About the Authors

Jane Holcombe (CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network +, CompTIA CTT+, and Microsoft MCSE) pioneered in the field of PC support training. In 1983, she installed a LAN for her employer, and, commencing in 1984, she was an independent trainer, consultant, and course content author, creating and presenting courses on PC operating systems taught nationwide. She co-authored a set of networking courses for the consulting staff of a large network vendor. In the early 1990s, she worked with both Novell and Microsoft server operating systems, finally focusing on the Microsoft operating systems and achieving early MCSE certification, recertifying for new versions of Windows. Since 2001 she has been the lead author, in collaboration with her husband, of numerous books and book chapters.

Charles Holcombe was a programmer of early computers in both the nuclear and aerospace fields. In his 15 years at Control Data Corporation, he was successively a programmer, technical sales analyst, salesman, and sales manager in the field marketing organization. At corporate headquarters, he ran the Executive Seminar program, served as corporate liaison to the worldwide university community, and was market development manager for Plato, Control Data’s computer-based education system.

For the past 30 years, he has been an independent trainer and consultant, authoring and delivering training courses in many disciplines. He is a skilled writer and editor of books and online publications, and he collaborates with his wife, Jane, on many writing projects.

Together, Chuck and Jane Holcombe are a writing team who have authored the MCSE Guide to Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure (Course Technology) and both the A+ Certification Press Lab Manual and the MCSE Certification Press Windows 2000 Professional Lab Manual (McGraw-Hill Professional). They authored two editions of the Survey of Operating Systems, the first book in the Michael Meyer’s Computer Skills series, and contributed chapters to The Michael Meyers’ Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting PCs, The Michael Meyer’s All-in-One A+ Certification Exam Guide, Fifth Edition, and Windows 2000 Administration (McGraw-Hill Professional). They wrote several chapters for the Peter Norton Introduction to Operating Systems, Sixth Edition (McGraw-Hill), and rewrote and greatly expanded the CompTIA A+^® Certification Study Guide, Sixth Edition.

About the Technical Editor

Christopher A. Crayton (MCSE, MCP+I, CompTIA A+, and CompTIA Network+) is an author, technical editor, technical consultant, security consultant, and trainer. Formerly a computer and networking instructor at Keiser College (2001 Teacher of the Year), Chris has also worked as network administrator for Protocol and as a computer and network specialist at Eastman Kodak Headquarters. Chris has authored several print and online books on topics ranging from CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Security+ to Microsoft Windows Vista. Chris has provided technical edits and reviews for many publishers, including McGraw-Hill, Pearson Education, Charles River Media, Cengage Learning, Wiley, O’Reilly, Syngress, and Apress.

About LearnKey

LearnKey provides self-paced learning content and multimedia delivery solutions to enhance personal skills and business productivity. LearnKey claims the largest library of rich streaming-media training content that engages learners in dynamic media-rich instruction complete with video clips, audio, full motion graphics, and animated illustrations. LearnKey can be found on the Web at www.LearnKey.com.

We dedicate this book to Jazzy and Yoda, our “best friends” and an excuse to take several breaks a day through the long days of writing this book. Dogs have to have their walks! They also tried to provide voiceover (barkover) for the CertCam exercise videos.