[plug] [OT] IT Certifications

[Bret Busby]

On Thu, 30 Apr 2009, Lucas van Staden wrote:

> 
> Hi,
>
> It is also worthy to note that MS qualifications seem to 'expire'.
>
> Having obtained my MCSD in 2004, it is now marked by MS as expired
> They even removed my online profile.
>
> Not sure if this happens to other 'brand' qualifications.
>
> Thus, by getting the MS qualification, it does not mean it will be with you 
> for life....
>
> I never bothered updating it with the new exams, as it had never come into 
> play when getting a job.
>
> -Lucas
>

I am advised that, depending on to which version of .NET your MCSD 
applied, you could have kept it updated, by sitting only two of the 
exams, rather than all seven of the exams.

The MCSD certification is permanently valid; its constraint relates to 
the software version; for example, if your MCSD applied to .NET v1.0, 
then it is permanent, but only for v1.0, and is no good for v3.5.

See
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsd/default.mspx
and, from
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/upgrade/vs2005/default.mspx
"Although your MCAD and MCSD credentials continue to be recognized and 
valued by employers and decision makers who use Microsoft .NET 1.0 and 
Microsoft .NET 1.1, you now can demonstrate your skills on Visual 
Studio 2005, if applicable, by using upgrade paths for one to two 
exams.
By upgrading your credential, you validate your skills on the latest 
tools from Microsoft, inspiring confidence in your employer, team, and 
yourself to excel using Visual Studio 2005.
Note If you upgrade to an MCPD certification on Visual Studio 2005, you 
will be eligible to take advantage of the simple transition paths to 
transition your Visual Studio 2005 skills to Visual Studio 2008."

And, the table on that last web page, specifies the two exams needed to 
upgrade the MCSD.

The equivalent also applies to MySQL and PostgreSQL certifications - a 
certification can be obtained for a particular software version, but it 
is applicable opnly to the software version to which the certification 
applies.

See
http://mysql.com/certification/
http://mysql.com/certification/candguide.html
http://www.sraoss.co.jp/postgresql-ce/about_en.html

--
Bret Busby
Armadale
West Australia
..............

"So once you do know what the question actually is,
  you'll know what the answer means."
- Deep Thought,
   Chapter 28 of Book 1 of
   "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:
   A Trilogy In Four Parts",
   written by Douglas Adams,
   published by Pan Books, 1992

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