Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding book if you're a proficient VB developer
Review: This book is for those people that use VB quite a bit and already know most of the product. It fills in the gaps quickly. It seems a bit light though in the Data/ADO/MTS sections for the distributed exams (but I have not taken that exam yet, just practice ones).
Rating: 
Summary: Great book, but not for beginers
Review: If you had finished the VB Programmer's Guide and understood generally what's going on in Ch.9 and 10, this is a very valuable book for you. I don't like those very big books trying to cover everything from begining to expert level. This is a relatively thin book with all the materials you need after got the basic concept of VB and COM.
Rating: 
Summary: Admirable idea, takes too much for granted
Review: I was excited when I heard the author prepared this book for experienced developers. However, it is apparent that this is just code for those experienced with developing Visual Basic applications, not taking into account the rest of us out here learning Visual Basic through ASP and VBA. As an ASP developer, I know how to register components, and write all the necessary code. But I'd like to know how to build a menu for an application. Apparently Mr Foxall thinks that means I shouldn't be reading his book. I would suggest Mr Foxall be less condescending when targeting his audience. Yes, there are experienced developers out here who want to get MCSD certified without having the prior experience of building menus, and who would like to rip up the copious amounts of this book devoted to COM basics.
Rating:
Summary: Clear and Concise, A book that values YOUR time
Review: Finally, a book that can effectively prepare me for the Visual Basic exams. This is my third book purchased to study for the Visual Basic exams. The first two books were shelved after the first couple of chapters. I have been coding Visual Basic professionally off and on since version 1.0. This book was love at first site. After reading the first chapter, I know that even if I did not proceed with the exams I was not wasting my time reading the book. The information is concise, informative and real world.This book is a survival guide as well as a study guide. I already used the book several times to resolve programming issues and design techniques. 80% of my development time is programming around the Visual Basic quirks and unknowns. The book touches on these quirks and defines the fine line differences. The kicker of it all, I e-mailed the author a question relating to a topic in the book. He e-mailed me back a response within an hour with different resolution options.
Rating:
Summary: The Best
Review: I used MSPress VB 6 Study Kits as well as New Riders to prepare for my MCSD exams. I passed my 70-175 today with 914. I actually thought I was ready after reading the above mentioned books. When a friend suggested this one I thought it would not hurt to try it out. This is the best investment I have made in books. This book is not for the begginer. It is a treasure chest of practical information. It feels like I am speaking to a very experience professor whom is giving me all the tricks of the trade. This guy actually answers questions others assume you know the answer for. After certifying yourself sell off all your VB study books and just keep this on your shelf together with the MS Reference Library.
Rating:
Summary: Great book - exactly what I was looking for.
Review: Great buy ! A good resource for experience VB programmers looking to get certified. It assumes you know all the basics and focuses on all relevant aspects of VB. Especially useful because programmers generally use a restricted set features but this book gives a good overall understanding of all topics.
Rating:
Summary: A book for the rest of us
Review: I have looked at several of the MCSD books available and most tend to spend too much time on things every VB programmer should know before even *considering* certification. You will not find how to fill a listbox in this book. Or how to create a control array. Another thing about most of the MCSD books that bothers me, is that most of them cut and paste their tutorial sample code from Microsoft... no origninality and little real-world issues. This author covers real world issues that are truly important when designing a VB project. His style of writing is clear and straightforward. I appreciate this. Microsoft makes an effort to make the MCSD certification meaningful by including questions on the exams that you will only know the answer to if you have confronted the issue in your own experience or know the concepts so well, that you can think through the problem to a solution. This weeds out people who have no experience whatsoever and study a book in order to get the cert. I enjoyed the coverage of incorporating help and optimization; issues that can really make or break an application. This book is NOT a How to Program with VB beginner book... rather a discussion of the key concepts that experienced programmers need to know to be certified. Thank you Mr. Foxall!
Rating:
Summary: The Reviews were right!
Review: I purchased this book because of all the positive reviews it got.And it seems that everyone that I read was a good review.
So,I started reading it the day I got it.I have only been through the first 3 chapters . I have already learned more about COM and three-tier applications,than any MS Press book I have read.I would have to say the author does and outstanding job at going in depth about topics.Also,he lets you know what is more then likey to show up on the exams.He's not one of those authors who just knows VB,he is actually MCSD certified.I think that has to say a whole lot about him and his experince.
I would say coming from someone who has only read 3 chapters of the book and giving it 5 stars.That should say enough about this book as a study guide or just to sharpen your skills as a VB Developer.I recommend this book for any VB Developer to add to his library. NOTE:I dont recommend it if you are trying to learn VB ,that's probablly not going to happen.
Rating:
Summary: A Tremendous Help
Review: I just passed 70-176 today and I have to give James Foxall's book a lot of credit. It covered all the areas covered on the exam and does an excellent job at it. I do have to say this, however, that his or anybody elses book alone will not guarantee a passing grade. You definitely need to supplement any book with Transcender. Transcender helped me uncover the areas I was weak in and Jim's book helped me brush up on those areas. The two together will go a long way towards success. I also have very little real world experience in VB. Most of it was through what I did on my own and what seems like a mountain of exercises. So any of you that have day to day experience in VB and haven't taken any of the exams, then this book + Transcender + your experience --- hey, you've got it made.
Rating:
Summary: Made Me a MCP
Review: I cleared the MCP vb desktop exam with high marks and this is the book which really helped me achieve it.This book covered 90 % of the exam needs.The matter in the book is directly related to the exam , however it does miss certain details like the 'will events' of ADO.Neverthless I will like to thank Mr Foxall for a excellent book.
| 
