DirectX API information - where?

[Tels]

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Moin,

I want to learn more about the directx and general windows APIs. Now
I looked at some books, but was very unsure as to buy what and where, if
ever.

First, it seems that good books about these topics come from Microsoft
Press. Naturally I don't want to support them ;)
Second, it seems that you need for the examples and SDK Visual C++ - again
from MS. Eeek!
And of course, you have to run and use it under Windows *sigh*
I am also worried about the different EULAs, licence and all that other
stuff "tainting" me - even though I do believe that all of this stuff isn't
legal binding for me anyway. But you never know.

So, my question: Where can I obtain *free* information about the API's,
their working etc. What do you use? Books you can advise?

Thank you in advance,

Tels

- --
 "Why do you go so slowly? Do you think this is some kind of game?"
 PGP key available on http://bloodgate.com/tels.asc or via email.
 perl -MDev::Bollocks -e'print Dev::Bollocks->rand(),"\n"'
 appropriately cultivate error-free convergence


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