Can someone help me clarify something...couple of questions:

LAB# 12 (Discontiguous OSPF areas with Virtual Links)

"non-backbone (not area 0) areas can be used for inter-area transit if a shorter path can be found through them, and if the TransitCapability parameter has been set to TRUE"

We can do inter-area routing if we DON'T cross area 0 (as long as we use a virtual link AND the cost is lower than the inter-area link through area 0----AND the capability transit=true).  

Should the metric have been lower through R5, would the only way to make this work would be to modify the metric?

This makes sense.....but my confusion comes with the next one..

LAB# 13 (OSPF Path Selection with Non-Backbone Transit Areas):

"Under normal conditions, R6 should choose to route through R1 because this is the route through area 0. However, if the capability transit feature is enabled, which it is by default, R6 can choose the shorter path through area 1 to R4, resulting in the final metric of 4 via R4 being installed in the routing table"

My question....even with the virtual link in place between R1 and R6..doesn't R4 AND R1 have links to area 0?  R4 has a lower-cost link to R5 IN area 0...  The solution to this question works under the assumption that R4 is not part of area 0.

..I'm confused

Let me know if that makes sense!