Certification Prep – The 20 Minute Workout

I just posted a quick Windows 8 overview over on HUBPAGES; the HUB can be found via http://gunderstone.hubpages.com/hub/Overview-of-the-Windows-8-Release-Preview As I do some study and review on my own for Exam 70-687: Configuring Windows 8 that I plan to test out on (and I am working on another Windows 8 project as well) I will be posting some review material. As I do I will be sure to drop a note here.

Win a trip to VMworld, TechEd, Citrix Synergy or Cisco Live all as a part of TrainSignal's 10th Anniversary Contest In celebration of their 10th anniversary, TrainSignal is having a celebration contest with a couple of very cool prizes. To enter you need to go to their Facebook page and click on the 10th Anniversary Giveaway tab. Fill out your name and email address, and click Submit. You will be automatically entered into our drawing to win the free trip to VMworld, TechEd, Citrix Synergy or Cisco Live 2013. TrainSignal will post the winners on their blog on October 1, 2012.   For full details on the prizes offered and eligibility you can review their contest page after you sign up for the 10th Anniversary Giveaway

Microsoft Learning has announced the return of the Second Shot offer as part of their learning program special offers. With the Second Shot exam or exam pack, you can save at least 15 percent on the cost of the single certification exams, and you’ll be able to retake any exam you don’t pass the first time, at no extra cost. Using the Microsoft Certification Packs part of the program there is a cost savings of at least 15 percent on the cost of the exams and along with that savings you get one free retake for each exam you don’t pass the first time. With the Second Shot offer , if you fail your exam the first time you take it, you may use the same voucher for your retake exam. The full details on the Second Shot program along with the Second Shot FAQ are available online on the Microsoft Learning Websites. There’s additional details on the FAQ but here are a quick few points: Second Shot voucher offer is available from August 27, 2012, to May 31, 2013

Windows 8 is now officially available to download via TechNet and MSDN as the product has been RTMed (released to manufacturing). Enterprise customers with Microsoft Software Assurance already have access to the final release of the operating system and Volume License customers without Software Assurance will be able to purchase Windows 8 through Microsoft Volume License Resellers at the beginning of September. If you do not want to wait for the commercial release and are not a subscriber to TechNet of MSDN, Microsoft is also offering a 90-day trial edition of Windows 8 Enterprise . The 90-day evaluation trial of Windows 8 Enterprise edition is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions as ISO images in Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, English (UK), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. Some key points regarding the 90-day evaluation trial of Windows 8 Enterprise edition. Microsoft does not provide any tech

From my review at Amazon.com: Breaking into the technology field can be done by any number of means but one of the routes most taken is hardware and software for end user support. I did this myself back in 1998 in obtaining my A+ certification . (If you want to read the backstory you can review my old post “ My Personal Certification Story). Like the technology available today being more diverse and complex than that of its predecessors, so too is the new A+ exam. (I want to say “this is not your parents’ A+ certification exam” but that makes me sound old). The CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 Authorized Exam Cram, Sixth Edition book from Pearson and written by David L. Prowse covers this iteration of the A+ two part exam and is a great study and reference resource for your general learning and follow up reference. At the front of the book there is a handy tear out cram sheet packed with 90 key focus areas for the exam that are detailed within the book. There are a total of 19