Ron Moore
rmoore at comtechpst.com
Tue Feb 25 12:01:13 CST 2003
John, the tests can ONLY measure one's current knowledge of the limited material in question. To me, an equal score without taking the test also suggests an intuitive learner with great comprehension skills and/or breadth of real-world experience. Perhaps an added point system for non-course takers is needed (not to be confused with a handicap or Affirmative Action)? Ron Moore Sr. Database Administrator Comtech PST Corp. Melville, NY www.comtechpst.com > -----Original Message----- > From: dba-sqlserver-admin at databaseadvisors.com > [mailto:dba-sqlserver-admin at databaseadvisors.com] > Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 12:44 PM > To: dba-sqlserver at databaseadvisors.com > Subject: RE: [dba-SQLServer]MCDBA > > I hear what you are saying, but what that implies is that the tests don't > measure what a person knows. > > If a person knows enough to pass the test, whether or not he took a class, > then he knows as much as the person who took the class and got the same > score (more or less). > > Or the tests suck and can't measure what they are supposed to so we will > force everybody to take a class since that's the only way to ensure they > know the stuff. In which case, why the test? > > John W. Colby > Colby Consulting > www.ColbyConsulting.com > > -----Original Message----- > From: dba-sqlserver-admin at databaseadvisors.com > [mailto:dba-sqlserver-admin at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Francisco > H Tapia > Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 12:37 PM > To: dba-sqlserver at databaseadvisors.com > Subject: Re: [dba-SQLServer]MCDBA > > > FWIW, IMNSHO SQL Server is leaps and bounds over typical Access Database > administration. There are DBA's I email with that can script out > procedures > to take care of a full restore plans in case of a catastrophe. So besides > server A going down or HDD 3 of the Log Raid, is down, They often manage a > Farm of SQL Servers that take care of mountains of data. It's one thing > to > know "how" to do something and I have great respect for these DBA's as > they > always seem to have a minute or two to answer any of my "dumb" questions > :oD. I belive the same thing holds true for System Admins... We have a > "good" System Admin here at my current job, but he is by no means GREAT... > there are many mistakes he makes and many more things he doesn't know. If > for example he were a certified CISCO engineer, perhaps he'd be able to > have > a better idea of subnetting our entire large collision domain network. > This > is true for our own in-house Sql Server DBA, poor guy tries his damndest, > but still comes up short on many DBA specific duties... he is not too > familiar for example with SQL backup and restore process... or even SQL > Server Agent Alerts... ouch!... I am a Programmer/Developer by title, but > I > dabble in everything, from software to hardware. > > -Francisco > http://rcm.netfirms.com > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "John W. Colby" <jcolby at colbyconsulting.com> > To: <dba-sqlserver at databaseadvisors.com> > Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 9:07 AM > Subject: RE: [dba-SQLServer]MCDBA > > > : Steve, > : > : Whine away, I feel the same way. No, actually knowing how to DO > something > : is not enough! > : > : What a crock. > : John W. Colby > : Colby Consulting > : www.ColbyConsulting.com > : > : -----Original Message----- > : From: dba-sqlserver-admin at databaseadvisors.com > : [mailto:dba-sqlserver-admin at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Steven W. > : Erbach > : Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 11:56 AM > : To: dba-sqlserver at databaseadvisors.com > : Subject: Re: [dba-SQLServer]MCDBA > : > : > : Allan, > : > : I can appreciate the structured learning bit. I was wondering because > I > : had a conversation with a good friend who, in the past, always kept up > the > : certifications that he had. He seems to be despairing of the cost and > : bother. Unless one is focused very clearly on one skill these days, > : certification can become very expensive very quickly. Some--Cisco, for > : example--require re-certification every two years. I just wonder what > that > : buys you once you get it. Continued advancement? Better-paying jobs? > : > : I looked up MCDBA certification classes in my area and found some > being > : offered by another old friend of mine in the Chicago area. The > certification > : tests apparently cannot be taken unless one also takes the courses. I > found > : that a bit of a put-off. > : > : I was also curious that, on the Microsoft site, the MCDBA is geared > for > : those with big company experience and big servers and big databases. > Somehow > : I doubt that these required courses offer anything in the way of > simulation > : of huge databases or multiple platform connections...or do they? > : > : I've worked with PCs since 1982 and on mainframes for a bit before > that, > : back to 1975. It seems demeaning somehow that I cannot take a > certification > : test without going through an approved set of courses for which I pay a > : large sum of money. I'm perfectly capable of learning SQL Server--or > : anything else, for that matter--just fine on my own or in connection > with > my > : client experiences. I guess I'm whining about having to take those > courses. > : If I do and if I get an MCDBA, what does it mean? > : > : Regards, > : > : Steve Erbach > : Scientific Marketing > : Neenah, WI > : > : "Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits." - Mark Twain > : > : > : > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > -- > : ---- > : > : Is email taking over your day? Manage your time with eMailBoss. Try it > free! > : http://www.eMailBoss.com > : > > > _______________________________________________ > dba-SQLServer mailing list > dba-SQLServer at databaseadvisors.com > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-sqlserver > http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------- > Is email taking over your day? 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