Industry News Microsoft’s Next Generation of Certifications

In late 2005, Microsoft Corporation introduced their new generation of certifications.  If you currently hold a MCSA or a MCSE, you should strongly consider upgrading.  The primary reason is that the new certification designations will give you an immediate differentiator from the hundreds of thousands of MCSx certified folks.  "Given the large number of people in the field, the more qualifications you have, the better your chances of landing a prime position." "Certification can be critical depending on what part of the field you want to work in as well."  » More…

TechNotesOkay; here’s the challenge...

With a limited budget, I need to run a Linux sever for extranet services, and two Windows servers: one for AD, and the other one for enterprise application services.  The applications are pretty processor demanding so I need a powerful machine, but AD and the extranet services aren’t so intensive.  When I priced 3 systems, I was way out of budget.  One of my vendors suggested "virtualizing" the servers.  That way, I only need to purchase one powerful machine to support the whole thing.  Linux and Windows on one box; cool!

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Educate & Certify QueriesThe Resurgence of Certification

Q:  It appears that certification is making a comeback. Why now?

Did it ever subside?  I argue that it did not.  For about a decade certification was “the cake”; then, for a few years it was the “icing on the cake”.  Then it turned south when the mere word certification began to carry a negative connotation as exam cram training and paper credentialing became prevalent, all for the sake of the mighty dollar.  Today, there has been resurgence in certification.  I like to think it’s because of industry self-correction through mechanisms such as performance based testing, experience prerequisites, and endorsement requirements.  Certification is now right where it should be - the validation of one’s knowledge, skill, and abilities. » More…