Why You Might Be A Terrible Facebook Friend

I’m sure that if you were asked to list the top 9 things that people do on Facebook that really grind your gears, you’d list 15. But thanks to a survey commissioned by Australian company Amaysim, we have a nice, clean roundup of the top actions that are likely to lead to an unfriending.

1. Using Facebook as your diary. 42% said that this was the most annoying thing that could be done on the social network. Before you post some trivial about your day-to-day life, remember to take the number of people you think care about your activities and divide by two.
2. Food photography. 40% of those surveyed hate it when you incessantly post pictures of your meals, no matter how exquisite you think they are. There’s a place filled with food photos where you’ll never be called annoying for being filled with culinary enthusiasm, and it’s called Instagram.
3. Copious check-ins. Suzy was here. Suzy was here with Sally. Suzy was here with Sally and 4 other. Stop. I haven’t left my couch all day and you’re making me feel like a slob. 38% found this annoying.
4. Relationship posts. 29% of those surveyed don’t want to hear about your boyfriend, girlfriend, or crush. Also, your husband, wife, or domestic partner either. Let’s add friend with benefit to that list as well.
5. Game invites. This is a no-brainer. 26% of respondents hate you when you request that they they join you in a rousing game of CityVille, and we’re surprised it’s only 26%.
6. Inspirational Quotes. So, Marilyn Monroe said that you need to be a girl with sass? Albert Einstein said that Obama is a socialist? 25% of your Facebook friends are rolling their eyes.
7. Vaguebooking. Say what you mean. Passive aggressive updates drew the ire of 24%.
8. Baby photos. According to 21% of those surveyed, your baby is only cute to you.
9. Posting terrible photos of your friends. I know it makes you look better by comparison to be standing next to your derpy friend, but cut it out. 13% of people really hate that.

Of course, this is in no way an all-inclusive list of crap that can get your unfriended on Facebook. But if you’re looking at ways to be a better Facebooker, it’s a good place to start. 

Get a Jump Start on the New CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 Exams

Get a Jump Start on the New CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 Exams 


The launch of the new CompTIA A+ exams are just around the corner, and you can get prepared with in-depth coverage of all exam objectives, and practical, real-world exercises. 

We have a full range of products to help you prepare for those as well.

CompTIA A+ Complete Lab Manual

CompTIA Certification Testing Moving to a Single Vendor

CompTIA Certification Testing Moving to a Single Vendor




CompTIA Certification Testing FAQs

GENERAL

What exactly is the change that CompTIA is making in its test delivery program?

Effective July 9, 2012, CompTIA exams will be delivered exclusively with Pearson VUE via their worldwide network of more than 5,000 testing centers. CompTIA certification exams will no longer be available at Prometric testing centers at that time. Pearson VUE has been delivering CompTIA exams since 2003.



Why is CompTIA changing its test delivery program? 

We want to simplify the overall testing experience. Moving to Pearson VUE for exclusive worldwide delivery of CompTIA exams will provide our candidates with one point of contact to serve all of their testing needs. 



When exactly will this change happen?

Here is a list of important dates that you need to be aware of as it relates to this transition.

Key Dates                             Actions

NOW                                      Ability to buy vouchers and register for an exam at Pearson VUE

5/4/2012                                Last day to buy a voucher from Prometric

7/8/2012                                Last day to register for an exam at a Prometric Test Center

7/8/2012                                Last day to test at a Prometric Test Center

7/10/2012                              Prometric Vouchers will be available to schedule at Pearson VUE Test Centers

NOW                                      Begin taking certification exams at Pearson VUE Test Centers



Who is Pearson VUE?

Pearson VUE is an existing partner of CompTIA who delivers exams through the world’s most comprehensive and secure network of test centers in more than 165 countries. Pearson VUE is a business of Pearson (NYSE: PSO; LSE: PSON), the international education and information company, whose businesses include the Financial Times Group, Pearson Education and the Penguin Group.



TESTING

Where are Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centers located?

Pearson VUE currently has more than 5,000 Pearson VUE Test Centers in more than 165 countries, including several hundred company owned and operated Pearson Professional Centers. You can find a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center near you by visiting the Pearson VUE website and using its Test Center Locator.



Does Pearson VUE offer all CompTIA certification exams?

All CompTIA tests are available at Pearson VUE test centers.



Are Pearson VUE’s testing requirements the same?

Yes. Because CompTIA sets the testing requirements for its exams, the requirements at Pearson VUE will continue to be the same.



Are the CompTIA exams on the Pearson VUE system different?

No, the exams are exactly the same—they look the same and are scored exactly the same.



Will the test fees change?

No, test fees are set by CompTIA and will remain the same at Pearson VUE.



How can I register for an exam at Pearson VUE?

Appointments may be made in advance or on the day you wish to test, subject to availability. Pearson VUE offers a variety of scheduling options: online scheduling, scheduling by phone and scheduling directly through the test center.



Can Pearson VUE sites accommodate candidates with special needs?

Yes, Pearson VUE and CompTIA allow accommodations to candidates who are identified as having special needs. If you need additional time to complete your exam or another accommodation, please contact our American Disability Association (ADA) Accommodations number at: 1-800-466-0450. 



SCHEDULING AN EXAM

What if I already have a CompTIA exam scheduled with Prometric?

If you have a test scheduled to take place on or before July 8, 2012, then no action is required. If you have an exam scheduled with Prometric after the cut-over date of July 9, 2012, the vouchers will be valid in the Pearson VUE system after July 9, 2012, and you must schedule your exam with Pearson VUE.  



I bought a Prometric voucher but have not scheduled my exam yet, what do I do?

You can schedule your exam with Prometric at your earliest convenience as long as the exam is taken on or before July 8, 2012. Starting July 9, 2012, unused Prometric vouchers that have not expired will be valid in the Pearson VUE system, and you must schedule your exam with Pearson VUE. 



How do I schedule a CompTIA exam with Pearson VUE?

Appointments may be made in advance or on the day you wish to test, subject to availability. Pearson VUE offers a variety of scheduling options: online scheduling, scheduling by phone and scheduling directly through the test center.



VOUCHERS

Will I be able to use Prometric vouchers that I have already bought?

Existing Prometric vouchers for CompTIA exams may be used to schedule an exam with Prometric through July 8, 2012.  From  July 10, 2012, unused Prometric vouchers that have not expired will be valid in the Pearson VUE system and you must schedule your exam with Pearson VUE. 



Will I still be able to purchase a Prometric voucher?

You may purchase a Prometric voucher directly from Prometric for a CompTIA exam thru May 4, 2012. If you prefer to test with Prometric, you must do so on or before July 8, 2012. Please note that Prometric vouchers are no longer available on the CompTIA Marketplace.



MY ACCOUNT

What will happen to my records and testing history with Prometric?

All records and testing history are the property of CompTIA, and this information will remain with CompTIA. Likewise, all new records created through Pearson VUE testing will be forwarded to CompTIA for processing and storage. All CompTIA historical testing data is available to candidates through the candidate online tool at: https://www.certmetrics.com/comptia/login.aspx. 



I already have taken and passed one of the two exams required to earn a CompTIA Certification at a Prometric Test Center. Can I take the second exam at Pearson VUE, and if I pass, earn my CompTIA Certification?

Yes. You simply contact Pearson VUE and schedule your next exam. Because all previous and future results are the property of CompTIA, this will not affect existing certifications or certification paths. If you already have taken a CompTIA exam, we recommend that you provide your CompTIA Career ID when registering for your exams with Pearson VUE. 



I have taken all my previous CompTIA exams with Prometric. Will all my new Pearson VUE exams be added to the same record or will I now have different records?

You will have only one record in our CompTIA database. To make sure a new record is not created when you take your exam with Pearson VUE, please provide Pearson VUE with your CompTIA Career ID when you register for an exam.



I discovered that I have duplicate records in CompTIA’s database. How can I get these merged?

Please contact CompTIA at http://support.comptia.org and log a ticket requesting a “merge.”



I took my exams through Prometric and it is not located in my record. Now what?

We will need your score report and CompTIA will work with Prometric to locate your exam record.  Please contact CompTIA at http://support.comptia.org and log a ticket requesting assistance with locating your record.



If I did not pass my exam at Prometric before the cutover date, will I still need to wait 14 days before retaking the exam at Person VUE?

Yes. The retake policy remains in place. If you failed a proctored exam at Prometric, you will need to wait 14 days before retaking the exam at Pearson VUE. 

IT Careers — The Inside Scoop

IT Careers — The Inside Scoop Powered by the CompTIA Advancing Women in IT Community Wednesday, November 7, 2012, 10:00 – 11:00am (CT)

It’s time to dream and see yourself in a brighter future. Positions are waiting for you in Information Technology. Whether it’s your first, next or re–entry into an IT position, the more information you have the easier it will be to find the IT position that is right for you. At this webinar you will hear from experts, people who work in HR and hire people into positions in IT. They will be focusing on three IT Career Areas: Technical, Sales, and Operational/Management. REGISTER

CompTIA Enhances IT Certification Exams with Performance-Based Questions

CompTIA Enhances IT Certification Exams with Performance-Based Questions 





Will be included in CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ exams

Downers Grove, Ill., October 2, 2012 – CompTIA, the leading provider of vendor-neutral skills certifications for the world’s information technology (IT) workforce, said today it will incorporate new performance-based questions into its top three certification exams to more accurately measure the skills of IT professionals.

Performance-based questions, which will require certification candidates to perform a task or solve a problem within a simulated IT environment, will be added to the CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ certifications exams over the next several months.

“These questions will require the test-taker to demonstrate specific knowledge and skills relevant to particular IT job tasks, thus providing a more accurate gauge of their capabilities in a real-world environment,” said Terry Erdle, executive vice president, skills certification, CompTIA.

CompTIA first introduced performance-based questions in its exams in September 2011 with the launch of the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner certification. 

Performance-based questions will be added to CompTIA A+ in October 2012 with the launch of new exams (220-801 and 220-802); to the CompTIA Network+ exam (N10-005) during the fourth quarter of 2012; and to the CompTIA Security+ exam (SY0-301) in the first quarter of 2013.

For each performance-based question, the exam will prompt the candidate to perform a specific task or solve a specific problem. A simulated environment is then launched in which the candidate completes the required steps. Each question is designed around real-world IT infrastructure scenarios, such as command prompts and networking environments.

In addition to the performance-based questions the exams include multiple choice, multiple selection and calculator-assisted questions. The exams also incorporate the use of graphics and videos.

A new video on the CompTIA test-taking experience is available on the CompTIA You Tube channel. Additional details are available on the CompTIA certification website.

With more than 1.6 million certifications awarded worldwide, CompTIA is the largest provider of vendor-neutral certifications for IT professionals. These certifications are the recognized industry standards for a broad range of technology skills, including IT fundamentals, repair and technical support, networking, security, server, storage, Linux, project management, printing and document imaging, digital information management, health IT, green IT and cloud computing.

CompTIA Exam Center Location Finder

Taking the Test

You can purchase a voucher for your exam or you can pay with a credit card when you register to take the test at one of CompTIA's testing partners. Vouchers are available from the CompTIA Marketplace. If you took a class to help you prepare for the exam, be sure and ask your CompTIA Authorized Partner Program trainer if they sell vouchers or include them as part of the training package.

Register for your CompTIA exam through Pearson VUE testing centers. The CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals exam is also offered at Certiport testing centers.

1. Visit their site to find the closest testing center to you.
2. Create an online account to register for the exam and store your information with the testing center.
3. Schedule the exam online. You can also register by phone or by contacting the testing center directly. You will be required to enter your voucher number or provide payment information at registration.
4. You will receive e-mail confirmation of your registration including any additional details you may need from the testing center. 

Seasoned IT Professionals Make Their Mark Through Mentorship

Seasoned IT Professionals Make Their Mark Through Mentorship

Mentorship is a two-way street; it helps both mentor and mentee develop their skills and experience by gaining a perspective from someone at a different career level. 

Wishing Cloud Away Won’t Work

Wishing Cloud Away Won’t Work

Ignore cloud at your peril. Without a carefully crafted, well-validated strategy here, solution providers may find themselves pulled into offering cloud solutions – whether they want to or not. Regardless of a provider’s philosophy on virtual solutions, clients will either ask about SaaS options and/or be approached by other IT companies that offer them. So it’s time to come up with a clear strategy for cloud or be prepared to explain why if you’re not going to bother with it.