Re: MS Helps Higher Ed Again!

[Wandered Inn <esoteric@denali.atlnet.com>]

Dan Strychalski wrote:

<random snips applied...>

> 
> Excerpts from a recent thread in <news:alt.folklore.computers>
> (NOT an "anti-Microsoft" discussion group) touching on the subject
> of Microsoft and education. The author of the first excerpt has
> previously posted messages praising Microsoft products.     -- Dan
> 
> Subj.: Re: testing and certification of programmers and IT folks
> 
> <news:369d4654.272286116@206.210.64.12>
>    The Microsoft tests are a joke: can you memorize dozens of obscure
>    parameter lists, odd install switches, and dozens of factoids that no
>    sane programmer would waste time memorizing, since the information is
>    all in the online documentation (but the exam is closed-book!)

Memorization, the lowest form of learning.  You don't have to
understand, just memorize it...

> 
> <news:76kvb8$mc5@axalotl.demon.co.uk>
>    I'm an IT manager. I pay no attention whatsoever to vendor sponsored
>    exams, particularly Microsoft's, when employing people. It is entirely
>    possible to be Utterly Clueless, and yet still be an MCSE.

I see it all the time in resumes passed to me for new hires and
promotions.

> 
> <news:76qtnk$aeh$1@news1.fast.net>
>    [...] My freshman year in CS I learned Pascal, data structures and
>    discrete math.  I got a course catalog this year from a small local
>    college, and their first year consisted of course like "Introduction
>    to Microsoft Office" and "Problem Solving with Visual Basic".  Yet you
>    can get a BS degree from them just like the ones that M.I.T. and Cal
>    Tech issue...
This is the point I was alluding to in that the education is watered
down.  I can't tell you the number of resumes I see from supposedly
'technical' people who have Microsoft Office listed as a technical
skill.  Folks, it's an office package, word processor, presentation
software, spreadsheet and an almost database product...

> 
> <news:76r5vj$jmj$1@agate.berkeley.edu>
>    Thanks to the world wide web, my cat is now an ordained minister.  I'm
>    wondering if maybe my cat's next step is to become an MCSE.

How many ads have you seen that say "We guarantee you will pass this
MCSE test or your money back.  I have yet to see a college or university
make that guarantee.


Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric@denali.atlnet.com

You mean you paid MONEY for Service Pack '98????