| Vol VIII, Issue 1: January 2010 |
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-- SPONSORED BY --
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Letter from the Editor |
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The CompTIA Shuffle - What a Difference a Day Makes
One of the problems with a monthly newsletter is that timeliness is a variable that's hard to get right. Such was the case with this column. I had just finished the final draft, skewering CompTIA for their ludicrous new re-certification policy for the A+, Network+ and Security+ exams when my IT Director shot me an email with a link from Ars Technica showing that CompTIA had wisely recanted the widely unpopular new policy and replaced it with something kinder and gentler. I must admit that, deep down, I was a little disappointed, if only because it was nice to have a target besides Microsoft to throw rotten vegetables at. In the same breath I can honestly say that CompTIA got it right, and they deserve kudos for listening to their audience rather than ignorantly forging ahead with blinders firmly attached and Kick Me signs wallpapering their collective rear ends.
Due to lead times our monthly comic had no such luxury. Sorry Scott
In essence, CompTIA told all their current certification holders that their certs were no longer good for a lifetime... a key promise they made and promoted on their web site and in collateral material. Then, on January 11th, they kicked the industry in their collective groin by announcing that cert holders for the A+, Network+ and Security+ would have to re-certify every three years by either re-exam or logging continuing education credits.
It may take a little time for the aftershocks to settle, but CompTIA really was in a tough spot. Besides their coveted ANSI/ISO certification, the Department of Defense was lurking in the background with similar requests for recertification. DoD swings a pretty big hammer when it comes to CompTIA certifications thanks to their 8570.1 directive that guides training, certification and workforce management for all military IT workers. 8570 also affects as any civilian contractors working with the DoD. CompTIA's A+, Network+ and Security+ are key components to the 8570's baseline certifications. That's a lot of vouchers swinging in the wind if CompTIA doesn't play ball.
As big as the DoD is however, CompTIA has, according to the ArsTechnica article, over 800,000 A+ certified IT pro's, many who rained hell down on them in forums and blogs across the internet when the original announcement was made. So much hell in fact that CompTIA quickly tossed the baby back into the bathwater and added a lot of soapy bubbles to keep it happy. To complete the analogy, while the baby might have caught a cold, it looks like the flu has been averted for the time being.
CompTIA did the right thing and backed down so let's take a deep breath and thank them for being sensitive to the legion that supports their organization. Now if we could just get some other organizations to see the light...
Ben Ice, Editor
The Cert Times
Send all comments to: CTEditor@ExamForce.com
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This Month's Puzzle |
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Last month we took time off for the holidays but we are back and ready to give away more exam prep. Without further ado, and to make my deadline, here is this month's quiz.
You are standing by a river with a 5-gallon jug and a 3-gallon jug, but you need exactly 4 gallons of water. Using only the 2 jugs you have, how can you measure out 4 gallons?
Shoot me an email with your answer and I'll announce the winna's in next month's issue of The Cert Times.
Send all entries to: CTEditor@ExamForce.com
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Start out the new year with a new certification! The CompTIA 220-701 A+ Essentials is still good for life if you earn it this year and we are making it easy for you by cutting the price of our award-winning exam prep in half!
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Click Here To Purchase!
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A.J. Axline's B1N@RY N@T10N |
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What Happens In Vegas Should Stay In Vegas, Literally
Want to know how to get thrown out of the annual Consumer Electronics Show? Vector and I can tell you, since we got "removed" from this year's version held earlier this month by a couple of security mooks who looked less like homo sapiens and more like they were created in Saruman's workshop.
First, at every booth possible, look at what they are displaying and say, "Oh great, another frakking phone."
"Oh no, not just a phone," some marketroid will invariably gasp. "The POS-9000 is THE new player in the mobile revolution!"
"Can it be used as a phone?"
"Of course! The POS-9000 utilizes the fastest cellular network--"
Read The Full Column
Send all comments to: CTEditor@ExamForce.com
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