Techie training?

[jml1911a1]

Here's a question for all those computer techies out there...I'm looking for computer or internet based training on A+, Network+, iNet+ or possibly an Associate's or Bachelor's in IT. Any advice? What is the best CBT training you know of or can recommend? I don't think I want to sit through any classroom training--even thought it may be better training, my budget doesn't allow for it right now.

Also, with classroom training, you inevitably get those people who think that they can add something to the learning experience by endlessly talking about what they know (next to nothing), what they did once when Uncle Ray's computer wouldn't work, why Linux is so much better (they think Linux is the same as overclocking), etc. These are usually the folks who wouldn't know RAM from an overripe plum, and just like to feel smart. (Yes, I've had experiences with this... :flamemad: :twak: :wstupid: )

Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated!

TIA

Jeff

 

[RichP]

Sun has a series of CBT courses for administration, networking for the initial certification, 3 tests, basic admin, advanced admin and networking. Then you can keep on going for other sun stuff, check out their home page for training. I've seen quite a few openings in the harrisburg area for sun admins but they usually want some linux, usually redhat, some windows because very few environments are single OS. Unless you specialize in some aspect of IT, like SAP or websphere or a dozen others your chances of finding a job are pretty slim. Most companies want to hire H2's because they can get them so cheap, work them for 80 hours a week and they won't complain and if they do they will just pull sponsorship, I see it all the time.
With all this said you really need to have more than one computer at home, I now have 12 here, win2k, XP pro, XP home, win98, NT, Solaris 7, 8 and 9 running on ultra 20's, HP_UX and AIX running on HP9000 K500 and IBM rs6000 plus linux on another dual processor box. I might also mention I have a cisco pix and two cisco routers so I can do preconfigs for customers. Once you start on that course you need to run just to stay even with new technology.
If I was to recommend a speciality I would go for security, thats the up and coming already here path. Penn state has some good courses but you have to already know at least ONE major OS. JMO

 

[bgcntry72]

Cybex is your friend...

I am an A+, Network+, MCSE NT 4.0, Dell, Toshiba, Compaq, CNA, and am in the process of getting my MCSE for Server 2003.
I have never sat through a computer class, or paid for one.
Get the manuals at any major bookstore, and then Google free online tests.
You can also find training materials on most file-sharing networks.
It takes time, and a committment to a whole new way of thinking, depending on your background, but it can be done.
If you want, I will send you my A+ and TCP/IP books for a six-pack each plus shipping. They were $50-$75 each.
HTH

P.S. Computer engineering is the HVAC of the new millennium, with every out-of-work schmoe and fresh-from-the-boat immigrant getting certs left and right.
To get into it now, find a specialization like Storage Area Networks, VPNs, or something similar.
Good luck.
:lecture:

 

[jml1911a1]

Sun has a series of CBT courses for administration, networking for the initial certification, 3 tests, basic admin, advanced admin and networking. Then you can keep on going for other sun stuff, check out their home page for training. I've seen quite a few openings in the harrisburg area for sun admins but they usually want some linux, usually redhat, some windows because very few environments are single OS. Unless you specialize in some aspect of IT, like SAP or websphere or a dozen others your chances of finding a job are pretty slim. Most companies want to hire H2's because they can get them so cheap, work them for 80 hours a week and they won't complain and if they do they will just pull sponsorship, I see it all the time.
With all this said you really need to have more than one computer at home, I now have 12 here, win2k, XP pro, XP home, win98, NT, Solaris 7, 8 and 9 running on ultra 20's, HP_UX and AIX running on HP9000 K500 and IBM rs6000 plus linux on another dual processor box. I might also mention I have a cisco pix and two cisco routers so I can do preconfigs for customers. Once you start on that course you need to run just to stay even with new technology.
If I was to recommend a speciality I would go for security, thats the up and coming already here path. Penn state has some good courses but you have to already know at least ONE major OS. JMO

You'll have to help me with some acronyms...H2's?

Also, I'm pretty sure I don't want to go after the hardware/OS route, more into Internet/Webmaster stuff, and helping small businesses integrate new technology to increase productivity. (At least, that's where I'm leaning right now. If I get a good reason to lean somewhere else, I'll do it.) I do want to be self-employed, so I'm not going to try to get into anything too technical, at least not at this point. In the future, who knows? It seems the more I learn about something, the more in-depth I want to go...

I've taken some CBT training for A+, but I don't think it was very good. (CBT Nuggets, Inc.) I am going to search around on the internet for some practice tests, etc, to learn from, also.

I will check out the Sun training stuff...thanks!

 

[RichP]

H2's, foreigners here on a visa but no green card, they need a sponsor that will give them a job so they can apply for a green card. The sponsor can more or less hold it over their head, no worky 80hours no sponsorship. I was shocked when I first ran into that and found out that they make 1/3 of what I was making, they were blown away when they found out what the market was actually paying, the agencies billing at $140 hour and the H2B contractor was getting $35, normally the agencies take 35%. They had no idea of the cost of living and the fair market value when they were offered the jobs by a headhunter firm in the US that hired them in india/pakaistan/china or Taiwan... It is a big daisy chain, agency in India interviews and hires, passes on to an agency in the US who places them, each get percentage and whats left over goes to the indentured contractor and they can't do anything because they sign a contract IN THEIR COUNTRY and here to agree to work for the contracting company for 2-4 years, the agency figures it will take them a year to get wise.
H2B's visa workers brought in like that are the equivilent of strike breakers or scabs. JMO... did not mean to rant...

 

[PA Highlander]

Sybex is pretty good for tech training manuals, still have my A+ study guide on the book shelf here. There are lots of cram sessions on the web if you can work with that type of training. Global Knowlege is one of the better online providers. Don't rule out community colleges if you're in an urban area.

I'm getting ready to begin my MCSA/MCSE 2003 and CCNA all bundled together. Course is by Pittsburgh Technicial Institute and is 4 hrs online and 8 hrs classroom per week for a year! That's right no Friday nights or Saturdays for me ... but my employer is footing the bill for the $15K+ as part of my promotion deal to Systems Administrator along with tiered raises based on exam passage. Double bonus is the course has 49 transferrable college credits.

Here in rural PA the wages aren't that great so they can't get folks to stick around once trained. I refuse to live in a city, so getting them to agree to paying for the training is win/win ... and if things go south I'll have certs and experience.

 

[jml1911a1]

Sybex is pretty good for tech training manuals, still have my A+ study guide on the book shelf here. There are lots of cram sessions on the web if you can work with that type of training. Global Knowlege is one of the better online providers. Don't rule out community colleges if you're in an urban area.

I'm getting ready to begin my MCSA/MCSE 2003 and CCNA all bundled together. Course is by Pittsburgh Technicial Institute and is 4 hrs online and 8 hrs classroom per week for a year! That's right no Friday nights or Saturdays for me ... but my employer is footing the bill for the $15K+ as part of my promotion deal to Systems Administrator along with tiered raises based on exam passage. Double bonus is the course has 49 transferrable college credits.

Here in rural PA the wages aren't that great so they can't get folks to stick around once trained. I refuse to live in a city, so getting them to agree to paying for the training is win/win ... and if things go south I'll have certs and experience.

I'm in PA, too, near Chambersburg. Could take classes at Penn State Mont Alto campus, but I've taken several classes in the last few years (either in a classroom or a live, online class), and I'm so sick of listening to the students pipe up with their two cents--which is usually how much it's worth.

When I took the online classes, it was 2 hours a day, four days a week, for two weeks. There were about 15 students in the class, and you could click a button within the interface to "raise your hand". When the instructor "gave you the mic", you could talk into your microphone at your computer and everyone in the class would hear you. There were about three or four students in the class that felt a need to let everyone know their life story, or what they did yesterday, or anything else that rattled around in their empty skulls. I took the classes from home, and about half the time I would be hoarse from screaming at them to SHUT UP! (off mic) I just wanted to learn...I didn't think it would be group counseling.

My point is, I want to learn at my own pace, on my own time, and not be subjected to sitting through some dimwit's diatribe about how Netscape is so much better than IE, since Bill Gates is rich or something...there's one or two in every class.

 

[PA Highlander]

I'm in PA, too, near Chambersburg. Could take classes at Penn State Mont Alto campus, but I've taken several classes in the last few years (either in a classroom or a live, online class), and I'm so sick of listening to the students pipe up with their two cents--which is usually how much it's worth.

When I took the online classes, it was 2 hours a day, four days a week, for two weeks. There were about 15 students in the class, and you could click a button within the interface to "raise your hand". When the instructor "gave you the mic", you could talk into your microphone at your computer and everyone in the class would hear you. There were about three or four students in the class that felt a need to let everyone know their life story, or what they did yesterday, or anything else that rattled around in their empty skulls. I took the classes from home, and about half the time I would be hoarse from screaming at them to SHUT UP! (off mic) I just wanted to learn...I didn't think it would be group counseling.

My point is, I want to learn at my own pace, on my own time, and not be subjected to sitting through some dimwit's diatribe about how Netscape is so much better than IE, since Bill Gates is rich or something...there's one or two in every class.

Yeah, I'm sure I'll get at least one idiot in my class but the demographics of the weekend course at PTI is 30-40 year olds in a career change/advancement path. Since they're in my age range it shouldn't be too bad. The ones that get me are the under 25 crowd that think they know everything. If I was footing the bill I'd have went the boot camp path for MCSE.

BTW, A+ isn't that difficult ... some book work and online tests and you should be good to go. If you get out to western PA I'll give you the A+ book I've got. For web stuff look towards Cold Fusion or similar training and/or databases (Oracle/SQL). My employer is trying to find a web developer with Cold Fusion and database skills right now.

Later ..