With this book, measureUp exams and MSDN just took me two weeks to prepare WOSA I and I passed with 811. I used the same formula for WOSA II and I also passed. It's true that the book have some errors, but those help me to test my achievemets while i Was studying.

This book is very good - as long as you don't use the CD-based test engine, as it WILL screw up your VB environment, and it doesn't score right. Make sure you download the errata from Sybex's website too. I found the material presented very well for study. I studied one chapter a day, doing all the sample questions. Then, once I'd finished studying from the book, I used the Transcenders. This formula will get you through. However, the book is a little thin in some areas including COM and ODBC Compliance. I took the exam today. The pass mark was 724 and I scored 840. Now it's on to Win Arch II...

This book is very good - as long as you don't use the CD-based test engine, as it WILL screw up your VB environment, and it doesn't score right. Make sure you download the errata from Sybex's website too. I found the material presented very well for study. I studied one chapter a day, doing all the sample questions. Then, once I'd finished studying from the book, I used the Transcenders. This formula will get you through. However, the book is a little thin in some areas including COM and ODBC Compliance. I took the exam today. The pass mark was 724 and I scored 840. Now it's on to Win Arch II...

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 :)

Although it helped me a lot that I have been providing solutions on Windows platform for over three years now, this book really reinforced what I already know. The Trancenders Software is a great way to test what you've learned from this book. Btw, I am basing my ratings only on the book as I wasn't able to use the accompanying software.

Although it helped me a lot that I have been providing solutions on Windows platform for over three years now, this book really reinforced what I already know. The Trancenders Software is a great way to test what you've learned from this book. Btw, I am basing my ratings only on the book as I wasn't able to use the accompanying software.

I read the book, took the Transcender tests and passed the Microsoft test at first attempt. Some areas in the book are covered in too much detail. The Review questions are not very good. The Transcender test are a definite must to accompany the book. PS. This combo is propably the cheapest way to pass the test.

I read the book, took the Transcender tests and passed the Microsoft test at first attempt. Some areas in the book are covered in too much detail. The Review questions are not very good. The Transcender test are a definite must to accompany the book. PS. This combo is propably the cheapest way to pass the test.

I used this book along with SelfTest software and did very well on this test (I didn't study nearly as long for this test as Windows Architecture II) For me it was easier because I actually have used some of the tools and concepts in the book, but I found this book much more geared to giving you the information you need than the WinArch II book (which is good, but not as good as this one.)

This book does an excellent job of covering the key points that the Win Arch I exam hits on. For the most part this book has what you need to pass the exam. Certain sections are rather thin though, and should be supplemented with material from the MSDN Library. I used the Measure Up! online exam simulations along with this text to prepare and found an online testing service like this (or Trancender) to be invaluble. In fact some of the questions on the exam were practically exactly the same as ones I'd seen on the online testing!

Strikes against this text: The CD never worked, there were errors in the answers that needed to be corrected, and the aforementioned glossing over of some topics.

Essentially if you use this book as a roadmap, supplement it with readings from MSDN, and use online testing you'll be fine.

I used this book in conjuction with Transcender (very important!) and passed the first time with an 855!

I found this book to be what I needed from a WinArch I study guide. I, for one, am REASONABLE about my expectations. The questions has some errors, but the content was excellent. I think the people on here who gripe so much just want someone to take the exam FOR them. Ridiculous. There is no way this book rates anything less than 4 stars compared to what else I've seen out there! THANKS TO THE AUTHORS!

Get editors who can do there job and programmers who can actually code to do the test engine and I'd give ya a 5!

Let's face it. Exams 70-160 and 70-161 are necessary evils between you and the MCSD cert. Nobody relishes studying stuff you don't use on regular basis any less than me. But this book and the transcender tests were good enough to keep me interested and pass the exam with flying colors.

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

The ExamReady Test Engine installation screws up your Visual Basic 5 environment by replacing msvbvm50.dll and comcat.dll with bogus versions. The fix on Sybex's web site is incomplete as it only supplies msvbvm50.dll. Save these DLLs before running the ExamReady installation, restore them after the installation, and then run regsvr32 on both DLLs.

I passed WinArch I at the first attempt but only just! The text is easy to read but the practise tests are nothing like the Microsoft exam and have too many errors. Ensure you check the errata section on the Sybex web site. Also look for more realistic tests from companys like Transcender.

The software for the test engine never worked correctly even with the patches supplied by Sybex. I had to resort to hand checking each answer after completing an exam.

I found this book easy to read. It provided the necessary information to pass the Windows Arch. I exam. I am afraid I did not find it as good as the New Riders series, but then New Riders did not have a book to cover this exam. The test engine could be better (I did not like going through all 400+ test questions for full exam.) But, still the best book I've found for this exam.

This book was useful for the WinArch I exam, but only for certain subjects. For example, the chapters on database technologies and on threads and processes are excellent, but the ones on COM and Internet technologies are very weak. A couple of annoying things about this book are that the answers to the sample questions are frequently wrong (be sure to download the errata from the Sybex web site), and that the author's sycophantic tone makes every little detail of Microsoft technology sound like God's gift to humanity. Still, I definitely recommend this book over the Prendergast volume, which I found long-winded, cluttered, and opinionated (very polemical against Microsoft, just as annoying if not more so). It is geared specifically towards the exam requirements and really helped me fill in the gaps in certain areas (like the Solutions Framework). I used it along with the Transcender exams and MSDN, and passed with a 971. By the way, the two WinArch exams are so close to one another that you really should prepare for them together. The other Sybex volume complements this one well -- it's even more inconsistent (be warned), but the Internet material, especially on ASP and component download, is quite a bit better. I used both books thoroughly and (almost) felt I got my money's worth!

I'm in the middle of studying for the Arc-I exam and find this book to be a great study guide. Well worth the money.

In previous reviews it's been mentioned that the "Transcender" exams are a good addition to this study guide. Where do I go to get the Transcender exams?

This is a pretty good book. For the simplier aspects of the test such as VSS, development tools, MSF, and Internet it provides enough info. But, for COM, unless you are an experienced in C++ or have authored components with VB, go to MSDN and search their OLE and COM papers. They are free, comprehensive, and well-written. It also contains good info on Data Access topics. One last thing, Do not trust the answers to the questions at the end of the chapters!

I reviewed MCSD Win Arch I (Ezzell) and Win Arch II (Lee) over a period of three weeks and passed Win Arch I test on Aug 21 and Win Arch II test on Aug 24. I would highly recommend that both books be reviewed concurrently as there is a great deal of overlap in the two tests, and the books tend to reinforce each other.

Both books are reasonably well written and easy to comprehend. Along with these two books, get the Transcender tests, and you're well on your way.

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 am so terribly disappointed with this book. In fact, as a paying customer, I am quite upset. I strongly recommend against purchasing it. The book is misleading and full of factual errors. The included practice tests and software are buggy and contradict the text.

I planned on taking three days over a weekend to cover the material as a last preparation for the exam. By Sunday early in the afternoon, I was so frustrated with the book, I ran out to buy Mr. Prendegast's volume.

The original version of this this review took up the full 1000 word limit for reviews here at Amazon.com. I cited a number of examples from the book and I was pretty hard on Mr. Ezzell. I decided not to publicly trash him. I passed the exam, but I can't say this book helped me at all.

The chapters were well divided and easy to understand. In another arch book I purchased, the author tried to amuse you with stories and impress you will his large vocabulary. This book gives a quick real world reference at the beginning of each chapter and then gets right to the details you need to know in a plain and clear manner. The sample test on the CD was great. It allows the user to take the test in sections, allowing you to focus on problem areas. I passed the test on the first try after reading this book.

I liked this book a great deal. It presented the relevant information clearly and consisely. It does not go overboard in explanation, but instead, tells one what they need to answer the test questions. This is not always a good thing. However, in the area of test taking, this is a great thing. One is already in info overload in studying for a test like this and added, extra info just makes it harder. For an absolutely great book on Windows Architecture get Bruce Pendergast's tome from IDG. For an excellent and consise study guide to the Win Arch I & II exams get this book and its mate. For the best (and what most people should do IMO) get both and digest the material in both. Good luck!

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....)

It's a good book, well written with a nice writing style that is easy to read. Nicely laid out with good questions and not too many errors. Comparing this with Transcender, almost all of the answers (90%+) are right in here.

Another nice thing about this book is that unlike the other MCSD study guide it's focused on the exam subjects and doesn't make a hard test any harder by not telling you straight out and making you find all the answers yourself or giving you non-test material.

Who cares that Microsoft screwed up the MCSD track. These tests are still good for at least another 2 years, and by then the requirements are probably going to change again anyway. Besides, the new tests aren't even going to be available for another 6 months.

If you want the MCSD I say don't wait...go for it. The information in this book you're going to need to know anyway. Although I haven't finsihed the book yet, it is pretty obvious to me that you will easily be able to pass the exam ! ! with this book.

I was very disappointed about the change in the MCSD Certification requirements because I had just ordered the books and they were no longer on the required list. However, I called Microsoft and learned that you can still do the old track. The Architecture I & II will still be valid until around 2000. Seeing that the new stuff isn't ready yet, I can still get my certification and then when these exams are retired, I can just do some of the new ones to retain my certification.

So the MCSD requirements have shifted..like I'm going to wait to get certified! I'm only about half through the book, but it has been presented clearly, with no marketing hype. Good questions, too. A couple of typos here and there, but a good investment! I'm going after the Windows Arch. II book as soon as I finish this one!

I was on Microsoft's Web site recently and they advised that the MCSD program was being revised. According to them the exams that this volume is supposed to cover will be discontinued.

The new exams will be out at the end of this year, so what is the point of this book?