Thursday 10/09/09 First Exam..

Today I awoke to what was real monsoon weather. The rain was coming down so hard that it looked like a solid blanket in front of you.

Our normal drive to the training centre, in the wet.


I'm going to take this opportunity to show some of the conflicts that India has. Take our IT park for example.

The latest in technological advancement next to a lean to shop at the side of the road.

Next what was probably a western design of a science park. The plan is very grand but as you will see the money isn't there to complete it so it kind of feels like one of those post apocalypse films where half the buildings have been bombed, there is radiation everywhere but people are still trying to survive.


Notice the immaculate and very western glass Call centre building, this is where you are diverted to when you want to pay your mobile phone bill!!

An Indian call center (sorry about the poor quality due to rain, will get a better pic when dry).

Half built abandoned skeletons of buildings line the complex awaiting more funds and symbolise the widrawl of money from Europe etc due to the recession and drop in economy.





This picture is our training centre, when built they allowed another story for expansion, looks a little under developed from the outside but is fully functional inside (Inside pics to follow).

Koenig solutions Dehradun.

Right, back to the course. After spending 3 days on the first book "Installing, configuring and administrating Microsoft Windows XP professional" exam 070-270 it was time to go for the Exam. I booked my exam yesterday as you have to give 24 hours notice. My exam was sheduled for 10:30 and there was an hour for some last minute revision. I skimmed through the book and went over areas I thought I wasn't so strong in. 10:30 cam and it was time to take the long walk down the corridor (well about 6M but its been years since I sat any type of exam, so a little apprehensive). I entered the office next to the gas chamber.... well prometric exam center. Microsoft takes its exams seriously and there is no way that any one else can sit your exams for you. When I entered the office I had to give 2 forms of picture ID (Passport and driving licence), then I had to give a finger print of my left thumb (yes a blue inky thumb all day!). Then you have to put any thing that's in your pockets into a locker, then you are ready to go in. The exam booths are behind a glass partition from the office and above every workstation is a webcam! This exam was 50 questions and 90 minutes to answer. It was multiple choice based and you were given a scenario and a question, one you have deciphered the question and what information they want you have to select from 1 to 5 possible answers, some questions required 3 correct selections. This all seemed daunting until you got part way through and it actually seemed fun (probably because Ive been using XP since beta and kinda know it). After the exam you can complete a digital survey and then your score is displayed with a pass or fail remark. I PASSED!! ;-).
Upon leaving the gas chamber the admin person has already got your results printed for you. Now these guys must see thousands pass but from the admin lady to all the trainers and management staff everyone was congratulatory and would shake your hand and it seemed like a really special occasion. (well I guess only a few million have passed :P) It felt really nice and made you feel like you had accomplished something, either that or they thought Id never pass!

As a special treat My trainer managed to secure some of the most amazing Samosas and we had a little party, when ever Samosas turn up everyone comes out!

Well back to the next book "Managing a Microsoft Windows server 2003 environment". We have 3 days set aside for this book then another 2 for the next book and my second exam 070-291. This is mostly dealing with Domain permissions, Objects, Groups and Group Policy, this is the fun bit that I enjoy and later more Active Directory. Our driver game at 5pm and we left.

Andy passed the same exam and we celebrated with a few beers ;-)

Andy best mate on course, we are contemplating the formation of our new society "the Haywards 5000 club". I must thank Andy, I don't know how I would have coped without him, hes a real mate! Oh and the beer helps!