From: Alex Papadimoulis

Date:18 Aug 2005

 

I was delighted to see that you picked a quote from DiMauro/Balena's "best" practices book. From my thorough reading of the book, I can say that the quote is representative sample of the quality and accuracy of their work. I commented on in detail on this book's shortcomings and problems in my harsh review, but to my surprise, I was lambasted for having the audacity to criticize such experts.

 

I can see that it's pretty easy to become a "self-proclaimed" expert. But how on Earth do people like this become "recognized" experts? Moreover, why are books like theirs published?

 

Ok, those are both rhetorical questions; I've enough of your articles to know your take on the problem. Still, thought I'd just vent for a little bit.

 

 

From: Fabian Pascal

 

If I recall correctly, I picked up the quote from your review. I don't ever read such crap. Welcome to the club: I am lambasted for that all the time. That's how I know I must be doing something right.

 

One never ceases to be dismayed by all this, no matter how jaded one becomes. Because the consequences are so bad [and there is no bottom to ignorance and stupidity].

 

 

From: Alex Papadimoulis

 

Thought I'd share with you how I came across this book.

 

A colleague had self-taught himself the .NET language and wanted to learn "best practices" for using the technology. He chose the DiMauro/Balena book because of its title, its publishing by Microsoft Press, and the creditability ("regional directors")  of the authors.

 

In the past, while he was learning programming, I'd often give guidance in .NET and relational databases. But after reading that book, he questioned all the advice I had given: "I think you were wrong about never using AUTONUMBERS/GUID as primary keys. This says I should *always* use them."

 

Thankfully, I had pretty easy time disabusing his belief in these newfound "best practices." The book itself was quite helpful in that effort as it contradicts itself from page to page. He joined me in becoming outraged at the book and later returned it to the store.

 

No less, it truly pains me to think of all the people who didn't have some one else step in and say, "Oh my God, you have got to be kidding me!"

 

 

Posted 11/4/2005