There was some off line discussion earlier today about an attempted post asking about CCIE study materials, in particular vendors of practice labs. I don't see that particular post in the list today, so I'm going to assume that the decision was made not to allow it. And I am going to rant a bit about this and the topic of posting questions like "which study materials, which books, which practice labs are best for whatever?"
Having been a regular participant on this news group for over three years now, I, like many here, have seen these same questions over and over. As the off line discussion went - maybe we should tell whomever just to go search the archives. My rant is this - maybe I'm cynical, and maybe I've seen all the same questions over an over, but dammit, this newsgroup was started to help people prepare for certifications, and dammit just because I or anyone else has seen the same questions over an over doesn't mean that everyone else has. These topics should be permitted, should be discussed, and names should be named. I appreciate the concern about commercial posts. I appreciate that there have been a couple of people who have footers advertising all of their business ventures, and will regularly post "that's right" answers to other posts just to get their products and services out in front of this group. I appreciate that folks like Howard and Priscilla also have books and other things to sell, but are welcome here because of their unselfish participation, and unselfish helpfulness. I appreciate that there are other sources of study materials and rent a rack time than those whose names come up regularly here and over on the CCIE list. I appreciate that some of the purveyors of books and study materials don't bother participating on this forum, but that does not in and of itself say anything about the value of their products or services. I think a forum like this is an appropriate avenue to discuss the options out there. While I personally don't care for a lot of the "what's best" questions because I think they beg he issue and really miss the point, I do think that the purpose of this news list remains exchange of information and advice to those who ask and from those willing to offer. I will finish this "anti rant" with two thoughts. 1) it's up to the participants here to determine how they want things to go. If people don't want to read posts about "what's best" they are certainly free to ignore them. If they can offer advice, I believe people should be free to offer it. I certainly think people should be free to ask. I also think that vendors should not be sneaking in here under false names and false pretenses asking people to comment on their product. 2) in the end, I don't believe that any of the books or classes or practice labs are better than any others in terms of preparing people for certs, particularly for the CCIE Lab. It is more important to read a lot, study a lot, practice a lot. Sorry to all of the purveyors of study materials for saying it, but the key is practice with lots of different situations, not practice with one vendor or another. Presented for your consideration. Chuck -------- TANSTAAFL "there ain't no such thing as a free lunch" Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=62930&t=62930 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
