Setting up a wireless router is easy. Essentially you turn your cable or DSL modem off and your wireless router on. Then, you connect the router to the modem with a cable, and turn the modem back on. You are more or less done. The wireless network wizard on your computer will pick up the router and, if your ISP does not have any special requirements, away-you-go, you are on the Internet.
For ease of setup and configuration, manufacturers ship wireless routers with all security disabled. Therein lies the problem. If you do not take any further steps to secure your router, and a surprising number of people don’t, your network will be wide open to all passersby and strangers. It’s like you’ve hung out a sign, “The door is open. Please come in and help yourself.”
The problem is not that strangers will be able to use your router to access the Internet but that, without further protection, would-be intruders will be able monitor and sniff out information you send and receive on your network. Malicious intruders can even hop on to your internal network; access your hard drives; and, steal, edit, or delete files on your computer.
The good news is that it is relatively easy to secure your wireless router. Here are three basic steps you should take.
1. Password protect the access to your router’s internal configuration
To access your router’s internal setup, open a browser and enter the routers setup URL. The URL will be specified in the manual. The URLs for D-Link and Linksys routers, two major manufacturers of wireless routers, are http://192.168.0.1 and http://192.168.1.1, respectively.
For Linksys routers, leave the user name blank and type “admin” (without the quotes) in the password field and press enter. To change the password, simply click on the Password tab and enter your new password.
For other routers, please consult your manual. Alternately, you can search on the Internet with the term “default login for ”. Don’t be surprised to find quite a number of pages listing default login parameters for many different routers, even uncommon ones.
2. Change the default SSID (Service Set IDentifier)
The SSID is the name of a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network). All wireless devices on a WLAN use SSIDs to communicate with each other.
Routers ship with standard default SSIDs. For example, the default SSID for Linksys routers is, not unsurprisingly, “Linksys”. As you can see, if you don’t change the default SSID of your router a would-be intruder armed with a few common SSIDs from major manufacturers will be able to find your wireless network quite easily.
To change the SSID, click on the Wireless tab. Look for an input item labeled SSID. It will be near the top. Enter a new name for network. Don’t use something like “My Network”. Use a name that is be hard to guess.
3. Disable SSID broadcast
Wireless enabled computers use network discovery software to automatically search for nearby SSIDs. Some of the more advanced software will query the SSIDs of nearby networks and even display their names. Therefore, changing the network name only helps partially to secure your network. To prevent your network name from being discovered, you must disable SSID broadcast.
In the same screen that you changed the name of your network, you will see options for SSID broadcast. Choose “Disable SSID” to make your network invisible. Now save all your settings and log out.
Since your wireless network is now invisible, you will have to configure your computers to connect to your wireless network using the new name. On Windows XP, start by clicking on the wireless icon in the Notification Area and proceed from there.
With these three steps, your network now has basic security. However, if you keep sensitive information on your computers, you may want to secure your wireless network even further. For example, you can
- Change the channel your router uses to transmit and receive data on a regularly basis.
- Restrict devices that can connect to the router by filtering out MAC (Media Access Control) addresses.
- Use encryption such as WEP and WPA.
As with most things in life, security is a trade off between cost (time, money, inconvenience) and benefit (ease of use). It is a personal decision you make. However for the majority of home uses, the three basic steps plus WEP/WPA encryption provides reasonably strong security.
Turning on encryption is a two-step process. First you configure your router to use encryption using an encryption key of your choice. And then, you configure your computer to use the encryption key. The actual process of configuring your router for encryption varies from router to router. Please consult the router’s manual.
There are even stronger methods for ensuring security. A strong and robust security method is RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service). Using RADIUS requires additional hardware and software. However, there are companies that offer RADIUS security as a subscription based service. The fees are reasonable and dropping.
Therefore for example, if you run a business on your wireless network, have sensitive data on your computers such as credit card information, and have a number of users who access your network, you should consider using RADIUS. Since the service sector for RADIUS is dynamic and growing, a search on the Internet with terms like “RADIUS subscription” or “RADIUS service” is probably the best way to locate one.
Wireless systems have increasingly become the inseparable ingredients of our lives in the last century because of their instant installation capabilities in addition to obviously cutting mammoth amounts of capital and time that was otherwise being wasted in erection and installation & commissioning. But how big and expanded is the wireless systems industry? And how much they touch our lives? And if I am not stretching things too far, are we being controlled by wireless systems? Well, let’s take a critical look at these issues which concerns us all.
Wireless Systems and Communication
Ever since Graham Bell and Marconi invented telephone and radio respectively, life has never been the same. Although they didn’t revolutionalized things instantaneously they sure caused a ruffle thus signaling what was on the way. Today, without wireless systems communications would grind to a halt. Satellites become dud flying objects of little use if we don’t ‘connect’ through wireless for billions of gigabytes of data transfer every hour.
Consumer Wireless Equipments
At the bottom, we have wireless toys which are the rage with children. But the most common wireless system everyone is familiar is cell phone without which most of us can conduct our lives the way we need to. Cell phones have rapidly expanded to exit the wired phones in a matter of a few years. Even the basic phones are going wireless with the advent of CDMA technology. The 3G cell phones can transmit up to 2MBPS of data.
Mobile phones reached their zenith of glory when Motorola introduced satellite phones (Irridium) which didn’t even require wireless network but worked with satellites directly.
Connectivity is just notional; look at what broadband has done to wireless systems. Internet no more needs ‘wired connectivity’ as there is wireless broadband service. IPOD has made world collapse into our pockets. What we imagined till the other year, that wireless systems made useful wireless microphones, was turned upside down by one small pocket gadget called IPOD.
Wireless Gadgets
If we are able to watch news cruising at 50,000’ at great speeds, you could imagine what ‘the void’ (wireless) can do. Let’s take a look at some cute gadgets from the current rage.
1. Push to talk phones: Talk, browse internet, watch TV and connect to all your friends by one button push.
2. Pocket PC and wireless LAN for laptops: Pocket PCs double up as cell phones. Laptops connect to LAN with a wireless LAN card.
3. Toys, game controls etc.
4. Home theater, music systems, network booster and headphones etc.
Long ago, when gods communicated, they were not verbal! They communicated silently. Just where are we heading?
It's a fact. Laser toner cartridges are not cheap. In fact, over the expected five year life expectancy of your laser printer, you'll pay much more for toner than you will for your laser printer. Now, if your laser printer lasts longer than five years, which many do, you'll pay even more. The good news is you don't have to pay so much.
Major printer companies market use an interesting marketing model to market their products. They sell you their laser printer at cost or less, so they can sell you their consumable supplies at very high margins. Once you own a laser printer, they figure you'll have to buy their toner cartridges... hence, they have a huge mark up on them. In most instances, you'll pay twice as much for a brand name toner cartridge.
But, they don't stop there. They spend thousands of dollars each year trying to convince you to buy their toner cartridges. They imply you'll have problems if you purchase a discount toner cartridge. That's completely false.
I've purchased discount toner cartridges for over fifteen years. Here's my experience.
To begin with, I really didn't want to buy a discount toner cartridge. I assumed I would have all kinds of problems. I was wrong. I also thought I'd get poor quality. Wrong again. I knew I wouldn't get as many pages of print. Well, they say three strikes and you're out... I was really wrong on this last one.
Here's what you need to know about high quality discount toner cartridges. They are made from all new parts. Reputable printer merchants use the same technology as the major printer companies. These discount cartridges are made to the exact specifications of your laser printer. You can expect to get at least a one-year warranty on your toner cartridges. They will give you the same quality and quantity of print as your original toner cartridge.
I was totally surprised when I was able to print more pages from my discount toner cartridge than I was from my original toner cartridge. I finally learned why. Most major printer companies do not completely fill their toner cartridges. The discount toner cartridges I bought were filled to capacity… I ended up paying half the price and getting even more pages of print. Now, I consider that a good deal!
I've saved thousands of dollars over the years using discount toner cartridges. You can too.
Just be sure you purchase your cartridges from a reliable online printer merchant. You'll save on the cost of your toner cartridges. You'll get the best service and warranty in the industry. You'll learn for yourself that you don't have to pay twice as much for your laser toner cartridges.
So, if you need a new toner cartridge and want to cut way back on your printer budget, purchase some discount laser toner cartridges today.
Writing Articles On Computer Related Subjects
27 Sep 07
Having titled this article I need to issue a Mia Copa so I might as well get it out right up front. The truth is, this
editorial probably applies not only to the fields of website design and remote and outsourced ' IT ' services and computer
sales and repair like that offered by Remote Help desk 1 at http://www.remotehelpdesk1.com, but also to most writers and
technical subjects covered on the web.
Computer Man's background in the educational, legal, intelligence and law enforcement communities qualifies him more than
most "computer gurus" for research to bring his audience not only beneficial data but quality links allowing access to and
use of the information and sources shared.
The First Issue: Restricted Embedded Links...
The problem arises in trying to get the results of that research, knowledge and experience into the hands of those searching
for answers. Most hosts restrict submissions to one or two embedded links if they allow any at all. That is a real issue
when the author is actually concerned about providing quality referenced content.
These articles on the super slab run the gamut from the frivolous to the technical. Most computer and internet related
articles are probably of the technical variety at least to some extent, and it is understood there are those who game the
system and abuse their privilege. So, restrict the number of links back to the author and his or her web sites, not to
legitimate referenced sources. That will make more work for the hosts who read all these articles before they are published,
but most of them get paid well for editing what you see and read on their sites.
The Second Issue: Article Lengths...
Each hosts has his or her minimum length requirements normally in the 600 word range. Such a minimum often causes one of
necessity to be much too verbose instead of succinct as we have always been taught. Professors say keep cutting the article
down. Don't use five words when one will suffice. On the article hosting sites, the rule seems to be don't use one word
when you can write a paragraph.
For example, an article on the subject should explain what can be done to speed up Windows Vista (EXPENSIVE!) Computers, how
to properly tune up Windows XP (EXPENSIVE!) Computers, and why Linux Ubuntu (FREE...DOWNLOADABLE) runs better, faster, and
with less virus and crash problems on most computers than any Microsoft Windows operating system and then shut up. Note:
"Ubuntu's biggest problem may be a shortage of compatible wireless drivers".
Why have a two year old babbling on forever just to meet some arbitrary word count? It does not matter what moo moo makers
say, One size does not fit all! So, if it is an article on the history of computers or computer techs and sciences there
needs to be considerably more than 600 words especially with limited embedded reference links. On the other hand if it is a
simple complete steps 1, 2, 3 to fix a specific issue it may need to be considerably less.
The Third Issue: Emphasis...
Writing on computer and internet based subjects does not easily lend itself to the old standard of who, what, when, where and
why. No font setting!!!! When writing about these computer and internet related issues it is often almost obligatory to
stress and emphasize. That can be done with much less verbiage with just a little tweaking of typesetting and a well placed
link.
Many of these hosts are owned and operated by men. They should understand we (especially we men) need the salient points to
stand out from the rest of the document. We want to know where the graphics card is located not necessarily how it
functions. If we fail the first time (ok maybe the tenth), we will go back and read the directions.
Finally...
This article got a lot off my chest and over 700 words too so if it don't show up on your favorite server or host it will be
for some other reason...probably just as subjective.
In the final analysis one needs to not only publish articles but a Blog and maybe even a Twitter as well to cover all the
bases especially where there are these restrictions. That means the surfers need to search and read both article hosts and
the blogosphere to find the data they seek especially if they want to make sure the author is not blowing smoke or if they
need their data well referenced and linked. Such documentation is especially important in Computer Related Articles where
peoples precious and often nonreplacable photographs, documents, music, videos, and work related materials involving subjects
like remote and outsourced "IT" service, helpdesk, and repair facility.
As technology is advancing new gadgets are getting discovered to make our life simpler. Computers and digital gadgets have made our life effortless. We use Internet to contact our friends and group peoples. We share many things with them and send them many files and photos. Lots of software are available that can help you to share your documents online. Printeranywhere.com is such website a rather a software that let you to print your document with any printer anywhere in the world. So instead of going to your friend’s home you can log on to this website and can access your friend’s printer to print your documents.
Many times in our home, we use to print many documents like important letters, profiles, papers, financial documents, and lots of other material. But what will happen if your printer is not working properly and you need to print urgent papers. You will defiantly get frustrated. Forget the frustration. With this website you can share your printer. You can also share your printer with your friends so that they can print their documents on your printer. Now instead of sending an important documents or files via mail, use this shortcut to print those documents directly on destination printer. And don’t worry it wont take your time. Within a moment or so you will get your printouts ready. This free software gets install on your PC in minutes. You can also install this software on your laptop.
Printeranywhere.com is such a website that allows you to use your client’s printer to print important documents about a deal that he/she wants. Only you have to set your user ID and the password and you are free to use any printer across the world to print your document. This wonderful little tool is the ultimate solution for long distant printing instead of those troublesome fax machines or file transferring. And don’t worry you will never loose your document while you use this online sharing. It is not like an email, which forward the copied pages to the third party. So, your each and every document is safe and secure while you this sharing tool. The special industry standard encryption language is used to share your document within the two PC’s. Hence, it prevents the misuse of the transferred information and maintains the privacy of your documents.
This free application is powerful enough to connect you with any printer across the world. Many printer scan document before they start printing. But here the Printanywhere.com saves your time by printing the document directly. One can find many reasons for why to use this amazing software to print the documents. With this tool you can ensure that the documents are not received only but you also have the hard copy of documents. It is the best way to print the documents directly instead sending the emails to your clients or friends. This useful tool will also help you to print directly photos on your relative’s printer, so that you need not to go to his/her house frequently. If you like a specific printer quality and you don’t have that printer but your friend does. Then you can ask him to share hi/her printer so that you can take out printings for you as well as for your friend.
This Printanywhere.com can also help you f your regular Microsoft Window Network is not working properly. You can ask to your friend or a third party to let you share their printer for time being. If you are working on an international project you do troublesome fax frequently, then you can use this for better and quick results. So, why to waste time on troubling printers instead of which you can do printing on your favorite printer irrespective of its location.
For additional information on the PrinterAnywhere service or technology, contact Efraim Gershom at (913) 312-1370 or visit www.PrinterAnywhere.com.
Copyright 2006 Utopia Creative Solutions Ltd
IT Support has never been such a minefield. With new technologies always entering the marketplace it is now possible to have a corporate-standard IT system without having the financial headache of purchasing a server or even software such as Microsoft Office. For one small monthly payment, companies with 1-50 users can have their whole IT infrastructure based in a secure location, safe in the knowledge that should their office be burgled, damaged or even burned down, the only thing required to be reconnected to your office system and data is a new PC, Laptop, Thin Client or any internet-connected terminal such as in Internet Cafes. This is perfect for disaster recovery.
As your IT system is centrally managed in a safe and secure hosting environment, your IT support requirements are minimal or non-existent due to the power of remote IT support where an IT engineer or technician can actually “take over” control of your mouse and keyboard actions from anywhere in the world. This is a very crucial factor as you can even be taught and shown how to perform a particular task and it also removes the usual time-delay involved when requiring “hands-on” IT support. With a remote desktop your life will be much easier.
There are a great many advantages with remotely-hosted IT & network systems and another great benefit is the fact that you can literally work from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. You could be working on a train via wireless or 3G, sending and retrieving documents via Blackberry devices or PDAs, catching up with work on the beach, the list is just endless. As access to your data is mobile, you do not have to worry about synchronising data and carrying data on USB flash drives etc, this all saves you time and ultimately money and the freedom and mobility you will gain from such a system will only benefit your company and it’s staff, allowing for home-working and emergency access 24 hours a day.
Microsoft licensing is a major change that has occurred over the past 18 months and it is no longer necessary for companies to spend vast sums of money on hardware, software and server-related network support. In fact, companies no longer have to pay large sums of money for Microsoft Office, Adobe, Kaspersky and a growing list of software suppliers thanks to a change in the way licensing can be paid for. A great benefit of this is that you can pay monthly for a software product and receive free upgrades when new releases or patches become available.
You always want to keep your original cd collection sound and safe. You never want your originals scratched or broken from continual use. Surely, you think of cd duplication to keep your originals intact. Certainly, the idea of cd duplication is simply copying the data of one CD to another blank CD. So, the technology of cd duplication allows you to create duplicates of the originals for routine use and to keep your originals fresh as new.
CD duplication is the process that most of you are familiar with. You often term cd duplication as cd burning. CD duplication is rather easy and cheap. You just need to get blank CDs that can be burnt or duplicated either as record once, or record write, which allows you to burn the same CD as many times as you like.
CD duplication has grown very popular because it is cheap and easy. However, there are some legal & copyright issues that make cd duplication little controversial. You must know the legal issues concerning copyrights of CDs, which vary from country to country and state to state. Thus, you must avoid indulging in illegal cd duplication. However, you need not worry about the legal & copyright issues, if you in cd duplication for your own convenience and copying files from your computer or from CD's which belong to you. But, if thru cd duplication, you intend to create multi copies of commercial CDs for distributing to your friends or for selling to the general public, then you really need to have the legal rights to do that.
However, you can use the cd duplication to create copies of commercial CDs for your own use. Your CDs that you intent to duplicate may be the CDs purchased by you from your local music store or may belong to your friend. The CDs that you intent to duplicate may include music, pictures, movies, data files, mp3 files, etc.
CD duplication is the process that you can easily perform on your own PC, if you have a drive – CD-RW drive – capable of writing CD, but it’s often easier said than done. You may have a few complications doing your cd duplication on your own PC at you home; for instance, you’ll need to have special software for cd duplication. First, you’ll have to have a CD-RW drive, but if your computer has a CD-RW drive, you may need to get or buy software programs that are required for lots of useful editing features and a better quality of cd duplication. This may make your cd duplication a little cumbersome process.
Secondly, you may make glitches in your cd duplication, and finally, the copies that you create at your home may not offer you the quality grade that is found in CDs that are selling at your local CD stores; I mean, you may not be able to create perfect copies. All you hard work goes vain! However, you can stay away from all your cd duplication headaches by just buying pro cd duplication services. You can find many professionals offering you commercial quality cd duplication services. If you really interested in fine quality cd duplication and want more information on cd duplication, dvd duplication, cd replication, dvd replication, etc., you must visit my site – http://www.mediamovers.com.au. You know, cd duplication is an art, and only professionals are well versed in the art of cd duplication!
You may have new high density optical storage formats, such as BDs (blu ray discs), buy DVDs will not lose their importance and existence. You know, good technologies do not disappear easily. And, as long as you have DVDs, you will need dvd duplication or dvd duplication services.
Dvd duplication is the process of creating duplicate copies of your original DVDs. Dvd duplication is often slanged as dvd burning or dvd authoring or optical disc authoring. You can use the process of dvd duplication to write the original data, such as video, audio or other data, onto another DVD/DVDs or onto CD/CDs. Broadly, you may use dvd duplication process to as to burn dvd movies, burn copyrighted dvds, burn copy protected dvds, burn avi to dvds, burn mpeg to dvds, burn audio dvds, burn video dvds, burn mp3 dvds, burn dvd to dvds, burn dvd to cds, etc.
Dvd duplication is simply all about duplicating data from an original DVD onto another blank DVD or CD, and thus, dvd duplication allows you to preserve your original dvds, creating dvd duplicates for your routine use. You can always keep your original classics or blockbusters intact and unspoiled, but the most important question is “how to do that?”
Certainly, dvd duplication is gonna be very easy for you, if you are pro. You need the dvd duplication device that is often slanged as dvd burner. Your DVD is usually a12 cm (4.72 inches) or 8 cm (3.15 inches) storage media disk that can stock 4.7 gigabytes (GB) data. It has enough capacity to store a high quality 3-hour movie, or 10 TV episodes, or about 75 hours of .mp3 files, or roughly 15 hours of video in the lower-grade .avi format. The common DVD formats are – DVD-R and DVD-RW (a re-writable version of the DVD).
Your dvd duplication device or DVD burner helps you to burn your DVD by making it even more flexible than before. Your dvd duplication involves creating a disk image with a full file system designed for the optical disc and then duplicating and burning the image to another disc.
Your dvd duplication device uses dvd duplication software (dvd burning software) for creating duplicate copies of your originals. The dvd duplication software creates the disk image and burns it in one bundled application that you may find little tough to comprehend. You can also execute your dvd duplication thru the packet-writing applications, which do not require writing the entire disc at once, but allow writing parts at a time, allowing the disc to be used like a floppy.
You may find many dvd duplication technologies for creating copies of your original DVDs. You may also find several dvd duplication software, free dvd duplication software, best dvd burning software, free dvd burning software, cd dvd burning software, dvd movie burning software, top dvd burning software, data dvd burning software, cheap dvd burning software, discount dvd burning software, download free dvd burning software, etc.
But, if you aren’t top pro, you may not get the fine quality in your dvd duplication, and you may not prevent “coasters,” I mean, failures in dvd duplication, which make dvd duplication rather frustrating. However, professional dvd duplication service can really save you from these unnecessary frustrations of failures of dvd duplication. You may find a lot of dvd duplication services, but you should always choose the best. If you are looking the excellent dvd duplication service, you must visit my website – mediamovers.com.au.
If a person wants to earn a specific credential provided by objective validation of the ability to perform specific IT functions, we should go in for MCSE. This course has helped many IT professionals to work more effectively. To learn this Microsoft certification course the MCSE boot camp has been set up. This MCSE boot camp intensive training gives a quick injection of knowledge.
The main aim of MCSE boot camp is to provide fast certification process. The duration of this course is short which are generally one or two weeks. Moreover the timings of MCSE boot camp are flexible to meet the training requirements.
The MCSE boot camp training is not given to anyone or everyone. The teaching in this camp is fast and basic knowledge of the chosen subject is a must. The MCSE course is not easy enough that a person can mange on his own thus training from a MCSE boot camp is most of the time most necessary. There are also a lot of complicated concepts in an MCSE boot camp, which are unraveled during the course duration. Thus to benefit all the people appearing for MCSE, an MCSE boot camp has been set up. The main aim of MCSE boot camp is to provide proper guide and training from an educated instructor who can help the examinees to pass the exams.
After attending two weeks program from an MCSE boot camp the percentage of examinees clearing the exam significantly increases. Before the MCSE boot camp had been set up the clearing percentage had been staggering 20-40% but after the MCSE boot camp has been set up the percentage shot up to as high as 90%.
In an MCSE boot camp a learned, knowledgeable and educated instructor is provided who can clear all concepts and complexities. In addition to this the class is like a sort of group discussion where fellow students ask their queries and get the clarifications. MCSE boot camp create high performance environment to make learning as fun as well as easy.
Microsoft certification is increasing day be day. It is the most widely recognized technical certification in the industry, which is on high demand. . The MCSE boot camp institutes make them earn their Microsoft certification and make them lead the organization in successful manner. The MCP personnel administer the most advanced Microsoft windows platform and Microsoft server products. The survey of MCP magazine states that the average base salary of MCP ranges from $60,000 to $70,000.
The MCSE boot camp is like a boon to the fellow students. This institutes brings us away from the day to-day commotion and makes us focus on nothing else but the certification course. The trainers are also well trained, experienced and have the real world experience with products. These instructors are available even after their teaching hours. The MCSE boot camp classes are well equipped with the products, which allows every student to obtain hands-on experience with the product. Fellow students may contact the instructors in case of any difficulty or doubts.
The MCSE boot camp classes provide several ways for successful completion of course. Some MCSE boot camp also provide refresher course, which is free of charge, after the completion of the course. This offer is valid six months after the completion of the MCSE boot camp. The terms and condition of the MCSE boot camp also state that if the person is not happy with the teaching and the course program then he can take the classes again without any additional tuition cost within next six months.
The MCSE boot camp clearly mention that they shall strive their best to make their fellow students succeed in obtaining the Microsoft certification. A MCSE boot camp helps in learning the content and clears all doubts and queries.
I've seen it happen time and again to programmers, network engineers and administrators, and other IT personnel. They get a solid IT position, a good-paying job, and they get comfortable. They stop keeping up with the latest technologies, they stop studying, they no longer keep their CCNA, MCSE, and other industry certifications up-to-date.... and then one day, their comfortable job is gone.
Maybe they get laid off, maybe the company moves and they don't want to move with it... but for one reason or another, they're in the worst position possible. They have no job, and they have allowed their IT skills to deteriorate to the point where they are no longer employable.
If you're in IT, you must be constantly learning. You must continually take the long view, and ask yourself three important questions. First, where do you want to be in three years? Second, what are you doing now in order to reach this goal? And finally, if you were laid off today, are your current skills sharp enough to quickly get another job?
That third question can be the hardest of all to answer honestly. I'm reminded of Microsoft announcing years ago that they would no longer be recognizing the MSCE 4.0 certification, since the network operating systems that certification was based upon would no longer be supported by MS. (Keep in mind that this change was announced months in advance, giving those holding the MCSE 4.0 plenty of time to earn the latest MS certification.)
Some MCSE 4.0s just went nuts. Microsoft's certification magazine printed letter after letter from angry MCSEs saying that their company would always run NT 4.0, and that there was no reason for them to ever upgrade their certification.
This wasn't just denial. This was career suicide. Let's say that their network never moved from NT 4.0. Let's also say that they got laid off yesterday. Would you want to go out into the current IT workplace and have your most recent network operating system experience be on NT 4.0 ? I sure wouldn't.
The fact is that you've got to continue studying, continue growing, and continue learning new things if you want to have a successful long-term IT career. If you plan on studying only one topic, getting into IT, and then never cracking a book again, you're entering the wrong field. And for those of us who have been in it for a while - again, ask yourself this question: "Am I prepared for what would happen if I were laid off today?" And if you're not, do something about it!
Whether you're just starting your Information Technology career, or wanting to get further ahead in your current IT career, you have probably thought about earning one of the many popular computer certifications such as the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, or the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) cert.
A major point of frustration for individuals pursuing one of these certifications is a possible lack of experience with these technologies. Many future CCNAs or MCSEs simply stop trying to earn their certification, feeling that their lack of experience will hold them back.
Adding to this are those in IT who will stop everything they're doing at the drop of a hat to stomp on the dreams of others. I recently saw a post by an IT newcomer on a popular website where he declared his intention of earning his CCNA. Within minutes, several naysayers popped up and told him that he shouldn't bother, it wouldn't do any good due to his lack of experience, etc. (Did you ever notice that people who bash certifications generally don't have any themselves?)
I am in no way discounting the importance of experience. What I am saying is that every single one of us was a beginner at one point, and a lot of IT professionals forget this. None of us was born knowing everything we know today, and we shouldn't spend any time dismissing the goals of others in the IT field, or those just breaking in.
I am speaking from experience on this point. I had a tough time breaking into the IT field, and made a lot of calls and knocked on a lot of doors before I got in. I found out later that the reason I got that entry-level job is that I had a professional certification where the other candidates did not.
The pursuit of certification is the pursuit of knowledge, and in our field, you can never have too much knowledge. If your work is strictly on the Local Area Network side, don't let that stop you from pursuing a CCNA. If you work exclusively on the WAN side, don't let that stop you from going after your MCSE. If you're just breaking into Information Technology, don't let a lack of experience prevent you from studying for your A+, Network+, or even your MCSE or CCNA.
Because one day, opportunity is going to knock - and the more you know, the readier you'll be to answer that knock! Use your long-range vision to envision the day when you will have both experience and certification - an unbeatable combination.
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