CBT Nuggets Newsletter - August 2002
Click here to unsubscribe from the CBT Nuggets Newsletter. In this edition, we will be looking into the popularity and benefits of three unique certifications: Linux+, Server+ and CCNA. We hope you enjoy, and welcome any feedback or suggestions for content for future issues. In this Issue: A. Linux Acceptance and Adoption B. CompTIA's Server+ Certification Value C. Cisco CCNA - forecast by Monster.com D. CBT Nuggets News - tentative product release dates and progress.
Linux Acceptance and Adoption Last month, Perry Anthony of Procert Communications had the opportunity to sit down with Jon Hall, Executive Director of Linux International, to discuss the current status of Linux in the workforce. The QA period revealed some noteworthy information. Below is a summary of the conversation: The first substantial question required clarification on the current acceptance and adoption of Linux as a hot commodity. Mr. Hall outlines two points that give Linux much credibility. First, corporations are able to expedite project implementation with the availability of source code. The IT industry is dependent on rapid change, Linux enables IT departments to move projects forward faster than what has been the norm. Secondly, the current economy is based on tight budgets and cost-cutting measures. Linux is inexpensive and does not require loyalties. "As an organization grows, the cost of Linux does not". The Linux market share (server-side) is growing at a phenomenal rate. One cannot help but to notice Linux in the IT industry today. The next few questions revolve around the training and support that Linux offers for current and future system administrators. To summarize, Mr. Hall is predicting a large scale migration to Linux training. Because Linux is based on Unix, there is already a large number of Unix professionals moving into the Linux space. Additionally, as the demand for skilled Linux administrators continues to grow, a greater number of professionals are earning Linux-based certifications. When it comes to entry level Linux administrators, Hall explains that they should be more technically advanced than your typical entry-level worker. In conclusion, Mr. Hall attempts to drive home the point that "the industry needs well-trained and certified professionals in the Linux space". The most widely recognized training program for Linux is CompTIA's vendor neutral Linux+ certification. Hall warns that it is not a walk in the park and those attempting to gain the Linux+ certification should know that it will require a sincere effort. To read the entire article click here. With the demand for Linux professionals growing quickly, now would be a good time to join the ranks of Linux professionals. CBT Nuggets is releasing the Linux+ training series on August 8th, 2002. <back to top>
CompTIA's Server+ Certification Enough credit cannot be given to CompTIA's vendor neutral certifications. As the previous article discussed the viability of Linux in the current workplace, another CompTIA certification has proven to show similar value. The vendor neutral Server+ certification provides the necessary training for individuals to plan, install, "work on", and troubleshoot servers. As reported by CompTIA, the Server+ certification has filled a gap in the IT industry. The Server+ certificate is considered an intermediate title - it examines elements beyond basic hardware fundamentals on a PC, therefore it should be seen as more advanced than the A+ certification. The white paper explains that the target population is mid and upper level technicians, whose responsibilities include hardware functionality of microcomputers on a more sophisticated level than that of entry-level, including installation, support and troubleshooting, as well as second-level support. Although the white paper is a year old, it still reports significant information about the importance of skilled Server technicians. In the year 2000 alone, over 3.9 million servers were shipped to recipients world-wide. Put simply, Servers play an integral role in all industries - skilled technicians are needed. Click to read the entire white paper. That's right, you guessed it, CBT Nuggets will be releasing the Server+ series on August 13th. <back to top>
CCNA Forecast by Monster.com According to Allan Hoffman, the "Technical Jobs Expert" at Monster.com - "Learning Cisco is a great way to get a tech career under way". Hoffman bases this on the fact that Cisco products are everywhere; whether it's your Internet connection, the data you access - be it a stock quote or an MP3 file, the transfer was probably aided with the help of Cisco networking products. Cisco's products, namely routers, switches, and software - are integral for supporting the Internet. Those who employ skills and knowledge of Cisco products command high salaries in any industry. Aspiring techies cannot expect to pick up a book and do a few practice exams to become Cisco certified in a hurry. Rather, Cisco has crafted training and testing programs that actually require students to train and display competence in realistic simulations. Those who have technical experience and are confident around computers should no doubt consider a CCNA certification as a stepping stone to further their careers. According to Cisco - those who complete the hierarchy of Cisco certifications are the "master builders of the new world of networking." A very bold statement, yet it holds a significant amount of weight. To read the article in its entirety, click here. For Cisco's entry level certificate, CBT Nuggets offers a comprehensive CCNA series that provides the necessary training for certification and 'on-the-job' skills. Additionally, the Cisco CCNP series is in production and slated for release beginning later this fall. <back to top>
CBT Nuggets News: Linux+ This series has been completed and will be ready for purchase on August 8, 2002. Our Linux instructor is Perry Fizzano. Perry holds a PhD in Computer Science and has both university teaching experience and professional software development experience. His approach to teaching is very non-threatening and selfless. Linux is an exciting operating system that presents many exciting opportunities to an IT professional. Perry does a fantastic job of getting the user comfortable and then excited about learning Linux. CompTIA Server+ This series has been completed and is scheduled to be released on August 13, 2002. Our Server+ instructor is Chris Rees (CBT Nuggets A+ and Network+ instructor). Chris continues to bring his precise knowledge, artistic and training abilities to bear in this series. As a supplement to the A+ and Network+ certifications, the Server+ is an outstanding choice to learn and then prove a solid technical competence. MCSA 70-218 This series is in progress with 6 of 13 videos completed. The instructor is Todd Logan (CBT Nuggets Windows XP instructor). Our goal with this series is to provide the content at a higher level than the Windows 2000 MCSE exam-packs. The objectives for the 70-218 exam-pack are all covered in the CBT Nuggets MCSE 2000 Package (mostly in the 4 core exam-packs, but also in some of the design/elective videos), but at an engineer level rather than at an administrator level. The information in our 70-218 exam-pack will be geared directly to the 70-218 exam. We estimate availability of this series in mid September. CBT Nuggets at COMDEX CBT Nuggets will be a vendor at the upcoming COMDEX computer conference in Las Vegas (November of 2002). Stop by to say hi, we'd love to personally thank you for your business. The following trainers will be on hand throughout the week: Dan, Emilio, Perry and Todd. http://www.cbtnuggets.com | 
