I think a lot of people get caught up in the whole certification idea, but lose focus on what its really here for...
My main problem, when I was studying for the ACSA, was the quality of my studying. Sure, I can go pass some exams and put ACSA on my name. Woohoo! The certification is supposed to be a process that helps you really refine your skills as an OS X Admin and probably in many different areas as well. It is supposed to help you improve your problem solving skills and help you better evaluate different scenarios and either suggest ways to better them, fix them, or whatever the situation calls for...you get the idea.
I think the biggest kinda good thing about the ACSA right now is the fact that there isn't people banging down the doors to grab them up simply for added cash from employers. True, I've had some folks ask if I have that certification when I've done some consulting work, but most don't even know it exists. Heck, even Dice.com doesn't list Apple certs in their list. Oh, so the reason this is good-ish, is the fact that it should allow most ACSA students to take their time and really learn the material, not memorize for an exam and forget it later.
I agree with Michael though. There wasn't anything really on the ACTC that a full time server admin shouldn't be familiar with. Of course, some sections may be put off a bit in the fact that you may not currently be using an OS X Mail server, or such, but that's besides the point...and of course, as Michael said, none of this really applies to those on the list who are being held hostage in IT jobs. :)
I've been reading through Schoun's book here and there and it is a good place for a lot of folks to turn to truly get an idea of what they're using on a daily basis. Anyone who's been pushed into OS X IT, or is looking at ACTC and possibly higher should give that one a shot. Nicely enough, you can order up Michael's at the same time and transition from one to the next. :)
Michael Dhaliwal, ACSA
Loyola Press
3441 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
"If IT was easy
Everyone would do IT"
Anyone that makes their living with Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server can
pass ACTC. Get the (free) SAG from Apple, buy Schoun's book, spend your
own money on the tests if your employer is too cheap. You should pass.
DO NOT spend your own money on the classes. If your employer will
spring for it I encourage that- the instructors are for the most part
high quality and you will come out knowing more than just the
certification material. But if your sole objective is to become ACTC
certified (and everyone should be) and you have to take 7 days worth of
classes to do it, you should find a new career. (this of course does
not apply to the people forced into IT roles. I feel your pain).
<snip>
The ACSA is a different matter. It's a lot harder. Taking the class
will seriously lessen the prep time necessary to pass. Once again,
though, unless your employer is paying, the classes are a little steep.
Gut it out and study. Get the (free) SAG from Apple, buy my book, and
glance at the Admin Guide every once in awhile when your mind needs a
break (the group that writes the Admin Guide and the group that writes
the Certifications are separate, and the materials are not much
related). *
Michael Bartosh
Essential Mac OS X Server Administration
O'Reilly, forthcoming
http://www.pantherserver.org/buy
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