Re: CertFirst Legit?

Joshua D. Drake wrote:
> On Sun, 2006-12-03 at 08:34 -0800, yt_groups(at)comcast(dot)net wrote:
>
>> I had a similar experience with their classes here in Massachusetts.
>> In the end my boss overrode me and decided to go with MySQL for
>> our project, since we can find reliable training from MySQL AB.
>>
>
> There are three well known providers for PostgreSQL.
>
> http://www.otg-nc.com/
> http://www.bignerdranch.com/
> http://www.commandprompt.com/
>
> They all do different types of traning. Command Prompt specializes in
> corporate training, so unless you are training > 8 people then they
> aren't for you.
>
> OTG is more of the traditional corporate class type training where you
> will have anywhere 4+ individuals within the class.
>
FYI...

We (OTG) are a bit more than that. OTG provides three different types
of training:

* Customized corporate (build-your-own) training using our extensive
library of PostgreSQL courseware (most corporate training is
"unscripted" - with little or no courseware; our classes include
well defined courses with pre-planned exercises - and "howto"
style step-by-step course documentation).
* Pre-built on-site corporate training - which includes our
courseware as well, this is typically the courses/courseware that
we normally deliver in our public enrollment courses.
* Public (open-enrollment) training. Our open-enrollment courses
optionally include 5 nights of hotel accommodation as well as
round trip airfare. The ones in Morrisville, NC are also
guaranteed to run, regardless of enrollment.

Our on-site corporate classes are generally cost-effective (i.e., it
becomes cheaper for us to come to you, rather than you coming to us) for
groups of 4 or more students.

Our courseware is always up to date (in fact, we send the latest version
to print the for each class), and is current to features included in the
latest version of PostgreSQL (8.2). We also own 100% of our content,
allowing us to customize courses without adding additional cost.

Our public classes will have 1 or more students in them. We've run (and
continue to run) occasional PostgreSQL classes with 1 or 2 students. We
maintain a class "A" facility with the latest in hardware and a single
PC per student - so everything is hands on, and students are able to
exercise pretty much every thing they learn in class.

--
Chander Ganesan
The Open Technology Group
One Copley Parkway, Suite 210
Morrisville, NC 27560
Phone: 877-258-8987/919-463-0999
http://www.otg-nc.com

> Bignerdranch does week long intense training.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Joshua D. Drake
>
>
>
>> rnshah(at)imap(dot)cc wrote:
>>
>>> I've been tasked with administering one of our PostgreSQL databases and
>>> know little or nothing about the product (though I do have DB
>>> experience). I've been looking for training and came across an
>>> administration class at 'http://www.postgresql.org/about/event.425' on
>>> the main web site. When I called the certfirst people offering the
>>> classes I got the impression that they weren't on the up and up. When I
>>> asked if the class in Newport Beach was sure to run they tried to talk
>>> me into taking a class in their Illinois location, and when I asked
>>> about a class in January in Vegas they told me it was already full but I
>>> could take the December class in Illinois -- but they wouldn't tell me
>>> where their classes in Vegas are held.
>>>
>>> Can anyone provide me with a reference for these guys? Also, they claim
>>> to offer a certification but it is done online using some web site I've
>>> never heard of.
>>>
>>> ---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
>>> TIP 3: Have you checked our extensive FAQ?
>>>
>>> http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faq
>>>
>> ---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
>> TIP 6: explain analyze is your friend
>>
>>