Okay, we told you about the
upcoming SharePoint 2010 exam betas. That was weeks ago. Now, those
betas are here and you can register for them. (And yes, I'm still waiting for someone to tell me what they're using SharePoint for. Honest, I want to know.)
Posted by Michael Domingo on 05/20/2010 at 11:59 AM0 comments
Microsoft Learning
posted a note on some free R2 training available on the Channel 9 site. Mainly, it's how to read the data via StreamInsight and how to go all BI with your bad DBA self via PowerPivot in Excel and SharePoint.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 05/18/2010 at 11:59 AM0 comments
What's the difference between Microsoft Certified Application Specialist and Microsoft Office Specialist designation? The MCAS, it seemed, was a more professional track, much like an MCP-like MCSA, but for the Office suite. Pass any of the MCAS requirements and call yourself an Office software specialist.
On the other hand, pass any of the Office software exams and you earn the right to the MOS. Essentially, you can call yourself an Office software specialist. See? The nuance is too subtle.
Come June 1, there won't be any confusion. The MCAS is being renamed the MOS 2007, according to this Born2Learn post. MCAS title holders need not recertify.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 05/18/2010 at 11:59 AM0 comments
When a person or company discovers a flaw in Microsoft's software, the right thing to do, according to Microsoft and perhaps most vendors out there, is to disclose the discovery in private with the software maker. In the reverse scenario, where Microsoft discovers a flaw in its own software, should Microsoft offer up details of its discoveries to its customers, as it seeks out a solution? Reporter Jabulani Leffall
writes about one company, Core Security Technologies, who is alleging that, based on some investigative work of its own, Redmond hasn't been completely transparent about flaws it finds in its internal processes and has been quietly patching those flaws as systems ping Microsoft's servers for fixes and updates.
As a user, I see no harm in what Microsoft is doing. But then again, I'm no admin. I'd love to hear what you'd have to say. Chime in here or by e-mail and tell me if there's some inherent danger for Microsoft -- or for that matter, any company -- to patch quietly.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 05/13/2010 at 11:59 AM5 comments
Microsoft Learning just updated its
list of exam retirements and it's usually a surprise to see what's going to be put out to pasture. For example, what's 70-123 and who took that one, ever? (Raise your hand if it meant something to your certification resume. You deserve an award, just not sure what.) And then there are the project management-themed exams, numbers 74-131 and 70-281. I just can't remember those even being exams that meant something to anyone out in MCP-land.
Exams for BizTalk Server 2004 and anything on the list sporting a version 2003 designation, well, they seemed destined for the list.
The retirements mean that the exams will no longer be available after Oct. 31, 2010. If your certification efforts requires one of the exams listed, you best hurry up or, better yet, seek out an alternative track to remain technologically relevant.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 05/13/2010 at 11:59 AM0 comments
SharePoint 2010 is out, at least for the TechNet and MSDN subscriber crowd. For the rest of you, it hits the virtual software shelf next week at an
official virtual launch party. That's my long-winded way of telling you to expect the SharePoint 2010 beta exams, details (well, some info) of
which are posted on the Born2Learn blog. Four exams are in the development process at the moment, listed here with their beta prefixes:
- 71-573 TS: SharePoint 2010, Application Development
- 71-576 PRO: Designing and Developing SharePoint 2010 Applications
- 71-667 TS: SharePoint 2010, Configuring
- 71-668 PRO: SharePoint 2010, Administrator
Check out the Born2Learn link above to find out more about getting the beta codes as soon as they're available.
I'm still waiting to hear from IT pros to tell me two things about SharePoint. First, who's planning on taking these exams, either in beta or the live versions? Second, what are you using SharePoint for? Answers to the second question are preferred over the first.
I offer this side note, because it applies only to the truly serious unified communications specialists, of which I'm going to speculate there are perhaps only five of you worldwide: The oddly numbered Exam 74-404 Office Communications Server 2007 R2, UC Voice Specialization just went live. If you're among the 10, give us a holler and tell us a little about the extent of your UC implementations. (What's with the odd number? It's a Microsoft Partner competency-related exam.)
Here's another itty bitty tidbit: The Infrastructure and the Solutions Architect track of the Microsoft Certified Architect was discontinued as of May 1. Those who've earned the title remain MCAs, but Microsoft is recommending those who want to continue showing expertise in line with the certification that they seek out the International Association of Software Architects' Certified IT Architect-Professional, or check out Association of Open Group Enterprise Architects program. Fees are associated with both, and Microsoft will fund limited memberships with the program of the MCA's choosing (no, not both).
See the FAQ for more, if you must. How's that for a note that has interest among even fewer of you than the UC exam piece I just mentioned?
Posted by Michael Domingo on 05/06/2010 at 11:59 AM0 comments
Microsoft released another platform preview of IE 9. Temper that good news with a bit of the bad, as there are signs of overall IE usage slipping more dramatically than usual. Some pundits have gone as far to call it the beginning of the end for the biggest Web browser this side of the universe. NetApplications shows IE's shares bobbing with the tide, as Google Chrome (preferred by this editor, who also does goes back and forth to IE) and Apple Safari rise upward. For some balance, check out this blog post using Net Application's same stats to show IE 8 doing well against all comers, with Chrome gaining to the detriment of Firefox.
I'll dismiss Safari's gains as being tied to iPhone, iPad and Mac sales (let's be honest -- who uses Safari on a PC or Linux machine, or any number of smartphones, as a preference?). The more interesting battle is the one between Chrome and IE, and so I ask: WHEN do you believe Chrome will reach parity with IE? In a year? Ever? Your predictions here.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 05/06/2010 at 11:59 AM5 comments
Is security an inherent part of your work as a sysadmin? Should it be? Always on the heels of the regular monthly Microsoft security bulletin release, there's the zero-day, then the patch that doesn't work, and the newly discovered RCE. If you're not working on patching something, you're applying a workaround until a patch comes along.
So, tell us: When did you become an IT security expert by default?
Noteworthy: Keep up on the latest security news by reading Jabulani Leffall's weekly blog-lumn, Security Watch. His latest is here.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 05/04/2010 at 11:59 AM1 comments
Microsoft Learning just
posted an item hailing the arrival of Exam 70-669 TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization. We hear that virtualization is piping hot.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 05/04/2010 at 11:59 AM0 comments
As of April, Windows 7 has gobbled up nearly 15 percent of the OS marketshare, according to a
Janco Associates report. Vista languishes at 12.8 percent and is shrinking incrementally. Microsoft's internal reports show Win7 at 10 percent.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 05/04/2010 at 11:59 AM1 comments
Whoever
predicted that Hewlett-Packard Company would
acquire Palm was prescient, but also knows HP's history of growth through acquisition. HP's story is that of pretty smart M&As ever since the Compaq merger at the turn of this young century. The Palm buyout is a head-scratcher, though, and we're likely to know pretty soon whether this was another genius move or a hands-down blunder. I wonder if HP will help me revive my dead Palm VII once the deal goes through?
If you have a Palm Pre, like someone I know, tell us what you think of the acquisition. And do tell us what you think of your purchase. How well does it do what you want it to do? What's lacking? Comments here or via e-mail.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 04/29/2010 at 11:59 AM0 comments
But this is the last time we'll probably mention it. I'm no Apple apologist, but I'm frankly kinda tired of the generalizations that
make Apple out to be the bad guy. Whether you're Apple or the guy who lost his wallet fat with cash in a bar, the right thing to do is seek out the owner to return the item.
So, how Gizmodo's blogger acquired the iPhone prototype just seems a bit fishy, and I'd be hard-pressed to think that his piece was worth the trouble. Apple's new smartphone will be out, sold and upgraded long before the blogger's troubles are behind him. And that's the last word I'll say on that. But you can continue to agree or disagree with me here or by e-mail.
Posted by Michael Domingo on 04/29/2010 at 11:59 AM2 comments