I just installed a new Virtual PC image for Windows 2003 and I’m now in the middle of my Yukon install. I’m really excited in diving into Yukon to see how it will all play out. How will this affect how we write stored procedures? How will we design our databases with the ability to store XML in the table with the ability to query on the elements of the XML? Does XML become the primary way of storing attribute data that doesn’t require querying capabilities? What is the performance hit of querying the XML storage? I guess we’ll see. Stay tuned!

I finally took the Microsoft Architecture exam (70-300) today and I’m happy to report that I passed. But did I pass with flying colors or did I just squeak by? I couldn’t tell you. I would sure like to know, though. Unfortunately the new certification exams no longer break down your score for you, they just report pass or fail. Pretty anti-climatic if you ask me. You click the ‘End Session’ button and wait a few seconds for your result: ‘Congratulations! You have passed this Microsoft Certified Professional exam.’ Being the perfectionist that I am (my wife would disagreee to that statement but I’m talking work here, not home life), I would like to know how well or how poorly I did in certain areas so I might be able to focus my efforts to solidify my weak spots. I should be happy enough in knowing that I passed the first test and move on.

So… on to the next one!

I’ve been putting off taking the Microsoft Certification Exams for over a year now. I don’t know why. Lack of motivation maybe? I was certified way back in the Visual Basic 4 days, but that has long expired. There has only been a couple of times when a client has asked for someone who is “certified” and one of those just happened to be Microsoft themselves.

Being “certified” doesn’t really mean much to me, and I would suspect others would agree. To me, being “certified” means you took the time to take the tests and you passed. Bravo! A number of people who are “book smart“ become certified because they are good at taking tests. A few of them even enjoy it. The problem is that they are just that – “book smart“ – no real world experience. Past experience and tough interview questions speak volumes (to me) over a certifcation.

I’m not trying to downplay the certification process. I do think it’s important but I’m not going to base my decision to hire someone on whether or not they’re certified. If two individuals came to me, one certified, the other not,with the exact same experience, personality and goals I might, just might, hire the certified developer. Why? Because it’s something that stands out above the other individual. And that is why I’m now forcing myself to schedule the tests and get them over with.

So I went and just scheduled the 70-300 “Analyzing Requirements and Defining Microsoft .NET Solution Architectures” exam for Monday at 11:00AM. From there, I’ll try to take another exam every 2-3 days, depending on my schedule. With the Wife and Daughter in Arizona for the next several days, I can have some peace and quiet to review the material. I just hope the XBox doesn’t get in the way. :)

Wish me luck!

As an avid .NET Rocks listener, I was bummed to find out that I missed this one. I was to busy enjoying myself at Ken Getz’s pre-PDC bash. I can’t wait to have a listen. You should do the same.

From Carl Franklin:

This .NET Rocks! show was recorded live at the Microsoft Professional Developer’s Conference on the evening of Sunday, October 26, 2003. A panel of MSDN Regional Directors (and a few friends) answered technical questions posed by Mark and Carl, and audience members chosen at random (those waving the most cash) agreed or disagreed with the answer given. Two out of three correct answers, and they win a prize! Prizes included XBoxes, Controllers, Games, T-shirts, mice, and other goodies.

Show:

Alternate link: http://msdn.microsoft.com/dotnetrocks/