Trainsignal.com has sent me a copy of their Windows Home Server (WHS)
training video for review. Trainsignal was just named by Inc Magazine as one of
the fastest growing companies in America. They produce training for subjects
ranging from Microsoft Office, Microsoft Server, Exchange Server to CompTIA and
Cisco Training. The training is geared towards IT professionals trying to stay
current with technologies and also to provide computer based training for people
looking to switch careers.
View a detailed look at the training topics covered in the training video.
When you pop in the disk 1 you are greeted by a simple menu system that
allows you to jump straight to the training content you need. I started with the
“Intro to Home Server Course” and watched as Scott Lowe introduced me to the
training. I quickly moved to number 1 which is Scott’s lab setup. The training
was recorded in his home with his own gear. He uses an EX470, Xbox360, and
multiple PC’s in his home. Scott is the CIO at Westminster College in Fulton,
Missouri where he puts his 14 years of Information Technology experience to work
serving the needs of the campus community.
When you watch the individual videos you will notice Scott using One Note to
display the presentation. You can also see that he is using Camtasia Studio to
capture his entire screen which allows you to view his Vista toolbar which shows
his WHS healthy and green but updates are waiting on his Vista machine.
Scott’s training is not all presentation based. He also feeds his Xbox video
into the PC and walks you through network setup so you can see it real time. The
training is also very centered around the WHS console and Scott works through
every function within it in a very detailed manner.
I was surprised to see so much basic networking in the training video. Scott
dives very deep into network setup, TCP/IP settings, router settings and more.
This is a good thing for beginning WHS users. Advanced users can always skip
straight to the section they need.
Some chapters that merit mention are the Remote Access, Advanced Admin, WHS
Media Sharing, Add-Ins, and Tricks. For instance, in the remote access chapter
Scott goes over setting up the WHS for remote from start to finish including
setting up UPNP on a router. He also goes over TCP/IP settings for those who
don’t have UPNP compatible routers.
Scott discussed installing, managing, and using Diskeeper, AutoExit,
KeepVault, Whiist, WHS Toolkit, and other Add-Ins. He spent a little extra time
on the WHS Toolkit which I thought was very informative. If you have ever had
connector issues this is a good video to watch.
View this Sample
Video.
Conclusion:
This training video is not only a great WHS resource but it’s also good for
home users wanting to do more with their home network. You will learn everything
required to setup your home network for file sharing, streaming, and other
functions of the Windows Home Server.
I don’t think the TrainSignal WHS CBT is for the more advanced user. In my
opinion it is targeting the beginning and intermediate WHS user. It is also a
valuable resource for routing fundamentals and router setup for those who may be
new to those. One thing to think about however is that many enthusiasts like me
support family and friends networks. This is a great training for handing to
that family member who just purchased a WHS and expects you to support it!
I also feel it is a great resource for Integrators and resellers to bundle
with WHS packages for their customers.
Another positive feature of the training is that it is self contained. It
does not have an installer so as long as you have the CD you can use it
anywhere.
Like many other CBT courses, product updates tend to outdate the training.
This training was shot mostly around January 2008. In other words, PRE-PP1. The
Add-In’s discussed have also all gone through major revisions.
The Tips and Tricks sections outlines how to host Wordpress and Windows
Sharepoint Services. These are some advanced techniques that are not fully
covered within the video but Train Signal includes detailed instructions on PDF.
Due to the amount of configuration this makes the video portion much more
enjoyable to view.
Overall, this is a great training video for beginners and intermediate users.
Advanced users will certainly benefit from the actual WHS training but the
networking sections may be to basic. The best part about this video is the
price! HomeServerShow listeners are able to purchase this training for the low
price of $49.95 by using a promo code of WHS.
Follow this link to TrainSignal.com and use the promo/discount code of WHS
during checkout to get the $50 off the normal price of $99.95.
Link to purchase
Price - $99.95. $50 off for homeservershow.com listeners! Use discount code
WHS to bring the price to $49.95.
Discount Code - WHS
Lastly, as a part of this review Train Signal has donated four copies of this
training to the Home Server Show. I will give out two copies and Ian Dixon of
thedigitallifestyle.com will give away two copies. Double your chances by
visiting thedigitallifestyle.com. To be eligible for this giveaway simply leave
a comment on this review post. A simple “I’m in” will do or you can comment
about the review. Either way I’ll add you to the drawing.
Posted
Aug 22 2008, 12:30 PM
by
homeservershow