I'll agree with that, I have enjoyed every MS class I have taken, as even though I don't go for certs I do take classes as they come out and always do learn something that invariably gives me enough knowledge to figure something out. Knowing how it works is more important than specific details of switch A.
Which brings up a question - is there any value is listing on your "long" resume individual classes you've taken? I hit New Horizon's 1-2x/year on average, keeping up with Server and desktop OS's, PowerShell, etc (in fact in two weeks I have a 5-day class on Win 7). Just seems a little dorky to list a class or six when they're not degree-related. Dave -----Original Message----- From: Raper, Jonathan - Eagle [mailto:jra...@eaglemds.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 7:43 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: OT: Early Friday Funny... There is something to be said in going through (or at least there used to be) coursework to prep for MCSA/MCSE. I sat through 5 months of evening classes 2/3 nights a week back in 2000 with the intent of taking the NT4 exams. I found out that the exams were being retired at the end of the year, so I didn't bother. However, the instructors were very good, real-world, hands-on individuals. I pursued my MCSE in 2002, and I'll admit that it was also a useful learning experience. At the time our environment was in its early stages of development, and we had not been running AD very long at all. I was able to come back from that course and immediately begin implementing useful changes to our environment. The exams are a totally different story. What I recall was going through 7 mind-warping exams. You would have a 5 option multiple-choice question, with 5 BAD options. So, in effect, you get, "well, you COULD do it that way, but WHY?!?", and you'd have to choose the best bad/wrong answer... hopefully they have gotten better, but I haven't gone for any more certs since, so I couldn't say. Jonathan L. Raper, A+, MCSA, MCSE Technology Coordinator Eagle Physicians & Associates, PA jra...@eaglemds.com www.eaglemds.com ________________________________________ From: David Lum [mailto:david....@nwea.org] Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 10:32 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: OT: Early Friday Funny... One reason I'll never claim to be an expert - the last test I took (ok it was years ago) I failed by what must have been one question, two TOPS. I can explain DNS, DHCP, GPO's, why and how they work, FSMO roles and what they are and do, blah blah blah, but I couldn't tell you where the default log file location is for IIS w/out looking it up, etc. The thing that really kills me is when I know something an MCSE doesn't, sometimes it's really basic-to-me stuff like using restricted groups in GPO's or creating a DHCP reservation, I always figure the MS certified dude should be schooling me. Dave From: John Hornbuckle [mailto:john.hornbuc...@taylor.k12.fl.us] Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 6:46 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: OT: Early Friday Funny... The classic debate of the value of certs or degrees. :) They don't guarantee knowledge, but they generally do show that the person who holds them was willing to invest time and money in themselves. And while there are certainly exceptions, my experience has been that on the whole the people with the certs/degrees are more knowledgeable. John Hornbuckle MIS Department Taylor County School District www.taylor.k12.fl.us From: Erik Goldoff [mailto:egold...@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 9:06 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: OT: Early Friday Funny... Reminds me of one LAN Admin candidate I interviewed a few years back for a senior position. His resume showed certifications out the ying-yang, MS, Cisco, A+, etc ... I normally asked how many nodes on a 27 bit subnet mask, but that stumped him, so I asked him how many nodes on a standard Class C subnet. His answer : "Between 200 and 300" OK, so technically correct, but not accurate. So I asked: " Would you accept the job with a salary between $30k and $60k to start ?" Erik Goldoff IT Consultant Systems, Networks, & Security ' Security is an ongoing process, not a one time event ! 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