Microsoft Deletes Round of Vista Certification Beta Testing

Microsoft Deletes Round of Vista Certification Beta Testing

Late last year and early this year, Microsoft offered its 70-621, 70-622 and 70-623 Vista exams as beta tests. Invitees were told, by passing 70-621, they would upgrade from the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) Certification to Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Support Technician. By passing 70-622, they would complete requirements for MCITP: Enterprise and by passing 70-623, they would complete requirements for Microsoft Desktop Support: Consumer, provided they also passed 70-620 TS: Microsoft Windows Vista, Configuring.

CertMag.com has the whole story.

Newbies: How to Break Into the IT Industry

Newbies: How to Break Into the IT Industry

The road map to a successful career in information technology is as varied as the people and job roles in the industry. From technicians to CIOs to professors, the path to an IT career includes twists, turns, redirections and fresh starts. Daniel Stevans, senior computer service technician for BancTec in northern New Jersey, started tinkering with computers when he was 12. “I always had access to second-hand computers,” he said. “I enjoyed the troubleshooting, and I was very, very good at it. It’s second nature to me.”

What are the tips and tricks for breaking into the IT industry? Go to Certification Magazine and find out.

A New Generation of Microsoft Office Exams

A New Generation of Microsoft Office Exams

As expected, Microsoft has officially announced a new-generation Office Specialist certification related to its 2007 Office System suite, dubbed the Business Certification Program. CertiPort developed the program with Microsoft, according to a preliminary report from CertCities.com (see "Microsoft and Certiport Developing New Business Certs"). The BCP comprises a two-level, hierarchical certification: an application skill-level certification dubbed the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist, and a job role-related Microsoft Certified Application Professional title.

See MCPmag.com for the whole article.

Trying To Climb The Tall Certification Ladder? Here's Help

Trying To Climb The Tall Certification Ladder? Here's Help

Normally, for exam cramming you think "Transcender". But there is another name just as good: CramMaster. They actually won the WindowsITPro Readers Choice Award and are excellent Exam Prep training. We were able to negotiate a special deal for all WServerNews subscribers: You can get $50 off every exam you buy, really an excellent discount. And here are the steps to get it: Step 1) Scroll down this page to the CramMaster section and note which exams you want at your WServerNews special discount:
http://www.wservernews.com/070226-ExamForce

Step 2: Email Doug Burke: doug AT examforce DOT com and tell him "Stu sent me" and which exams you want! He will get back to you.

I thought I'd pass this along. Don't know how this works in the UK, though.

The original blurb is at WServerNews.com but you'll have to scroll to the bottom of...

Visual Studio Exam Goes Beta

Visual Studio Exam Goes Beta

Even as Microsoft seems to pour lots of effort into the Vista exams, the company continues to make headway to offer a full line-up of developer exams with the release of another Vistual Studio exam into the beta testing stream. Exam 70-510 TS: Visual Studio Team Foundation Server, went to beta testing last Tuesday, with testing ending March 5. For candidates planning to register for it while in beta, the exam is numbered 71-510.

Read more here at Mcpmag.com

A New Generation of Office Exams

A New Generation of Office Exams

As expected, Microsoft has officially announced a new-generation Office Specialist certification related to its 2007 Office System suite, dubbed the Business Certification Program. CertiPort developed the program with Microsoft, according to a preliminary report from CertCities.com (see "Microsoft and Certiport Developing New Business Certs").

The BCP comprises a two-level, hierarchical certification: an application skill-level certification dubbed the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist, and a job role-related Microsoft Certified Application Professional title.

Read more at Certcities.com

Eye on Certification: Information Security

Eye on Certification: Information Security

Conditions both within and outside the IT industry have created something of a perfect storm for information security professionals, as well as those considering this career path. The hazards of cyberspace have risen in quantity and lethality, and the threat presented by viruses, worms, Trojan horses, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks and blends of all these techniques loom large for many organizations, some of which are involved in sensitive fields such as finance, health care and national security. In addition, increases in employees’ use of insecure e-mail and instant messenger (IM) systems at work presents an internal challenge to organizational security. Rising media scrutiny of cyber-attacks and businesses’ IT security capabilities (or lack thereof), a post-9/11 emphasis on precautionary measures and the government’s various pieces of legislation regarding compliance all have contributed to the boom...

Work Your Proper Hours Day

Work Your Proper Hours Day

Work Your Proper Hours Day (23 Feb 2007) is the day when the average person who does unpaid overtime finishes the unpaid days they do every year, and starts earning for themselves. We think that's a day worth celebrating.

Over five million people at work in the UK regularly do unpaid overtime, giving their employers £23 billion of free work every year. If you're one, why not take some time to reflect on how well (or badly) you're balancing your life?

To Read More, Click Here

Senior-Level Linux Cert Launched

Senior-Level Linux Cert Launched

Alliteration notwithstanding, the Linux Professional Institute has launched a new, vendor-neutral certification track aimed at senior-level Linux professionals. The track was developed jointly with LPI's Japan affiliate, according to a press release posted on the LPI Web site.

The LPI Level 3 track was announced on Feb. 1, but the track goes live as the new LPI-3 exams become available for the first time at the FOSDEM 2007 event in Brussels, Belgium on Feb. 24.

More here

Certiport to Introduce Microsoft Business Certification Program

Certiport to Introduce Microsoft Business Certification Program

Late this month, Certiport will introduce its Microsoft Business Certification program for the 2007 Microsoft Office system and for Vista itself. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft over the past year, the program will feature Web-based pretests, application-specific certification exams and a series of professional certifications that demonstrate expertise in accomplishing essential job tasks across multiple applications. Certiport’s partnership with Microsoft extends back nine years to when Microsoft first turned to Certiport for assistance in developing programs for Office. David Saedi, Certiport president and CEO, said this collaboration was the first step in opening up the desktop applications world to a wider audience globally.

This article is at Certification...