I was curious to learn more about the Novell DCTS and after coming up nearly empty handed with my initial Google searches I decided to request more information from Novell. By following the directions from the previous email I sent a rather short and to the point message to edcustomer@novell.com. Below you will find my email as well as the response from Novell.
My email:
Could you provide me with a link or more information concerning the new DCTS certification?
Thank you
(I told you it was brief and to the point.)
Their response:
Thank you for contacting Novell Training Services. The link for our Technical Specialist certifications is http://www.novell.com/partners/solution/resource_management_technical_specialist.html
I also checked your account, and I see that you have been awarded the Data Center Technical Specialist certification. If you would like to view your certification information, please follow the steps I have outlined below to synchronize your account.
-go to www.novell.com/training
-in the navigation menu on the left, click on Certification > Certification login (db)
-Enter your Novell username and password (if you do not have an account, please create one at this time)
-you will be prompted for some additional information to synchronize your account, please use the information below
First name: xxx
last name: xxx
Registration ID: xxx
Test date: xxx
You will need to click on the verify button at the bottom of the following page in order to see your certification progress.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Thank you
Holly
By following the links in the email it soon becomes apparent that the DC Tech Spec Cert (as they call it) was awarded because of the recent completion of Novell CLA 11. And if you were like me you received that certification for completion of an LPI certification some time in the past. So basically it is just one more free certificate to put on the resume. Just keep in mind when the HR person asks you “what is the DCTS?” that you are on your own and don’t oversell it, otherwise they may actually look it up.
Btw – Here is a link to the material that I used to prepare for the LPIC-1. Download a copy of linux, buy a good book (or google), and learn some linux. You never know you may get a few free certifications out of it.
Popularity: 17% [?]
While I guess that I am excited about being a Data Center Technical Specialist DCTS? (wow that just rolls off the tongue) I am slightly confused as to why or rather how I became certified. My best guess is that this is another ploy by Novell to drum up some excitement over their certifications and their PartnerNet program. I will say that it was a pleasant surprise when I received an email out of the blue indicating that I was eligible for the Novell Certified Linux Administrator certification due to my current LPI standings, and I understand the idea behind them honoring the more prevalent LPI certification. That being said I have absolutely no idea what I have done to receive this latest “Honor.”
So here is the email i received:
Novell Technical Training congratulates you on completing the requirements for
Data Center Technical Specialist
Your certificate of completion is attached in PDF form. We encourage you to print it out for display.
This Specialization will count towards the Solution Provider requirements for the Novell PartnerNet program.
In order for the PartnerNet system to recognize your Specialization, you must log into the Certification Database.
First time access requires information found on one of your exam score reports. Be prepared to provide:
First Name
Last Name
Registration ID
Test Date
Please email edcustomer@novell.com if you have any questions.
I commend you for your commitment, dedication, and effort in earning the Data Center Technical Specialist.
Sincerely,
MaryJo Swenson
Executive Director
Novell Technical Training
And here is the certificate:
Popularity: 100% [?]
So over the weekend I got bored and decided to waste some time playing old console games on my computer. I soon became uncomfortable sitting at my desk and pondered a more portable solution. As luck would have it I had purchased an EEEPC a couple of years ago and once the novelty wore off it has received virtually no use. So a project was born.
I wanted an ultra portable gaming system that had enough horsepower to handle those old school console games that I had grew up with and here is what it took to make it happen.
Here is a complete list of the hardware that I used:
I started off with an EEEPC 4G Surf, a very low power netbook which I had already previously upgraded from 512 MB of RAM to 2 GB (I would highly recommend this upgrade if you have an older netbook). The first thing that I did was to install Windows XP on the device. I chose XP mostly because I was already familiar with the emulation software for that operating system, I had a spare copy laying around, and I knew that my gamepad was compatible with it.
Installing XP was nearly a straight forward process. There was however one slight hang up that could cause you some problems. I initially tried to install Windows XP off of a disk that did not contain Service Pack 2 it repeatedly gave me a Blue Screen of Death. After a few minutes googling, reading a couple of forums, and a trip to get an XP disk with SP2, then the installation went through without a hitch.
Once I had a functioning install of Windows XP it was just a matter of filling an SD card with the emulation software and games that I wanted and configuring my Logitech Gamepad. XP installed the Gamepad automatically and the emulation software would actually run from the SD card itself.
I can honestly say that it has already gotten a fair amount of use and when I have kids I will definitely have something like this handy for those long rode trips.
Popularity: 27% [?]
