Why 7 and 8? Just pick the one you like best

Minimize the number of applications that start with windows, if you haven't already.

Is there an order that these should be tackled?

Probably that order. A+ can either be a cakewalk or a mire of outdated irrelevant questions. Or an odd combination of the two.

Security + was def. easier to get after I had N+.

7 is what I prefer but I hear there may be driver issues with the model I got. 8 because I want to be able to learn the Win 8 environment, and it ships with the laptop.

Just take the A+, and probably skip right to the CCNA. The latter is a lot more work though, covers much of what's in Network+.

We need a non-programming computer forum here imo. CTH seems like such a bad place for,this kind of discussion, but programming seems equally as bad. Are there any good networking-related forums out there?

thx guys

Oh, no, just have one computer forum, and give programming and CTH subforums!

Are you saying it's bad for networking discussion?

It's not optimal, because people start threads in both CTH and programming to ask about network admin career paths, for example

It just seems a disservice to the PC-enthusiast to pretend that computers exist to be programmed or to be fixed only.

Yeah I know, we want to reach out and connect with people. idk, maybe try polling the forum or getting others input or something. I haven't been a reg in this forum for so long, I'm not privy to the problems you're talking about.

Networking career questions are probably better suited for programming where there is a bigger mix of technical folks in the industry at all levels. But I agree there isn't as perfect a fit for those questions as there are for what flavor of Java I should learn first. It's pretty niche, feel free to double post a thread about it or ask for something here to be moved there.

Anyone have input on preferred backup solutions?

Mozy is really inefficient when you remove files from your system that you no longer need to back up, and they did something else that annoyed me (some policy change, I forget), so I'm looking to move.

Interested in security, safety of files (including company not going broke/closing down), ability to be sure I'm backing up exactly what I want (not a fan of the automated "let us find all of your documents for you!" setups). Reasonable efficiency, though it's not the highest priority. At least would like to avoid a day long process when Mozy goes to remove all my files from their server and makes me wait for it.

To a certain extent something as simple as dragging and dropping everything would be cool, but don't think I want to just throw everything on my own server. Cost isn't a factor.

Researching on my own, but since there are some trustworthy people here who know what they're doing, would appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

I take it you want something more secure than Dropbox/Amazon. How much data are we talking about, how often, and do you specifically need to back up to somewhere off-site?

Employment question: What would you guys estimate to be the ceiling in hourly wage for just an A+ cert?

These videos are good.

It's entry-level PC repair and tech support, whatever that pays where you are. Maybe the computer department at Best Buy for reference.

A+ is the kind of certification you prep for and burn through in 2 weeks, 3 if you're lazy. You don't want to stop there if that field interests you. At very least go after some basic networking cert like CCNA, or Microsoft something-or-other. Maybe learn some specialized software application that's in demand.

It's hard to tell you what's best without knowing what employers near you are looking for. I'm in one of the most populous areas of the country, surrounded by major cities. You're in Nowhere, Oklahoma if I recall. My advice probably won't help you and there could be a major difference in salary there.

I can't think of a job that you could get with only an A+ cert that you couldn't also get without it. However, it might be worth an extra quarter to fifty cents per hour at the right company.

Look for any entry-level tech support position. Could get min wage up to maybe $8.50-9.50/hr I'd guess.

I'm just keeping my options open. I'm planning on finishing my EET degree, but it could be cool to also get some computer certifications.

Dude, if you could get in part- or full-time at a place that does tuition reimbursement, that'd be awesome on several levels. Knock out that A+ cert asap. Look for practice exams online. I used to have a really good one that basically got me a few different certs. Wish I could remember the names of 'em.

Professormesser.com has an A+ practice quiz, haven't tried it yet though.

Edit: It just gives you a single random question, it's not a full quiz.

Any idea how to go about finding businesses that do tuition reimbursement? Idk if I should do something like that here, because I'm moving to Colorado as soon as I finish school.

1016,

I use CrashPlan, works fine for me AFAIK.

Can anyone recommend a good mechanical keyboard that is no greater than $75?

Go Get It,

Wait a week.

My birthday is the 2nd, going to ask for one for that day obv..... So any good ones out there?

Why did no one warn me about this UEFI/GPT safe boot bull****?

I hold you all personally accountable.