Frequently Asked Questions

• I understand that the book will be released when WDF is released. But what date will the book be available?
  Yeah, we’re behind...we know. With the workload we've been under here, the availability of our book, has been delayed. . While there is no definitive publication date, all pre-order customers will be notified when one is determined. We thank you for your patience, and continued support.

• What information does the book cover?
  The book covers the basic concepts of using the Kernel Mode Driver Framework to build drivers for all sorts of hardware, including PCI and USB type devices. It also covers using WDF to write filter drivers. A copy of the outline is currently available on the book's homepage.
  
  
• I loved your book "Windows NT Device Driver Development." Will this book be similar to that one?
  No, it won't be very similar. The "Introduction to WDF" book is part of the OSR Press "How To" series. Books in this series use examples to introduce the reader to complex areas of technology. Our "Introduction to WDF" book will be just what the title says: an introduction. It will not attempt to exhaustively cover all aspects of WDF or even the Kernel Mode Driver Framework.
  
  
• Will your book discuss the User Mode Driver Framework?
  A little. The book focuses on the Kernel Mode Driver Framework. If sufficient details are public when our book is released, we may add a chapter on the UMDF at the end of the book.
  
  
• Did Microsoft sponsor the development of this book?
  While we were fortunate enough to have extraordinary cooperation from Microsoft's WDF team while writing the book, Microsoft did not provide any formal sponsorship for the book's development.
  
  
• Did OSR work on the Kernel Mode Driver Framework with Microsoft?
  Well, we didn't write any code, if that's what you mean. But, given that we're highly active members of the driver development community, and that we spend a ton of time working at Microsoft on a variety of projects, OSR has been very active in providing ideas and feedback, as well as actively testing and using WDF since its initial inception.
  
  
• I heard you're writing a book on Vista drivers? Is "Introduction to WDF" that book?
  No. We're actively working on a major book for Microsoft Press that has the working title "Writing Drivers for Windows Vista." That book will be the definitive guide to developing device drivers for that operating system, and will complement our "Intro to WDF" book.
  
  
• Will your Vista book (from MS Press) cover WDF?
  Yes.
  
  
• Where will I be able to purchase "Introduction to WDF?"
  We hope you'll buy all your OSR Press books directly from the OSR Online Store!
  
  
• Why should I buy your "Introduction to WDF" book from the OSR Online store?
  Buying OSR Press books directly from OSR allows us to keep book prices low. It's not like we make a ton of money on these books, you know. Larger sites demand enormous commissions (like, 40% of the cover price) or other fees to stock books from small publishers. As a result, it's hard to even cover our costs selling from those sites.
  
  (If that's not enough incentive for you, how about this: We're currently accepting pre-orders at the OSR Online Store and that is the best way to insure that you're able to secure a copy from the first printing, rather than perhaps having to wait for vendor stock to come in from a subsequent printing, later on.)
  

  
  
  
• Didn't I hear that there was some special pre-order thing with a big discount and author-signed copies?
  Yep, right after we announced the book we had a special promotion wherein all pre-orders reserved signed copies at a significant discount off of the retail price. That offer ran for over a month and concluded on June 1st. While the current pre-order offer doesn't include signatures, it still saves you some bucks over the regular retail price, guarantees you receive a copy from the first printing, and will give you a deep sense of total fulfillment. (Okay, we made the last part up. But the rest of it is totally true.)
  
  
• Will "Introduction to WDF" be available from amazon.com?
  We expect so. But we still hope you'll buy our books from the OSR Online Store.
  
  
• I'd like to look through "Introduction to WDF" before I buy it. Where can I get my hands on a copy?
  Ask a friend if you can look through theirs. If they don't have a copy (say, because it hasn't been released yet...), you'll be able to see the table of contents and more information on the book's homepage.
  
  
• I see a long list of names listed as authors for the book. Who are all these people?
  They're all members of the OSR engineering staff.
  
  
• Did all the people listed on the cover really write this book?
  Yes.
  
  
• Why are Peter and Tony's names listed first in the author list?
  Because we listed the authors by their approximate weight.
  Well, actually, the authors are listed according to how long they've been at OSR.
  
  

Didn't find the answers to all of your burning questions here? We apologize. Here's a few more options for you:

• Go directly to the book's very own home on the web
  More "Introduction to the Windows Driver Foundation: Kernel Mode Driver Framework" information is just a click away.
  
  
• Go directly to the OSR Press page for more general information
  Yep, OSR Press gets its own page, too.
  
  
• Go order your own copy of "Introduction to the Windows Driver Foundation: Kernel Mode Driver Framework"
  Just in case you happened to miss the dozen or so links to the OSR Online Store, above.
  
  
• None of those quite fit the bill?
  Contact us!