wanting to do MCSA (it's a bit long tho)

From: richard (richard_at_thisisarkive.co.uk)
Date: 02/06/04 

Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2004 23:27:44 -0000

I'm new (ish) to this group, and I am in need of advice.

I'm looking at expanding my computer horizons, and have selected Networking
as both a challenge and a new area of computers. Allow me to explain :

I started playing with computers in school, when a network of BBC B
computers was the IT of more wealthy schools in the UK. I became reasonably
affluent with BASIC until the first 386 PC's were introduced into our
school. I immediately felt 'connected' (there's no other way of describing
it) to DOS, finding my way around the system with little help. In college we
were introduced to Windows For Workgroups, and after quitting college and
getting a full time job, I bought my own PC. I ran Win95 till it was so
quick, my Pentium 75 could play games,etc that were designed for P133's.
Fast forward a few years, I got Windows 98, whilst my parents bought a PC
and swore at Windows ME, which I have had to sort out on several occasions.
Now I run Windows 2000 Pro on a home-built PC, I use XP Pro at work which
accesses a UNIX server, and have sorted out lots of PC problems, from stuck
mice to systems crashing at boot. My next project is to network my flat,
allowing my flatmate access to the net, and also to link my laptop to my
desktop for a separate net access point. All this without any formal
training. I have helped set up a couple of small systems, one including XP
vs. Mac OSX (easy) and I have learned by experience, and I beleive that
experience counts these days, especially when it comes to employment.

And here are the questions :

Based on my history, what do I need to do to improve my skills at
networking?

I am thinking of taking the A+ exam firstly, to get a cert. for my skills.
Then progressing to MCSA. Is this a wise route?

As I am based in the UK, what prospects are there for me gaining 'field
experince' in networked computer enviroments?

Regards

Rich

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Windows xp network with 6 computers
    ... >> apply to Windows XP networking. ... I've even seen such misinformation on ... >> network with a Windows XP computer. ... A Windows XP computer can connect to any number of other computers ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Workgroups
    ... When I first arrived I was thrown into the networking position ... I created the students their own workgroup, ... Some computers use windows ... 2000 and some use windows xp. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Password box?
    ... I have 3 computers networked and one internet connection. ... There are no passwords set up, and file sharing is enabled. ... Windows Firewall ... Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking) ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Home Networking
    ... purpose of networking but you must take the time to ... I am not using a server. ... Can someone instruct me on networking Windows 2000 Professional and ... I have been trying to network six computers, in my home, to use the ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.networking)
  • Re: Howto setup a Internet cafe network???
    ... > Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking) ... setup a wireless network for a café ... > I am planning on setting up a internet cafe with about 8-10 computers, ... can any of these OS's be used to act as a server for this ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)