Category Informational

So, there have been a number of changes around here.

• I’ve switched from default numeric posting names to ‘named and dated’ events. 
• I’ve attempted to start using LiveWriter again, which can be a challenge when you find a complicated manual process of editing files directly to be so much more appealing!
• I’ve added some additional blogs, with some more to come.
• Primarily filling out my fellow Microsoft folksies, special respect to Dan Rey, Ariel, and the new Microsoft Beta Blog (Thanks Trika!)
• I’ll be adding a number of NetApp blogs for some good close friends and folks who have a lot of indepth knowledge to share, and read respectively!
• I’ve taken some additional betas and will be providing further obscure "non-violating NDA" details of the exams in depth
• I have a number of broken things, which I haven’t been bothered to fix such as ATOM RSS feeders, carriage returns for that "ShareThis" app – and who knows what other SEO violations I may be under!

I think that is a fair coverage of some changes that have occurred – As for things to come:

• Indepth posting of Exams, Certifications, Betas – Who takes them, who should, how you can be that person, and being a master on a novices diet.
• Performance assaults, differences, metrics and other insanity
• Super cool NetAppy stuff, the likes of which will shock and amaze you
• (Yet, you’ll eventually be of the understanding as I am – of accepting that as how things OUGHT to be ;))
• More CWUG Updates! Yea you heard me!
• More Beta exams and Post-Mortems, and perhaps a review of tests of the past.
• And perhaps insight into the mind of a Pekingese!

See you soon!

This is an absolutely amazing test, which is simple, easy, very understandable and straight-forward.

Did I pass? Eh, possibly – but I’m not going to bet my life on it.

If it’s so easy, why am I unsure? – so begins my Post Mortem :)

If you’ve ever looked at the internals of Windows before, and that means drilling down deep into User.dmp‘s, Memory.dmp‘s and looking at threads, processes, heaps and a number of things – Especially getting your hands dirty debugging windows – This test is right on par for you, almost a sub-100 level test on what is involved.

However, to the untrained ear (or eye) you’ll perceive this as a 900 level test, making you work your hardest while reviewing everything arcane, different and strange to you.

This all boils down to the unwritten rules of Power Curves such as to say, not everyone is suited to be an administrator, architect, collaborator, consultant, debugger, developer, engineer, evangelist, professional, technician or Technologist.

But that doesn’t stop us from trying.   And it is tests like this one which further stretches that line, while blurring it at the same time – exposing and opening up those possibilities without expert knowledge to embrace it and grow our technological community as a whole.

Good luck out there, keep growing.

And if you want to grow your Windows Internals knowledge – Here is a good place to start. 

Welcome the return of the Microsoft Second Shot Program!

So – how exactly does this work? Hi-jacked from their site!

You have until June 30, 2009, to register, obtain an exam voucher, complete your first exam and retake your exam (if you did not pass on your first attempt).

Which exams qualify for this Second Shot offer?
Any Microsoft Learning IT professional, developer, or Microsoft Dynamics exam qualifies for this offer.

So, what does this mean for you?
If you plan to take an exam and PAY for an exam – It doesn’t pay to not register your exam and get a voucher number first. Don’t think about doing it – Do it.

Good luck out there!

Special thanks to Trika! for pointing out the brand new Microsoft Beta Exam Blog!

I’ve linked this over in my “Microsoft Links” on the side as well, as I’ll reference and check this blog on a regular basis, in addition to checking other blogs, Trika and GerryO’s blog, as well as manual scouring of the Prometric site for new entries which meet “Beta” criteria!

And for those of you SBS folks in the world, there is whisper of a coming SBS 2008 exam!

In other news, I expect to have additional post-mortems, completely obfuscated on all the other beta exams which happen out there!

Keep Posted!

That sure is a lot to cover in this header, but it is true.

If you happen to read Trika’s Blog as I do you will find this little gem about the Performance based testing pilot!

What this talks about is a Performanced based pilot! Going through a new simulation type which MS and Prometric are working on offering and delivering. Quite different than the past “instance” based simulations, where you’re limited in what you’re able to do. This actually gives you the real environment where it judges you on not how you got to your answer, just on your final answer.

I think it sounds and seems pretty sweet, as us command line folks would rather type a command than click a million windows to end up at the same point.

Disclaimer: Participation in this pilot exam will not earn you credit for the MCTS Server 2008 AD. It will however earn you a free exam voucher to be used for any MS exam.

Register for New Performance Based Testing Pilot Exam 70-113: TS: Windows® Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring

So, as it stands, getting to get your hands on and provide feedback for the future of simulations, ensure any ‘issues’ are known and notified by you back to the mothership regarding future testing.

Oh, and I think it goes without saying, that we all love Trika! I know I do! :)