ANY ONE A+ or MSCE CERTIFIED?

caliplaya650 · 10-17-2001, 08:17 PM

Im currently studying for my A+ certificate and wanted to know who has obtained it. What type of questions did it have what where the core/software objectives?
What format where the questions in? How many?

Also after i get my A+ and would like to get my MSCE Cert. ANd wanted to know the answers to the questions above.

Thanks.

O an how much are the tests?

[This message has been edited by caliplaya650 (edited 10-17-2001).]

PKRWUD · 10-17-2001, 09:16 PM

I am. I passed both tests just before the new format changed (last February). What helped the most were these transcenders we had, and a few killer websites, but I can't even remember. My tests were a piece of cake, and both took less than 3 minutes. But only because I studied my arse off. Make sure you know all of the differences between DOS, 3.1, 95, 98. Different commands do different things, and you will need to know. And laser printers! There were at least 2 questions on my first test about laser printers. Know all your IRQ's inside out, as well as all 4 COM addresses. Remember that error codes in the 200's are RAM and in the 300's are keyboard. Know all your different busses, and your F keys.

Wow, I suddenly got chills. That was the hardest I evewr studied. Have you registered yet?

~C

Also, the questions were all multiple choice.

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop

My teams site: Jim Porter Racing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

[This message has been edited by PKRWUD (edited 10-17-2001).]

caliplaya650 · 10-18-2001, 12:06 AM

PKRWUD, Thanks for your reply! Damn man u pretty much have the answer to everything!LOL. Do you know the meaning of life? j/k

About your post: "Transcenders" are what?
At the moment i am learning A+ strictly by my self @home w/ a Sybex.com A+ book. I'm hope to get it done in a couple months its 900 pages 19 chapters. I started a month ago and i'm on chapter 7

rinters.
Damn just reading your post made me ****in nervous.
Where would i find good links to help in studying?

Thanks again,

O yah what about MSCE?

PKRWUD · 10-18-2001, 05:38 AM

I didn't do MCSE, i took a basic repair and networking class. i passed my A+, but I never tried the Network +. Truth is, I hate PC's. I thought taking that class would get me to like them, but it prooved conclusively that they are junk. I hate the fact that Apple was so pigheaded about letting others build their parts, because if they had been cool about it, everyone would own a Mac these days. Anyway, I don't want to start another flame war.

By the way, I can almost guarantee one of your questions will involve the only time you shouldn't wear a ground strap while servicing a PC (while working on the CRT monitor).

I have some really good sites for you. Go here first and download the pdf files. They are good study sheets:
http://www.apluscertificationexam.com/pfd.htm

Then go here:
http://users2.ev1.net/~kevina/

This guy has good info, and a download of practice tests.

And this one is the best:
http://www.braindumps.net/aplus/aplusdumps.asp

Bookmark this page, and check back for updates. What you want here is to click on the links on the left side of the page (avoid the Cert21 link). These are braindumps from people who just tested. Incase you don't know, a brain dump is when a person comes straight from the test and writes down everything they can remember. These are the real questions.Study these over and over, and you'll do fine. If you just rely on the book, forget it.

In reflection, they were very easy tests. I scored perfect on the core, and missed one on the OS. BUT, I have never been so nervous in my life as I was just before the test.

I know these will help you alot.

Enjoy!

Take care,
~Chris

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop

My teams site: Jim Porter Racing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

PKRWUD · 10-18-2001, 05:44 AM

Sorry, I forgot to tell you about the transcenders. Transcenders are actual functioning tests you do on your computer. The software package costs $200+, but there are over 700 questions, and if you do them over and over and over, you learn the info AND begin to understand the thinking that CompTIA uses in their questions. For now, just concentrate on what I've already given you. Honestly, that in itself is enough for you to pass.

~C

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop

My teams site: Jim Porter Racing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

jetuomi · 10-18-2001, 02:39 PM

You can go onto the web, and find people who have posted their exams.

I'd also bet there are chatrooms out there where people just ask questions, or a news-group to check..

(I'm just feeling to lazy today to actually go hunt anything down for you!)

which test are you going to start with, Win2k Professional, or Network Essentials?

Good luck !

------------------
94 GT (triple black)
FMS 95 17" Cobra R's / AL Driveshaft / 3.27's
K&N, 190 lph, subframes, pulleys
MAC Shifter/Gauges/Pedals, Euro Clear Projectors & Corners
My CAR!

caliplaya650 · 10-18-2001, 04:27 PM

Thanks for the links PK, they're a big help. Do you know how much the test will be $? Are the tests standard or do they vary?
Jetuomi:thanks for the response

g2g,
Thanks for the help.

PKRWUD · 10-18-2001, 11:07 PM

I think they cost $150 when I took them, but the school had coupons because they covered our cost with our tuition.

When I tested, the normal test was between 20 and 30 questions, depending on how you did. if, by the time you reached question #20, you had a passing score, then the test ended after that question. If you had missed too many, it would continue the test for up to 30 questions, trying to give you a chance to save it. The biggest fear you will have is when you go to hit Enter for your answer on question 20! If you see question 21, that means your failing. My test was all multiple choice, with 4 possible answers. Some were so easy it felt like a trick, while others were frustrating as hell because I felt that at least 2 of the possible answers could be correct. When that happens, just pick the shortest, simplest answer, because that is what you would do as a repair tech. Most people do well on the OS test, and miss a few on the core, because most people own, use and are familiar with Windows, and know how to navigate through it. I'm a Mac guy, so I struggled on the OS test, but still only missed one. The core was a breeze for me because I'm a mechanic, and the core is all about the physical aspects of a PC. The other thing that was kinda strange was the difficulty of the questions. It varied. My score for my core test was close to 800, but another guy I know also didn't miss any, but scored a 650. The reason was because the computer giving the test knows that some questions are harder than others, and awards you points as such. In other words, my core test had harder questions than the other guys did, but it really doesn't matter. A passing score is a passing score. The facility where I took both tests was inside of a local airport. The room itself was small, and had 5 or 6 test seats, each seperated by partitions. There were two video cameras at either end of the room, and one above the monitor of each station. There were also microphones on in there. Don't EVEN think about cheating. You will be caught.

Take care,
-Chris

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop

My teams site: Jim Porter Racing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

Skyman · 10-19-2001, 01:49 PM

Yeah, study all the key terms like Chris said, and the A+ isn't that bad.

I have my A+ and Network+ and I'm working on the CCNA right now. I can say the Net+ is considerably harder as you need a 80% to pass.

Chris- I'll put a $ for $ PC against any Mac any day :-D

Sky

------------------
-1989 Saleen Mustang #406-
TFS TW Heads, E-303, Edelbrock intake, 70mm TB, 73mm MAF, 24lb injectors, 1 5/8 shorties, Off Road H, 3 Chamber flows, Jaz Race seats, Back seat removed, sub-frames, Roll Cage, and a 80 shot of N20.
12.54@107.4 Motor
332RWHP, 350rwtq

jetuomi · 10-19-2001, 03:44 PM

hey, I don't know if the guy posted here, but, he was a mustang owner, and instead of putting his CARS specs in his signature, he put his computer specs:

it was funny as hell, have you guys seen it?

eg:

************
Asus K7V 128 2700DDR,T-bird 1.2, Quantum 30, GeForce3-32, nitrogen cooling, 17" LCD, mouse, keyboard.
0-Windows in 5 seconds..

anyways, are all of you guys into computers for your jobs, or just for interest??

caliplaya650 · 10-20-2001, 05:02 PM

Jetuomi, Im into computers because b/c thats where the world is headed everything is some how related to computers. So i might as well get a head startlearn and get paid good money doing something that i enjoy.
SKyman I will wager my money on a PC over a mac any day!!

Has any one obtained Win XP yet?

PKRWUD, I was reading a post on the HARLEY/RICER BIKE Issue and read that you can help sell $#!+ on ebay? Im trying to sell my stang and i have no bids w/ 20 hours to go!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!
its item number:596751060

[This message has been edited by caliplaya650 (edited 10-20-2001).]

[This message has been edited by caliplaya650 (edited 10-20-2001).]

86GT · 10-22-2001, 10:00 AM

I just finished my last exam for my MCSE, and its fairly difficult, and it is expensive in comparison to the A+ exams. Get your A+ for now, and just buy a good book on it, and you'll be alright, follow these great mustanger's advice already posted, and you'll have nothing to worry about.

The MSCE is a different puppy as you require 7 exams to pass to get your certification, and each exam is fairly expensive (canadian dollars that is).

PKRWUD · 10-23-2001, 04:19 AM

cali-
I can help set you up to sell, but I can't get you a buyer! Sorry!

Sky-
I don't want to start a PC/Mac flame war. I learned alot when I took that repair/networking course, and it just backed up my personal feelings. That's all.

Take care,
-Chris

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop

My teams site: Jim Porter Racing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

Skyman · 10-24-2001, 12:04 AM

Chris- I know, just messing around

Ive been running XP for about a month. Some features I dont like. As like all new versions of windows its more and more dummized. But it does seem to be a very stable operating system, I havn't had it freeze up yet. But Iam running it on a very quality computer system also.

Skyler

------------------
-1989 Saleen Mustang #406-
TFS TW Heads, E-303, Edelbrock intake, 70mm TB, 73mm MAF, 24lb injectors, 1 5/8 shorties, Off Road H, 3 Chamber flows, Jaz Race seats, Back seat removed, sub-frames, Roll Cage, and a 80 shot of N20.
12.54@107.4 Motor
332RWHP, 350rwtq

PKRWUD · 10-24-2001, 05:03 AM

Sky-
Yeah, I broke down and bought OS X a couple weeks ago when 10.1 was released. It's taking some getting used to (no desktop icons unless you want them, 2 OS's running at the same time, completely different navigation paths, a command line, etc.). I feel very challenged. I was on top of OS 9.1, knew it inside-out, but I'm a total rookie with OS X. Combining Mac with Unix is a trip for me, but I like it. Unbelievable graphics! Best of all, it hasn't crashed or frozen up once. I'm told that it's Unix that has made it so stable, but Unix is still greek to me. All I know is every new OS I've installed in the past required patience to work out the bugs, but I haven't encountered a single bug yet. Then again, they've been tweaking on OS X for over a year.

How's the store coming along? Opening soon? Keep me posted!

Take care,
-Chris

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop

My teams site: Jim Porter Racing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

jimmyjr · 10-24-2001, 11:01 AM

Pkrwud, stick with the UNIX stuff. With the flood of pc morons out there, the salaries keep getting shittier, and the requirements getting stricter for employment. I was formerly trained in HPUX 11.0, and have to say, it is the dog's balls!!I'm and NT admin, by trade. Was recently laid off, so I went back to what I know best, NT. Get yourself linux, and practice, practice, practice. Then get some formal traininx, and you can write your own ticket...Jimmy G

10-17-2001, 08:17 PM	#1
caliplaya650 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Moses Lake, Wa USA Posts: 72	ANY ONE A+ or MSCE CERTIFIED? Im currently studying for my A+ certificate and wanted to know who has obtained it. What type of questions did it have what where the core/software objectives? What format where the questions in? How many? Also after i get my A+ and would like to get my MSCE Cert. ANd wanted to know the answers to the questions above. Thanks. O an how much are the tests? [This message has been edited by caliplaya650 (edited 10-17-2001).]

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10-17-2001, 09:16 PM	#2
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	I am. I passed both tests just before the new format changed (last February). What helped the most were these transcenders we had, and a few killer websites, but I can't even remember. My tests were a piece of cake, and both took less than 3 minutes. But only because I studied my arse off. Make sure you know all of the differences between DOS, 3.1, 95, 98. Different commands do different things, and you will need to know. And laser printers! There were at least 2 questions on my first test about laser printers. Know all your IRQ's inside out, as well as all 4 COM addresses. Remember that error codes in the 200's are RAM and in the 300's are keyboard. Know all your different busses, and your F keys. Wow, I suddenly got chills. That was the hardest I evewr studied. Have you registered yet? ~C Also, the questions were all multiple choice. ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop My teams site: Jim Porter Racing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN. [This message has been edited by PKRWUD (edited 10-17-2001).]

10-18-2001, 12:06 AM	#3
caliplaya650 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Moses Lake, Wa USA Posts: 72	PKRWUD, Thanks for your reply! Damn man u pretty much have the answer to everything!LOL. Do you know the meaning of life? j/k About your post: "Transcenders" are what? At the moment i am learning A+ strictly by my self @home w/ a Sybex.com A+ book. I'm hope to get it done in a couple months its 900 pages 19 chapters. I started a month ago and i'm on chapter 7 rinters. Damn just reading your post made me ****in nervous. Where would i find good links to help in studying? Thanks again, O yah what about MSCE?

10-18-2001, 05:38 AM	#4
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	I didn't do MCSE, i took a basic repair and networking class. i passed my A+, but I never tried the Network +. Truth is, I hate PC's. I thought taking that class would get me to like them, but it prooved conclusively that they are junk. I hate the fact that Apple was so pigheaded about letting others build their parts, because if they had been cool about it, everyone would own a Mac these days. Anyway, I don't want to start another flame war. By the way, I can almost guarantee one of your questions will involve the only time you shouldn't wear a ground strap while servicing a PC (while working on the CRT monitor). I have some really good sites for you. Go here first and download the pdf files. They are good study sheets: http://www.apluscertificationexam.com/pfd.htm Then go here: http://users2.ev1.net/~kevina/ This guy has good info, and a download of practice tests. And this one is the best: http://www.braindumps.net/aplus/aplusdumps.asp Bookmark this page, and check back for updates. What you want here is to click on the links on the left side of the page (avoid the Cert21 link). These are braindumps from people who just tested. Incase you don't know, a brain dump is when a person comes straight from the test and writes down everything they can remember. These are the real questions.Study these over and over, and you'll do fine. If you just rely on the book, forget it. In reflection, they were very easy tests. I scored perfect on the core, and missed one on the OS. BUT, I have never been so nervous in my life as I was just before the test. I know these will help you alot. Enjoy! Take care, ~Chris ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop My teams site: Jim Porter Racing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

10-18-2001, 05:44 AM	#5
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Sorry, I forgot to tell you about the transcenders. Transcenders are actual functioning tests you do on your computer. The software package costs $200+, but there are over 700 questions, and if you do them over and over and over, you learn the info AND begin to understand the thinking that CompTIA uses in their questions. For now, just concentrate on what I've already given you. Honestly, that in itself is enough for you to pass. ~C ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop My teams site: Jim Porter Racing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

10-18-2001, 02:39 PM	#6
jetuomi Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Waterloo, ON, Canada Posts: 214	You can go onto the web, and find people who have posted their exams. I'd also bet there are chatrooms out there where people just ask questions, or a news-group to check.. (I'm just feeling to lazy today to actually go hunt anything down for you!) which test are you going to start with, Win2k Professional, or Network Essentials? Good luck ! ------------------ 94 GT (triple black) FMS 95 17" Cobra R's / AL Driveshaft / 3.27's K&N, 190 lph, subframes, pulleys MAC Shifter/Gauges/Pedals, Euro Clear Projectors & Corners My CAR!

10-18-2001, 04:27 PM	#7
caliplaya650 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Moses Lake, Wa USA Posts: 72	Thanks for the links PK, they're a big help. Do you know how much the test will be $? Are the tests standard or do they vary? Jetuomi:thanks for the response g2g, Thanks for the help.

10-18-2001, 11:07 PM	#8
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	I think they cost $150 when I took them, but the school had coupons because they covered our cost with our tuition. When I tested, the normal test was between 20 and 30 questions, depending on how you did. if, by the time you reached question #20, you had a passing score, then the test ended after that question. If you had missed too many, it would continue the test for up to 30 questions, trying to give you a chance to save it. The biggest fear you will have is when you go to hit Enter for your answer on question 20! If you see question 21, that means your failing. My test was all multiple choice, with 4 possible answers. Some were so easy it felt like a trick, while others were frustrating as hell because I felt that at least 2 of the possible answers could be correct. When that happens, just pick the shortest, simplest answer, because that is what you would do as a repair tech. Most people do well on the OS test, and miss a few on the core, because most people own, use and are familiar with Windows, and know how to navigate through it. I'm a Mac guy, so I struggled on the OS test, but still only missed one. The core was a breeze for me because I'm a mechanic, and the core is all about the physical aspects of a PC. The other thing that was kinda strange was the difficulty of the questions. It varied. My score for my core test was close to 800, but another guy I know also didn't miss any, but scored a 650. The reason was because the computer giving the test knows that some questions are harder than others, and awards you points as such. In other words, my core test had harder questions than the other guys did, but it really doesn't matter. A passing score is a passing score. The facility where I took both tests was inside of a local airport. The room itself was small, and had 5 or 6 test seats, each seperated by partitions. There were two video cameras at either end of the room, and one above the monitor of each station. There were also microphones on in there. Don't EVEN think about cheating. You will be caught. Take care, -Chris ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop My teams site: Jim Porter Racing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

10-19-2001, 01:49 PM	#9
Skyman I need 110mph Trap Speed! Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: So, CA Posts: 4,315	Yeah, study all the key terms like Chris said, and the A+ isn't that bad. I have my A+ and Network+ and I'm working on the CCNA right now. I can say the Net+ is considerably harder as you need a 80% to pass. Chris- I'll put a $ for $ PC against any Mac any day :-D Sky ------------------ -1989 Saleen Mustang #406- TFS TW Heads, E-303, Edelbrock intake, 70mm TB, 73mm MAF, 24lb injectors, 1 5/8 shorties, Off Road H, 3 Chamber flows, Jaz Race seats, Back seat removed, sub-frames, Roll Cage, and a 80 shot of N20. 12.54@107.4 Motor *332RWHP, 350rwtq*

10-19-2001, 03:44 PM	#10
jetuomi Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Waterloo, ON, Canada Posts: 214	hey, I don't know if the guy posted here, but, he was a mustang owner, and instead of putting his CARS specs in his signature, he put his computer specs: it was funny as hell, have you guys seen it? eg: ************ Asus K7V 128 2700DDR,T-bird 1.2, Quantum 30, GeForce3-32, nitrogen cooling, 17" LCD, mouse, keyboard. 0-Windows in 5 seconds.. anyways, are all of you guys into computers for your jobs, or just for interest??

10-20-2001, 05:02 PM	#11
caliplaya650 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Moses Lake, Wa USA Posts: 72	Jetuomi, Im into computers because b/c thats where the world is headed everything is some how related to computers. So i might as well get a head startlearn and get paid good money doing something that i enjoy. SKyman I will wager my money on a PC over a mac any day!! Has any one obtained Win XP yet? PKRWUD, I was reading a post on the HARLEY/RICER BIKE Issue and read that you can help sell $#!+ on ebay? Im trying to sell my stang and i have no bids w/ 20 hours to go!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! its item number:596751060 [This message has been edited by caliplaya650 (edited 10-20-2001).] [This message has been edited by caliplaya650 (edited 10-20-2001).]

10-22-2001, 10:00 AM	#12
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	I just finished my last exam for my MCSE, and its fairly difficult, and it is expensive in comparison to the A+ exams. Get your A+ for now, and just buy a good book on it, and you'll be alright, follow these great mustanger's advice already posted, and you'll have nothing to worry about. The MSCE is a different puppy as you require 7 exams to pass to get your certification, and each exam is fairly expensive (canadian dollars that is).

10-23-2001, 04:19 AM	#13
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	cali- I can help set you up to sell, but I can't get you a buyer! Sorry! Sky- I don't want to start a PC/Mac flame war. I learned alot when I took that repair/networking course, and it just backed up my personal feelings. That's all. Take care, -Chris ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop My teams site: Jim Porter Racing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

10-24-2001, 12:04 AM	#14
Skyman I need 110mph Trap Speed! Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: So, CA Posts: 4,315	Chris- I know, just messing around Ive been running XP for about a month. Some features I dont like. As like all new versions of windows its more and more dummized. But it does seem to be a very stable operating system, I havn't had it freeze up yet. But Iam running it on a very quality computer system also. Skyler ------------------ -1989 Saleen Mustang #406- TFS TW Heads, E-303, Edelbrock intake, 70mm TB, 73mm MAF, 24lb injectors, 1 5/8 shorties, Off Road H, 3 Chamber flows, Jaz Race seats, Back seat removed, sub-frames, Roll Cage, and a 80 shot of N20. 12.54@107.4 Motor *332RWHP, 350rwtq*

10-24-2001, 05:03 AM	#15
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Sky- Yeah, I broke down and bought OS X a couple weeks ago when 10.1 was released. It's taking some getting used to (no desktop icons unless you want them, 2 OS's running at the same time, completely different navigation paths, a command line, etc.). I feel very challenged. I was on top of OS 9.1, knew it inside-out, but I'm a total rookie with OS X. Combining Mac with Unix is a trip for me, but I like it. Unbelievable graphics! Best of all, it hasn't crashed or frozen up once. I'm told that it's Unix that has made it so stable, but Unix is still greek to me. All I know is every new OS I've installed in the past required patience to work out the bugs, but I haven't encountered a single bug yet. Then again, they've been tweaking on OS X for over a year. How's the store coming along? Opening soon? Keep me posted! Take care, -Chris ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop My teams site: Jim Porter Racing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

10-24-2001, 11:01 AM	#16
jimmyjr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 347	Pkrwud, stick with the UNIX stuff. With the flood of pc morons out there, the salaries keep getting shittier, and the requirements getting stricter for employment. I was formerly trained in HPUX 11.0, and have to say, it is the dog's balls!!I'm and NT admin, by trade. Was recently laid off, so I went back to what I know best, NT. Get yourself linux, and practice, practice, practice. Then get some formal traininx, and you can write your own ticket...Jimmy G