Customer Reviews

Pro Azure Services Platform (Expert's Voice in .NET)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was hoping this would give me a solid understanding of how to best architect a Windows Azure solution. Instead, it gave me a good understanding of how to pump out a 600 page tech book in as little time as possible.

As another reviewer mentioned, this book consists of tons of screen shots. I'm not against screen shots when they provide something of value, but most of these screen shots consist of simple web pages. It seems as though they were only included as a way to increase page count.

Not only that, the author seems to have copied and pasted chunks of text from one section to another. Indeed, in some places, it looks as if he even forgot to change the heading when he did so.

In general, typos don't bother me, but it seems to be more evidence that this book was rushed out the door.

In summary: don't bother. Use MSDN and other internet resources until a better book comes out.

This is a very disappointing book. It may be the worst tech book I've ever seen. A significant part of the book is actually spent showing screenshots of Azure and competing services and then reiterating what the text on the screenshot says. Reading this book feels like when your talking to someone who really does have something of value to tell you, but they drown it in so much useless verbiage that you become frustrated and angry because they just can't get to the point and communicate. I'm not really sure what this book is trying to communicate. I think it might be "Don't buy me."

BTW, despite the harsh review I have tremendous respect to anyone who spends their time writing a tech book these days. I know it's a job with little in the way of rewards so thank you to Mr. Redkar for taking the time to write this book. I think the problems here are almost entirely due to the total lack of editing. Shame on Apress for letting this one get through.

The book, Windows Azure Platform, covers all three major core services: Windows Azure, AppFabric, and SQL Azure. The book also contains a significant section on Blob storage. For readers who are beginning to learn Windows Azure Platform, this a book explains key concepts in a systematic and logical order. The book is useful resource to learn what Windows Azure platform has to offer. The focus of this book is centered around Azure architecture. This is not a book for programmers who want to develop enterprise Azure solutions and the book offers scattered, small amount of code samples.

Like you, I have probably 500 lbs. of tech books at my house and work. I want to thank the author, Tejaswi Redkar for doing such a good job.

I'm new to Azure and this book walked me through the steps perfectly. I, unlike the some of the other reviewers appreciate the screen shots. Somethings are a little different now as Azure matures, but it still got me there.

If you want to get up to speed on Azure, get the book.

Robert

ps: *** I strongly suggest (to the two gentlemen that gave this book 2 stars) you should clean out your bong's immedately!!!

the writer use all the easy example to show you how the program it work and I hope writhe will have another book soon.

I've read the several books on Azure published by mid-2010, and all but this one belong in the trash. Redkar's book is the one I use as a handbook, because he not only covers the material, but does so with some thought and some effort to guide one in the nascent practice of developing software for the Azure Cloud.

This book includes all the latest changes to the platform and covers them in great detail. This is probably the best book on Windows Azure in the market currently with a lot of code to play with. This is not an intro book but a hardcore developer's walkthrough of Windows Azure. The illustrations are clear. I read this book cover to cover and here is overall opinion. "Ch 1 gives an overview of cloud vendors which I found very useful compared to other reviewers. Ch 2 is weak and introduces Windows Azure. The real meat is from Ch 3-9 where the author goes deep into all the Windows Azure features and walks you through several examples. Overall a "Strong Buy" for Windows Azure.

The book covers almost all the Windows Azure features and helps you understand the details of the platform and its capabilities. I would have liked more coverage on ACS (Ch 7) with reduction in Ch 2. Ch 2 is basic that shows you Windows Azure portal and tools. Ch 3 covers Windows Azure compute, Ch 4, 5, 6, is on storage. 7-8 are AppFabric and 9 is SQL Azure. Th case study in SQL Azure is very interesting. Editing could have been better by the publisher. But overall a very good book on Windows Azure. 600+ pages of core platform.
-James

This book is simply the most comprehensive book you will find on the Azure platform.

It provides clear guidance on why and how you should use the Azure platform, as well as detailed documentation on all of the relevant areas, compute, storage, communication, etc...

The code samples are also very relevant and useful. It also includes useful comparisons to other cloud computing platforms, so you understand what you get with Azure compared to other cloud platforms.

This is the book to buy of you are serious about the Azure platform!