November, 2008

Black Friday Could Be “the Bomb” for Home/Personal Computing

Hey Readers!

If you’ve been putting off a purchase of a new notebook or desktop PC, or other computing gear for home or personal use, TODAY might be the day to raid the exchequer and plunk down some of that hard-earned cash on gizmos, gadgets, or gear. In researching and contributing to an article for Tom’s Guide entitled “Shopping Guide: Black Friday and Beyond” I was forcibly reminded that the day after Thanksgiving is a great day to shop for technology (and anything else you can think of)–and seriously tempted to part with some of my own valuta on my own personal quest for faster, more productive home computing.

As I write this blog, it’s already too late to cash in on the doorbuster sales items designed to lure people into stores, often at horrific hours (midnight Thursday, 5 AM Friday, and so forth). Because most such items are on allocation and only the first handful of people who line up outside the door can cash in on such bargains, these kinds of items are mostly teasers designed to attract people’s interest and steer them toward other purchases, which may be marked down but not necessarily to the point of incredulity. Two examples: Circuit City offered a Compaq Presario C717NR notebook PC that normally costs $500-600 for $300, and Amazon.com essentially set-up an online lottery to let people bid for chances to buy items like an Asus Eee PC 900a netbook PC for $129 (normally costs $300-400). For ordinary mortals with average luck and insufficient patience to break out their sleeping bags and camp out in a parking lot for twelve or more hours before the doors open, more ordinary deals will have to do.

A surprising number of such deals are available online from well-known purveyors of goods, gear, and technology. As a holder of a Dell Preferred Account I got their “Black Friday” e-mail bright and early this morning: Inspiron Mini 9 for $300, 19″ wide screen LCD monitor for $129, and so forth and so on. Likewise, stalwart PC/component vendors such as Newegg. SuperBiiz.com, Provantage, and others, also have killer deals on systems and components, with no need to leave your comfy chair and fight for a parking place.

If you’re in the market for some high-tech computing equipment, today may be a very good day to scratch that itch, and come away with some of the best prices you’ll see this year. Check it out, and happy shopping, whether virtual or real!

Nice Plug from a Nice Blog(ger)

I hope those of you who dig into blogs on TechTarget’s IT Knowledge Exchange take the time to explore the many other offerings available through this excellent information exchange and public forum. In case you haven’t checked out Suzanne Wheeler’s “Views from the PIT — People in IT,” you might want to give it a try. She’s a Generation X type who’s been working in the IT trenches for over a decade, and has many useful and interesting things to say about daily workaday life in information technology. Like me, she’s all over the place (in a good way) with her coverage, mixing up information about IT certifications, book reviews, interpersonal (soft) skills, technology musings, and a whole bunch more.

What brought her to my attention this morning as I began casting about for today’s blog topic (more spontaneous than usual, given tomorrow’s holiday and my urgent need to clear the decks in time to go fight my way into Central Market this afternoon to pick up my brined Kosher turkey for tomorrow’s big meal) was a cross-link reference to one of my own blogs about Entry-Level Certs in the context of a nice piece she put together about financing IT certification costs through local colleges and universities. She’s a proponent of the institution for higher learning she’s currently attending–Western Governers University (WGU)–which offers some very attractive online training and degree programs, in addition to serving the Salt Lake City area locally. In an August 14, 2008 posting she observes that the program not only includes the cost of cert exams in its tuition charges (plus a free retake if you don’t pass on the first try), attending also makes students eligible for federal student loans, and you can take as many classes per six month term (fixed price tuition) as you can stand. It’s a great deal for those interested in chasing down IT certifications and/or a BS or MBA in various IT disciplines.

I’m a strong proponent for, and former instructor at, our local community college, Austin Community College, where they also offer a plethora of certification courses and training, and where financing is likewise available, and where tuition runs about $54 per classroom hour (a strange but familiar measure) for up to 18 hours per semester. As you look around for training deals and coverage in your area, be sure to check out local community and technical colleges, too, because they often offer a killer combination of good instructors, well-equipped labs, and low costs.

But what really got my attention–and a big grin–was Wheeler’s remarks about me in her blog when she said “Ed is such a skilled and knowledgeable professional just reading his bio makes me tired!” Little does she know how tired I sometimes get, but I like to blame my active, inquisitive 4.75-year-old son Gregory more than the pace and demands of work.

Thanks to everybody for reading my blog. I wish you and your families the best of holidays and good cheer. Above all, may your turkey be as juicy and succulent as I expect mine to be!

Best wishes,
–Ed–

MS Re-Betas Exam 70-563 on .NET 3.5 Development

Over the weekend (11/22) Microsoft Learning Manager Jeff Koch re-opened the beta for exam 71-563 Pro: Designing and Developing Windows Applications using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. Remember, most MS exams start with 71 in beta, which changes to 70 when they go into production, so this exam will eventually be numbered 70-563. If you want the exam preparation skinny, you’ll find it on an old-style (.mspx) 70-563 Prep Guide page

There are several interesting things about this announcement:

• The original beta period ran from October 13 through 30, 2008; the new period runs from 11/19-12/11/2008. What’s interesting about that is that the announcement on 11/22 follows the start day by three days.
• Microsoft usually gets more takers than seats during beta periods, but the fact that this exam is going into another beta period strongly suggests two possibilities: First (and most likely), that they didn’t get enough takers in the first go-round to completely exercise the exam; second (less likely), that problems with questions surfaced during the first beta–such as those everybody gets right or wrong, neither of which helps to distinguish know-nothings from know-somethings–that are being addressed in a repeat try.
• Might the lack of uptake on the exam indicate a similar phenomenon where the .NET Framework 3.5 and Visual Studio 2008 are concerned? Maybe: if you look at .NET Framework 3.5 related credential counts on the MS “Number of Microsoft Certified Professionals Worldwide” page, you’ll see counts that vary from 128 to 240 on the Technology Specialist front. The Microsoft Certified Solution Developer counts, which include mostly older .NET Framework versions at this point but also include some .NET Framework 3.5 numbers, on the other hand, vary between a much more considerable 2391 (Windows Developer) and 7319 (Web Developer), with Enterprise Application Developer at 6073. Right now, it’s hard to say…

With Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework 3.5 just turning one year old, it’s probably just a new development toolset, environment, and APIs still gathering momentum and finally getting off the ground. Whatever the reason for this extended beta period, it gives Microsoft Developers working on the leading edge another chance to take the exam for free. Check it out on the Beta Announcements blog.

The New and Improved Shape of CompTIA A+

The A+ PC Technician certification has been around for some time now (just over 15 years as I write this blog). In keeping with CompTIA’s 3-year update/revision cycle on this exam, it’s getting ready to morph itself again in 2009. This time the exam structure has been broken up into two parts, where a single A+ Essentials teams up with one of three “job scenario” exams to create different flavors of A+:

• A+ Certified IT Technician:
  Essentials exam plus 220-602 is closest to the traditional A+ credential, focusing on entry level service technicians who work in in-house service, support, or IT operations.
• A+ Certified Remote Support Technician:
  Essentials exam plus 220-603 includes the core of the traditional A+ credential, along with coverage of troubleshooting and interacting with customers remotely or via phone or e-mail.
• A+ Certified Depot Technician:
  Essentials Exam plus 220-604 also includes the core of the traditional A+, along with coverage of repair bench operations with an emphasis on computer repair and troubleshooting skills.

My gut feel always was that the A+ put equal emphasis on all of these things (though perhaps somewhat less on customer interaction and support than might be entirely beneficial to candidates, employers, and their customers alike). It’s interesting to see specializations in remote support and depot technician roles emerge from CompTIA’s painstaking job skills and activities assessments. Surely this indicates that the roles that PC technicians play are becoming more specialized where those who slot themselves into some of these roles may no longer find themselves called upon that much to fill the other roles described here.

For another, different, and interesting take on the emerging shape of A+ 2009 changes, see Emmett Dulaney’s recent CertCities column entitled “First Look at 2009 A+ Changes.” He makes some useful observations about how the 2006 and 2009 domain weightings and categories have changed. He also indicates that 220-603 and 220-604 are much less well-elaborated and understood than 220-602, something which CompTIA doesn’t really explain on its Web pages for the various second exam options to earn an A+. Good to know!

The Human Side of IT: Softly Practice the Softest of Skills

As I try to broaden my personal horizons and learn how to be a better IT worker myself–so as to be better equipped to dispense advice to others–I’ve learned that this means I need to work on my people skills as and when opportunities present. Luckily for me, I’ve got a nearly five-year-old son, and am in a cross-cultural marriage (East meets West, non-tech traditional meets whacky hi-tech Pop culture and philosophy, and native speaker of English attempts to bridge the gap to a non-native speaker). That means I get lots of opportunities to work on such things, and to see how those near and dear to me occasionally struggle with their people skills as well.

If you’re of a certain age, you’ll recognize the lines “Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little-death…” as a clip straight from the Bene Gesserit canon (Frank Herbert’s Dune for those unfamiliar with this cant). I think this is very true, but in watching myself and my family as objectively as I can (MMV, for sure) I think that frustration could substitute for fear in that litany without altering its impact or significance, as could anger. Not surprisingly, this triumvirate often travels en masse, so that as you encounter (or feel) one of them, the others are often not far behind.

So how to deal with fear, anger and frustration? In the workplace, as in life, the secret is to do for and with others what you would like others to do with and for you. Project Management Coach Margaret Meloni, who writes a pretty useful blog on interpersonal skills for ITToolBox.com recommends that modeling good behavior is an excellent way to elicit the same kind of behavior from others. (Interestingly, in Latin “Bene Gesserit” roughly translates as “(s)he shall have behaved well”–gotta love that past perfect subjunctive–so there’s more relevance in my wild sci-fi citation than might immediately meet the eye or ear).

In her 10/14/2008 blog, “Diffuse Anger, Strengthen Relationships,” Ms. Meloni goes on further to suggest the following (I don’t usually quote at this length but it’s great advice, so here goes):

Try this recipe next time anger appears on the menu.

Take these ingredients: An open stance that shows interest; direct eye contact that builds trust; a soft and measured tone of voice and a non-threatening posture (sitting down is good). Combine all ingredients by modeling the behavior you want the angry person to exhibit.

Prevent participants from reaching the boiling point by avoiding pointing, raised voices or sarcasm.

Maintain a consistent level of respect while all ingredients are mixed and measured. Don’t give up, sometimes this recipe can be prepared quickly and other days it needs to simmer more slowly.

Serve with generous helpings of patience and enjoy a healthy professional relationship.

Exactly what she said, plus do the same when fear or frustration trot across the stage as well. Seems to work pretty well with personal/family relationships, too.

–Ed–

Write a Better Resume

I’ve gottne lots of email in response to two recent postings: Pros and Cons of Resume Posting Sites and Looking for Job Search Info: Try These “Ace IT” Books (which makes mention of Paula Moreira’s excellent ACE the IT Resume title). Most of it has been positive, thank goodness, but much of it has also reminded me that there are countless great sources of resume writing help available online and in both virtual and real classrooms as well.

In fact, those looking for input, ideas, examples, and instruction on crafting a quality resume could do a lot worse in starting such a quest than searching Google on “resume writing workshop.” Lots of useful information pops up in response to this query, including:

• lots of college sites that offer instruction, information, examples, and more. For example, try this resume workshop page at Perdue University.
• Susan Ireland Resumes free Resume Guide (a teaser for her commercial services); ditto for the Top 12 Workshops from ProvenResumeS.com.
• A Federal Résumé Guide (PDF file), designed to help applicants for technical government positions with the National Guard, turns out to be a pretty good set of guidelines and advice.
• Numerous online course offerings on resume writing, including companies such as Ed2Go, Universal Class, Cosmic Coaching, and more.
• Oodles of free resume builders, including offerings from e-resume.us, resumeimproved.com, pongoresume.com, BuildaResumeToday.com, and many others.

In short, there is no reason for me not to mention the vast array of resources available to would-be resume writers online, or to short-change the many other excellent information and service providers who ply this virtual space with quality wares and information. Dig as deeply as you like in fact, and you’ll never run out of new sites to visit or learn from.

A Conversation with Bill Wall, MS Director of Certification and Career Excellence, about performance based testing

To begin today’s blog, I need to disclose some shared background and history with Mr. Wall. He’s the guy who developed the Novell Certified Engineer (CNE) program at Novell at the same time that I worked there (from 1987 through 1994) and who developed Novell’s excellent performance based testing for that credential as well as for the Certified Directory Engineer (aka CDE). Suffice it to say that Bill probably knows as much or more than anybody else alive about how to design, build, deliver, and maintain quality performance based testing content (and has probably been doing it longer than anybody else as well, at least outside academia and inside the IT-related certification marketplace).

That’s probably why the first few minutes of our talk together were more like a couple of older and wiser classmates meeting up at a high school reunion, rather than the more typical “skeptical-journalist-meets-IT-vendor-expert” encounter. Nevertheless, a number of interesting items emerged from this conversation, with promises of more such nuggets to come, so I was not only glad to reconnect with a former colleague and respected peer, but also to unearth some items of information that my readers might also appreciate knowing. Here’s a list of noteworthy bits and pieces that I recorded from that conversation:

1. The initial performance-based testing (PBT) target was chosen–namely, exam 70-640 TS: Configuring Windows Server 2008 Active Directory–because it’s among the most popular of all the current MCP exams and represents the strength of Microsoft’s commitment to PBT going forward. Bill called it Microsoft’s “highest-volume” exam, in fact.
2. That said, PBT will not be an across-the-board testing tool/technique. It’s best used on subjects where candidates really do need to show their abilities to solve problems and understand instructions in a real-world situation, and Mr. Wall is pretty keen to keep things that way. Thus, look for more PBT exams to show up for other Windows Server 2008 areas and for Exchange Server, and to see their use increase for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) program. No specifics nor timetable are available for any of this yet, because the PBT project while two years in getting to its current status, it still very much in the making.
3. When the first PBT goes live later this month, it will be in Ireland, Singapore and Canada only. Look for more sites to gain this exam and PBT capability in 2009, wherein the US won’t be first in that series, nor will it be last, but more than that Mr. Wall was simply unable to say (plans and schedules are not yet completely developed, elaborated, or available).

When I asked Bill how students might tackle preparing for a Microsoft PBT exam, he first opined that the basic preparation process shouldn’t be terribly different from that for other exams. Then he went on to dispense the following really good advice:
1. “Pay attention in class.” Always good advice for test-takers, this reflects the notion that what gets covered in MS training or e-learning classes on specific subjects is very likely to show up on exams as well.
2. “Get some practice time in the lab, and make sure to pick classes or programs that offer such labs.” Indeed, the hands-on component for PBT exams is their very raison d’etre, so whether you build your own lab, or use somebody else’s, time in the lab becomes an essential part of the preparation process.
3. “Take advantage of the ‘Second Shot’ program.” For some time now, Microsoft offers a free retake for those who tackle a cert exam and don’t pass on their first try. Though this will be even more helpful for typically more expensive PBT exams, it’s good advice for any Microsoft cert exam of any kind.

I’m supposed to check back in with Mr. Wall and his gang in mid- to late January 2009 for more PBT exam news. Count on me to do just that, and share what I learn with you here.

–Ed–

TechKnight Does It By the Numbers, Gets a Complete Answer

Looks like some people actually do their homework here. I got this comment posted to my “7 Questions” blog, wherein I laid out some queries to enable advice-seekers to get decent answers from me when asking for IT career and/or certification advice. Let’s start with TechKnight’s answers, which I repeat with the questions to put them into context:

1) What is your educational background?
I have a bachelors Degree in Applied Computing.
2) What is your prior work experience?
I am currently working in the automative industry the job profile includes General IT troubleshooting (Installation of software, Email configuration etc)
3) Where do you live? What is the job market like there?…
I live in UAE and there are opportunities here.
4) Are you interested in working in management, or would you prefer to stay on a technical track?
I prefer to stay in the technical track
5)What kinds of certifications interest you?
Relevant Certifications in networking.
6) Do your long-term career goals include staying in your current position (or in the same field as the next position you’re seeking, if applicable)?
I want to change my current job and become a full time IT professional.
7) What kind of job are you doing now? What kind of job would you like to be doing? How important is salary to you? How important is job satisfaction? If you could have any job at all, what would that be?
Currently i am working as an administrator. I am also currently doing a one month course in A+. I would like to be a full time IT professional. Salary as well as Job Satisfaction are important. I want to be in a job that i will enjoy doing. I enjoy working with technology.

Alas, I’d love to know what kind of administrator TK is: but I’m guessing it’s not an IT-related admin position based on his answer to question 6. That said, it sounds to me like TK is an entry-level kind of person who, even though he didn’t say how many years he has in the workforce, appears to have less than three years of post-graduate work experience. Based on those assumptions, I’d recommend the following:

• The A+ is fine to get started (but not terribly networking related), and should probably be followed in close succession with a Network+ and possibly also a Security+ certification, to create a good foundation for what is to follow.
• Next, it’s time to make some platform choices or considerations. If TK is interested in systems and network administration at a more or less local or enterprise level, to me that indicates choosing a Microsoft path (MCTS, MCITP, and so forth) or possibly some kind of Linux track (Red Hat or LPIC are probably the best choices). On the other hand, if he’s more interested in network infrastructure, the Cisco track (CCNA, CCNP, and so forth) is an excellent choice.
• After 3-5 years on the job as a network or systems professional, it’s probably time to think about specializing for those who want to stay technical but keep advancing in job responsibility and pay grades. These days that means information security, various application environments (ERP, especially SAP/R3 a leading choice, quite popular in the Persian Gulf), storage management (SAN, NAS, and so forth, with SNIC and platform specific certifications quite popular), or various kinds of architect positions and related certifications of potential interest.

At least that’s how I see it from my end. Perhaps TK may want to post some follow-up questions after he’s had time to research and digest what I suggest here?

HTH and thanks for posting,
–Ed–

And now, a word from the “Brazen Careerist”

OK, so I’m wriiting an IT career development and enhancement blog. I hope that means it makes sense for me to turn to other career blogs from time to time, for information, advice, and even a good laugh. Those of you who’ve been reading this blog since it kicked off in mid-August 08, already know that I’m prone to tell people to pursue work that interests them, or that they enjoy, because it remains necessary to get up in the morning, go to work, and get things done, long after the excitement of a promotion or raise has been dulled to background noise by the sheer passage of time.

Little did I know that my chioce of words was both prophetic and well-advised. For an excellent and funny explanation as to why this is true, please check out Penelope Trunk’s great blog called “Brazen Careerist” (which sounds like a piece of socialist realist doggerel if ever I heard one, or perhaps a line from 1984) for December 18, 2007. There, she argues eloquently and with great humor why doing what you love doesn’t necessarily pay the bills, or even make very good career sense (her discussion of how work and life intersect in the world’s favorite leisure time activity is a howl, and I don’t want to spoil it by saying another word on that subject).

That said, doing what you like most from a carefully pared-down set of alternatives makes pretty good sense, especially if your paring-down criteria include (a) what pays well, (b) what you like or enjoy–or at least can stand on a long-term basis, and (c) is within the realm of what’s both possible and attainable for you, given your education, work experience, certifications, and yada yada yada. Trunk goes on to give some pretty darn good advice in this blog (and in her other writing to her great credit). She also refers to a terrific book entitled “Do What You Are: Discover the perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type…” by Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger (Little, Brown & Co, 2001, ISBN-13: 978-0316990657) to remind people that “Do What You Are” is not just good career advice, but a terrific exercise of common sense.

If you like this blog, here are some her others that you will probably also want to read:

• Make your own luck
• The end of work as we know it
• The organization man of the new millennium

I can only hope you enjoy this information and advice as much as I do, and that it does somebody some actual good. That’s the best any of us bloggers can hope for, however seldom it may actually occur.

Pros and Cons of Resume Posting Sites

If you’ve looked for a job, or even just thought about looking for a job recently, you’ve probably visited one or more of the resume posting sites on the Web. A large number of such operations exist, at the same time that more and more companies are using similar technology to field direct applications from interested parties as well. In today’s blog, I want to explore the pros and cons of using those sites that serve multiple employers (as for those that belong to a specific employer, pros and cons don’t matter: they’re now a fact of working life for anybody who wants to apply for a job nowadays).

Promising All Kinds of Pros, Delivering How Many
If you check out the hype or hyperbole that so many sites surround themselves with, there aren’t many stones that go unturned in their breathless and relentless quest to persuade you to post with them. These range from broad exposure to numerous employers, search capability by geography, job description, pay range, automatic e-mail alerts when new jobs post, plus access to job hunting advice, information, and resources to name just a few. There are even meta-sites (for example, ResumeRabbit.com) where you can upload your resume and broadcast it to over 80 different job search/resume posting Web sites.

Despite all of the aforementioned benefits, the biggest draw for these sites is that they’re convenient, relatively easy to use, and help you get the word out about your availability to a broad and geographically dispersed audience. Even with all their promises of rapid and voluminous response, be warned that your own personal results may vary as and when you use these services, and the quality of your experience will depend on how well you match the target audience and demographic that these sites seek to service.

Considerable Cons Can Pose Problems, or Cause Frustration
If you look closely at the kinds of positions that get filled through these resume posting sites, you’ll observe some interesting phenomena:

• The real action is clustered “down-market,” very much on the entry-level to mid-career side. Once you’ve put 8-10 years or more of service into IT (or whatever trade or industry you work in), opportunities become more scare and responses more sparse whether you use a resume posting site or not
• Flexibility remains the key to success: the more kinds of positions, the wider your acceptable salary range, the greater the geographic area in which you’re willing to accept a job, and so forth, the more likely it is that you’re going to generate a response. Flexibility is another quality that is relatively easier for younger, less encumbered (and experienced) workers to manifest than for older, more encumbered (and experienced) ones.
• Quantity is no substitute for quantity: just because you cover a lot of possible positions you might occupy doesn’t mean you can cut back on the quality of the materials you use to sell yourself through introduction, interview, and selection phases. You still need a strong, well-crafted resume and cover letter, and you need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively about what you can do, why you want to do it, and what appeals to you about any particular position under discussion. A foot in the door is not the same as an offer: that first foot must be followed by lots of quality information and materials to make a worthwhile offer materialize.
• Protect yourself against unwanted disclosure: If you’re currently employed, but also looking for something else, make sure you read and understand the disclosure terms for any information you share with a job site. You may not want to get too public with your resume and other information if your current employer’s recruiters or HR staff can then find you on the Web. They may do so entirely innocently in seeking to fill other positions, but you can rest assured they’ll share this news with your management once they learn about your intentions. Unless you’re ready to go public you may want to keep your postings private, and only make them available on a case-by-case basis when a particularly good match appears through your own online job search efforts.

If you keep these pros and cons in mind, you can make these sites work for you, without wasting too much of your own time, or that of prospective employers you really don’t want to hear from right now. Your consideration will not only pay off with better, more focused results, it may also pay off in the future when your situation changes and you are ready to talk to those employers.