Collaborative Learning: Finding Study Buddies

Collaborative Learning: Finding Study Buddies

People’s studying preferences are largely a function of their standards of socialization. For example, individuals who are introverted usually favor learning in isolation, while extroverted people will probably seek out others with whom they can study the subject matter. Those who fall into the second category (and sometimes even those in the first group) can benefit significantly from finding the right study buddy—ideally, a person who brings considerable knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to the learning process. Experts in the learning field have long recognized the value of having a study partner. In the certification world, though, not much has been done to promote collaborative learning, at least before candidates obtain their credentials. (Many certification programs create communities for certificants that offer these kinds of experiences, but only after the credentials have been attained.)...

Certification Smart?

Certification Smart?

This brings up the constantly reveled war between Linux and Open Source vs. Proprietary or Closed Source solutions. While it's true that MCSE's are a dime a dozen and Linux/UNIX professionals are a little hard to come by, it should also be noted that there are balancing natures of the two. First off, almost anyone can get an MCSE without really learning how to 'be' an MCSE. A few years back it made headlines that an eight year old child from India earned an MCSE, and I know of a former co-worker that memorized all kinds of Microsoft Test-Kings and got nearly every Microsoft certification under the sun, but in reality he's just a Program Manager... granted, he's an awesome geek, but he's never actually worked as a DBA. The same effort cannot be applied to earning a Linux/UNIX certification like Linux+, RHCT, RHCE, RHCA, RHCSS, and SCSA. In the Linux/UNIX certification tests, there are labs, with real dynamic questions that you...

Windows Linux DualBoot Tutorial

Windows Linux DualBoot Tutorial

This tutorial was written to help set up a dual boot on a SATA drive but it will also work for PATA so continue forward and I will let you know if you need to skip something. In order to have a fully functional dual boot system it is preferred that Windows be loaded first. After that you can load Linux and easily dump the boot configuration on Windows NTLDR file (comparable to Linux boot file).

At least one of the following scenarios exist and that is why you are here reading this tutorial;

* You have a new Serial HDD (SATA) with no software installed,
* You have a new Parallel HDD (PATA) with no software installed,
* You have a HDD with Windows already installed, or
* You have a HDD with Linux already installed.

Read the entire tutorial at HowToForge.com.

Computer Hacking Forensics Investigators: Reducing Security Breaches

Computer Hacking Forensics Investigators: Reducing Security Breaches

Computer-hacking forensics investigation has become a very popular practice within the corporate world. Although most knowledge workers probably equate computer-hacking forensics investigation with law enforcement, the military or the security community, very few understand the deep, positive impact computer-hacking forensics investigators can bring to the organizations they represent. Computer forensics is “the gathering, authentication, examination and analysis of electronic information stored on any type of storage medium.” Often, computer forensics is used in criminal cases when a device is involved with a crime. For example, in cases where the computer is the source, tool or target of a crime, such as e-mail fraud, child pornography or a virus attack, law enforcement officers will conduct detailed forensics investigations to bring the culprits to justice.

Read the whole...

Standoff over PC-to-mobile jumping code

Standoff over PC-to-mobile jumping code

The Mobile Antivirus Researchers Association (MARA) said that it had received proof-of-concept code last week for Crossover, which MARA claims is malicious software that can jump from a Windows desktop machine to a Windows Mobile Pocket PC handheld. Antivirus companies and researchers usually collaborate by sharing code with competitors. This reciprocal arrangement seems to have broken down on this occasion, with several major antivirus companies, including Sophos and McAfee, complaining that they don't yet have access to the code. MARA researchers said that some antivirus companies had attempted to "bully" the code out of them, while the antivirus companies say they aren't prepared to comply with the conditions that MARA wants to impose on them before they get access to the code for Crossover.

Read the rest Here.

Five WiFi VOIP Security Issues

Five WiFi VOIP Security Issues

As enterprise deployments of WiFi VOIP systems reach the staging point, security will be a key concern for enterprise users. Shawn Merdinger, an independent security consultant based in Austin, Texas, has worked with Cisco Systems Inc. and 3Com Corp./Tipping Point. He's tested around a dozen WiFi VOIP handsets and deskphones and says that security problems range from potential denial-of-service attacks to more serious issues that allow "deep access" to the device that lets a remote attacker read sensitive information on the phone. You can see his postings on many of the devices tested, along with some workarounds here. In the wake of Merdinger's findings, Cisco Systems Inc., Hitachi Ltd., and UTStarcom Inc. have issued firmware upgrades for the devices in question.

Read the whole article Here.

Redhat's RHCE the hottest cert for 2006

Redhat's RHCE the hottest cert for 2006

Certcities.com, the online magazine for certified IT professionals, has released the 2006 edition of its 10 Hottest Certifications for 2006 list, rating the Redhat Certified Engineer (RHCE) qualification as the most influential certification for 2006. The RHCE qualification has made Certcities.com's list every year since 2002, but this is the first year that it managed to trounce Microsoft and Cisco certifications for the top spot. "Redhat is well known for the quality of its RHCE lab exam which tests candidates' hands-on skills with Red Hat Enterprise," notes the report. Buli Tikolo, training manager at South African Redhat partner Obsidian Systems, explains why this hands-on approach is so important. "Many other certifications make use of multiple choice exams, where no indication is given of a student's true affinity to the technology they are studying. However, the RHCE makes use of practical exams where a...

Windows Vista Versions Unveiled

Windows Vista Versions Unveiled

Posted courtesy of noelg24. -Trip

Windows Vista Home Basic: For consumers that want to simply use the PC to browse the Internet, correspond with friends and family over email or perform basic document creation and editing tasks, Windows Vista Home Basic will deliver a safer, more reliable and more productive computing environment.

Windows Vista Home Premium: Will help consumers utilize mobile or desktop PC functionality more effectively while enabling the enjoyment of new, exciting digital entertainment experiences – all with the benefit of added security and reliability. Windows Vista Home Premium includes everything in Windows Vista Home Basic, plus the Windows Vista Aero™ and Media Center and Tablet PC capabilities.

Windows Vista Ultimate: Windows Vista Ultimate is the edition of Windows Vista that has it all. It is the first operating system that brings together all of...

Learn How to Learn

Learn How to Learn

Another article in a series targeted at learning tech. -Trip

The human brain is an amazing thing. This three-pound organ—more than 75 percent of which is water—can process more information than even the most advanced computer. (At least for now: That could very easily change soon.) It continually modifies itself throughout a person’s life, as neural networks rearrange according to experiences with new external stimuli. And when it comes to these encounters, more is better. They drive the development of the brain, as reorganization causes the number of brain cells to grow, as well as communicate with each other with greater frequency and complexity through a chemical neurotransmitter called acetylcholine (the “car”) and nerve fibers known as dendrites (the “highways”). This phenomenon is referred to in neuroscience circles as plasticity, which relates directly to the twin pillars of learning—cognition and memory....

Resumes from Hell and their lessons

Resumes from Hell and their lessons

Since so many of you are looking into getting new jobs, I thought this article would prove helpful. -Trip

In their years as recruiters, Jon Reed and Rachel Meyers saw plenty of resumes pass across their desks. Plenty were good... but some raised some eyebrows. Reed and Meyers kept track of some of the more bizarre entries and compiled them in their funny new book, "Resumes from Hell" (eCruiting Alternatives, Inc.). As Reed and Meyers point out, the mistakes these job-seekers made give us valuable how-not-to's for our own job searches. These are some example entries from their book, and some useful lessons for the rest of us.

Read this article and examples of what and what not to do Here.