Windows Server Cookbook -- Written for all levels of users, this practical reference guide offers hundreds of useful tasks for managing Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003. The concise, on-the-job solutions to common problems are certain to save you many hours of time searching through Microsoft documentation. Each recipe also includes a detailed discussion that explains how and why it works. Topics discussed include files, event logs, security, DHCP, DNS, backup/restore, and more. Sample Chapter 6, Processes (PDF) is available free online.

Deploying Microsoft Office Using Group Policy -- Before you deploy Microsoft Office on a big network using Group Policy, you need to be aware of gotchas. In this article, Mitch Tulloch shows you the quickest and easiest way how. Mitch is the author of Windows Server Hacks.

Batch-Running Word Macros from the DOS Command Line -- Looking for an easy way to run any Word macro, on any number of files, right from the DOS command line? Andrew Savikas shows how to do just that, using Perl, Python, and Ruby, with code samples for each scripting language. Andrew is the author of Word Hacks.

Customizing Local Security Policies -- Want to harden server security? Customizing the Security Options policies of Group Policy is a great way to go. Mitch Tulloch shows you the best way how. Mitch is the author of Windows Server Hacks.

Go Wireless -- In this excerpt, David A. Karp shows you how to set up a simple wireless network, connect that network to the internet, connect your wireless devices to other people's wireless networks, and prevent others from sneaking on to your network. All without wires, and the most amazing thing is that it actually works. David is the author of Windows XP Annoyances for Geeks, 2nd Edition.

Understanding Administrative Templates -- Administrative templates are a key management component of Group Policy on Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003. In this article, Mitch Tulloch shows you how they work and how to use them. Mitch is the author of Windows Server Hacks.

Securing Windows Server 2003: IP Security -- Many nefarious individuals are foiled by strong authentication and secure data storage, but plenty of attackers won't be deterred by them. With IPSec, you can implement an additional security measure on your network that will make it difficult for even the most determined attackers. Chapter 8 of Securing Windows Server 2003 explains IPSec in depth. Understanding the technology's strengths and pitfalls will help you make the right decision and provide exactly the right level of security. If you like this chapter, read the whole book (and up to nine others) on Safari with a free trial subscription.

Rid Yourself of Digital Media Annoyances -- Sometimes those little quirks in your favorite digital media toys can take all the fun out of playing. Preston Gralla offers a baker's dozen fixes to MP3, iTunes, and QuickTime annoyances, so you can get back to the fun. Preston is the author of Internet Annoyances.

Working with Roaming User Profiles -- If you have a highly mobile local user base and are constantly fielding concerns about personalized settings and desktop customizations that don't travel with your users, then this article is for you. Jonathan Hassell explains how roaming user profiles can save you time and energy. Jonathan is the author of Learning Windows Server 2003.

Building the Perfect Budget PC, Part 2 -- You really can build a powerhouse system without breaking the bank. In the first part of this two-part article, Robert Bruce Thompson and Barbara Fritchman Thompson detailed their component selections. In this second installment, they show how to assemble the parts and actually build the system. Robert and Barbara are the authors of Building the Perfect PC.

Security Centers and Firewalls -- With the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Microsoft's latest and most reliable corporate desktop operating system now provides better protection against viruses, worms, and malicious hackers. This book excerpt describes how to use SP2's Security Center, along with everything you need to know about choosing and using a firewall. Knowledge is power; learn to protect your system with Windows XP Pro: The Missing Manual, 2nd Edition.

Building the Perfect Budget PC, Part 1 -- The myth persists that you can't save money building your own PC, particularly a budget system. In fact, it's easy to match the price of a mass-market commercial system with a homebuilt system that uses higher-quality components. In this first part of a two-part article, Robert Bruce Thompson and Barbara Fritchman Thompson show you which components to buy. Robert and Barbara are the authors of Building the Perfect PC.

Disk Cleanup Hacks -- No matter how much space you have on your hard disk, it's never enough. In this WindowsDevCenter.com article, Mitch Tulloch shows you how to use, automate, and hack the Disk Cleanup tool to de-junk the hard drive on your Windows XP machine. Mitch is the author of Windows Server Hacks.

DHCP and DNS Security -- In this excerpt, Mike Danseglio explores the core network services of DHCP and DNS. These services are essential to most IP networks today in that they respectively provide automatic addressing and name resolution. However, their security considerations and safe operations are often neglected. Mike shows you how these services work, how they're vulnerable to attack, and how to protect them against attacks when possible. Mike is the author of Securing Windows Server 2003.

Getting Real-Time Data from the Web in Excel -- Did you know that you can use Excel for more than just storing and organizing static data? In this article, Matthew MacDonald shows you how to use Excel as a tool to handle up-to-the-minute information like sales figures, stock prices, and currency exchange rates. Take Excel to the next level from static to dynamic. Matthew is the author of Excel: The Missing Manual.

How To Start Hacking Your PC -- Do you want to get under the hood of your PC and start hacking? Jim Aspinwall literally wrote the book on it. In this first part of a two-part article, he teaches you everything you need to know to get started. Jim is the author of PC Hacks.

Building Simple Lists Using Strings in VBA -- Sometimes string hacking in VBA is a quick and convenient way to solve a problem. In this article, Andrew Savikas shows you how to use strings for simple lists. Andrew is the author of Word Hacks

NTFS Performance Hacks--A great way to improve the performance of your XP machine is to tweak the NTFS file system. In certain scenarios, simple changes can make a big difference, because hard disks are often a primary bottleneck in today's machines. Mitch Tulloch shows you how to make the most of NTFS and boost your system's performance. Mitch is the author of Windows Server Hacks.

Fix Hot Spot Annoyances--Using a Wi-Fi hot spot is a great way to stay connected when you're away from home or the office, but beware: you may be vulnerable to snoopers, email glitches, and a flaky connection. Preston Gralla offers insight and fixes for all of these hot spot woes. Preston is the author of Internet Annoyances.

A New Approach: Excel 2003 DevNotebook -- Dan Mabbutt writes in this review that O'Reilly's book on programming in Excel 2003 is "a 'how to' book written by an author who really knows 'how to'." Further, he says it's a "forward-looking and compact read into the future of programming with Microsoft technologies." If you're working in Excel, breathe in the "light and refreshing" format of Excel 2003 Programming: A Developer's Notebook.