MCSD: Windows Architecture I Study Guide [With Contains Links & Demonstration Software...]

This book and its complementary text (WA II) really do a good job of covering the subject matter that any MS-app developer should be familiar with. I studied other material before reading these texts, and I just wasn't sure if I was really learning what I need to know for my profession. These books really gave me a comfort level that I did not have before. That, to me, is more important than being a certified solution developer (which I now am).Study, learn, and earn more in return :)

If there is one book to read for WSA I, this is it. I just took my test and passed with flying colors.

I bought the book on a wednesday, I took a week off from work and read WOSA I in 6 days and passed the test on the next wednesday after getting it. It is all you need. The second book in the series is just as good and I repeated, in fact beat, the same schedule the next week.It helps if you are/were a C programmer, as the bias in COM (component object model) Interface programming favors C.But the book is complete, read it, do all the homework problems and bear with the CD's software and you can make it.I enjoyed the two books, I just wish I had more time to relax and enjoy them.They really put the Microsoft pieces together, and their is no other way to understand where we are without reading these two excellent books.Trying to use MSDN is much much tougher than reading these books.Prayer helps too, so God bless you all. Charlie Jennings MCSE, and now MCSD

This book was the ONLY material I needed to pass this exam. A great chart on the back flap notes all focus areas of the exam and the pages in the book where there is related material. The book leaves a lot for the reader to still learn, though that material is not on the exam, you owe it to yourself to learn it. Much of this material will still be relevant on the new MCSD architecture exam. Chapter quizzes are very weak. A great combo w/Transcender exams!

I thank the authors and publisher for waiting "to get it just right". This book is very well thought out and makes sense. Other study guides I've looked at seem to be take a shotgun approach and end-up being all over the place and lack a real focus. The focus in this book is perfect. The questions at the end of each chapter are invaluable and really help with retention. You tend to remeber the little detatils you probably would have blown on the test.As many have mentioned, the WA I & II exams are still valid until July of 2000. With guides available *now* (not to mentioned the tests) why not get certified now and then focus on the new exams later. (None of the new exams are going to even be in beta until September, and we all know MS's on-time delivery track record....)