#165138 - 11/06/2003 12:42
Certifications
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12338
Loc: Sterling, VA
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My father and I are looking into tech certification courses at the moment. We're just looking for the basic A+/Net+ cert. Any suggestions for our search? We found a very close location, but I'd like to get a good idea of what you guys consider a reasonable amount of time/money that these things should take up.
Thanks for your help!
*edit*
Additionally, we found packaged products for self-tutorials that were much cheaper. Are these sufficient for the tests? I'm looking at the test requirements at the moment, and they certainly don't seem to have much that's of any difficulty, but you know, you've gotta study for the test it's self
Edited by DiGNAN17 (11/06/2003 13:15)
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Matt
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#165139 - 11/06/2003 14:31
Re: Certifications
[Re: Dignan]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
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You are asking about a class not just the cost of the test right.
I would recommend self-tutorial. If you are computer literate you should have no problem with the A+ one. When I took it I just went and got a couple of books of pratice tests and did those for a week then took it.
I have been reading a book for the N+ one and I will have more trouble with that one too much memorization (OSI Model)
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Matt
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#165140 - 11/06/2003 15:12
Re: Certifications
[Re: msaeger]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 31/08/1999
Posts: 1649
Loc: San Carlos, CA
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too much memorization (OSI Model)
Lets see...
1. Physical
2. Link
3. Beans
4. Cheese
5. Guacomole
6. Sour Cream
7. Low grade meat product
Or is that the Taco Bell 7 Layer Burrito model? I always get those confused
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#165141 - 11/06/2003 15:22
Re: Certifications
[Re: mcomb]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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They're both about as useful in real-world networking.
Oh. My corollary to Godwin's Law: No management-oriented networking presentation, especially by a salesman, is ever complete until the OSI model is mentioned.
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Bitt Faulk
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#165142 - 11/06/2003 15:48
Re: Certifications
[Re: Dignan]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 16/06/2000
Posts: 1682
Loc: Greenhills, Ohio
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I took a week long course about 5 years ago at New Horizon Computer Learning Center. The cost then was about $1,200 I think and included the test. It was a small class and I thought helpful but the people that came in there knowing nothing were lost quickly. The test back then had Win 3.0 and 95 questions, it has changed since then thankfully. I would say if you learn better in a classroom than on your own, it is worth paying out the money. I think the Exam Prep and Exam Cram books are very good.
I've thought about going for the Network+ test and have books for it but haven't pursued it yet. The Server+ also looks very helpful.
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Laura
MKI #017/90
whatever
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#165143 - 11/06/2003 17:08
Re: Certifications
[Re: Laura]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 20/01/2002
Posts: 2085
Loc: New Orleans, LA
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I went for an interview once where the guy asked me "Define Ethernet". I went "Huh? Who cares what the definition is. I've been building networks for 7 years; Give me an IP range, I'll give you the correct subnet. Give me specific questions about the Do's and Don'ts and I'll answer those. But who gives a flip what the definition is?" They did, I answered, and was offered the job 2 weeks later. I hate stupid interview questions.
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#165144 - 11/06/2003 17:16
Re: Certifications
[Re: lectric]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Was your answer ``Carrier Sense, Multiple Access/Collision Detection''?
To be honest, there's some times when it's useful to know how ethernet works. They're few and far between, but it you don't know when it happens, you're lost.
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Bitt Faulk
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#165145 - 11/06/2003 18:07
Re: Certifications
[Re: wfaulk]
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addict
Registered: 24/08/1999
Posts: 564
Loc: TX
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In reply to:
To be honest, there's some times when it's useful to know how ethernet works. They're few and far between, but it you don't know when it happens, you're lost
Agreed.
I think the "who cares how it works" thing depends on whether you want a job fixing stuff
If you don't know how it works, how on earth do you expect to fix it.
But to answer the orignal question.
With any certification, it depends on what you want. Do you just want the certification or do you actually want to learn something?
It is possible to take a ten day course and become a CNE or a MCSE in a month. But you learn squat that way.
If you just want the cert, go out and buy the Exam Cram type books and cram, cram, cram!
If you want to learn, go on the course, get the hands on and the interraction with other students. Then take the exam.
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the chewtoy for the dog of Life
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#165146 - 11/06/2003 20:31
Re: Certifications
[Re: mcomb]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 08/02/2002
Posts: 3411
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The McOSI model;
1. Bun
2. Ketchup & Mustard
3. Onion & Pickle
4. Lettuce
5. Cheese
6. Burger
7. Bun
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Mk2a 60GB Blue. Serial 030102962
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#165148 - 11/06/2003 20:48
Re: Certifications
[Re: mcomb]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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7. Bun And this should be ``heel''.
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Bitt Faulk
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#165149 - 11/06/2003 20:54
Re: Certifications
[Re: wfaulk]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 08/02/2002
Posts: 3411
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Can you tell that I've never flipped burgers?
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Mk2a 60GB Blue. Serial 030102962
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#165150 - 11/06/2003 20:59
Re: Certifications
[Re: genixia]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Nor I. But somewhere I misplaced my useless knowledge filter. I think maybe they left it out of the package when my brain was shipped.
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Bitt Faulk
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#165151 - 11/06/2003 21:01
Re: Certifications
[Re: genixia]
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veteran
Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
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6. Burger
I think you mean "Low grade beef type substance." <shiver> I haven't had McDonalds in over 2 years, and I'm glad.
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Donato MkII/080000565 MkIIa/010101253 ricin.us
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#165152 - 11/06/2003 21:19
Re: Certifications
[Re: lectric]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 06/10/1999
Posts: 2591
Loc: Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
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But who gives a flip what the definition is?" They did, I answered, and was offered the job 2 weeks later.
What year was this?
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Jim
'Tis the exceptional fellow who lies awake at night thinking of his successes.
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#165153 - 11/06/2003 22:26
Re: Certifications
[Re: msaeger]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12338
Loc: Sterling, VA
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Thanks, guys.
I am taking these as basic certifications to be used as qualifications for certain jobs. I'm just going to get my feet wet soon and certain places want that basic A+ cert on your resume.
In the future, I would love to get some serious training, but for now, I'm not planning on going in-depth with 4-week-long, $5000 courses. Hell, I just finished college!
Thanks for the tips, everyone. Unfortunately, I don't know what this OSI stuff is that you're talking about, so I think the Net+ course might be good since I need to learn about that.
So, I have the choice of 2 weeks without income from my summer job, or order that tutorial software and information and do that in my spare time. I'll probably go with the latter. Sound good to you?
Thanks, everyone!
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Matt
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#165154 - 12/06/2003 06:02
Re: Certifications
[Re: wfaulk]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 2858
Loc: Atlanta, GA
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To be honest, there's some times when it's useful to know how ethernet works. They're few and far between, but it you don't know when it happens, you're lost. This is true for all kinds of technical stuff, of course. However, my feeling is that employers should not be looking for people who know every piece of information as much as people who can easily obtain and understand whatever information is lacking and solve problems (in other words: tenacious workers who have a good sense of intuition). I've met tons of technical people who can answer all the questions, but get them in front of some trouble-shooting problem and they're hosed. Of course the flip side to all this is that if I'd known more about J2EE, Oracle, PL/SQL, JSP, etc. I would have spared this community a lot of questions! The best combination, of course, is knowledge and intuition, but I'll take intuition over knowledge if it’s one or the other because knowledge can be obtained.
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-Jeff Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings; they did it by killing all those who opposed them.
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#165155 - 12/06/2003 07:37
Re: Certifications
[Re: jimhogan]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 20/01/2002
Posts: 2085
Loc: New Orleans, LA
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#165156 - 12/06/2003 07:39
Re: Certifications
[Re: wfaulk]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 20/01/2002
Posts: 2085
Loc: New Orleans, LA
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Ahh, I never said I didn't know how it works, I said I didn't know the precise textbook definition they were looking for.
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#165157 - 12/06/2003 08:21
Re: Certifications
[Re: lectric]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 06/10/1999
Posts: 2591
Loc: Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
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2000
That was going to be my guess. I'd think about maybe modifying your response this year!
Stupid interview questions? No problem!
(and I don't really think the question is stuoid at all, depending on what they are looking for in the position...)
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Jim
'Tis the exceptional fellow who lies awake at night thinking of his successes.
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#165158 - 12/06/2003 09:38
Re: Certifications
[Re: Dignan]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 13/09/1999
Posts: 2401
Loc: Croatia
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Unfortunately, I don't know what this OSI stuff is that you're talking about...
Lucky you!
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Dragi "Bonzi" Raos
Q#5196
MkII #080000376, 18GB green
MkIIa #040103247, 60GB blue
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#165159 - 12/06/2003 11:50
Certifications here we go again
[Re: bonzi]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 13/04/2001
Posts: 1742
Loc: The land of the pale blue peop...
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Okay the resident board grease monkey is thinking about trying to get into IT in some way or another.
I have somewhere close to zero computer qualifcations but i have a reasonable amount of computer knowledge learnt from this board mainly.
So anyone in the uk know of a good way to start down this track as i can't spend all my days being a knuggle dragging ginger beer
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P.Allison fixer of big engines
Mk2+Mk2a signed by God / Hacked by the Lord
Aberdeen Scotland
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#165160 - 12/06/2003 11:57
Re: Certifications here we go again
[Re: thinfourth2]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Unless the UK market is wildly different than the US market, now is a bad time. It's hard to find a job in the IT market without some pretty specific expertise. Otherwise, you might be able to find a job answering tech support calls somewhere, and I can't imagine that pays even remotely as well as your grease monkey (``I don’t know too many monkeys who could take apart a fuel injector.'') job.
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Bitt Faulk
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#165162 - 12/06/2003 12:14
Re: Certifications here we go again
[Re: wfaulk]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 13/04/2001
Posts: 1742
Loc: The land of the pale blue peop...
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Fuel injectors are a piece of piss you should try a sulzer fuel pump with variable injection timing they are nasty.
But another thing is that ships are starting get very very high tech One ship i was recently on had as a control system a rather large and complex Unix based computer network so everything was controled via a compouter screen and a mouse.
Then there is the new engines from sulzer which are a slow speed two stroke and they have no camshaft so both valve opening and fuel injection is done entirely electronically
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P.Allison fixer of big engines
Mk2+Mk2a signed by God / Hacked by the Lord
Aberdeen Scotland
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#165163 - 12/06/2003 12:19
Re: Certifications here we go again
[Re: tfabris]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 13/04/2001
Posts: 1742
Loc: The land of the pale blue peop...
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Well i will put my hand up and admit that did pass through my mind
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P.Allison fixer of big engines
Mk2+Mk2a signed by God / Hacked by the Lord
Aberdeen Scotland
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#165164 - 13/06/2003 00:49
Re: Certifications here we go again
[Re: wfaulk]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 09/08/2000
Posts: 2091
Loc: Edinburgh, Scotland
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Except in IT Security. We have superb headcount increase and are getting stacks of work as companies can't find enough people without using us.
Okay it is vaguely specialised, but if you are analytical and enjoy breaking or fixing things it could be a line to consider.
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Rory MkIIa, blue lit buttons, memory upgrade, 1Tb in Subaru Forester STi MkII, 240Gb in Mark Lord dock MkII, 80Gb SSD in dock
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#165165 - 13/06/2003 11:39
Re: Certifications here we go again
[Re: frog51]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 13/04/2001
Posts: 1742
Loc: The land of the pale blue peop...
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What i get to hit things with huge sledge hammers that is how i normally break something, or hydraulics hydraulic jacks are real good for bending shafts, i have even managed to strip the threads out of a 200 ton jack (oops).
But seriously what is the best way to start looking into getting even marginly qualifed in this field
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P.Allison fixer of big engines
Mk2+Mk2a signed by God / Hacked by the Lord
Aberdeen Scotland
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#165166 - 13/06/2003 12:03
Re: Certifications here we go again
[Re: thinfourth2]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 15/08/2000
Posts: 4859
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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Greetings!
If you want to try out the networking side, you might want to take a look at Boson. They specialize in Cisco router simulation software, training and practice tests. Some of the stuff is free (labs and a basic router simulator for Cisco testing), but they have full scale training and testing as well.
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Paul Grzelak 200GB with 48MB RAM, Illuminated Buttons and Digital Outputs
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#165167 - 13/06/2003 18:45
Re: Certifications here we go again
[Re: thinfourth2]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/07/1999
Posts: 5549
Loc: Ajijic, Mexico
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two stroke and they have no camshaft so both valve opening and fuel injection is done entirely electronically
What valves on a two stroke engine?
I am guessing that a large, marine two-stroke engine doesn't charge the combustion chamber through a port in the cylinder wall by pressurizing the crankcase on the downstroke the way a small motorcycle-style two stroke engine does... So how does it work?
tanstaafl.
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