A Look at Regulating The Computer Repair Industry

Every now and then some Computer Repair rip-off story shows up in the media and finds its way onto YouTube (1, 2, 3, 4). After the Technicians on our forums pick up their jaws from the floor at how unbelievable some of the techs in these videos are, the discussion always turns to regulation of the computer repair industry.

There are Information Technology certifications which are used to regulate those who are being hired by someone else since are used to show that a technician has a basic understanding of certain skills. However, it doesn’t actually mean that the certified person can actually fix a computer. I have personally seen well qualified technicians who were absolutely useless while non-certified technicians were absolutely brilliant.

If you are self employed, you obviously don’t need certifications to get a job since you are your own boss. So who’s going to certify and regulate the self employed and how will it be done? Should we even regulate the computer repair industry at all?

One technician on the Technibble forums proposed a system similar to how plumbers, carpenters and electricians have to be licensed. This regulatory body would require technicians to pass a series of rigorous testing and have a minimum of 5 years industry experience that has to be on paper with the names and numbers of past employers. Similar to applying for a job, once you are all checked out and verified, you get an ID card which signifies that you are approved by your government to do business in the IT field. I’m sure you have all seen those “only used a licensed electrician” ads on TV and this setup would be the same.
To make more computer repair businesses adhere to the standards set by this computer regulatory body, the public will be made aware of this group by large scale news media, signs and public services announcements so regular consumers have the option to see the computer businesses ID card.

While this is probably the best regulatory idea I have heard so far, there is another experienced computer technician on our forums said that he has been running for 3.5 years, started up right out of university with no prior experience and this setup would make him unable to attain the license the other technician is suggesting.
Another great point that the second technician mentioned was the dodgy computer technician shown in these two videos (1, 2) could have more than 5 years experience and knew exactly how to fix the computers on the TV program. His skills may also be good enough to pass the mandatory exams which means he has met all the necessary requirements to become a fully fledged Computer Technician. Being “licensed” his clients will trust him more and he can continue to scam them to his hearts content.

A third technician recommended the idea of a reputation system rather than a regulation system. There could be a website where computer businesses are listed and their clients can leave feedback on the service they received from the technician/shop. Unfortunately I can foresee problems with this system as well. How does the website know if the person leaving feedback was even customer of that technician or store and not their competition trying to give them a bad name? Also, with feedback people tend to use it to complain rather than praise. There are many businesses that I deal with that I am very pleased about, but I don’t hop on the internet posting feedback about them because its a non issue for me. However, I would go online and make it known if I was ripped off so the feedback on this reputation site would be skewed.

All three of these technicians agreed that its very difficult to setup a system that’s infallible that wont affect legitimate technicians in some way.

Now, lets say that we do find a way to regulate the industry that is fair to all technicians; the problem is that it can become over-regulated. My father is a freelance draftsman and he occasionally does some work for companies that develop medical components and this group of companies are now massively over-regulated. When this client first started up about 20 years ago he had his own work processes in developing these components.

A few years later a medical regulatory institution was formed by a small section of the government to cover the development of such components. At this point, the medical regulatory institution had very little power over the businesses but over the years laws were passed, fat politicians shook some hands and this toothless tiger began to grow some teeth. Even more laws have passed since to the point of where it is hurting the businesses.

For his medical products business to remain certified under these new regulations, he has to pass inspections of his factory every now and then by evaluators sent by this regulatory institution. He works hard at making sure he complies to everything but it has reached a point where it has become almost tyrannical. Just recently, he lost a demerit point in an inspection because he had a steel ruler in the factory that was not certified by this group and therefor it was an unauthorized measuring device. A freaking steel ruler..

I can see the computer repair industries regulations getting tighter and tighter as various horror stories arise and politicians have knee-jerk reactions and put in even more rules. Eventually we’ll have to make a hard drive image of each computer before we touch it, even if we are doing something basic, we could even be required to keep a copy of that backup for a few years, pass police checks and get our custom computer builds tested against industry standards.

So, we can have regulation that weed out the computer technician cowboys but we run the risk of being unfairly or over-regulated. What do you guys think?

Linux Certification – Way to Go

Even as we talk about Linux certification, it is interesting to first understand the very concept of Linux Operating System. Linux is different from other popular operating systems like Windows and Unix that are popular in the industry.

Linux kernel was created by Linus Torvalds as part of his plan to create a license-free operating system. Unlike in case of other commercial operating systems where the source code is closely guarded and kept highly confidential, in case of Linux, the source code is freely available to programmers across the world, and they are allowed to modify and distribute it freely. Linux was a result of the controversial GNU project that attempted to create a free OS on the lines of the popular UNIX operating system. The IT industry’s initial response to Linux was that of great apprehension. However with the passage of time, the popularity of Linux as an operating system has grown at an astronomical pace, much to the surprise of major commercial vendors of operating systems such as Microsoft.

Now as the use of Linux has grown so much, and there are millions of IT professionals across the world trained in its use and programming. The industry has realized the need for introducing Linux certification, in order to validate the skills of a Linux professional, much on the lines of other popular certifications such as CCNA and MCSE.

There are quite a few certifications in vogue being offered by various Linux vendors and some non-profit organizations. A candidate has to make a careful choice considering factors such as the nature of Linux environment deployed, and also the cost of certification.

In terms of vendor-neutral certifications, Linux certification can be broadly classified into the following categories:

LPIC-1
This certification is designed for junior-level Linux administrators. The skills tested under this certification are basically the installation, maintenance, and configuration of Linux systems. LPIC-1 professionals possess reasonable Linux expertise that enables them to configure a stand-alone PC or a workstation.

LPIC-2
The LPIC-2 certification is designed for professionals who can administer small to medium sized sites. They possess skills that enable them to maintain and troubleshoot heterogeneous networks. These networks are a blend of Microsoft and Linux operating systems, added with various server components such as the Internet Gateway. LPIS-2 professionals are also able to supervise assistants and provide valuable systems information to the management.

LPIC-3
This certification is designed for professionals who have the capability to configure Linux systems for multi-site enterprises. They are expected to possess the following additional skills:
• Project management
• Schedule management
• Team handling
• Management reporting

Another popular vendor-neutral Linux certification is the CompTIA’s Linux+. CompTIA is highly popular for its range of foundation-level certifications. On the same lines, the Linux+ certification offered by CompTIA is also an entry-level certification for Linux professionals. It is intended for candidates who have around six months experience in installing and maintaining Linux systems. The main topics covered in CompTIA Linux+ certification include:
• Planning and Implementation
• Installation, configuration and administration
• System maintenance
• Troubleshooting
• Maintenance of system hardware

Outside the preview of vendor-neutral certifications, Red Hat, the popular vendor of Linux, also offers a series of Linux certifications that are:

• Red Hat Certified Technician (RHCT): This certification tests the skills of a professional in installation and maintaining Linux systems. It also checks the ability to manage a corporate network.
• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE): This is a Senior Administrator level certification designed to test skills such as network security and services.
• Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA): This is the highest level of Linux certification offered by Red Hat. It tests advanced skills such as systems management, performance management and advanced network concepts.

Despite the initial hesitation of the IT industry in adopting Linux as an operating system, it is now amply clear that Linux is here to stay. The power and flexibility of Linux is encouraging more and more companies across the world to prefer it to other commercially successful operations systems such as Windows and Unix. Moreover, since it follows an open-code system, the flexibility offered by Linux is unparalleled.

So if you are already into the use and application of Linux, it is highly advisable to go in for a certification. Certification provides valid assurance to a potential employer about the actual skills and ability of a candidate. If a candidate is already Linux experienced, then with a little help from the plethora of online tutorials available on the net, a Linux certification exam can easily be cracked.

MCSE Certification

MCSE Certification Introduction

The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification is the globally accepted endorsement of a professional’s expertise in certain core areas of the IT industry, namely, design, deployment and implementation of Microsoft infrastructure solutions.

This expertise equips the certificate holders to analyse business requirements and problems, and design the infrastructure to generate business solutions on the Microsoft Windows 2000 (and advanced platforms), and the Microsoft Windows Server System. In addition, the professional is equipped to install, configure, and troubleshoot network systems.
In the IT industry, MCSE certified professionals qualify for appointment as Network Engineer, Network Analyst, Network Architect, System Administrator, Server Administrator, Tech Support Engineer, IT Consultant, IT Manager and other responsible
Because of its unique testing and appraisal method, the MCSE is taken as a testimony of “proved-competence” in the industry. The candidate has to pass through an exacting set of performance-based tests to earn the certification, with entry to the tests being given to those who have at least 1 year’s experience in implementing and administering a network operating system, and also possess troubleshooting skills acquired on-the-job. The tests require the candidate to solve problems and accomplish tasks in a simulated workplace condition, which helps in accurate assessment of the candidate’s knowledge and skills, plus response time, and confidence level. No wonder then that an MCSE candidate gets hired without much ado as his certification obviates the need for the recruiting firm to put him through further assessment tests.
A candidate for MCSE certification is required to take four networking exams, plus a client operating system exam, a design exam, and an elective exam. The topics covered include, “Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment,” “Installing, Configuring and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional,” and, “Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network.” The course content and the tests are upgraded regularly in keeping with the pace of technological advances and matching requirements in the industry.
In addition to the regular MCSE certification, Microsoft offers another set of exams for endorsing two areas of specialization, namely, MCSE: Security, and MCSE: Messaging. These certifications too demand “on-the-job performance” by the candidates who are also required to solve problems and accomplish tasks in a simulated workplace environment. The MCSE Messaging certification qualifies the candidate for the position of a Systems Engineer which requires capability to design, plan and implement an exchange infrastructure on the Windows operating system. For taking the MCSE Messaging exam, the candidate needs to have two years experience in implementing and administering desktop and network operating systems, and designing network infrastructure in a simulated environment of a medium-to-large organisation. In addition, he has to have at least one year’s experience in administering an Exchange Server environment with units located in different places, having diverse connection protocols, and Internet messaging.
The MCSE Security specialization calls for comprehensive knowledge and skills related to Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 security. Microsoft holds elective exams to test the candidate on his security skills on these platforms. A candidate who has obtained MCSE Security certification is also equipped to handle Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition, besides being qualified to attempt the Computer Technology Industry Association’s CompTIA Security + certification exam.
Specialization is always advantageous for the IT professional. And the industry too welcomes it. By specializing in any technical field of the IT spectrum, the professional gets to excel in the chosen field, besides distinguishing himself from those who have the broad MCSE certification. The industry welcomes a candidate with specialization in a chosen area because it is always easier to match him or her closely with a technical job slot. With more and more MCSE certified professionals coming into the job market, the task of hiring a person for a specialized field thus becomes easier for the industry as it can readily identify the candidate for the available job, and save precious time and effort. But it should be borne in mind that despite Microsoft offering the specialized MCSE certification, the value of the regular MCSE certification is not diminished in any way. The MCSE continues to be regarded as the ultimate credential of a professional’s high competence.
In addition to the Messaging and Security specialization in the MCSE, Microsoft offers two other certificates: The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), and the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) which are qualifications that the industry accepts as suitable for customer-service workers and administrators respectively. Candidates without the required experience can consider these two certificates as opportunities for acquiring the knowledge and skills needed for attempting the tougher MCSE certification exams which focus on experienced IT professionals with expertise in designing and implementing Microsoft solutions.

CISCO Certification – a Great Career Option

CISCO Certification – a Great Career Option

Acquiring an IT certification is a highly recommended step for any individual planning a career in Information Technology. There are various kinds of certifications that one can go for. The kind of certification depends on the specific field chosen in IT. There are different certifications available for programming professionals, networking professionals, and technicians.
In the field of networking, Cisco is a company well known for its hardware equipment. Cisco systems form the backbone of many a computer networks across the world. Cashing in on this expertise, Cisco has also devised a system of certifications. CISCO certifications test an individual on various aspects of computer networking.

The basic certification level in Cisco is CCNA, which is an acronym for Cisco Certified Network Associate. This certification is designed to check skills such as installation and configuration of Cisco products. This is the basic certification that a candidate needs to acquire before progressing to CCNP and finally the CCIE.
The CCNA certification exam is designed in such a way that it attempts to test all basic aspects of networking specifically in respect to Cisco networks. The exam is a combination of various theory and practice-oriented questions. The CCNA exam generally covers concepts such as:
• TCP/IP
• LAN Technology
• WAN Technology
• OSI Model
• Communication Protocols
Just as other certification exams, the CCNA exam is an online exam, consisting of a set of multiple-choice questions. The result is declared immediately on completion of the exam. The minimum passing percentage is 84.9%, which means the candidate must get 849 questions right out of a total of 1000.
In the arena of computer networking, CCNA is a highly sought after qualification. Individuals possessing the CCNA certification are able to manage lucrative positions for themselves. Cisco networking equipment is use very widely across the world; hence there is a huge requirement of professionals trained on their use and operation. Moreover, the holding of CCNA by a candidate provides the potential employer a reasonable level of assurance that the person in question has a sound knowledge of Cisco networking devices.
CCNA even provides a tremendous scope for individuals planning to start up their own Network support services. There are millions of small companies around the world who do not employ full-time network engineers, but have a high dependence upon networking. These companies prefer to engage CCNA certified professionals to manage and support their systems on requirement basis.
Once a candidate clears the CCNA exam, he/she becomes eligible to appear for the next level of Cisco certification, i.e., Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP). The CCNP certification exam tests the networking professional’s ability to install and configure large networks typically covering 100 to 500 nodes. It covers technologies such as Broadband and VPNs.
The number of professionals holding CCNP is comparatively less, which is one reason that employers aggressively hunt around for them, and pay them handsomely. The major reason for this hot demand for CCNP professionals is that they possess demonstrated knowledge about high-end concepts such as routers, switches and even wireless networking applications.
The last and the most prestigious level of Cisco certification is the CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert). It is an Expert level certification provided by Cisco. Although there are no formal prerequisites, it is recommended by experts that the candidate must have around 3-5 years of networking experience before attempting the CCIE exam. As of September 2006, there were only 13,756 CCCCIE qualified individuals in the world.
Though it is quite a challenge to clear the CCIE certification exam, it is indeed very rewarding. Owing to the high level of complexity of the CCIE exam, it is assumed by the industry that a CCIE certified professional has an in-depth and expert level knowledge about the networking concepts. It is therefore not surprising that the salary levels of CCIE professionals often cross the $100,000 mark.
Besides the ones detailed above, there are some more certifications that fall under the Cisco brand:
• Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP): This certification is designed to test advanced knowledge of Cisco devices and network design.
• Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP): This certification is designed to test advanced knowledge of Cisco network security issues.
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP): This certification is designed to test the use of protocols covering large networks.
• Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP): This certification is designed to test all aspects of Internet telephony.
Since it is not easy to acquire a Cisco certification, experts recommend that the candidate must take adequate coaching and guidance before appearing for any such exam. Equally important is a fair amount of practical exposure to the networking industry. Cisco certifications undoubtedly provide a valuable boost to the career of any individual who is involved the computer-networking field.