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pleasure is all on this side of the table
53

"Alan C. Lawhon" <> wrote in message
news:EEE6E679-2FB0-4AA0-A62B-...
> Thor:
>
> Thanks very much for taking the time to respond to my inquiry. I will
> follow up on all the URLs you provided. (This is very helpful.) Thanks
> again!
>
> Alan C. Lawhon
>
>
> "Thor" wrote:
>
>> Hi.
>> First google (or wikipedia)
>> http://www.google.com/search?q=Windo...003+Evaluation
>>
>> might give results like:
>>
>> Evaluation...
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...l/privacy.mspx
>>
>> ....or ready to run in the free Virtual Server
>> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Server)
>> image:
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...l/default.mspx
>> (You want to ensure you have enough RAM)
>> I particulary like the possibility of setting up virtual networks in
>> Virtual
>> server: first set up the loopback adapter on the host (if you have only
>> one
>> adapter)
>>
>> Hope this helps, and good luck
>> 53
>>
>> "Alan C. Lawhon" <Alan C. > wrote in
>> message
>> news:E502FB59-FB04-46C1-BE08-...
>> >I have decided to study for and pursue the MCSE certification for the
>> >Windows
>> > Server 2003 track. Due to severe financial constraints, (I am
>> > currently
>> > "between jobs"), I must operate on a very limited income. I can't
>> > afford
>> > to
>> > pay for expensive classroom instruction, or $10,000.00 to attend a boot
>> > camp.
>> >
>> > I have just started reading Martin S. Matthews book: "Windows Server
>> > 2003:
>> > A
>> > Beginner's Guide," but I realize that I am going to need more than just
>> > this
>> > one resource in order to take (and pass) the exams. Specifically, I
>> > realize
>> > that I am going to need to get "intimately familiar" with the OS
>> > itself -
>> > by
>> > working with either an actual copy of the OS or some type of "software
>> > simulation" of the OS that can run on my computer. (I am running
>> > Windows
>> > XP
>> > Professional, SP2 on my box.) I also have a separate notebook computer
>> > which
>> > I could "wipe," install a new OS on, and use solely for training
>> > purposes -
>> > which might be the best way to go about this.
>> >
>> > Are any of you aware if Microsoft has a "training" (or "student")
>> > version
>> > of
>> > Windows Server 2003 that has been specifically designed to help
>> > facilitate
>> > MCSE training? I have come across an "eLearning" Microsoft web site
>> > where
>> > you can purchase interactive "software simulation" training modules for
>> > various Microsoft products - including, (I think), the Windows Server
>> > 2003
>> > OS. Have any of you used Microsoft's "eLearning" software for MCSE
>> > training?
>> > Are these "eLearning" modules a good alternative to plunking down
>> > several
>> > hundred (or even up to a thousand dollars?) for a copy of Windows
>> > Server
>> > 2003?
>> >
>> > I described my situation to an MCSE I met in the computer book section
>> > of
>> > my
>> > local Barnes & Noble bookseller. He recommended I contact a company
>> > called
>> > VMWare (http://www.VMWare.com) which (he said) sold "virtual server"
>> > software
>> > that could be used for interactive training. I sent them an email, but
>> > they
>> > never responded. (I got the impression that the VMWare folks were more
>> > interested in large business acccounts rather than a small individual
>> > like
>> > me
>> > ...)
>> >
>> > I think it is important that I have either an actual working copy of
>> > Windows
>> > Server 2003, (or some type of close simulation of it), to go along with
>> > my
>> > book learning. This is the first time I have attempted to obtain a
>> > certification. I sense that it is very important that I know how to
>> > [quickly] navigate my way through all the various drop down menus and
>> > be
>> > able
>> > to accomplish tasks as quickly (and efficiently) as possible. To pass
>> > the
>> > exams, I believe I will need to be so familiar with the OS that I can
>> > do
>> > things almost without thinking - as if it's a reflex action. (I know
>> > if I
>> > sit down to take the exam(s) and I have to pause to think for more than
>> > a
>> > minute, then I'm probably in trouble.) To obtain that kind of
>> > familiarity
>> > with the OS, I'm going to need a copy (or a virtual copy) of the OS
>> > that I
>> > can actually use and work with.
>> >
>> > Any suggestions any of you can offer, (including books and/or online
>> > resources) will be greatly appreciated. (If you prefer, feel free to
>> > contact
>> > me directly at my email address: .) In the meantime
>> > I
>> > will continue reading Martin Matthews book and trying to figure all
>> > this
>> > out.
>> >
>> > TIA,
>> >
>> > Alan C. Lawhon
>> > Huntsville, Alabama
>> >
>>
>>
>>