Certification questions

Hi,

About 10 years ago I left what used to be DEC having had nearly 15 years of
PDP11/Vax experience ranging from Field Service to Corporate Support
(messaging). PCs world had only just come to DEC arena and Windows 3.1, OS/2
and so on were around.

Did a round of agencies and the concensus was that there was a surplus
supply of DEC Engineers and the world needed PC/Windows expertise. My family
was young and I had no access to PC. so, the decision was made that we go
self employed non-IT. We did this and I bought myself a PC. Soon I got the
hang of it and a year and half later the IT bug bit again and I started
peddling myself as the PC/Windows person. I charged just under 3rd of the
going rate and allowed people to pay after the job. So, they happily put up
with me but I soon realised I was more often than not 'out of pocket'. So,
started selling 3rd party software and giving training for the same on Mac
and PC platforms. Meanwhile we needed systems for our businesses and your
truly being a cheapskate and a dabhand decided to implement stuff himself.
Started with Win95 and graduated to SBS2003.

Last year as the family had grown up, we decided to sell our businesses and
get jobs. I thougth with my hands on experience of IT albeit in my own
business would get me some job but sadly 'no' because in the words of agency
'I do not have any commercial experience'. So, I thought I will get some
certifications under my belt. And this is where I need your help.

I have looked through the syllabuses or is it syllabi! for MSCE and CCNA and
find that I am familiar with 90% of the content. What I need to know is where
I should start. My research has so far revealed these type of outfits:

- charging anything upto £8000 for getting you A+ , N+, MSCA and MSCE and
beyond.
- those selling onlne subscription based training
- selling training (27 CDs) - no books required - for as low as $795
- Microsoft's own book, classroom, e-learning etc

Which route should I follow - what modules/exams I need to start from -
which company/offering. Being a cheapskate and currently skint, I am looking
for the 'biggest bang for my buck'.

All thoughts/ guidance gratefully received.

=?Utf-8?B?RnJlZVNwaXJpdA==?=

"FreeSpirit" <> wrote in message
news9356D6B-12EC-47D8-AB0C-...
> Hi,
>
> About 10 years ago I left what used to be DEC having had nearly 15 years
> of
> PDP11/Vax experience ranging from Field Service to Corporate Support
> (messaging). PCs world had only just come to DEC arena and Windows 3.1,
> OS/2
> and so on were around.
>
> Did a round of agencies and the concensus was that there was a surplus
> supply of DEC Engineers and the world needed PC/Windows expertise. My
> family
> was young and I had no access to PC. so, the decision was made that we go
> self employed non-IT. We did this and I bought myself a PC. Soon I got the
> hang of it and a year and half later the IT bug bit again and I started
> peddling myself as the PC/Windows person. I charged just under 3rd of the
> going rate and allowed people to pay after the job. So, they happily put
> up
> with me but I soon realised I was more often than not 'out of pocket'. So,
> started selling 3rd party software and giving training for the same on Mac
> and PC platforms. Meanwhile we needed systems for our businesses and your
> truly being a cheapskate and a dabhand decided to implement stuff himself.
> Started with Win95 and graduated to SBS2003.
>
> Last year as the family had grown up, we decided to sell our businesses
> and
> get jobs. I thougth with my hands on experience of IT albeit in my own
> business would get me some job but sadly 'no' because in the words of
> agency
> 'I do not have any commercial experience'. So, I thought I will get some
> certifications under my belt. And this is where I need your help.
>
> I have looked through the syllabuses or is it syllabi! for MSCE and CCNA
> and
> find that I am familiar with 90% of the content. What I need to know is
> where
> I should start. My research has so far revealed these type of outfits:
>
> - charging anything upto £8000 for getting you A+ , N+, MSCA and MSCE and
> beyond.
> - those selling onlne subscription based training
> - selling training (27 CDs) - no books required - for as low as $795
> - Microsoft's own book, classroom, e-learning etc
>
> Which route should I follow - what modules/exams I need to start from -
> which company/offering. Being a cheapskate and currently skint, I am
> looking
> for the 'biggest bang for my buck'.
>
> All thoughts/ guidance gratefully received.

Hi Free Spirit!

There's no need to pay megabucks for your training, especially if, as you
say, you are already familiar with 90% of the syllabus content. You sound
as if you just need to plug the gaps in your knowledge.

I can recommend the MS Press books - these come with a 15% discount voucher
that can be used towards the exam fee. You also get a free CD with 300
practice exam questions on. You can get these from Amazon for about £27
each. You can also buy the set of 4 Windows Server 2003 books for £80-£90
from Amazon - this set costs over £100 in the shops. From the time of your
post and your use of the word "dabhand" I'm assuming you're a fellow Brit
here, BTW!

I also like to supplement the MS Press books with the Exam Cram books - the
latter are more concise, but you can often find bits of information in the
Exam Crams that are not in the MS Press books, and vice-versa. The Exam
Crams cost about £20 and also come with a free practice exam CD - these
usually only have about 50 questions on though.

If you are in the UK, I can also recommend Register Books at
http://books.theregister.co.uk/ for your IT books. Sometimes they are
cheaper than Amazon and there are no delivery charges. Even using their
free delivery service, books from them usually arrive the next day.

Hope this helps.

IT Girl MCDST

TheITGirl

Thanks very much 'TheITGirl' for the quick response. I am, as you rightly
guessed, in Britain. Nice to have the reply from locals - at least then I
know everything is resourceable (sp!!)

I shall certainly get the books. My hunt has also brought me to the following:

www.microsoft-certification.co.uk - these folks do subscription based
training at £599 (24/7 mentoring, free updates etc..)

and http://www.pviva1.com/index.asp do CBT offer on and the best value they
do is Full MCSE (2003) and CCNA 640-801 for £219.

There is a lot of difference - £599 for just one year or £219 for 42 CD Roms
that will stay with me - good reference/refresher.

I would appreciate very much if you or any other kind soul will just give me
a low down on these two offerings, or what questions to ask (first one seems
very keen to sell and the second one competes on price - I shall go books
plus one of these routes.

Thanks in advance.

"TheITGirl" wrote:

>
> "FreeSpirit" <> wrote in message
> news9356D6B-12EC-47D8-AB0C-...
> > Hi,
> >
> > About 10 years ago I left what used to be DEC having had nearly 15 years
> > of
> > PDP11/Vax experience ranging from Field Service to Corporate Support
> > (messaging). PCs world had only just come to DEC arena and Windows 3.1,
> > OS/2
> > and so on were around.
> >
> > Did a round of agencies and the concensus was that there was a surplus
> > supply of DEC Engineers and the world needed PC/Windows expertise. My
> > family
> > was young and I had no access to PC. so, the decision was made that we go
> > self employed non-IT. We did this and I bought myself a PC. Soon I got the
> > hang of it and a year and half later the IT bug bit again and I started
> > peddling myself as the PC/Windows person. I charged just under 3rd of the
> > going rate and allowed people to pay after the job. So, they happily put
> > up
> > with me but I soon realised I was more often than not 'out of pocket'. So,
> > started selling 3rd party software and giving training for the same on Mac
> > and PC platforms. Meanwhile we needed systems for our businesses and your
> > truly being a cheapskate and a dabhand decided to implement stuff himself.
> > Started with Win95 and graduated to SBS2003.
> >
> > Last year as the family had grown up, we decided to sell our businesses
> > and
> > get jobs. I thougth with my hands on experience of IT albeit in my own
> > business would get me some job but sadly 'no' because in the words of
> > agency
> > 'I do not have any commercial experience'. So, I thought I will get some
> > certifications under my belt. And this is where I need your help.
> >
> > I have looked through the syllabuses or is it syllabi! for MSCE and CCNA
> > and
> > find that I am familiar with 90% of the content. What I need to know is
> > where
> > I should start. My research has so far revealed these type of outfits:
> >
> > - charging anything upto £8000 for getting you A+ , N+, MSCA and MSCE and
> > beyond.
> > - those selling onlne subscription based training
> > - selling training (27 CDs) - no books required - for as low as $795
> > - Microsoft's own book, classroom, e-learning etc
> >
> > Which route should I follow - what modules/exams I need to start from -
> > which company/offering. Being a cheapskate and currently skint, I am
> > looking
> > for the 'biggest bang for my buck'.
> >
> > All thoughts/ guidance gratefully received.
>
> Hi Free Spirit!
>
> There's no need to pay megabucks for your training, especially if, as you
> say, you are already familiar with 90% of the syllabus content. You sound
> as if you just need to plug the gaps in your knowledge.
>
> I can recommend the MS Press books - these come with a 15% discount voucher
> that can be used towards the exam fee. You also get a free CD with 300
> practice exam questions on. You can get these from Amazon for about £27
> each. You can also buy the set of 4 Windows Server 2003 books for £80-£90
> from Amazon - this set costs over £100 in the shops. From the time of your
> post and your use of the word "dabhand" I'm assuming you're a fellow Brit
> here, BTW!
>
> I also like to supplement the MS Press books with the Exam Cram books - the
> latter are more concise, but you can often find bits of information in the
> Exam Crams that are not in the MS Press books, and vice-versa. The Exam
> Crams cost about £20 and also come with a free practice exam CD - these
> usually only have about 50 questions on though.
>
> If you are in the UK, I can also recommend Register Books at
> http://books.theregister.co.uk/ for your IT books. Sometimes they are
> cheaper than Amazon and there are no delivery charges. Even using their
> free delivery service, books from them usually arrive the next day.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> IT Girl MCDST
>
>
>

=?Utf-8?B?RnJlZVNwaXJpdA==?=

Hi FreeSpirit,

Firstly welcome back into the fold! TheITGirl has given you some good
advice. I hope she will not mind if I kick in my own two cents worth
(sorry, I am from Canada and do not do pence!)

Back in 2000 when I thought I knew everything I made a statement to an
assistant that I could pass my certification exams without any problems
because I had looked at the syllabus and knew most of the material. Of
course I was wrong, and it was a humbling lesson that I have not forgotten.
Certification exams are not easy, even if you know the material.

If you truly are a free spirit then you probably do not need the classroom
training, but what ITGirl says is a great idea. Microsoft Press' Self Paced
Training series are not only great books (I count 14 of them on my
bookshelf) they come with excellent practice tests which are a very good
benchmark for how ready you are for the real thing. I have never failed an
exam that I used those practice tests to prepare for. If you are ready then
you can go and take the exam live. If you are not the Readiness Review will
tell you what areas you are weak on so that you can go back and study
pinpointed areas rather than the whole show.

If you do find yourself in need of mentoring these newsgroups are always
available... and though often you will have to wade through a lot of chaff
to get to the wheat, it will not take you too long to see whose answers you
should depend on and whose you should question.

Many of us maintain blogs and write articles about the certification
process. Aside from my blog you should check out www.certguard.com, always
a good source of material.

Good luck and enjoy the journey!

M

--
Mitch Garvis, MCT
MCSA, MCITP, MCDST, MCTS
Microsoft MVP: Windows Server - Customer Experience
Visit my blog at http://blog.mitchgarvis.com
"FreeSpirit" <> wrote in message
news9356D6B-12EC-47D8-AB0C-...

> Hi,
>
> About 10 years ago I left what used to be DEC having had nearly 15 years
> of
> PDP11/Vax experience ranging from Field Service to Corporate Support
> (messaging). PCs world had only just come to DEC arena and Windows 3.1,
> OS/2
> and so on were around.
>
> Did a round of agencies and the concensus was that there was a surplus
> supply of DEC Engineers and the world needed PC/Windows expertise. My
> family
> was young and I had no access to PC. so, the decision was made that we go
> self employed non-IT. We did this and I bought myself a PC. Soon I got the
> hang of it and a year and half later the IT bug bit again and I started
> peddling myself as the PC/Windows person. I charged just under 3rd of the
> going rate and allowed people to pay after the job. So, they happily put
> up
> with me but I soon realised I was more often than not 'out of pocket'. So,
> started selling 3rd party software and giving training for the same on Mac
> and PC platforms. Meanwhile we needed systems for our businesses and your
> truly being a cheapskate and a dabhand decided to implement stuff himself.
> Started with Win95 and graduated to SBS2003.
>
> Last year as the family had grown up, we decided to sell our businesses
> and
> get jobs. I thougth with my hands on experience of IT albeit in my own
> business would get me some job but sadly 'no' because in the words of
> agency
> 'I do not have any commercial experience'. So, I thought I will get some
> certifications under my belt. And this is where I need your help.
>
> I have looked through the syllabuses or is it syllabi! for MSCE and CCNA
> and
> find that I am familiar with 90% of the content. What I need to know is
> where
> I should start. My research has so far revealed these type of outfits:
>
> - charging anything upto £8000 for getting you A+ , N+, MSCA and MSCE and
> beyond.
> - those selling onlne subscription based training
> - selling training (27 CDs) - no books required - for as low as $795
> - Microsoft's own book, classroom, e-learning etc
>
> Which route should I follow - what modules/exams I need to start from -
> which company/offering. Being a cheapskate and currently skint, I am
> looking
> for the 'biggest bang for my buck'.
>
> All thoughts/ guidance gratefully received.

Montreal MCT

* FreeSpirit <>:
> Which route should I follow - what modules/exams I need to start from -
> which company/offering. Being a cheapskate and currently skint, I am looking
> for the 'biggest bang for my buck'.

By pure coincidence, i wrote about getting MS certifications
on-your-own today:

http://projectdream.org/wordpress/20...-by-step-list/

In general, you can learn everything by stuff available from the
internet, with evaluation versions of Windows, freely available
Virtual Server or VMware server, Microsoft's Online
Documentation, Technet, etc. pp.

--
Read my blog at http://projectdream.org

Lukas Beeler

weird, i started out working on dec as well, then moved to sun, then to
client server. small world

"FreeSpirit" <> wrote in message
news9356D6B-12EC-47D8-AB0C-...
> Hi,
>
> About 10 years ago I left what used to be DEC having had nearly 15 years
> of
> PDP11/Vax experience ranging from Field Service to Corporate Support
> (messaging). PCs world had only just come to DEC arena and Windows 3.1,
> OS/2
> and so on were around.
>
> Did a round of agencies and the concensus was that there was a surplus
> supply of DEC Engineers and the world needed PC/Windows expertise. My
> family
> was young and I had no access to PC. so, the decision was made that we go
> self employed non-IT. We did this and I bought myself a PC. Soon I got the
> hang of it and a year and half later the IT bug bit again and I started
> peddling myself as the PC/Windows person. I charged just under 3rd of the
> going rate and allowed people to pay after the job. So, they happily put
> up
> with me but I soon realised I was more often than not 'out of pocket'. So,
> started selling 3rd party software and giving training for the same on Mac
> and PC platforms. Meanwhile we needed systems for our businesses and your
> truly being a cheapskate and a dabhand decided to implement stuff himself.
> Started with Win95 and graduated to SBS2003.
>
> Last year as the family had grown up, we decided to sell our businesses
> and
> get jobs. I thougth with my hands on experience of IT albeit in my own
> business would get me some job but sadly 'no' because in the words of
> agency
> 'I do not have any commercial experience'. So, I thought I will get some
> certifications under my belt. And this is where I need your help.
>
> I have looked through the syllabuses or is it syllabi! for MSCE and CCNA
> and
> find that I am familiar with 90% of the content. What I need to know is
> where
> I should start. My research has so far revealed these type of outfits:
>
> - charging anything upto £8000 for getting you A+ , N+, MSCA and MSCE and
> beyond.
> - those selling onlne subscription based training
> - selling training (27 CDs) - no books required - for as low as $795
> - Microsoft's own book, classroom, e-learning etc
>
> Which route should I follow - what modules/exams I need to start from -
> which company/offering. Being a cheapskate and currently skint, I am
> looking
> for the 'biggest bang for my buck'.
>
> All thoughts/ guidance gratefully received.

Consultant

"Montreal MCT" <> wrote in message
news:EC25915C-1FC8-46D0-BA81-...
> Hi FreeSpirit,
>
> Firstly welcome back into the fold! TheITGirl has given you some good
> advice. I hope she will not mind if I kick in my own two cents worth
> (sorry, I am from Canada and do not do pence!)
>
> Back in 2000 when I thought I knew everything I made a statement to an
> assistant that I could pass my certification exams without any problems
> because I had looked at the syllabus and knew most of the material. Of
> course I was wrong, and it was a humbling lesson that I have not
> forgotten. Certification exams are not easy, even if you know the
> material.
>
> If you truly are a free spirit then you probably do not need the classroom
> training, but what ITGirl says is a great idea. Microsoft Press' Self
> Paced Training series are not only great books (I count 14 of them on my
> bookshelf) they come with excellent practice tests which are a very good
> benchmark for how ready you are for the real thing. I have never failed
> an exam that I used those practice tests to prepare for. If you are ready
> then you can go and take the exam live. If you are not the Readiness
> Review will tell you what areas you are weak on so that you can go back
> and study pinpointed areas rather than the whole show.
>
> If you do find yourself in need of mentoring these newsgroups are always
> available... and though often you will have to wade through a lot of chaff
> to get to the wheat, it will not take you too long to see whose answers
> you should depend on and whose you should question.
>
> Many of us maintain blogs and write articles about the certification
> process. Aside from my blog you should check out www.certguard.com,
> always a good source of material.
>
> Good luck and enjoy the journey!
>
> M
>
> --
> Mitch Garvis, MCT
> MCSA, MCITP, MCDST, MCTS
> Microsoft MVP: Windows Server - Customer Experience
> Visit my blog at http://blog.mitchgarvis.com
> "FreeSpirit" <> wrote in message
> news9356D6B-12EC-47D8-AB0C-...
>
Another good source of info I should have mentioned is Microsoft's TechNet -
it can be really helpful and, best of all, it's free!

IT Girl MCDST

TheITGirl

=?Utf-8?B?RnJlZVNwaXJpdA==?= <>
prattled ceaselessly in
news:2CE09C85-DF11-4288-ADA4-:

> Thanks very much 'TheITGirl' for the quick response. I am, as you
> rightly guessed, in Britain. Nice to have the reply from locals - at
> least then I know everything is resourceable (sp!!)
>
> I shall certainly get the books. My hunt has also brought me to the
> following:
>
> www.microsoft-certification.co.uk - these folks do subscription based
> training at £599 (24/7 mentoring, free updates etc..)
>
> and http://www.pviva1.com/index.asp do CBT offer on and the best value
> they do is Full MCSE (2003) and CCNA 640-801 for £219.
>
> There is a lot of difference - £599 for just one year or £219 for 42
> CD Roms that will stay with me - good reference/refresher.
>
> I would appreciate very much if you or any other kind soul will just
> give me a low down on these two offerings, or what questions to ask
> (first one seems very keen to sell and the second one competes on
> price - I shall go books plus one of these routes.
>


Skip the online training and CBTs. Your MS Press books should come with
trial versions of the software. Combine that with actual or virtual
machines (both MS Virtual and VMWare have free versions). Get your hands
on the actual product and you will learn more than from CBTs and online
or classroom environments.

--
Catwalker
MCNGP #43
www.mcngp.com
"Definitely not wearing any underwear."

catwalker63

"TheITGirl" <> wrote in message
news::

> >
> Another good source of info I should have mentioned is Microsoft's TechNet -
> it can be really helpful and, best of all, it's free!
>
> IT Girl MCDST

You make me so proud.

Many people do forget to use TechNet. It is a great resource.

--
Michael D. Alligood,
MCITP, MCTS, MCSA, MCDST
The I.T. Classroom - http://www.theitclassroom.com/
CertGuard, Inc. - http://www.certguard.com

Michael D. Alligood [CertGuard, Inc.]

"Consultant" <> prattled ceaselessly in
news::

> weird, i started out working on dec as well, then moved to sun, then
> to client server. small world
>


Our CS department had a DEC VAX. I learned to write programs that didn't
work with Modula2 on a DEC VAX. Tiny little green and black screens with
keyboards that would sprain your fingers.

--
Catwalker
MCNGP #43
www.mcngp.com
"Definitely not wearing any underwear."

catwalker63