Comments on: The Value of Certification Exams (to me) http://www.dannorris.com/2007/06/28/the-value-of-certification-exams-to-me/ Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:17:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Certifications, response to Bex Huff’s post at DanNorris.com http://www.dannorris.com/2007/06/28/the-value-of-certification-exams-to-me/comment-page-1/#comment-2540 Certifications, response to Bex Huff’s post at DanNorris.com Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:50:49 +0000 http://www.dannorris.com/2007/06/28/the-value-of-certification-exams-to-me/#comment-2540 [...] to point out that not all certified individuals become certified for the same reasons. In fact, I blogged on that topic a while back. I do believe that while certifications don’t often prove knowledge, they do at [...] [...] to point out that not all certified individuals become certified for the same reasons. In fact, I blogged on that topic a while back. I do believe that while certifications don’t often prove knowledge, they do at [...]

]]> By: dannorris http://www.dannorris.com/2007/06/28/the-value-of-certification-exams-to-me/comment-page-1/#comment-20 dannorris Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:10:10 +0000 http://www.dannorris.com/2007/06/28/the-value-of-certification-exams-to-me/#comment-20 Hi Charles--thanks for your thoughts. The RAC Expert beta exam was not too bad. I think it's on par with the other OCP exams I've taken, but certainly not a replacement for the hands-on experience of the OCM exam. I've been impressed with some of the course reviews I've read and heard from those attending OU in the last year or so. I more or less "blacklisted" OU classes many years ago, but maybe I should reconsider based on comments from several respectable DBAs lately. Scott Gossett wrote a lot of the 9i OCM exam and I certainly respect it. I went in assuming that it would be like the other certification programs Oracle had assembled at that time and came out a believer that things were about to change. I share your thoughts that there are some great individuals leading the charge inside Oracle for better, more meaningful certifications. Considering that it is a relatively young program (I don't consider anything before the 8i OCP really meaningful), I think they're doing a fantastic job. Hi Charles–thanks for your thoughts.

The RAC Expert beta exam was not too bad. I think it’s on par with the other OCP exams I’ve taken, but certainly not a replacement for the hands-on experience of the OCM exam.

I’ve been impressed with some of the course reviews I’ve read and heard from those attending OU in the last year or so. I more or less “blacklisted” OU classes many years ago, but maybe I should reconsider based on comments from several respectable DBAs lately.

Scott Gossett wrote a lot of the 9i OCM exam and I certainly respect it. I went in assuming that it would be like the other certification programs Oracle had assembled at that time and came out a believer that things were about to change. I share your thoughts that there are some great individuals leading the charge inside Oracle for better, more meaningful certifications. Considering that it is a relatively young program (I don’t consider anything before the 8i OCP really meaningful), I think they’re doing a fantastic job.

]]> By: Charles Schultz http://www.dannorris.com/2007/06/28/the-value-of-certification-exams-to-me/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Charles Schultz Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:03:18 +0000 http://www.dannorris.com/2007/06/28/the-value-of-certification-exams-to-me/#comment-19 So now you know what taking the OCM is like. Great way to spend 16 hours, isn't it? =) I did not realize the list of beta tests were public, but you have given me something to think about. I talked with Jay Norton who did most of the work behind the 10g OCM, and was impressed with his desire to really test people and use relevant features with practical scenarios. I also spoke with Rick Pandya, formerly with Oracle Education in Chicago, and it is great that these guys really want DBAs to excel at their jobs. They instill a lot of confidence, while at the same pushing for honest to goodness, healthy, sound superiority. You can tell they love Oracle. I still contend that Oracle should drop the OCA and come up with something beyond the OCM. Look at the field of professional architects; there is a very fine line between being a licensed architect and one who practices it (but not licensed). I would like to see licensed Oracle DBAs. Even if they have to specialize in a particular area. I am keeping my eye on that Oracle RAC Expert accreditation; that looks interesting. I have no immediate plans to pursue it, but I am curious how it will shake out for those that do. So now you know what taking the OCM is like. Great way to spend 16 hours, isn’t it? =)

I did not realize the list of beta tests were public, but you have given me something to think about. I talked with Jay Norton who did most of the work behind the 10g OCM, and was impressed with his desire to really test people and use relevant features with practical scenarios. I also spoke with Rick Pandya, formerly with Oracle Education in Chicago, and it is great that these guys really want DBAs to excel at their jobs. They instill a lot of confidence, while at the same pushing for honest to goodness, healthy, sound superiority. You can tell they love Oracle.

I still contend that Oracle should drop the OCA and come up with something beyond the OCM. Look at the field of professional architects; there is a very fine line between being a licensed architect and one who practices it (but not licensed). I would like to see licensed Oracle DBAs. Even if they have to specialize in a particular area. I am keeping my eye on that Oracle RAC Expert accreditation; that looks interesting. I have no immediate plans to pursue it, but I am curious how it will shake out for those that do.

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