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One week into the New Year and Millennium... anything different?
Can't prove it by me. Recently though, I had the
"good" fortune of visiting one of these licensing,
instructional centers for computers and software that are endorsed
by Microsoft and the Testing Center that does the MCSE, CNE etc.
certification tests. On all outward appearances, it had all
the trappings of a highly professional operation. Plenty of
classrooms filled with computers and what appeared to be qualified
teachers and support personnel.
While I was waiting in the
"waiting area" to speak with the head person, she was in
a conference, a gent sat down beside me. As I was reading an
article about Win2k, he noticed such and began a litany of
negatives about Windows 2000. I acted surprised and
asked how did he become so familiar with this OS?
Incredibly, He replied he got it from a friend who was a beta
tester.
He then went on to tell me
all about the wonders of some fellow by the name of Farhat. (the
only Farhat I knew of in the area was deceased at the hands of
another) Farhat was, in this guy's opinion; "the greatest
thing since sliced bread as far as computers were
concerned." I then asked; Is this who you got the copy
of Win2k from? The fellow replied "sshh I didn't tell
you" with a grin. I chuckled and asked him why he was
so upset with Win2k.
As this guy began his
scourge of Win2k he showed his obvious ignorance of the system
itself by claiming, among other things, it was more difficult to
learn and use than NT4. I kept thinking to
myself "who is this goof?" Oh well,,, I then
remarked you can always go to the latest incarnation of
Win98. After all, they say its very close to NT with out all
the "confusion." His next answer absolutely bowled
me over.
This fellow then said he had
the NEWEST version of '98 it was a beta called
"Millennium". He went on to say it was merely a
rehash of Win98se that had a good number of bugs fixed that were
in the last release of '98.
At that point the gal I was
there to see came out and immediately introduced this fellow to me
as one of her "top" instructors! Needless to say I felt
like walking out of the joint in sheer disgust. But I said
to myself.. since I was this far into seeing what this place was
all about I decided to go the route.
Now, she handed me over to
another young lady who was, to say the least, abrasive and rather
aggressive in her approach for a five foot something person....
(they say all short people are feisty <g>) You see, I was
there on a second interview for an instructor's position with a
scheduled "audition" so they could see my classroom
technique. Many of you should remember the numerous seminars
we conducted in Chicago, Washington DC, and numerous other
places... Needless to say, after waiting close to an hour
past the appointed time, I was somewhat irked by the jerk-around I
perceived taking place.
In any case, the young lady
that was "in charge of instructors" was, almost
immediately, all over me over my obvious displeasure at waiting
around for what seemed like forever. So much so that she
jumped right in my face, with an attitude, wanting to know if I
was ready to give a demonstration. My answer was simple ...
I worked with computers all day, every day ...I'm ready.
I was ushered into an empty
classroom by "Madam Feisty" and intro'ed to the
instructor who had just completed a class. He took a moment
to familiarize me with the location of the felt markers and the
use of the overhead projector and its quirks of operation.
He wished me good luck and departed saying he was going
home. I then prepared my presentation outline on the marker
board and set the projector to where I wanted to begin the
demonstration session.
A few moments later a few of
the instructors walked into the classroom and sat down. We
would soon begin or, so I thought. Suddenly, we were ushered into
another classroom where the markers were not where they were
supposed to be and the projector and computer were totally
different from the previous classroom... So I decided to
"wing-it" The instructors, the manager of
instructors and the top person walked in and asked for the session
to begin as there was another audition scheduled to begin very
soon. "And we are running late." The
"rush" was on.
I found all but one of the
instructors to be fair and up front. One however, lied... he
was sitting on the left side of the room slightly to the left of
and two rows in front of the top lady who was sitting in the last
row of seats. The instructor manager was sitting on the left
side of the aisle, in an aisle seat in the next to the last
row. I noticed this guy right off the bat as he had
"Betty Boop" eyes... I remarked to myself as I
looked at him that has to help get attention in a classroom.
Much to my chagrin, Mr.
"Betty Boop" eyes lied and told the head gal I had not
made eye contact with him during the course of the demonstration.
None of the observers complained of a lack of "eye
contact" as I made certain to look at each one of them.
I distinctly remember looking directly at him and getting an
acknowledgment nod over a point made about the use of Windows
95.
When this came to pass.. it
hit me like a ton of bricks. I was being stroked because a dear
friend of mine who was also a dear friend and had known the top
lady of this school from her childhood days, had recommended me to
her. I guess to massage our mutual friend I got the
stroke-job. (The old, "at least we gave him a
chance" routine) Or, the top lady talked too much too soon
and scared those under her into taking defensive and protective
measures lest their "thing" be upset. ie., Milking the
School for all it was worth.
Why all this? Its simple...
these schools are collecting BIG BUX from governments,
corporations and private individuals. Gotta say it... those
who are running things need to tested. Tested for their
abilities, tested for their intentions and goals and tested for
their abilities to stay on top of the growth of the
industry. I went into this place to teach Win98x, Win2k
basics and Adobe PS5.5. They did not have any of these
products.... they were still using 95, 95b, NT4 and had not
one copy of Photoshop. None! This all took place this past
December. This school, like others, have an incumbent
responsibility to have their instructors up to speed for Win2k
which is in release at this time and due to hit the shelves by Feb
17. Not to mention Adobe Photoshop... its the PREMIER tool for
creating efficient top-notch graphics for the web and most any
other purpose.
Back to the goof in the
waiting room... Badmouthing Win2k, bragging about having copies of
software is one thing but badmouthing the product to make one's
self appear "highly informed" borders on criminal
activity, This was and still is a teacher at this
"Certification School". God Help the industry if
this is what we have teaching folks what to and how to do things.
That guy is a first class BOZO. Truly a case of the blind
leading the blind! The Titanic of the Computer World.
Better yet, in plain English... the "con" job of the
decade.
They should dump this pirate
disguised as a teacher and dump the so-called manager of
instructors... she couldn't manage a pencil sharpening contest
with only one contestant. She had admitted to me she hadn't
a clue about the subjects being taught at this school.. I thought
to myself; Just what were her "qualifications" for her
administrative position in charge of the instructors,
Judging from the pirate instructor I met, I'd say her
qualifications were no where near those needed for the
position. "She hadn't clue..." Perhaps this was
the only truth she offered me.
In all humility and sincere honesty, I know
I have more going for me, as far as computers, hardware and
software are concerned, in my pinky finger than they had in that
entire building. Its sad because it appears as if the top
lady there was so thoroughly bamboozled by those whom she trusted
without question. Dear Top Lady, you need a real administrative
assistant if that school is to survive and prosper.
See what I think of these so called
"schools" now. click here
This sort of nonsense is what will
undoubtedly cause the complete and total regulation of our
industry by governments from local to federal. One day, once we
are under government's heavy regulatory thumb, we shall all look
back and say; We had it so good, why didn't we safeguard it"? |
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