Mastering Windows 2000 Server, Second Edition--an excellent hardback book that explains many aspects of organization-wide networking under Windows 2000 Server, generally in a conceptual way (as opposed to an explicitly practical, step-by-step way). Minasi and his collaborators go into depth on what the operating system can do and how you should use the interface to make it fit your needs.

Mastering Windows 2000 Professional, which takes an omnibus approach to the workstation variant of Windows 2000. Touching on the behavior of the operating system in several situations (including standalone installations, small networks, and large networks governed by Windows 2000 Server machines), this book is well-suited to individual users who will access a larger computing environment from a Windows 2000 Professional box.

Mastering Windows 2000 Registry--a book for power users and administrators who need to understand the contents of the Windows 2000 Registry. This volume includes information on safe Registry-editing practices as well as the effects of altering various values.

Mastering Active Directory, which focuses on the biggest new feature of Windows 2000. This book explains Active Directory conceptually (what it is, how it works, and why you might want to use it) and practically (how to configure the service to achieve the effects you want).

Additionally, this set ships with a CD-ROM containing the text of the four books in keyword-searchable form.

The four books and the CD-ROM are high quality and, packaged together, represent a fine value. If you suspect your job will involve most of what these volumes cover, save yourself a few bucks by buying the set. --David Wall

Topics covered: Everything to do with all versions of Microsoft Windows 2000, short of software development. Windows 2000 Server (for administrators of large networks) and Windows 2000 Professional (for everyday corporate users and administrators of small networks) get lots of coverage. The Windows 2000 Registry and Active Directory services are broken out into their own volumes for detailed coverage.