Microsoft Sharepoint 2003 for Dummies

by Vanessa L. Williams

Corporations have finally embraced portals as tools for knowledge sharing, and SharePoint, which offers easy integration with Microsoft Office, is an increasingly popular solution, with ten percent of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764579398
• ISBN13: 9780764579394
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 372 Pages
• Weight: 1.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Very Helpful

Was thrown into a project and knew little about SP 2003 at the time but this was a good intro and helped me get through at the time.

Great for users and techies alike...

I've often said that a good Dummies book allows me to get a broad understanding of a product or technology so I "know what I don't know". This title is a classic example of that... Microsoft SharePoint 2003 For Dummies by Vanessa Williams. It's a non-threatening use-focused coverage of SharePoint 2003 that is a good introduction to the topic at hand... Contents: Part 1 - Getting the Lay of the Land: Getting to Know SharePoint; Starting with the Basics Part 2 - Central Portal Administration: Configuring the Portal; Accessing SharePoint Part 3 - Portal Design: Matching SharePoint to Your Business; Managing Portal Content; Branding the Portal Part 4 - Build It, and Hope They Come: Collaborating with SharePoint Sites; Document Libraries; Part 5 - Power to the People - Engaging Employees with SharePoint: Managing Employee Relations; Mixing Up Your Marketing Mix Part 6 - Throw Away the Spreadsheets: Expense Reports; Technical Uses for SharePoint Part 7 - Maintenance: Monitoring SharePoint; Backup and Restore Part 8 - The Part of Tens: Ten Ways SharePoint Adds Business Value; Ten Ways to Screw Up SharePoint Index Williams goes after two different audiences here, and I'm surprised she pulled it off. She targets the average power user who might have access to build a site on the SharePoint server. With this book in hand, I would agree that a motivated person could do quite well on their own. She also targets tech people who want an overview of SharePoint so that they can get started quickly. Normally you can't mix those two groups and come out with something that's acceptable to either. Again, I think she actually succeeded. If I were going to start building SharePoint sites for a user base, I'd have enough information here to get started with an adequate mental framework of how it all fits. I'm sure I'd quickly need the "1000 page book" (as she puts it) to start pushing the boundaries of what's possible. But for basic "I need something now" sites, I could do it with the help of this book. I was also impressed that she dealt with the cultural issue of collaboration software. As a long-time Notes/Domino developer, I know and understand all too well that collaboration isn't something you can mandate or force on people. People who get it will gravitate around the software right away. Those who view information as power will horde it and refuse to participate. And it doesn't matter how good of a developer you are or how slick the site is. The application will fail... By addressing these issues, Williams sets a realistic picture of what to expect if and when you install SharePoint. Good material, and a good way to get your feet wet on SharePoint 2003...

Best book of its type on SharePoint 2003

I am a Microsoft trainer that has taught numerous SharePoint classes. Vanessa's work is the most straightforward intro book out there. She goes a step farther by including simple sample solutions for common issues. All this is a real help to someone trying to get things rolling. All SharePoint admins should keep several copies available.

Two thumbs up to the author...

Being given the task of constructing an intranet for our company's service desk felt a bit daunting, but then being advised you're going to use Sharepoint 2003 (which I'd never heard of) just added to the pressure... My initial reaction was that I needed to get "one of those books for dummies" on Sharepoint...I've never really liked reading and am still not the biggest fan, but Vanessa made it easy in the way she set out "Microsoft SharePoint 2003 for Dummies". You have the option or reading it from cover to cover, or jumping to the section that you're currently having an issue with. A real well structured and informative book. After you've finished reading comes Q & A time...yes, if you have any questions for the author, she'll respond within a few days and be as helpful as she can...forget those geeks and professors that think they're high and mighty that they've written a manual or textbook, Vanessa is down to earth and will take the time to address your questions...I was semi-shocked when I received my first response, but then to receive a second, third and fourth blew me away... So, for all you beginners out there, or even those that just need a point of reference, this book is a must for your shelf...

Sharepoint for Dummies helped a dummy like me!

Being a Beginner and having to teach myself how to use Sharepoint, I was stymied by many of the technical books on the subject. Finding Sharepoint for Dummies helped alot! Vanessa Williams book is easy to understand and answered many of the questions I couldn't find answers to anywhere else. I still have a lot to learn about Sharepoint and Ms. Williams has been very helpful to shed extra light on difficult problems. Thank you very much for all your help!