What are the values of certifications? (Was Re: Sair GNU/Linux thread)

[Joseph Phillips]

Charles,

	I'll be the first to admit that certifications really don't mean anything 
worth real value to people who know something. The only reason I see for 
certifications is for PHBs (Pointy Haired Bosses) whose only understanding is 
that they know a piece of paper. They can't really judge your technical 
merits because they don't have the expertise to ask the right questions. 
Admittadly, there are far too many certified individuals who don't actually 
know much. We all have probably seen the MCSE that doesn't understand the 
TCP/IP does not actually fit the OSI reference model, and if you try to tell 
them it doesn't they'll argue it till death. I understand this, you 
understand this, and more people should understand; but PHBs don't and don't 
want to. They want to see a document that says that you know what you are 
talking about, end of story. Sad but true.

Deven Phillips, CISSP, LCA, LCI, MCP, ABCDEFG
Overcertified Sellout
RITSC Hawaii Information Assurance

On Tuesday 23 October 2001 10:29 pm, you wrote:
> Sorry for the rabble rousing...
>
> But why should I have to pay some company for a piece of paper that says I
> am a "Qualified Linux Operator/Administrator?"   I probably have as much
> real-world Linux/Unix experience as anybody on this list - would it be just
> for me, and others like me, to have to purchase a certification in order to
> prove our professional competence to an employer?
>
> I know that this is an old argument, but I still believe that it is
> relevant to discuss this.  Certifications may be fine for the
> career-oriented acolyte, but I believe that it is a bane to the
> professionals who already have a body of experience.
>
> I have had the good luck of working in companies and consulting groups
> which don't use certifications as the ultimate metric of a person's
> competence, but I have heard the horror stories...
>
> peas,
> charles
>
> On Tue, Oct 23, 2001 at 07:21:03PM -1000, Wilson Chan wrote:
> > Deven,
> >
> > Just curious how much would the class cost?
> >
> >
> >
> > Wilson
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Joseph Phillips [mailto:d-spair at hawaii.rr.com]
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 6:37 PM
> > To: Linux & Unix Advocates & Users
> > Subject: [luau] Re: Sair Linux & GNU's 25% Off Prometric Exam discount
> >
> >
> > All,
> >
> > 	Go and get yourself a voucher, I will talk to Ken Pounds about getting
> > together a class schedule, and I'll teach whichever course the majority
> > of you want to sign up for.  The tests are normally $100, so %25 off
> > means they are only $75 dollars. Sounds like a great deal!!!
> >
> > Deven Phillips, CISSP, LCA, LCI
> > Sair GNU/Linux Certified Instructor
> > Applied Computer Training & Technology
> >
> > On Tuesday 23 October 2001 05:23 pm, you wrote:
> > > I just saw this promotion. Just incase anyone was interested.
> > >
> > > http://www.linuxcertification.com/prometrictestvoucher
> > >
> > >
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> >
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