Microsoft books online

[Robert Collins]

I recently heard that Microsoft is planning to or already has have many of their Microsoft Press books available for online downloading. Does anyone know anything about this?

[sluggy]

They have a number of books available as a free download for microsoft certified professionals, but i don't think they will be offering this service to the general public.

[Vortex]

That would be a nice idea but no hope for that...

[Robert Collins]

Ummm....OK, let me ask this then. I have a few MSP books that contain CD's (you know, all the source code for the samples from the book) that I purchased a few years ago but did nothing with them at that time. Now, I am getting into some of the fields that are covered in those books. Well, as it turns out, I loaded the CD onto my HD and started to go through the lessons. In one of the lessons there was no source code printed in the book but the book said that all the source code needed to do this lesson in on the CD. So, I went to the folder that contained the sample source for that lesson and began to rebuild the project. Well, as a result of the compile I discovered that there were missing header files and the compiler was complaining about. I looked in all the folders that were on the CD but they were not there. So I did a complete HD scan for the missing header files thinking that they might be in one of MS Dev. folders. Again, no luck. Well, needless to say I can't build the project until I get those header files. So, I sent an Email to MSP describing my problem and ask them if they had any ideas where I might be able to obtain these missing files. That was 5 weeks ago and I haven't heard anything from them as of yet. I have little hoipe that they ever will respond. So, I went googling hoping that I might find a site that has these missing files or at least direct me as to how to obtain them or maybe even make them. No hope. Then a few days ago I was in a programmer's chat room. I just happen to see two programmers chating and one of them said that Microsoft either had a web site or was planning to have one (be it a MS site or a third party site, I'm not sure) where you could go and get either the book (probably in a PDF format) or the source and files from that book. That's all I know. The problem with the book that I have is that I purchased it back in 1998 but now I think it's either out of print or no longer supported by MS. It's a very good book but without those missing files I'm at a complete stop.

[tenkey]

"All of the necessary code" generally means all code that isn't part of a development kit.

A book on device drivers will not include the headers or the dev software that's already contained in the DDK.

An old gaming book will often tell you to download some game development kit that may not be available any more.

Similarly for DirectX books.

Also, authors have been known to forget to include files they promised. There's nothing like forgetting that you have a special "all projects" include file because it's a "standard" file that you use in other projects (not just the book you finished writing).

[Robert Collins]

I understand what you are saying however the missing files from the CD are only for the project in the book and would not be "standard" as you indicated. Also, the files would not be part of a development kit, DDK, or a DirectX. I'm sure the author forgot to include them but there are more than two missing files (probably more like 5) and that seems very careless on the part of the author. I dont get it how a person can write a book and in that book emphasize on a particular project (the main reason for the book) and then not include the files? If he is that careleass or forgetful then he has no business writing the book in the first place. (considering that Microsoft books tend to be very expensive). A lot of books that I have at least have a way to contact the author or a link to a site where one can get missing files or something. This book has nothing other that the email of Microsoft Press and already 5 weeks have past and no reply back.

[Phil]

Many people who have 'no business' writing books make a very lucrative 'hobby' out of it because they seem to find publishers who are willing to pay them for their mis-information! I'd suggest taking your request for help up a level or two at MSP if you can find a way to contact someone there. Five weeks is a long time to wait for a non-reply!

[sluggy]

And the profit making window of opportunity is quite small for these types of books, which is another reason why they rush them out the door. And that is also why you find books written by 15 guys: it is a lot quicker to produce a book with 15 authors than just one  :snooty:

[PBrennick]

Robert,
To get a gauanteed response from MSP, send a cerified letter to the MS licensing department at the following address:

Microsoft Corporation
ATTN:  Licensing Department
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399 

Be sure it is certified and perhaps return receipt requested.  This forces them to acknowledge your letter and you will get a reply, guaranteed.  You MUST include a department in the address or they will refuse the letter and the Licensing Department is the boss of the corporation.

Paul