Book Review - MCAD/MCSD Training Guide (70-310): Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Visual Basic .NET and the .NET Framework

Best Text for the Certification Exam
This book is not perfect, but it is the best one you can get in order to prepare for the XML Web Services and Server Components certification exam. That is based on my own experience in using this book and in passing the exam. Mike Gunderloy is a very good writer, and I purchased the book sight-unseen based on the quality of his ADO.NET book that I had previously read. As page one says, "Every objective is covered in this book." Chapter Four covers Basic Web Services, and Chapter Five covers Advanced Web Services. The book also covers .NET Remoting, Windows Services, and Component Services just as much as it does web services which is very important. The "web services" exam, as it is commonly known, actually covers these other topics just as much as it covers web services.
It had been a few years since I last purchased a certification book from Que press, and I can say their quality has improved quite significantly. The format of this book is wonderful. There are plenty of sidebar notes, exam tips, frequent review breaks, step-by-step code examples, review notes at the end of every chapter, and sample review questions. There is also a handy Fast Facts review chapter in the back along with a practice exam.

My only complaint is that I found the .NET Remoting chapter to go on forever. The remoting chapter in Jeff Prosise's Programming Microsoft .NET really pulled the topic together for me. It had been awhile since I used the various XML classes in .NET. I also read Dino Esposito's Applied XML Programming for Microsoft .NET (look up my review on this book) in order to get in-depth coverage of the .NET XML object model. The remoting and web services chapters in this text also helped reinforce everything.

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Book Review - Applied XML Programming for Microsoft .NET by Dino Esposito

*THE* XML book for .NET
Dino Esposito has total, absolute command of the subject matter that he expertly teaches in this book. This is a template for how all technical training books should be written. I wanted in-depth coverage of the XML object library in .NET and that is exactly what this book delivers. This is THE book on XML in .NET. Don't waste your money on anything else.
It is also terrific supplemental material for the Developing XML Web Services and Server Components certification exam. I recommend Mike Gunderloy's book as an all-encompassing source (look up my review for that book); however, I recommend reading the first four chapters of this book before you start Gunderloy's book if you don't have much experience reading and writing XML in .NET. Chapters 12 and 13 on remoting and web services, respectively, are also great sources of exam prep material. In fact, Chapter 12 on .NET Remoting is the best chapter on the subject you will find anywhere.

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Product Review - Pacsafe Explorer by Outpac Designs

Keeps Your Pack Safe
The Pacsafe is an expandable mesh of wire used to envelope your pack and keep it safe. A cable with enough length to encircle a nearby post or otherwise immobile object cinches up the opening of bag and locks with a keyed lock.
I purchased the Pacsafe before taking a trip to the Caribbean and it worked perfectly in keeping my backpack (filled with an expensive laptop and DSLR camera and lens) locked up tight while I was at the beach or elsewhere. I kept the pack in the closet out of sight and cabled it to the clothes rod. I plan on using it extensively on other trips in the future.

On the trip mentioned above I kept my backpack inside the Pacsafe the whole time I was on location simply unlocked it as needed in order to get to my gear. It seems to work best in this scenario since taking a pack in and out of the Pacsafe on a regular basis would be cumbersome. Any loops, straps, side-bags, etc. on you pack will be prone to hanging on the metal mesh as you put it in or take it out of the Pacsafe. Even still, it's definitely worth the peace of mind.

When not in use the Pacsafe folds up into small but heavy wad of metal mesh that can be stuffed into the accompanying bag for it. It's fairly easy to get it back into its container after you have the experience of doing it once or twice. The worst part is that the airport security personnel do not have any clue what these things are. When leaving the island, I had to explain what it was as my checked luggage was being inspected. On the way back my checked luggage was also inspected by the U.S. authorities, likely relating to this I assume.

Finally, be sure not to lose your key!

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