CompTIA Certifies Home Network Integrators

prostoalex writes "Consumer Electronics Association and Computer Technology Industry Association introduced a new certification for individuals and companies installing home networks and connecting consumer electronics devices to a central PC: 'The certification is geared to individuals who install, integrate and maintain "smart" homes, in which the PC is the hub controlling lighting, security systems, audio-visual and digital entertainment gear, including home media centers.' The home networking market is predicted to grow at 20% a year globally."

From the people who brought us the A+ cert

[zoomshorts]

Are you serious? CompTIA is basically useless. I have seen far
too many of their 'certified' people be nothing more than paper tigers. They have
a piece of paper and that is all.

Their paper is suitable for lining bird cages.

ATTENTION HUMAN RESOURCES - CompTIA training is a joke. Rinse, repeat.

Re:CompTIA exams

[flosofl]

...I see no reason to make it so hard that hardly anybody can pass (Cisco are you listening?)

You're kidding right? Not to take away from your accomplishment, but most certifications are not worth the paper they're printed on. Your first paragraph pretty much illustrates that. All these certifications prove is how well someone can memorize and regurgitate facts. Basically, Certification bodies are nothing more than a way to make money by convincing clueless management types that they actually mean something. And CompTIA is at the head of the list for that.

There are very few of these professional certifications that are actually a valuable gauge of ability. Cisco's CCIE comes to mind, along with GIAC Gold-Level certifications. To get these you actually have to demonstrate a deep understanding and an ability to creatively apply your knowledge. But for the most part, most certificates are a scam.

And before someone tries to say I'm sour grapes because I don't have any... I have a few of these. Some Cisco certs, CISSP, and a few GIAC silver level (working on a gold at the moment). The primary reason for them? Well, in the case of the CISSP, my department (InfoSec) has decreed we all need them. Whatever... hasn't changed anyone's abilities or performance. The others? Well, they're for C.V. fodder. It just makes it that much easier to get an interview where I can demonstrate what I really know and can do.

How certifications work

[transporter_ii]

Ok, I snagged this from a Slashdot post a while back, author unknown:

Assume there are 2 people up for a job:

(1) If neither has the experience and one has the certification, the one with the certification wins.
(2) If one has the experience and no certification and other has no experience but a certification, the person with experience wins.
(3) If both have the same experience and only one has the extra certification, the one with the certification wins.
(4) If both have the same certifications and the same experience, the one who is cheaper wins.
(5) If both have certifications and neither has any experience, the one who talks better wins.
(6) If neither has any certifications or experience, the one who looks better wins.

Transporter_ii

Re:From the people who brought us the A+ cert

[Simulant]

I agree that most certs are generally meaningless to most tech savvy people. I would never rely on a cert as an indicator of ability and would probably be suspicious. But... if one were, say, to go into business as a "Home Network Specialist" the average, not so technically inclined customer might feel comforted to see some sort of certification on your business card.

Given that the market shows promise and I that can probably handle most of the tech involved with my eyes closed, I am seriously consider dropping out of the corporate rat race and starting up a little business helping normal people with the tech they have at home. May take the test myself just for marketing purposes.

Re: Brainbench

[transporter_ii]

I'm actually taking two Cisco exams in April. Not sure if I will pass, but I do feel I have a shot at it.

And I will say, the worst thing about Brainbench is its kind of stupid name, in my opinion. But if I was an employer and had to hire someone, first, I would go for someone with actual experience, but failing that a Brainbench certification would impress me a heck of a lot more than a CompTIA cert.

I guess I'm just White & Nerdy, but I actually have some free practice test web sites, so I work with test questions quit a bit (not that that makes me an expert or anything), and the actual test questions on a Brainbench exam are really good, I don't care what anybody says. I took a couple of Cisco exams there that made sweat bead up on my forehead. I know people who took Cisco classes in college, and I would bet good money none of them would be able to just breeze through the exams.

I do agree that their certifications are basically worthless, but I think as far as the questions go, they are solid questions.

Transporter_ii