Windows Architecture Series: Part 1
Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I first became an MCSD1, the requirements were different from today's2 : there were two required exams, the infamous Windows Operating Systems and Services Architecture (WOSSA3) I and II, and two electives (I chose VB4 and Access 2). WOSSA I was called the "OLE trivia test" because about 70%4 of the test covered, well, OLE(2.0).
There were very few MCSDs compared with today in part because of the difficulty of the WOSSA tests, particularly the first one. Not that the material was that hard to comprehend, or the questions that unfair - most folks passed on the second try after realizing what they needed to study for - there simply weren't any good obvious references to explain things like OLE. Microsoft had released a collection of articles and documentation called Readings on Microsoft Windows and WOSA - Preparation for the Microsoft Operating Systems and Services Architecture I and II Exams (Microsoft Press, 1995, ISBN 1-55615-836-X) but most folks didn't know of this book's existence, and even those who did fell asleep while reading it. A more popular, but no less somnambulant work is Kraig Brockschmidt's Inside OLE, 2nd Edition (Microsoft Press, 1995, ISBN 1-55615-843-2), a nearly 1200 page manifesto on all that was/is/shall be OLE 2.0.5 Armed with these two resources, one could conquer the dreaded WOSSA I.
If you've read my instructor introduction then you know that I did nothing with Windows programming until Windows 95 and VB4 (and you'll also have figured out I can't tell a short story... ;-) - bear with me, this is going somewhere...) I worked for one of those training center chains initially teaching end-user classes.6 Due to my previous programming experience and my possession of a pulse (meow), I was put into the MCSD track and scheduled to take classes.
I was supposed to take a beginning VB4 class first, but something went very wrong and instead I was put into MS 484 - WOSSA. It was a three day journey through the dim and desolate pits of Hades. Terms went gleefully whizzing over my head. The instructor and a C++ (gasp) guru got into an esoteric debate apparently involving some of these wing-ed demons. "Lost" does not begin to describe how I felt. It was January in Chicago and I was clearly incredibly stupid because I could not understand what on earth was being said. I despaired of ever becoming certified.
The class ended on a Wednesday. I had (oh, yes, "had") to take the WOSSA I test in 10 days. I dutifully read my Readings book while on the El train to and from work (motivation to not fall asleep for fear of missing the stops). I fretted. I worried. I took the test....
I failed by ONE question.
The test was rescheduled for the following Saturday. On Wednesday I took WOSSA II. And failed that one by one question. Life was so unfair.
Saturday I retook WOSSA I and passed with a vengeance. I was a Microsoft Certified Product Specialist. Wheee. The next Saturday I retook WOSSA II and passed, no vengeance. Yay. I was now a Microsoft Certified Trainer capable of teaching the dreaded MS 484, which fortunately was hardly ever held. On Monday I relaxed, teaching an intermediate level Windows 95 class (how to use the Briefcase...woooo!).
Until lunch.
The training manager intercepted me in the hallway with words I think I shall never forget: "We forgot we had a 484 scheduled for this week, starting Wednesday, and since you're certified to teach it now..."
They forgot. They forgot. "I'll take the Ring to Mordor, sure..."
My first class as a vaunted Microsoft Certified Trainer was not only the absolute worst, most hideous, most problematic, most evil course Microsoft offered, but I had no clue what I was teaching. I was toast. I was lunch. The C++ guys were going to have my guts for garters. (Really inspires faith in the chain training centers, eh? ;-)
Well, I lucked out. No C++ guys. I had four total beginner students who had only worked with Access. I survived those three days and my students all went on to pass their tests - the first time. Believe me, there is nothing like teaching a subject to make you learn it...MS 484 became my specialty. I loved teaching that class. I was very sad when it went away. Dan Appleman mentioned in the ActiveX course book that he thinks folks should start by learning COM/ActiveX before learning VB, per se. I totally agree. When I did get around to taking the VB4 courses I was able to start using class modules/OLE servers right away and think in a pre-planned object-based manner.
So, tomorrow we start where I started with those four innocent guinea students seven years ago: it's not directly OLE or COM/ActiveX, but it's Windows Architecture and you'll need to be one with Virtual Memory first....
1A.D. 1996. MCSDs of that era also had to carry our own baskets of coal (to fuel the computers), uphill, in a snow storm, whilst being hunted by ravenous wolves.
2The current MCSD track is the 3rd incarnation of the certification. And if you consider the MCSD.NET, that is the 4th incarnation.
3Not to be confused with WOSA - Windows Open Services Architecture - covered on the WOSSA II exam...
4The rest was 32-bit memory addressing, virtual memory, UI guidelines, and when to use Windows 95 vs. NT. WOSSA II was the ODBC and MAPI trivia test, with some TAPI and Sockets thrown in for good measure.
5Brockschmidt's book is excellent, if a bit dry, but, hey, it's a technical monograph - it's supposed to be dry.
6Yes, I have stories about creative mouse usage and students asking which country speaks Wingdings...
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