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Share your opinions about our upcoming Citrix book

Written on Nov 21 2006 12,034 views, 34 comments

by Brian Madden

It’s been four years since I wrote my last Citrix book, and since then there have been quite a few updates to Presentation Server. To that end, I’m currently writing a brand-new book on Citrix Presentation Server 4.5 (which Citrix will most likely release in early 2007). I have learned a lot about Citrix since my last book came out, and I’ve been working with beta versions of PS 4.5 for some time now I’m hoping to have this new book done in April.

Here’s a quick mockup of the cover. While I don’t want to be known as the “fruit guy” with regards to book covers, I’m still amazed by how many people recognize me like, “Oh, yeah… you’re the guy who wrote the book with the orange on the cover.” Therefore this new cover will be freshened up with our newer branding, and I’ll have four and one-half oranges on the cover instead of one. (Presentation Server 4.5—get it?)

Anyway, the purpose of this post is that I want to get your opinion about something. So far, our books have focused on architecture, and the plans for this book are no different. However, do you think there is value in also creating a second book that focuses on the day-to-day operations of a Citrix Presentation Server?

I’m thinking we could call the current book the “Architecture & Design Guide,” and the other one the “Operations Guide.”

Of course the operations guide wouldn’t be a re-hash of the instruction manual either. Rather, we’d focus on real-world techniques that you need to actually run your Citrix Presentation Server farm day-to-day. I think a lot of that book would cover scripting, automation, performance tuning, troubleshooting, and application installation. Then we could use the architecture & design guide to focus on how the stuff works under the hood, and what you need to know to successfully design your server farms.

There might be a little overlap between the two books, but I don’t think that would be any more than 10% or so.

What are your thoughts? (Oh, and don't tell me that they should be combined into a single book, because that would be well over 1000 pages!)





Comments

Mads Soerensen wrote Love the idee...!!
on Tue, Nov 21 2006 3:10 PM Link To This Comment
Hi Brian

I think the two book concept is a very good idee...looking forward to read them...

Keep up the good work...

Bedst Regards

Mads, Denmark
Greg spero wrote Great
on Tue, Nov 21 2006 3:28 PM Link To This Comment
A book with day to day operations is a fantastic idea, and one which would sell quite well, as this type of book is what admins are looking for.
Rene Vester wrote Two books, great idea.
on Tue, Nov 21 2006 3:40 PM Link To This Comment
Hey Brian,
 
I love the two-book concept as it would again make both the books excellent reference-pieces, i have your prior books and use them alot for reference. So in my opinion, 2 books would be great, and would also allow people with different interests to persue th book of their choice, and nerds like me, to read them both without my arms getting tired every 10 minutes(i guess i could rest a huuuge book on the table but still ;-))
 
/Rene
cory feign wrote two books = good
on Tue, Nov 21 2006 3:45 PM Link To This Comment
In companies where frameworks like ITIL, MOF, or other functional models are implemented, ops and design staff can be segmented, so the second book could help ops people make improvements to the environment where they would have relied on engineers for this before.

The ops book could help save time/simplify when delegating non-design/engineering work (e.g. "Please improve this" instead of "please improve this by following steps A,B,C, and D that i have tested and documented for you.")

To me it looks a bit trickier to market the "keep it running" book vs the "design something neat and new" book.

It seems like anyone at a company where engineer vs ops lines are less clearly drawn could easily leverage both books depending on where they're at in their lifecycle, so either way it sounds like a good idea to me.

Michael Pardee wrote 2 Books works for me
on Tue, Nov 21 2006 3:47 PM Link To This Comment
Just get them done already !
robert nelson wrote Operations Idea is great.
on Tue, Nov 21 2006 4:10 PM Link To This Comment
I think an operations book would be excellent. I'd like to read both.
Michael Keen wrote Two books
on Tue, Nov 21 2006 4:14 PM Link To This Comment
Brian
 
your previous books are the benchmark.  I'd say keep the two-book format.  For those that administer these environments day-in and day-out, your books are invaluable.  I used them and abused them when I was administering environments.  For those of us that are now in the Solution Architecture area of focus, your books are invaluable assets.  You provide an unbiased opinion and that is what we all want.
 
Keep up the great work and you can count on me buying the new one when it is released.
 
Cheers
Michael Keen
Director - Central Region
Entisys Solutions
Matthew Francis wrote Two Books
on Tue, Nov 21 2006 5:43 PM Link To This Comment
Brian,
I agree to a certain degree but how about one book seperated into the 2 sections. This way you can have both as a reference in one book but only read what may pertain to your needs. You could do a companion CD with material for Administrators. Just a idea. How far away is the actual book/books?
 
 
Cristian Diaz wrote Two Books
on Tue, Nov 21 2006 7:59 PM Link To This Comment
I like the 2 books idea. now...get back to writing. HA! 
Lorenzo Diaz wrote www.write2books.com
on Tue, Nov 21 2006 10:09 PM Link To This Comment
As a consultant, I can certainly use your Architecture & Design Guide to help build my clients Citrix Farms. Afterwards, I can recommend your Operations Guide to them for the day to day administration. BTW… I like the book cover, very clever!
tony sanchez wrote two books is a great idea
on Wed, Nov 22 2006 12:58 AM Link To This Comment
Kudos for you even take time to write about the 2 different types of concepts. I look forward to them coming out ASAP next year...
 
Thanks again Brian for sharing and dedicating time to helping others learn. Do you think you might have these ready to distribute at Briforum next year in Chi Town? I would look foward to that one!!!!!!!
 
Gracias,
Sanchito
Brian Thornton wrote RE: Two Books
on Wed, Nov 22 2006 3:38 AM Link To This Comment
I agree with mfrancis a book with two sections/ two volumes?
 
What ever way you sell it I am going to buy both as I suspect most people willl any way
 
Mike Engel wrote Great idea, two books
on Wed, Nov 22 2006 6:17 AM Link To This Comment
I think the two book idea is an excelent idea.  Looking forward to both of them.  Great idea for the cover.
marc iton wrote 2 books YES !
on Wed, Nov 22 2006 7:54 AM Link To This Comment
definitely 2 book it's a good idea !
write them ... I 'll buy them
Alastair McEwan wrote RE: www.write2books.com
on Wed, Nov 22 2006 9:45 AM Link To This Comment
2 Books is a good idea.  Designers and Implementers would be interested in the design guide and Admins in the ops guide and I guess there would be a lot of people like me interested in both.  You could even release a 2 book limited edition!
adam baum wrote One book, not two
on Wed, Nov 22 2006 9:57 AM Link To This Comment
Brian,

How about just the day-to-day operations book?  There is so much out there on architecture these days.  It's too easy.  No one ever does a day-to-day guide or "just do it like this" (except for Doug's MIAB).  Now that's a challenge.

adam
Shaun Ritchie wrote Good idea
on Wed, Nov 22 2006 12:09 PM Link To This Comment
 Definitely
ew450f@gmail.com wrote 2 books!!!
on Wed, Nov 22 2006 5:32 PM Link To This Comment
...and I would like to preorder them both now.
 
Scott Chiara wrote One Book, Two Sections.
on Wed, Nov 22 2006 10:00 PM Link To This Comment
My opinion is one book two sections. Sort of two books in one.
 
 
f652050 wrote Book Comments
on Thu, Nov 23 2006 1:54 AM Link To This Comment
Brian Two idea would be great idea as there is more to citrix than installing. 
Vincent Vlieghe wrote RE: Book Comments
on Thu, Nov 23 2006 7:01 AM Link To This Comment
Indeed, I agree completely. Doing design is 1 thing, but an operations guide (tips & tricks) would be a very welcome idea!
 
Book me for the 2
Dave Bell wrote Two Books
on Thu, Nov 23 2006 11:26 AM Link To This Comment
Hey Brian,
 
I'm a contract Citrix instructor (yea, one of those evil CCI's) and your website is one of my favorite resources to share with my students.  I'm also an evangelist for your books.  Royalty-free I might add.  For what it's worth, I would recommend two books.  I'm not a big fan of books that try to cover too much.  It sometimes makes it hard to focus when reading and definitely harder to find pieces of information in times of crisis.
 
As is popular in this thread, I would like to show my support by committing to pre-ordering both books (or the 10lb single version).  I'm no writer, but I can only estimate that if you spent 20-22 hours per day from now until the end of the year, we could see something January 1st?  Just thinking out loud...
 
Keep up the good work Brian!
Jeff Rohrer wrote Good idea Brian
on Thu, Nov 23 2006 9:35 PM Link To This Comment
We, too, have noticed the need for a book like this: [link=http:nformation: [link=http:  
- Jeff
Richard Thompson wrote My 2 cents
on Fri, Nov 24 2006 10:56 AM Link To This Comment
Hi Brian,
 
Good work on your books, keep up the great work!
 
My 2 cents worth, 1 book would be great BUT I think it might end up being a very long book. I have purchased copies of your current Terminal Services book and as it stands the book is just under 500 pages. With your experience I am sure an operational guide will easily run into 2 to 3 hundred pages!
 
Also I am currently working in research and development. It is my job to implement systems so personally I am more interested in the architecture side of things because we have a team dedicated to ensuring day to day operational work is done properly!
 
My verdict, 2 Books!
 
Cheers
Rt
Charlie Weaver wrote Idea for book...
on Sun, Nov 26 2006 6:06 AM Link To This Comment
How about including some sort of virtual lab for either one of the books in the form of VMs?  It would really drive home applied learning, especially for a 'day-today' or admin type book.  You could make it available for online download to keep costs to a minimum and allow others to post their VMs with specific configs to share/demonstrate ideas.
bjorn bats wrote great
on Mon, Nov 27 2006 8:22 AM Link To This Comment
hi brain,
 
the two book concept is great.
people can choose, i hope the techinal design will be an in dept book.
also maybe a little theory about analysis and design of citrix in common (questions to ask etc) would be nice.
 
greetz bjorn bats
the netherlands
Jeff Embry wrote New Citrix Book(s)
on Mon, Nov 27 2006 12:24 PM Link To This Comment
I vote for two books.  Gives us the option to purchase as needed.
Rick May wrote Share your opinions about our upcoming Citrix book
on Wed, Nov 29 2006 7:07 AM Link To This Comment
I like the idea of a "day-to-day" operations book.  I would suggest some scripting examples of repetitive administrative tasks such as publishing applications, changing the configuration of an application that has already been published, using the resource manager to build reports that management can really understand, etc.
Lee Eilers wrote RE: 2 Books works for me
on Wed, Nov 29 2006 7:24 AM Link To This Comment
Yeah, what he said.....
 
ORIGINAL: mpardee

Just get them done already !

Victor Arteaga wrote PDF!
on Thu, Nov 30 2006 1:52 PM Link To This Comment
Hey! Biran when could see any pdf (demo chaprter) ?:)

Robin Plomp wrote Cps 4.5 books
on Fri, Dec 1 2006 9:47 AM Link To This Comment
I also vote for two books looking forward to read them.
 
Greeting,
 
Robin
Quinla01 wrote Share your opinions about our upcoming Citrix book
on Fri, Dec 1 2006 10:48 AM Link To This Comment
McGraw-Hill released two PS4 books in a similar fashion to what you plan. The first book is "Citrix Access Suite 4 for Windows Server 2003: The Official Guide" and the second is titled "Citrix Access Suite 4 for Windows Server 2003: Advanced Concepts".
 
I purchased both the books having just started in a new position in an environment that uses Citrix PS4. I'll be blunt; the first book (the official guide) is boring the pants of me. There's way too much detail on design and almost no practical examples, in fact it's not until around page 330 that the installation process is explained. I understand this is what some people want, however for 2nd line support its not much use.
 
I've had a flick through the "advanced concepts" book and it looks a little more "hands on". Hopefully I’ll benefit more from reading this book.
 
I think the titles "Design Guide" and "Practical Guide" would have been more appropriate than "official guide" and "advanced concepts"
 
I think the idea of two books is a good one as long as you make clear who your target audience is.
 
Andrew
Quinla01 wrote Share your opinions about our upcoming Citrix book
on Fri, Dec 1 2006 10:51 AM Link To This Comment
Appologies for above post, I copied it from Word which held the formatting.
 
McGraw-Hill released two PS4 books in a similar fashion to what you plan. The first book is "Citrix Access Suite 4 for Windows Server 2003: The Official Guide" and the second is titled "Citrix Access Suite 4 for Windows Server 2003: Advanced Concepts".
 
I purchased both the books having just started in a new position in an environment that uses Citrix PS4. I'll be blunt; the first book (the official guide) is boring the pants of me. There's way too much detail on design and almost no practical examples, in fact it's not until around page 330 that the installation process is explained. I understand this is what some people want, however for 2nd line support its not much use.
 
I've had a flick through the "advanced concepts" book and it looks a little more "hands on". Hopefully I’ll benefit more from reading this book.
 
I think the titles "Design Guide" and "Practical Guide" would have been more appropriate than "official guide" and "advanced concepts"
 
I think the idea of two books is a good one as long as you make clear who your target audience is.
 
Andrew

Guest wrote Updates.... when will they be ready? ..............Your hair looks much better!
on Wed, Oct 17 2007 1:10 PM Link To This Comment
Updates.... when will they be ready? ..............Your hair looks much better!

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