70-411, Administering Windows Server 2012 - Directions Training

So last week I was off at home.. back in my basement sitting through the 70-411 Administering Windows Server 2012 course via WebEx with Directions Training.  maybe it's just me but I'm not a fan of the compressed lecturing styles.
I realize that there's limited time to go through the official material, but if I were paying real money for these courses I'd expect a higher level of professionalism, and "complete-ness".  Don't skimp on the examples, don;t skim over the lessor topics.  I want the instructor to touch every part of the curriculum. You know.. if the material required 9 days... or 12 days I'd go through it in order to cover 100% of the material, as I'm sure most others who are paying good money for these courses would.

Granted many of the topics are not new to 2012, but it's a great refresher for those of us who don't use every part of a Microsoft server OS on a daily basis.

I had wanted this post to be a review of the material but I come back to the training provider on every thought.  For the price of the course you do get a virtual copy of the official Microsoft training book, with the labs for each section, which is a good thing.
You can also re-take the course for up to 6-months.. But I don;t think anything new would be gleaned from such an undertaking.


I only hope that the third and final course, 70-412.. the Instructor might keep on track and keep the detail level set to high.

That's my 0.2 anyway.

WOOT!

Today I was given 10 Microsoft training vouchers for the remaining two MCSA: Windows Server 2012 courses at Directions Training!  And as a bonus their giving me three exam vouchers!  DBL-WOOT!

September 29 - October 3 for 70-411
December 1 - 5 for 70-412

Now to schedule the 70-410 exam.

YAY!

Installing and Configuring Microsoft Windows Server 2012 - UPDATE

So the situation I'm in is this:  the Enterprise Agreement (EA) administrator actually works for my parent company, Dover Corp.  One of Dover's like 4-6 actual SA's who, among other things, is also leading a dozen other projects while handling their normal duties.
I actually asked one of them last year.. I was astonished by that guys workload!

Anyway.. getting a reply from this guy has been problematic to say the least.. usually it takes my boss emailing his boss.  It sucks.  Anyway I've heard through the grapevine that their EA is up for renewal in September, so I'm trying to get 10 more training vouchers before then.

But here's the kicker, and another reason I have come to love Directions Training, they have free exam vouchers to give away.  I was told this morning that if I commit to the second MCSA: 2012 course that they will give me two training vouchers.. and since Microsoft exams are $150 a pop now that's $300 in savings WOOT.

Directions Training {ThumbsUp}

Installing and Configuring Microsoft Windows Server 2012

Hi all!
I was out all last week for an online, instructor-led training course provided by Directions Training on the 70-410 material which is.. Installing and Configuring Server 2012.  Some might ask, "Why would you waste the $$$ on the easiest course on almost any MSFT OS?"

Well for a couple reasons honestly..

My last certification was MCSA: Windows Server 2003.  I completed it back in 2004 and while I have supported 2008 and 2012 since then, I figured there'd be some new things.
Secondly, I did not pay for it.. I was able to use 5 training vouchers from my parent companies EA.

I was right too, there have been a few, albeit small changes officially and I did actually learn a couple new things about 2012.  The provider I found was Directions Training which was listed at a Microsoft Partner under the online training offerings.  I was pleased overall, the instructor Coach Culbertson was entertaining, humorous and very knowledgeable.  He spoke very well and offered many real-world examples of situations relating to the tasks covered in the book.  I'd recommend Directions and Coach to anyone looking for additional training as Directions covers ALOT of subjects/publishers.