WebReview: Questions answered at ntfaq.com

by Mark Kaelin | Jul 25, 2000 7:00:00 AM

Tags: Mark Kaelin

Takeaway: FAQ pages proliferate on the Web, generally reiterating what we already know. But every once in a while, one pops up with some valuable information. Mark Kaelin reviews one such site for NT administrators.

Network administrators are considered the walking encyclopedias of the IT world. Users depend on us for answers in an increasingly complex networked environment. While it is nice to be considered the office guru, there are times when even the brightest admin gets stumped.

When it comes to operating systems, there is a wealth of information available on the Internet for the administrator. The problem is finding what you need. FAQ pages can provide a handy source of organized information about a particular topic. Ntfaq.com is one of these FAQ sites. (Note that the site bears the name “Windows 2000 FAQ,” but the focus is still on NT.)

Have you ever thumbed through one of those information booklets you see when you’re waiting in grocery store checkout lines? Those booklets can wow you with obscure facts about cats, plants, or astrological signs with a simple two-minute perusal. Well, this is similar to the experience you get when you peruse ntfaq.com. This site is a marvel of efficiency, consisting of a list of questions submitted to Windows 2000 magazine and answered by its staff.

Can so many questions really be frequently asked?
Deep within the bowels of the site, you’ll find thousands of questions and answers devoted to the subject of NT. The answers are thorough, with explanations, examples, and suggestions for additional research. The FAQ is arranged in a logical hierarchical form, allowing you to drill down to specifics on thousands of subjects, including Active Directory, DHCP, RAID, and scripting.

The site also lets you search the FAQ by keyword if you don’t want to take the time to work your way down to the specific question and answer you seek. The FAQ is updated daily, and you can add your name to a mailing list to receive the latest information being posted to the site. The site accepts questions for addition to the FAQ, and there are links to discussion forums where details can be hashed out.

As with any FAQ on the Internet, you’ll already know the answers to many of the questions, so some of the information will merely serve as a confirmation or clarification. However, other questions are so narrowly focused, it is likely that no other site will have the same, precise information. The detail and scope of the FAQ is a testament to the complexity involved in the day-to-day implementation of information technology—and this site can serve as a valuable reference for IT pros.

A business consultant, Mark Kaelin also writes for TechRepublic and Louisville Computer News. For a diversion, he spends time on the softball field or the golf course and listens to rock 'n' roll.

NetAdmin WebReview rating
Now it's your turn to review the ntfaq.com Web site. Just click on Rate this Site! and you can help separate the good from the bad from the ugly. It takes only a minute or two to complete your rating, so tell us what you think. Rate this site now!

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Idav2 | 07/27/00