Unix Review's Certification Channelhttp://syndication.sdmediagroup.com/images/logo_xml.gif http://www.unixreview.com/documents/s=9340/ur0409c/ As summer winds down, a number of vendors are in full swing making changes to their existing Linux/Unix certifications. In the recent past, I ’ve looked at the changes underway at CompTIA in regard to the Linux+ certification. It is undergoing an update and overhaul aimed to make it more timely and relevant. This is far from the only certification currently getting such scrutiny. This month, the biggest transformation I’ll present is what is happening to the SCLP certification that just went live. I’ll also look at some other vendor’s changes, including additional changes at CompTIA, and try to bring everything that is happening in certification up to date. http://www.unixreview.com/documents/s=9303/ur0408b/ Certifications on Linux — just like those on any other operating system or product — need to be updated regularly to keep their objectives and questions relevant in a changing world. This is true whether you are talking about entry-level or engineer-level certifications. Recognizing this, most vendors update their exams approximately every two to three years. Usually, they look at the objectives and see whether any have changed in relevance (either up or down) and whether topics should be added, reworded, or removed. Most of the time, these updates are more superficial than anything else. http://www.unixreview.com/documents/s=9233/ur0407b/ Last month, I introduced the two primary certifications for project management: PMP from the Project Management Institute and IT Project+ from CompTIA. While the two certifications differ significantly in their prerequisites, they both require that you pass an exam on a core set of knowledge. The core set of knowledge is essentially the same between the two certifications, though scattered among different “domains”/topic categories. This month, I’ll look at that core set of knowledge you must know to understand the basics of project management. Though the titles of the heads generically correspond to the IT Project+ domains, that was only done for the sake of simplicity, and the material applies to PMP as well. For more detailed information, see the references and links at the end of this article. http://www.unixreview.com/documents/s=9181/ur0406b/ Emmett examines project management and the certifications that apply to it. http://www.unixreview.com/documents/s=9170/ur0405e/ In February, I discussed how Novell went on a Linux buying spree last year and is now betting the company on the open source operating system. The focus of that column was on the CLE (Certified Linux Engineer) certification that Novell was creating. This month, I will examine the certifications – yes, plural – that Novell is creating around the SuSE flavor of Linux. These certifications were previously expected to be released beneath the United Linux umbrella, but that project seems to have fallen through. http://www.unixreview.com/documents/s=9133/ur0404b/ This article is the second in the two-part series on the tactics that Emmett Dulaney compiled for increasing test scores on multiple-choice exams. http://www.unixreview.com/documents/s=9083/ur0403a/ In part 1 of a 2-part discussion, Emmett provides tips for increasing test scores on multiple-choice exams. http://www.unixreview.com/documents/s=9040/ur0402b/ In 2003, Novell — long known for their network operating system, NetWare — began betting heavily on Linux as they started the transition from a software company to a technology company. Among other lesser things that took place, they purchased the Ximian desktop and the SuSE version/flavor of the operating system (the latter deal was finalized in January). Early on in the move to embrace Linux, Novell began plans for a new certification — Certified Linux Engineer (CLE). While not fully written in stone at the time that I pen this, many of the details surrounding what is planned for that certification have now become available. More will materialize when the exam goes live in the first quarter of this year. A brief overview of what was then known about the CLE appeared in my November column. This month, I'll explore the certification and where it fits in with all the other Linux certifications that are available. http://www.unixreview.com/documents/s=9020/ur0401b/ While many recognize CompTIA (the Computing Technology Industry Association) as the organization that created the highly successful A+/hardware certification, this establishment has a number of other lifetime certifications that can also be obtained by passing one or two exams. The i-Net+ certification requires passing only a single exam and authenticates knowledge on the basics of Internet-related technology. While it would never stand alone on a résumé of someone seeking an engineer-level position, it does fit nicely with other credentials on the résumé and should be considered in that light. http://www.unixreview.com/documents/s=8989/ur0312a/ An economic downturn is often viewed as a good time to pad the resumé with a few certifications. And what can be better padding than one-exam certifications that are good for life, such as those offered by CompTIA?