Everyone complains about how expensive cert tests are, and how expensive the prep media is. Brainbench offers the same questions that are in CompTIA's A+, and Network+ tests, and M$ MCSE too. I cant believe you guys are letting yourself get sucked in. The MCSE is microsofts golden money bag in certifications. Have you people actually seen the Stafmark commercials? They tell the masses that they to can jump on the bandwagon of IT and make tons o' money NOT. I am the coordinating instructor at the Vocational section of continuing and adult education here in my town. I plan, Design and teach classes to prep you for PC Reapir, Network engineering, and Linux (new class, im so excited I could pee). We dont even make guarantees about what certs you will get. I feel that if you are going to work with technology you will do so, it is not a trade like framing, or plumbing, rather it is a passion that evoloved into a way of making money. Either you work as a technician/teacher/entrepreneur, or you have to find a meaningless job doing something you hate (factorys, fast food, yardwork) Technology is so advanced that some one who doesnt love it is going to find it extremely difficult. First look at the history. Geeks thought it up, geeks made it work, corporate America makes money off of it without understanding the real magic behind it. Now people without a full understanding of electrons are able to tinker with there machines, oh for the days of past where you actually needed to read hex and understad addressing and IRQ's. I do feel it is great that Technology has came so far, but would you diagnose your childs cancer and apply kemo your self? no you would take your kid to the doctor, someone who has dedicated themselves to the human body and a lifetime of learning. I too agree that doctors are too expensive and it is their education that makes it so, and some only become a doctor for the money. I was all for socialised medicine, which would bring down the cost of being healthy, and the cost of education to become a doctor, make those tests extremely difficult so only the ones with real dedication could pass. The same with Tech certs, make those suckers really hard so fly by night techs that only want to learn the basics dont become techs. Sound rough not really. yeal at me, talk back, or whatever , oh and by the way yes I do have certs but only because it was the only way to get my jobs CompTIA A+ Network+ CISO CNE and 4 years of BSE hell Never ms mcse

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Bah friggin Humbug