For those who missed the virtualization jump start, the entire course is now available on demand, as is the link to grab a free voucher for exam 409. This is a single exam virt specialist cert. I would encourage you to take the exam soon before all the free spots are booked. Full info... Continue Reading →
Clarity: MCSA vs. MCSE: the what and why
This article was originally published in June, 2012. Due to the relevance and current interest in certifications I decided to republish. -MDG When I found out that Microsoft Learning was (again!) revamping the certification stack, I thought to myself that after all these years it might be time to stop chasing certifications. After all, when... Continue Reading →
Getting Certified: Things have really changed!
This article was originally published to The Canadian IT Pro Connection.Boy has it been an exciting year… Microsoft’s busiest release year ever! On the IT Pro side we have System Center 2012 (a single product now, but truly seven distinct products for managing your environment!), Windows Server 2012, Windows 8… we have Windows Azure (which... Continue Reading →
Just in time… Second Shot Exams Are Back!
Why do I say Just in Time? Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 exams are coming out soon, and there’s a good chance that you may still have to write a few exams to earn your MCSE! I don’t know if they are THE most popular promotions that Microsoft Learning offers, but if they are... Continue Reading →
Are you a Microsoft Certified Professional?
As we celebrate twenty years of Microsoft Learning, it is amazing to see some of the changes that the certification program has gone through. I remember the first day I was ever able to call myself a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). It was March 31, 2003, and I was ecstatic! When Microsoft Learning unveiled the... Continue Reading →
Wanna be an MCT? Read on!
I cannot count how many people have come to me and asked how they could become a Microsoft Certified Trainer(MCT). I have said many times that I consider it among my most valuable credentials, and well worth the yearly fee. If you are one of those who would like to become one, then read on…... Continue Reading →
Winners – in more ways than one! Get your vouchers!!
On Monday I announced in this space that thanks to my friends at TekSource Corporate Learning (www.teksource.ca) I had nine (9) exam vouchers to give away for the Microsoft exam 70-659 (TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization). The response was incredible, and I want to thank everyone who entered the draw! I want to... Continue Reading →
Private Cloud Training from Microsoft Learning
Hey folks! I have been asked to post here information about the release dates for Private Cloud training from Microsoft, so here it is: 10747A: Administering System Center 2012 Configuration Manager: June 29, 2012 (currently in Beta) 10748A: Deploying System Center 2012 Configuration Manager: June 29, 2012 (currently in Beta) 10750A: Monitoring and Operating a... Continue Reading →
Microsoft Renews the Certification Plan
I remember the day that I earned my first senior certification, the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Microsoft Windows 2000. It was a proud day for me, May 27, 2005. I would later earn my MCSA on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (June 30, 2006), and I was thrilled beyond belief. Interestingly, although my original... Continue Reading →
My Certification History, and the Importance of Multi-Vendor Certifications
In 2001 I had an intern working for me at IGS Security whose name I cannot recall, but she was a student at LaSalle College, and was working toward earning her Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification. She and I did not get along very well, and she left early with a bad attitude… although... Continue Reading →
Wow that certification exam was TOUGH!
I was so excited in 2003 when I passed my first certification exam and became a Microsoft Certified Professional. I immediately went out and printed new business cards with my new MCP logo, quit my (reasonably low-paying) job, and decided to make my own way as an independent computer consultant. It was, up to that... Continue Reading →
Virtualization Lessons–Both Positive and Negative!
As I sit in the back of the room for Microsoft Canada’s Virtualization Boot Camp Challenge today I see that the lab environments that we are providing to the attendees actually mimics the setup I use for my Virtual Partner Technology Advisor (vPTA) sessions. As such, I am seeing a lot of potential for attendees... Continue Reading →
