Datagrid Girl

Wow...you do read a lot...:)

Didn't know that's how MS does interviews but then again I didn't know a lot of things before I started reading your cool blog.

Nobius

I read it before my interview @ MCS and it was totally unnecessary - I wasn't asked a single riddle. I guess when you are claiming to be a .NET architect there is enough technical material to quiz on with resorting to round manhole covers and the number of gas stations in Texas...

The book might come in helpful for college grads or others who have little to show on their resumes and will be accepted mostly on the basis of their intellect. However in those cases the book won't help you if you aren't already "smart" enough. It really focuses on the Microsoft history and doesn't go very deep into the various problem solving techniques needed to pass riddle-based tests.

My $0.02

Just understand that none of the questions in the book are going to be asked. So the back half of the book is a fascinating read, especially if you like working out puzzles.

"Why are manhole covers round" is SO 1980's anyway :)

Yeah, the new question is "why manhole covers at all?" ;-)

Actually, I honestly believe there will always be value to this book (or others like it), for a few reasons:

1. It does a really good job of explaining why Microsoft interviews the way it does (whether you agree or not)
2. If nothing else, it gives you 'a mind for puzzles'

I've found that since reading the book I take less things for granted, ask more questions and generally feel more prepared for a variety of things.

Even if that's all you get out of the book, it's worth 16$. Better bang for buck than seeing Shrek 2 anyways ;-)

It's a good one. I enjoyed reading it and still keep a copy for occasional puzzles. I have a side link to the book on http://www.techinterviews.com/ since it's relevant to the job interview process, and I sell about 3-4 copies a week, according to Amazon reports.

do it has chinese version?