Mr U4EA's Completely Off Topic Thread

U4EA_2

Hi guys,

Please forgive me if this is a bit out of place here but I am wondering if any of you guys might be able to give me some advice as I not have a feel for the place and I know at least some of you are IT guys.

I am currently using the money the £ I am making from MBing to try and get some kind of self employment. The route I am considering taking it Microsoft Certification. I think I am going to start with Microsoft Certified Applications Specialist in Excel/Access 2007 then maybe move onto ASP/.NET etc. Basically, I am looking to learn website construction on a technical rather than creative side, with the idea of learning how to interface with programs such as Excel/Access.

BTW I am already a Microsoft Certified Pro and my pervious experience is working in data quality management/database analysis/business analysis.

Any advice anyone?

Ben1982

Probably best over here

Would also say that Excel and Access won't really help with websites on a technical level. (Access may, but only in a limited form for database backend)

I would say this though (which may have changed in the last 5 years), but 5 years ago the Microsoft Certifaction started to be fairly meaningless, as there were courses cropping up that teached you how to pass the exams (and not really teaching you the actual products properly), which meant nearly anyone could get one of the qualifications... completely devaluing it.
I think MS were doing something to try to stop that, no idea if they were successful or not.

southernscouser

U4EA wrote: »

Any advice anyone?

Yep. Always wear a condom.

jessicamb

The techie board probably have more of an idea than on here - do you want me to move your thread over there?

U4EA_2

Yeah, MS had problems with 'cert monkeys' cropping up all over the place.

I am really just looking to become self-employed working from home. I think the MS 'braindump' sites mayhave devalued certain qualifications but I think I may still be able to demonstrate ability by getting them. I guess a lot of it is not down to what you do, it's really how you sell it to potential customers.

Thanks for the response.

If the mods want to move this thread, please do.

Conor_3

Do not waste your money on Access and Exel.

You need PHP, Apache, Perl, ASP, .NET and Flash doesn't go amiss either.

A far better use of your money would to be to get into Linux Server administration. Redhat Enterprise Linux, SuSE (not OpenSuSE) and Novell are the ones to go for. You'll find far more work as MS admins are ten a penny and you'll earn more too.

U4EA_2

Thanks Conor.

I am really looking to try to work from home doing freelance stuff. AmI right in thinking that server admin is not really something someone can do from home?

Could I do the likes of Apache, Perl, ASP, .NET etc from home?

Joe_Bloggs

On a lighter note the virtual economy is a source of employment. It seems it pays for some to play games from home and to sell their virtual gains in the real world.
Childcare is also a job you can do from home. You have to get the right qualifications however. There is a risk to your sanity in either occupation.
J_B.

Conor_3

U4EA wrote: »

Thanks Conor.

I am really looking to try to work from home doing freelance stuff. AmI right in thinking that server admin is not really something someone can do from home?

My mate does but don't tell his bosses....;)

Could I do the likes of Apache, Perl, ASP, .NET etc from home?

Absolutely. You need Apache to know how to configure web servers you're sticking sites on as Apache is a very popular OSS web server app. Perl is a scripting language used a lot and you know about ASP and .NET. Flash is being used more and more to provide functionality in a website such as menu systems.

U4EA_2

Thanks again C.

Website construction/programming is really a million miles away from where my IT experience lies but I am technically minded and a fast learner, especially whne I am driven to do something.

I think I will go for the MS Excel 2007 qual first as I am already halfway through the (intimidatingly massive) book. The book covers VBA, which should help to re-introduce me to programming.

With the idea of also freelancing Excel - I think I may be able to get a bit of work here and there in the meantime working with data or programming VBA etc. Actually, I am pretty sure I can. It might not a career or the highest earner, but it will possibly help me get a foot hold and is certainly helping me get re-acquainted with st*dying.

U4EA_2

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