Tag Archive for 'computers'

UK Adobe Web Design Courses 2009

Published on June 15, 2009 in Self Improvement. Closed
by Jason Kendall

Should you fancy being a web designer, find a course in Adobe Dreamweaver. The full Adobe Web Creative Suite should additionally be learned in its entirety. Doing this will familiarise you in Flash and Action Script, (and more), and could lead on to the ACE (Adobe Certified Expert) or ACP (Adobe Certified Professional) qualification.

Knowing how to build the website just gets you started. Creating traffic, content maintenance and knowledge of some programming essentials are also required. Consider training with additional features that cover these skills perhaps HTML, PHP and MySQL, alongside SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and E-Commerce skills.

Does job security honestly exist anymore? In a marketplace like the UK, where industry can change its mind on a whim, we'd question whether it does. Where there are growing skills deficits coupled with high demand areas however, we always reveal a newly emerging type of market-security; where, fuelled by a continual growth, organisations just can't get the influx of staff needed.

Taking the computing industry for instance, a recent e-Skills investigation highlighted major skills shortages throughout the country in excess of 26 percent. Alternatively, you could say, this means that the United Kingdom only has three qualified staff for every 4 jobs that are available now. This disturbing idea underpins the requirement for more appropriately certified Information Technology professionals across the United Kingdom. For sure, now really is a critical time to consider retraining into the computing industry.

We can see an excess of jobs and positions available in Information Technology. Picking the right one out of this complexity is a mammoth decision. Working through a list of odd-sounding and meaningless job titles is next to useless. Surely, most of us have no idea what our good friends do at work - let alone understand the ins and outs of a new IT role. Arriving at an informed decision only comes through a meticulous study of many altering areas:

* The kind of individual you think yourself to be - the tasks that you get enjoyment from, plus of course - what don't you like doing.

* Why you're looking at stepping into computing - it could be you're looking to overcome a particular goal like working from home for instance.

* Any personal or home requirements you have?

* Always think in-depth about the level of commitment needed to gain all the necessary accreditation.

* How much time you'll have available to set aside for obtaining your certification.

At the end of the day, your only chance of checking this all out is from a good talk with an experienced advisor that knows the industry well enough to be able to guide you.

Talk to almost any professional advisor and they'll regale you with many awful tales of students who've been sold completely the wrong course for them. Only deal with a skilled professional who asks some in-depth questions to find out what's appropriate to you - not for their retirement-fund! It's very important to locate the very best place to start for you. In some circumstances, the level to start at for a student experienced in some areas is often massively dissimilar to the student with none. For students embarking on IT studies from scratch, it's often a good idea to avoid jumping in at the deep-end, starting with user-skills and software training first. Usually this is packaged with most training packages.

Usually, trainers will provide piles of reference manuals and workbooks. Obviously, this isn't much fun and not a very good way of remembering. Studies have time and time again shown that becoming involved with our studies, to utilise all our senses, will more likely produce memories that are deeper and longer-lasting.

Locate a program where you're provided with an array of CD and DVD ROM's - you'll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, and then have the opportunity to hone your abilities through virtual lab's. Each company you're contemplating should willingly take you through samples of the materials provided for study. You should hope for instructor-led videos and a wide selection of interactive elements.

Opt for physical media such as CD or DVD ROM's in all circumstances. Thus avoiding all the issues associated with broadband outages, failure and signal quality issues etc.

It's quite a normal occurrence for students not to check on something of absolutely vital importance - how their training provider breaks up the courseware, and into what particular chunks. Students often think it makes sense (with most training taking 1-3 years for a full commercial certification,) for many training providers to send out the courseware in stages, until you've passed all the exams. However: Sometimes the steps or stages prescribed by the provider doesn't suit you. It may be difficult to get through all the modules inside of their particular timetable?

To be in the best situation you would have every piece of your study pack posted to you immediately; every single thing! Thus avoiding any future problems that could impede your progress.

About the Author:
The author: Jason Kendall life has been in IT for 2 Decades. He now advises on training and accreditation. For advice on Dreamweaver CS3 Training, visit LearningLolly Adobe CS3 Training.
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Home Based Adobe Web Design Courses (020609)

Published on June 6, 2009 in Self Improvement. Closed
by Jason Kendall

Should you be considering getting into a web design team, studying Adobe Dreamweaver is a fundamental criteria for getting in-demand qualifications acknowledged around the world. The full Adobe Web Creative Suite additionally should be understood comprehensively. This will introduce you to Action Script and Flash, amongst others, and will prepare you for the Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) or Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) qualification.

Knowing how to build a website is just the start. Creating traffic, maintaining content and knowledge of some programming essentials should come next. Consider training programmes with additional features that teach these subjects perhaps HTML, PHP and MySQL, as well as Search Engine Optimisation and E Commerce.

There is a tidal wave of change about to hit technology as we approach the second decade of the 21st century - and the industry becomes more ground-breaking every year. We are really only just starting to comprehend how all this change will affect us. The way we communicate and interact with everyone around us will be massively affected by technology and the internet.

Should lifestyle be around the top on your wish list, then you'll be pleasantly surprised to hear that the regular income for IT employees in general is noticeably greater than salaries in the rest of the economy. Due to the technological sector developing at an unprecedented rate, it's looking good that demand for certified IT specialists will remain buoyant for the significant future.

So, which kind of questions should we be asking to arrive at the understanding necessary? Since it's apparent there are many pretty extraordinary possibilities for everyone to chew over.

Don't put too much store, as a lot of students can, on the certification itself. You're not training for the sake of training; you should be geared towards the actual job at the end of it. You need to remain focused on where you want to go. You may train for one year and then end up doing the job for 20 years. Don't make the mistake of opting for what may seem to be an 'interesting' training program and then spend decades in a job you hate!

Spend some time thinking about how much you want to earn and the level of your ambition. Usually, this will point the way to which particular exams you'll need to attain and what'll be expected of you in your new role. Look for help from a skilled advisor who has commercial knowledge of your chosen market-place, and who can give you 'A day in the life of' understanding of what you'll actually be doing during your working week. It's good sense to know if this change is right for you well before you start on any retraining programme. What's the reason in beginning your training and then find you've taken the wrong route.

The classroom style of learning we remember from school, involving piles of reference textbooks, is an up-hill struggle for the majority of us. If this describes you, find training programs which have a majority of interactive, multimedia parts. Recent studies into the way we learn shows that much more of what we learn in remembered when we involve as many senses as possible, and we get physically involved with the study process.

Courses are now available via DVD-ROM discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Utilising the latest video technology, you will be able to see the instructor presenting exactly how to do something, and then practice yourself - with interactive lab sessions. It's wise to view a small selection of training examples before you purchase a course. The minimum you should expect would be videoed instructor demonstrations and audio-visual elements backed up by interactive lab's.

Seek out CD and DVD ROM based physical training media in all circumstances. You can then avoid all the difficulties of broadband outages, failure and signal quality issues etc.

One thing you must always insist on is 24x7 round-the-clock support from dedicated instructors and mentors. Too many companies only seem to want to help while they're in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends. You'll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and phone support is usually just a call-centre which will make some notes and then email an advisor - who'll call back sometime over the next 1-3 days, when it's convenient to them. This is no good if you're lost and confused and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.

The most successful trainers use multiple support centres from around the world. They use an online interactive interface to seamlessly link them all, any time of the day or night, help is just a click away, avoiding all the delays and problems. If you opt for less than direct-access round-the-clock support, you'll very quickly realise that you've made a mistake. You may not need it in the middle of the night, but consider weekends, early mornings or late evenings.

A question; why might we choose qualifications from the commercial sector as opposed to more traditional academic qualifications taught at schools and Further Education colleges? Industry now recognises that to learn the appropriate commercial skills, proper accreditation from such organisations as Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA is closer to the mark commercially - and a fraction of the cost and time. This is done through concentrating on the actual skills required (along with a relevant amount of associated knowledge,) as opposed to trawling through all the background non-specific minutiae that degrees in computing are prone to get tied up in - to pad out the syllabus.

In simple terms: Accredited IT qualifications tell an employer precisely what skills you have - the title says it all: i.e. I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Windows XP Administration and Configuration'. Consequently employers can identify just what their needs are and what certifications will be suitable to deal with those needs.

One interesting way that training companies make extra profits is via an 'exam inclusive' package and then including an 'Exam Guarantee'. This sounds impressive, but let's just examine it more closely:

Clearly it isn't free - you're still paying for it - it's just been included in your package price. If it's important to you to qualify first 'go', you must pay for each exam as you go, give it the priority it deserves and give the task sufficient application.

Isn't it outrageous to have to pay your training course provider early for examination fees? Go for the best offer at the appropriate time, rather than pay marked up fees - and sit exams more locally - not at somewhere of their bidding. Considerable numbers of unscrupulous training companies net a great deal of profit because they're getting paid for all the exam fees up-front and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. Also, exam guarantees often have very little value. The majority of organisations won't be prepared to pay again for an exam until you've completely satisfied them that you're ready this time.

Exams taken at local centres are approximately 112 pounds in Great Britain. Why spend so much more on 'Exam Guarantee' fees (usually wrapped up in the course package price) - when a quality course, support and consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.

Many trainers supply a practical Job Placement Assistance program, to assist your search for your first position. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though - it's quite easy for companies marketing departments to overplay it. Ultimately, the need for well trained IT people in the UK is what will enable you to get a job.

Whatever you do, don't wait till you have qualified before bringing your CV up to date. As soon as you start a course, mark down what you're doing and place it on jobsites! Various junior support jobs have been bagged by trainees who are still learning and haven't even passed a single exam yet. This will at the very least get you into the 'maybe' pile of CV's - rather than the 'No' pile. You can usually expect better performance from a specialist independent regional employment service than you'll get from a training provider's employment division, as they'll know the area better.

Many students, so it seems, conscientiously work through their course materials (for years sometimes), only to do nothing special when trying to get a good job. Sell yourself... Make an effort to get yourself known. A job isn't just going to bump into you.

About the Author:
With 2 Decades experience, author Jason Kendall, campaigns for low-cost, quality interactive UK education. For advice on Dreamweaver CS3 Training, visit LearningLolly Adobe CS3 Training.
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Finding The Right Networking Training For You (150509)

Published on June 4, 2009 in Self Improvement. Closed
by Jason Kendall

With so many computer training courses to be had, it's sometimes daunting to know what to look for. Find one that's in line with your character and abilities, and one that is in demand in the commercial world. There are so many directions you can go in. Some re-trainers simply want Microsoft user skills, others want career skills such as courses on Networking, Programming, Databases or Web Design - and all can be catered for. However, don't just guess. We'd advise you to share your ideas with an advisor who knows the computer industry, and can lead you down the right path.

By minimising their overheads, there are now companies offering up-to-the-minute courses with excellent training and assistance for much less than is asked for by old-style trainers.

Massive developments are coming via technology over the next few decades - and the industry becomes more ground-breaking every year. We've only just begun to scrape the surface of how technology is going to shape our lives. Technology and the web will profoundly revolutionise how we see and interact with the world around us over the next few years.

And don't forget that income in the IT industry throughout this country is considerably higher than average salaries nationally, so in general you'll most likely receive noticeably more with professional IT knowledge, than you could reasonably hope to achieve elsewhere. With the IT marketplace emerging with no sign of a slow-down, it's looking good that demand for certified IT professionals will flourish for a good while yet.

How can we reach the right choice then? With all these possibilities, we'll need to know where to search - and what it is we should be digging for.

Students hopeful to kick off a career in computers and technology generally aren't sure what path to consider, or what market to build their qualifications around. How can most of us possibly understand the tasks faced daily in an IT career when we've never done it? Maybe we haven't met someone who performs the role either. Achieving an informed resolution can only grow through a methodical analysis across many unique factors:

* Personality factors and what you're interested in - the sort of work-oriented areas you enjoy or dislike.

* Why you're looking at getting involved with Information Technology - is it to achieve some personal goal like working from home for instance.

* What priority do you place on job satisfaction vs salary?

* Many students don't properly consider the time demanded to get fully certified.

* The time and energy you're prepared to set aside for your training.

For the average person, getting to the bottom of these areas needs a long talk with an advisor who has direct industry experience. And we don't just mean the qualifications - but also the commercial needs and expectations of the market as well.

We can't make a big enough deal out of this point: You absolutely must have proper 24x7 instructor and mentor support. You'll definitely experience problems if you don't follow this rule rigidly. Never buy study programmes that only provide support to you through a message system when it's outside of usual working hours. Colleges will defend this with all kinds of excuses. The bottom line is - you want support at the appropriate time - not as-and-when it's suitable for their staff.

Keep looking and you'll come across the very best companies which provide their students direct-access online support around the clock - even in the middle of the night. Unless you insist on online 24x7 support, you'll quickly find yourself regretting it. You may avoid using the support throughout the night, but you may need weekends, late evenings or early mornings.

Those that are drawn to this type of work are usually quite practically-minded, and aren't really suited to the classroom environment, and slogging through piles of books. If you're thinking this sounds like you, try the newer style of interactive study, where you can learn everything on-screen. Learning psychology studies show that memory is aided when we involve as many senses as possible, and we get practically involved in what we're studying.

Start a study-program in which you'll get a host of CD or DVD ROM's - you'll be learning from instructor videos and demo's, and be able to use virtual lab's to practice your new skills. Make sure to obtain a study material demo' from the school that you're considering. The package should contain expert-led demonstrations, slideshows and virtual practice lab's for your new skills.

It doesn't make sense to select online only courseware. Due to the variable nature of connection quality from all internet service providers, you should always obtain CD or DVD ROM based materials.

One area often overlooked by new students considering a training program is 'training segmentation'. Essentially, this is the way the course is divided up for drop-shipping to you, which vastly changes the point you end up at. Individual deliveries for each training module piece by piece, as you complete each module is the normal way of receiving your courseware. This sounds sensible, but you must understand the following: Maybe the order of study insisted on by the company won't suit you. And what if you don't finish all the sections within their timetable?

Ideally, you'd get ALL the training materials right at the beginning - enabling you to have them all to return to any point - as and when you want. Variations can then be made to the order that you complete each objective if another more intuitive route presents itself.

A subtle way that colleges make a lot more is by charging for exams up-front and offering an exam guarantee. This sounds impressive, until you think it through:

It's become essential these days that we are a bit more aware of hype - and generally we cotton on to the fact that we are actually being charged for it - it's not because they're so generous they want to give something away! Students who go in for their examinations when it's appropriate, funding them as they go are much more likely to pass. They are conscious of their investment and so are more inclined to be ready for the task.

Look for the very best offer you can at the appropriate time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You'll also be able to choose where to do your exams - meaning you can choose a local testing centre. A great deal of money is secured by some training companies that get money for exam fees in advance. A number of students don't take them for various reasons but no refunds are given. Surprising as it sounds, there are companies around who actually rely on students not sitting all the exams - as that's very profitable for them. Pay heed to the fact that, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - the company decides when you can do your re-takes. Subsequent exam attempts are only authorised at the company's say so.

Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra on an 'Exam Guarantee' is short-sighted - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is actually the key to your success.

Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to help you get your first job. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it's quite easy for their marketing department to make it sound harder than it is. The fact of the matter is, the massive skills shortage in Britain is the reason you'll find a job.

Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews is sometimes offered (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). It's essential that you work on your old CV right away - not after you've qualified! Many junior support roles have been offered to students who're still on their course and haven't even passed a single exam yet. At least this will get you on your way. The best services to help you land that job are usually specialist independent regional recruitment consultancies. Because they get paid commission to place you, they have more incentive to get on with it.

Certainly be sure that you don't put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, then call a halt and leave it up to everyone else to find you a job. Stop procrastinating and make your own enquiries. Invest the same focus into getting a good job as it took to get qualified.

About the Author:
After 2 Decades in IT, Jason Kendall has focused himself on computer training consultancy in the UK. To find out more on Comptia A+, visit LearningLolly Network+.
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Considering CompTIA Network Plus Retraining (150509)

Published on June 4, 2009 in Self Improvement. Closed
by Jason Kendall

Currently in the UK, industry would struggle if it weren't for support workers fixing networks and computers, while making recommendations to users on a constant basis. With the increasingly multifaceted levels of technological advances, greater numbers of qualified workers are required to look after the various different areas we've become dependent on.

How are we supposed to make a good choice then? With so many opportunities, we'll need to know where to be looking - and what it is we should be investigating.

You should remember: the training itself or the accreditation isn't what this is about; the job or career that you're getting the training for is. Too many training companies place too much importance on just the training course. Imagine training for just one year and then end up doing the actual job for 10-20 years. Avoid the mistake of choosing what sounds like a very 'interesting' program and then spend decades in a job you hate!

Get to grips with what you want to earn and how ambitious you are. Sometimes, this affects what precise exams will be required and what industry will expect from you in return. Sense dictates that you look for advice and guidance from an experienced industry professional before settling on a training path, so there's no doubt that the chosen route will give you the skill-set required for your career choice.

You have to make sure that all your exams are current and commercially required - don't even consider programmes which lead to some in-house certificate (which is as useless as if you'd printed it yourself). You'll discover that only industry recognised examinations from companies such as Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA and Cisco will be useful to a future employer.

Students who consider this area of study are often very practical, and aren't really suited to the classroom environment, and slogging through piles of books. If you identify with this, opt for more involving, interactive learning materials, with on-screen demonstrations and labs. Research over recent years has constantly confirmed that connecting physically with our study, is far more likely to produce long-lasting memories.

Courses are now available on CD and DVD discs, so you can study at your own computer. Through video streaming, you will be able to see the instructor presenting exactly how something is done, and then practice yourself - in a virtual lab environment. You really need to look at courseware examples from the company you're considering. They have to utilise full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab's to practice the skills in.

Avoiding training that is delivered purely online is generally a good idea. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where offered, as you need to be able to use them whenever it's convenient for you - it's not wise to be held hostage to a good broadband connection all the time.

Student support is absolutely essential - locate a good company that includes 24x7 access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also impede your ability to learn. Always avoid certification programs which can only support students with a message system when it's outside of usual working hours. Colleges will try to talk you round from this line of reasoning. The simple fact of the matter is - you want to be supported when you need the help - not at times when they find it cheaper to provide it.

We recommend that you search for providers that use several support centres around the globe in several time-zones. Every one of them needs to be seamlessly combined to provide a single interface and also access round-the-clock, when it suits you, with the minimum of hassle. Don't accept second best where support is concerned. The majority of IT hopefuls who fall by the wayside, would have had a different experience if they'd got the right support package in the first place.

Incorporating exams with the course fee then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status is a popular marketing tool with many training course providers. But look at the facts:

They've allowed costings for it one way or another. One thing's for sure - it isn't free - they've simply charged more for the whole training package. Students who take each progressive exam, funding them as they go are in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt. They're thoughtful of the cost and revise more thoroughly to ensure they are ready.

Don't pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you when you're ready, and hang on to your cash. In addition, it's then your choice where to sit the exam - so you can choose somewhere closer to home. Why borrow the money or pay in advance (plus interest of course) on examination fees when you don't need to? A lot of profit is made because training colleges are getting money in early for exam fees - and then cashing in when they're not all taken. The majority of organisations will require you to sit pre-tests and not allow you to re-take an exam until you've proven conclusively that you can pass - so an 'Exam Guarantee' comes with many clauses in reality.

Paying maybe a thousand pounds extra on 'Exam Guarantees' is foolish - when study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will get you through.

Qualifications from the commercial sector are now, very visibly, beginning to replace the traditional academic paths into the industry - so why is this? With a growing demand for specific technological expertise, industry has had to move to specific, honed-in training only available through the vendors themselves - that is companies like Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA. Frequently this is at a far reduced cost both money and time wise. Academic courses, for example, often get bogged down in a lot of background study - with much too broad a syllabus. This prevents a student from getting enough specific knowledge about the core essentials.

What if you were an employer - and your company needed a person with some very particular skills. What should you do: Wade your way through loads of academic qualifications from graduate applicants, struggling to grasp what they've learned and which commercial skills they have, or select a specialised number of commercial certifications that precisely match your needs, and make your short-list from that. You can then focus on how someone will fit into the team at interview - instead of having to work out if they can do the job.

At times individuals don't catch on to what information technology is doing for all of us. It is electrifying, revolutionary, and means you're working on technology that will affect us all over the next generation. We are really only just starting to understand how this will truly impact our way of life. How we communicate and interact with everyone around us will be profoundly affected by technology and the internet.

If making decent money is up there on your wish list, then you will welcome the news that the usual remuneration for IT employees in general is significantly greater than salaries in the rest of the economy. Experts agree that there's a significant UK-wide need for trained and qualified IT technicians. In addition, as growth in the industry shows little sign of contracting, it appears this pattern will continue for the significant future.

About the Author:
After 2 Decades in IT, Jason Kendall has focused himself on computer training (UK based) consultancy. To find out more on Network+ Certification, visit LearningLolly Comptia Network+.
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