Anyone have experience with SkillSoft online training?

[TekkieDave]

Here's my situation:

I've been doing desktop / server / network support as a one man shop for the past 6-7 years. I'm looking to get some certifications under my belt - partly just to pad my resume, partly to boost my self confidence. I always worry that I'm getting soft, since I've been in a comfortable position for a number of years.

So anyway, I recently got a call from a salesman looking to sell me SkillSoft's (

http://www.skillsoft.com)

online training services for pretty cheap.

Has anyone used this kind of thing before? I know everyone learns different...but I'd like to see if anyone had any experience with this kind of thing.

I'm looking to certify in Microsoft products -> MCSE err I mean MCITP.

 

[MasterRacker]

Even a lot of colleges are moving to online/computer based training so hopefully you can do well with recorded lectures.

The actual quality of the material will vary from vendor to vendor. See if they have downloadable/viewable course samples.

AppDev has a ton of downloadable samples. If SkillSoft doesn't, you could try a few of the AppDev samples to at least see if you can handle staring at a recording. ;-)

Jeff
[small][purple]It's never too early to begin preparing for [/purple]International Talk Like a Pirate Day
"The software I buy sucks, The software I write sucks. It's time to give up and have a beer..." - Me[/small]

 

[mrdenny]

I'd start with grabbing an MS Press book and trying the sample test in the back to see how you do. With 7 years experience you may be ok on most parts of the test, and a little book reading may cover the pieces that you haven't had to deal with.

That or just sit an exam. Just don't be discouraged if you sit an exam and don't pass the first time. It takes a little time to get used to the Microsoft way of asking questions.

Denny
MVP
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / SQL 2005 BI / SQL 2008 DBA / SQL 2008 DBD / SQL 2008 BI / MWSS 3.0: Configuration / MOSS 2007: Configuration)
MCITP (SQL 2005 DBA / SQL 2008 DBA / SQL 2005 DBD / SQL 2008 DBD / SQL 2005 BI / SQL 2008 BI)

My Blog

 

[hinesward]

Microsoft is certification is WORTHLESS. There is a reason why Microsoft killed the MCSE. It was easily the most disrespected certification out there. Do not waste a single minute or single penny on it. You've already wasted too much time by even considering it.

 

[TekkieDave]

hinesward, why do you say that the MS certs are worthless? What makes you think it was the most disrespected cert out there?

 

[kmcferrin]

Microsoft is certification is WORTHLESS. There is a reason why Microsoft killed the MCSE. It was easily the most disrespected certification out there. Do not waste a single minute or single penny on it. You've already wasted too much time by even considering it.

That's funny...my pay increased by nearly 20% after getting my Microsoft certifications. I also work for a Microsoft Gold Partner, for whom having highly certified employees is mandatory. The more certs we have, the more competencies our employer earns with Microsoft, and the more business Microsoft can steer our way. My employer has really started pushing our Microsoft partnership in past 2-3 years, and we have literally won millions of dollars in business that we wouldn't have even known existed had it not been for our partnership.

So in summary...

Get Microsoft Certified.
Work for a Microsoft Partner.
Make more money.

It's amazing to me how many people who work all day with Microsoft products don't bother to get certified. They frequently take similar attitudes to hinesward's. Heck, I used to be one of them until my employer started pushing for certs. Now that I'm looking at it from the perspective of someone who is certified, I'm kicking myself for having worked in IT for 10 years before getting certified.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCTS:Hyper-V
MCTS:System Center Virtual Machine Manager
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator

 

[mrdenny]

I agree with kmcferrin. Microsoft Certs have there place.

The reason that they killed the MCSE was that the certification was found to be to broad, so it was replaced by many certifications which are found in the MCITP certifications which are much more narrow in scope.

There are many people who have certifications but don't actually know anything. There are people like that on all platforms. Microsoft's certs have been hit the worst by this, but that's because more people have Microsoft certs than others (for the most part at least).

hinesward, now if you have something useful to add to the conversation, please feel free to add to the discussion. Or at least backup your statement.

Denny
MVP
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / SQL 2005 BI / SQL 2008 DBA / SQL 2008 DBD / SQL 2008 BI / MWSS 3.0: Configuration / MOSS 2007: Configuration)
MCITP (SQL 2005 DBA / SQL 2008 DBA / SQL 2005 DBD / SQL 2008 DBD / SQL 2005 BI / SQL 2008 BI)

My Blog

 

[traingamer]

We have access to Skillsoft at my employer. The courses aren't worthless, but the few I've looked at seem pretty basic.

If you already plan on taking multiple courses and pretty cheap is worth it to you, then check it out. I have not used them to study for any full blown certifications, just to pick up the basics on some new skills and refresh some not-recently-used ones.

Greg
People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use. Kierkegaard