBook (pdf) has been invaluable. Unfortunately, the pdf is locked which restricts copy/paste (which would be great 4 documentation). This booke is not a sit down & read from cover 2 cover, but a go 2 book 4 research/reference.

This book covers most of what an administrator needs 2 know, very acurate information. I use this book all the time 4 reference because you can't retain everything that's in this book, it's a great tool 4 studying 4 MS Exams.

This book is geared toward readers such as Web Developers, Information Management / Compliance Specialist, Administrators 2 name but a few. If you are a beginner 2 Sharepoint Server 2007, this book will be a most difficult read. The concepts & topics that are presented will have 2 be re-enforced with online research or the purchase of another book.

To give an example.
The book is composed of six sections, with the first three ( 663 pages in length ) being targeted towards administration & configuration. However, within this mix we have presentations on performance monitoring & MOM 2005, high level discussions on information security policies such as password & storage policies, data classification. We are introduced 2 advanced Enterprise topics such as the Business Data Catalogue & records compliance ( that is the Sarbanes Oxley Act etc. ). These discussions all assume prior expertise & should you be new 2 Sharepoint Server 2007 this will no doubt frustrate you. The Authors, in their quest 2 appeal 2 a wide variety of readers, cannot delve into the in-depth explanations, followed up by well worked out examples that a beginner 2 Sharepoint Server 2007 would require.

Web Developers will tend 2 focus on Sections 5 & 6. While these sections do introduce Workflow Services, Webparts & products like Sharepoint Designer I found the overriding theme is again one of high level discussion & overviews. Expertise is assumed.

Overall I would say that if you are coming from a background with some expertise in Sharepoint Server 2003 or you require a high level picture of the abundance of features that Sharepoint 2007 can bring 2 your organisation in addition 2 how it integrates with other server platforms, such as ISA 2006 4 example, you will enjoy this book & the nuggets of useful information it provides. The writing style is not engaging; this book is not a joy 2 read but it will tell you what can be done with Sharepoint Server 2007, outline best practices & point you in the correct direction. The how-to part is very much left 2 yourself.

If however, your goal in purchasing this book is an in-depth knowledge of the installation, administration & configuration of Sharepoint 2007 & you have no prior expertise with Sharepoint Server 2003 or indeed 2001, then you will gain little benefit from this book. You will find it difficult 2 read, difficult 2 digest & your understanding of Sharepoint 2007 will not improve. If anything, you may be discouraged from using Sharepoint Server 2007 which would be a shame as the product is in my opinion really good. Regards.

The sheer amount of information presented in this volume is impressive in & of itself. The depth & quality of coverage into the many topics varies, & there's no one topic covered in totality, but this is the "one" book. English et al. nailed coverage across topics i.e. in scope & breadth. This is certainly not the book 4 beginners; there is a degree of basic SharePoint knowledge assumed, & you'll need 2 go elsewhere 4 deeper developer discussion (e.g. Pattison & Larson) or specifics on administration (various blogs). But if you're 2 make a career out of SharePoint 2007, you'll need most if not all of the information that's contained in this book. It's nice 2 have it in one reference.

If this companion where a living entity, I would kick it off my team.

Having an O'Reilly safari account I read through it & was very disappointed in that it doesn't cover some of the basic functionality that might be expected from a companion.

As 4 the hype, don't buy it 2 it!

Get your mission-critical collaboration & information-management systems up & running with this essential, single-volume guide. This comprehensive reference details features & capabilities of SharePoint Server 2007. It delivers the easy-to-follow procedures, practical workarounds, & key troubleshooting tactics you need 4 on-the-job results. Discover how to: Install & deploy SharePoint Server 2007 Configure server farms & define a farm topology Create & manage content libraries, records repositories, & document workflows Manage enterprise search & indexing features Develop & implement an information security policy Configure other server platforms 2 work with SharePoint Server 2007 Create a Business Data Catalog & manage data connections 2 other applications Monitor & fine-tune system performance Apply best practices 4 backup & recovery CD features: Fully searchable eBook Code samples & additional resources