Improving my knowledge

Hi. The questions you ask are very broad in scope so be prepared for many varying answers.

1) Your first asset you are already demonstrating - the thirst for knowledge. That's good, now cultivate that thirst for knowledge to create a strong desire to learn (yes, there is a difference).

2) Self-education is very good, however its only effective if you are highly disciplined and very determined.

If so an EXCELLENT site that features TONS of information (and practice tests) on just about any IT cert you can think of is : www.cramsession.com. I use this site often, as it has a great forum as well.

There is also brainbuzz.com (which is affiliated with cramsession.com).

As for books...that's easy, hit up any major book seller likeBarnes & Nobel or Amazon. They both carry a wide selection of networking books. Be sure to start with foundation books first because you really will "drown in the information" if you try to dive into the hard core topics right away.

The best wayto get certified is NOT to just read everything. You NEED hands-on training, I don't care who says otherwise. I've been there, I've done that.

You can download router sim programs, setup your own small network at home -- many books come with lab simulators on CD..they are good.

Need more, just ask.

-later

This site has plenty of members that will be willing to share their knowledge,it was created for that reason.

There are a number of publications that's available,depending on the area and certification you want to study
a good source of books isonline computer book club,microsoft press,etc.

Their are a number of ways to gain certification,online classes,self study and training schools,each training method varies from one individual to another.

You can search the Formum for articles that were posted in March and April,concerning the Certification track.
There are a number of sites that are geared with study guides
www.cramsessions.com
Microsoft Certification training site or an

Start by signing up for all of the Tech Republic e-mails.

Check out the certification corner for some very good details of how to study for and pass certification tests.

As to books, I am partial to any book published by O'Reilly.
Their bookstend to not have much fluff and glitter, and get down to business.

Read through questions that interest you in the forum here.
I have learned quite a bit, and gathered a lot of links to good web sites by just reading other peers answers to questions.

As far as a "mentor", I recommend that you find someone relatively local to you.
While on-line communication serves a useful purpose, sometimes a face to face, and hands on assistance is best.

Chas

If your interest is computer repair - then look up some books on the A+ certification. The A+ is the primary certification for computer repair.

If you are interested in Networking - then the N+ or CCNA are entry level certifications. Honestly it takes a lot more background than that to really do the job.

let me know more about your interests and I'll try to spend more time later seeking to help you out.

I think you should find a local mom'n'pop computer shop, a small independent place. Tell them you'll work one or two nights a week and maybe every other Saturday morning for free for maybe 6 months. Most of these places always need help, and you'd get great experience. You'd also get to know people and procedures in the industry.
Good Luck.

I can see that you have already received some excellent responses and I won't duplicate those. I will, however give you a bit of an offbeat answer.

It is right here.

I often go looking for questions that meet two criteria: no one has answeredthem and they are outside of my general knowledge area. I read the question, jump onto the web, do some keyword searches through Google or Alta Vista and see what I can learn. I answer a number of questions that way, and even if I can't provide ananswer, I learn something through the search process.

Now, I have a favor to ask -- don't tell anyone else, or we'll have to fight them off in order to get future points.

humbly submitted,
diabetic

I think that by working (or volunteering time) in a PC repair shop you would get exposed to a lot more than you would just breaking/fixing PCs yourself. Hopefully there will be others there who have gained lots of knowledge & would be willing to show you.

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