Rams Fan

Sorry that I am late to the party... :-) However, I'll go ahead & throw my two cents worth in... A few things to keep in mind here: Certifications without experience are nearly worthless - you absolutely must know how to do it in the real world. Yes, it is tough to get the experience when few will give you a chance without the certifications... Herein lays the conundrum! As someone stated previously, internships can be the way to go if you don't have a strong set of PC fundamentals to start with. Many young people get their start because they are very strong in PC hardware/software due to years of die-hard computer use (gaming) while growing up... They typically will start as a PC tech at a place like Best Buy for a year or two and then move on to a real job. A four year college degree will open far more doors than certifications alone. I would suggest some basic certifications for anyone getting into the IT industry, but until you have the skillset to backup the piece of paper, stick with a foundational certification (http://certification.comptia.org) like the CompTIA A+, Network +, Server+ or one of Microsoft's professional level certifications (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/bb291022.aspx) like the MCITP. While Cisco's CCNA is quickly becoming desirable, the fundamental skillset to backup the piece of paper is far more complex (http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/..._type_home.html). I cannot count the number of ITT Tech grads we interview (I own an IT services company) who cannot pass our skills evaluation - their resumes look great & they have certifications, but they cannot troubleshoot (the name of the game in IT). The successful ones I have seen from these highly priced technical schools already had fundamental knowledge. It is hard to break into any industry by taking a shortcut... Those same people probably did not really need to spend the $30k, unfortunately, in most cases. Bottom line is that my suggestion is to first determine if your son has the aptitude for IT, i.e., is he a solid, systematic troubleshooter. If he is, I'd suggest an internship or an entry level job where he can get his feet wet (even if $10-12/hour somewhere) although this will require convincing someone to believe in him. Once he gets his feet wet and if he truly has the aptitude, most of these certifications can be obtained the right way which is to slowly gain the knowledge and take tests! There are ample study materials out there - Microsoft & CompTIA both have tons of books related to each test. Just advise him to avoid braindump sites (sites where people post actual test questions & scenarios) as they are illegal and can very easily lead to loss of all certifications (and many employers will fire you if caught using one). After 2-3 years of entry level work, he ought to be prepared to get a job on a help desk (usually a salaried position $30-$40k) and steadily move up the ladder from there. That 3 years spent earning $10-$12 per hour (even if the first 12 months are an unpaid internship) is still a far better deal than paying $30k and not earning anything (and still possibly being unable to land an IT job)! I also bet the real-world knowledge obtained far outweighs the book learning... Just be sure to knock out a couple of the professional level certifications during that period or he won't have much to offer an employer! Hope this helps and best of luck!

Hey guys & gals...! I went to see the doc earlier today, and he was fairly certain I had the shingles. I am just not so certain, but potentially out of ignorance of what the shingles really are. Earlier today I would have said it was a rash just like the chicken pox. :-) Here are the facts: Sunday morning I woke up with a headache and just thought it was related to seasonal allergies / sinus problems. I live in Arkansas and we have bad pollen counts, etc. By Monday, when the headache had not gone away, I started wondering what was going on... To explain a little further -- if you find the mid-point between your right temple and the outside of your right eye and then go up about two inches. Now make a triangle between the 3 points and you have the area that is in discomfort. It is not a pulsating or radiating pain; it is more of a constant dull (although after 4 days it is getting really annoying) pain. When I close my eyes hard or open them really wide, I guess it pulls or strains the area and therefore hurts more as well. I really have not had any other pains... no fever, no aching, no rash, etc... The pain is more pronounced at the end of the day and actually ends with soreness in my brow area on the right side. Odd thing is my left brow/forehead has no pain, etc. It seems to worsen as I am more exhausted at the end of my long days. The doctor said it could also be exhaustion or stress (I do work 80 hours a week and own my own computer services company with 25 employees) related. He also said that it could possibly be that I needed a new eyeglass prescription although localized to one side seems to rule that out. Ultimately he wanted to treat the shingles since it was so close to my right eye as it could have long term impact on my vision and wants to play it safe there. A friend who has had shingles said that it was a radiating pain from the nerve and that it was tender to the touch -- i have neither. She actually said don't play around, go get an MRI. :-) A few other tidbits to explain polk's comments above.... I am on a medically managed diet and have taken several meds over the past couple of years... 3000 mg metformin (1500 morning/1500 night) for diabetes/high blood sugar, Diovan HCT in the morning for high blood pressure, phentermine each morning (part of the medically managed diet), citalopram each morning (also part of the managed diet), and 1 centrum complete each morning. I have lost approximately 60 pounds since mid-February and just last week cut the metformin in half (750 each morning & night). I am still a large 400 lb guy, so I have a long way to go... Additionally, up until 6-7 weeks ago, I took Diovan, and then they changed it to Diovan HCT. I was prescribed Methlyprednisone & Valtrex by the doctor today. I am concerned because the phentermine has already affected my sleep very badly and the metformin has kept my bathroom functions very active if you know what I mean. I am told that the steroid will cause weight gain & water retention of which I need neither one. :-) I am considering a second opinion, but where? I am not in severe pain, but it is certainly not normal and I don't want to ignore it and live to regret it. If I get a second opinion, will my doctor be insulted if he is right and would he later give me lesser service because I doubted him...? Today it is more of an annoying pain, but who knows where it goes. Bottom line I am worried and do not want to wait too long if this is NOT shingles. I also do not want to make a mountain out of a mole hill... Anybody got any ideas on how to CONFIRM this is shingles or what could be done to figure it out besides taking a bunch of needless tests and questioning my doctors opinion? The doctor wants me to take the meds for 7 days and if anything changes (blurry or shaded vision, dizziness or slurred speech) call him immediately. Sincerely, RamsFan

I can promise you that beating pinksalet is enough incentive to get there first! I can thinking of nothing worse than wearing a faggie jersey...

This is historically a high scoring game & the 'niners usually shut the Rams running game down. I'd look for bulger to go for at least 275 & 3 touch downs.

This is a tremendous deal... If you are actively in college, you can get Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 for $59.95. http://www.theultimatesteal.com/home.asp

I picked him up at the end of a 16 team league draft.... I am hoping that he'll post good numbers playing catch up for a few weeks and one our teams will be desperate for a starter! I don't see Russell getting on the field early enough this year to contribute and the other 2 QB's are crap. I personally think he'll be good for 250-2-2 each week plus a few yards here & there on the ground.

No, but you were at the JC Penney white sale last weekend... http://www.orthodox.lv/

You might want to check & see what the maximum lifetime benefits are... A lot of insurances are capped at 1M or 5M of lifetime benefits. At the rate you're going, you'll be there before the kid is 5 yrs old! Might be time to check on a supplemental policy if there are lifetime caps...

Who: RamsFan What: Computer Network Service Company Owner and Football Junkie! When: 35 yrs old Where: Little Rock, Arkansas Why: Football Freak, of course... Just wish I had more time to get online & collaborate. Fantasy Bio: Where to start.... I started playing FF when I was about 12 years old through snail mail leagues, although I really did not fare too well in them (played 2 or 3 different season). :-) I really started playing more consistently in the mid-90's on ESPN.com, CBS Sports Line, et al. We had a local live draft league here with approx 10 teams that I commished for a few years. FWIW, I won on ESPN a couple of times and the local league once. Generally made the playoffs each year. I have not played at all over the past 4 years, so I am anxious to get back in the fold. I am playing in a couple of leagues this year, and plan to kick some major butt. I have only been a huddler for a few months, but I actually was a member for one season back a few years ago, although my old account did not work as it had been dormant since! It is THE SHIZ when it comes to info, however! Any more questions, just ask!

It is VERY clear you do not know Polk. <seg>

Oh, I have plenty of thoughts, but they are not overly appropriate for this forum. :-) However, sounds like you gave him good advice!

Then it sounds to me like your sister shouldn't go out in search of the cutting edge technologies... Here is the bottom line: http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/posters/65b7/zoom/

Do you have a server @ your store? If you have a Windows 2003 Small Business Server for instance, Remote Web Workplace would be the way to go, as it is securely accessed over HTTPS (port 443). If you have a firewall in place, you should consider gaining network access by using a VPN connection. If you don't have a hardware firewall, it is worth considering... I am glad to see that security is on your mind! Kudos!

This is probably off base, but I thought I'd throw it out there. A few years ago our son went through a period of "scary" dreams that never really quite added up. After a few nights, we finally came to the conclusion that it was because he did not want to sleep in his room alone. We made the mistake of allowing him to sleep in our room a few times, and then he would start to tell all kind of tall tails to get us to let him stay in our room. Not sure this really helps, but I thought I'd throw it out there, especially if the dreams sound a little fishy.

For those with an aptitude for IT, I agree. Those youngsters will not be satisfied with running the systems the masses do... They will go out & explore on there own. We're not talking about future IT people here most likely; we are talking about Average Joe Jr. If Jr. shows an aptitude and desire, then by all means push & steer him/her towards the cutting edge of technology. And I beg to differ, if simply using & excelling at Microsoft products were easy as pie, many of us IT folks would not have good paying jobs. What is probably easy (or easier) for those of us huddlers (we've already shown we embrace technology by virtue of being online for more than email & espn.com), is not so for the majority of the public.