I’ve been eating out on my MCSE certification since I first earned it in 1995.

Back then, I got an unsolicited phone call from a major computer company that was adding a new arm to its consulting division. They found my resume on the Internet, doubled my salary, sent me on consulting gigs across the country, and bought my first house with the discounted stock I bought out of every paycheck.

By the time I left the computer industry (before it became the “technology” industry) there wasn’t a job I couldn’t get an interview for just because I had an MCSE.

(By the way, if you’re wondering, I’m not old. I graduated from college in 1995. I got my certs pretty much right away.)

The Value of MCSE Certifications Today

Of course, things are not the same today as they were then. That is the function of time, to change what was into what is. Nevertheless, the MCSE certification continues to be both a badge of honor among IT professionals, and a powerful card to play when seeking a new job or a promotion.

However, the MCSE gravy train may finally be coming to an end.

When Microsoft first announced its new certification paradigm, there was much hand wringing and more than a few pronouncements that the IT world was doomed. It turns out that those sentiments were premature. The MCSE on Windows Server 2003 stepped in unnoticed as the “next” MCSE certification and IT professionals have been content to pursue, hold, and display the MCSE ever since.

So, what has changed?

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Last week I got a chance to talk to Ben “Coach” Culbertson (our Server 2008 expert), just as he was finishing up his latest training. Coach gave me some insight into his new Server 2008 R2 training that covers all of the new features and tools of R2 — so check out the video below.

Find out what the R2 training is all about from the man who created it, and learn a little bit about the new updated version of Server 2008 while you’re at it.

If you enjoy the video, check out Coach’s Server 2008 R2 training and see how you can get yours free.
But hurry — this is a limited time offer!

For over a decade, an MCSE certification was the golden ticket in the world of IT.

An MCSE meant that, not only had you demonstrated an understanding of systems administration and the skills necessary to run a Windows-based enterprise, but also that you were willing to take the extra necessary steps to achieve a long-term IT based goal.

Those two attributes were the best available indicator of someone having what it takes to be a quality sys admin.

Then, Microsoft inexplicably pulled the plug on its highly successful technology certification. In a misguided effort to make Microsoft certification “more relevant” to specific job functions, the company made wholesale changes to the entire certification program instead of tweaking the areas that needed improvement.

In doing so, the company left behind a fog of confusion for both IT professionals, who wondered what certification track to pursue, and for managers who wondered what certification actually matched up with the available position.

There Goes the Last MCSE

The Tom Petty song, Last DJ laments the growing influence of corporations in radio. An enterprise that was once the bastion of people who loved music had grown into one focused only on dollars and cents. It is not unlike what has happened to Microsoft certification.

The MCSE program was both a demonstration of technical abilities, and a badge of honor among Microsoft IT personnel. Senior systems administrators with years of experience and skills that no one would ever question still put forth the effort to get their MCSE designation, even if they did not intend to look for a new position.

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Hey gang! It’s Coach Culbertson here, and I’ve got something really useful to show you today. This will not only save you time but might save you some money too.

If you’re planning on making the move to virtualization, whether it’s Hyper-V or VMware you need to first make sure that your hardware, and more specifically your processor, can handle virtualization. How do you do that?

Well, there’s actually a really easy way to check which Intel processors support virtualization and which don’t.

So if you’re looking to implement virtualization and you need to check your current hardware, or if you’re looking to buy new hardware — this is the best way to check which Intel processor you can use — before spending money on a new box or a new processor.

You can access this super easy to use too at ark.intel.com/vtlist.aspx

And in the video below I’ll show you exactly how it works and how you can use it to your advantage.

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Train Signal celebrated 7 years last month and to mark the occasion we decided to do a fun little giveaway as a way of saying THANK YOU for your continued loyalty and support.

Find out how you can win!
Hurry! Contest ends today, September 30th, 2009