Oh, the Places You'll Go!
I'm sorry to say so
But, sadly it's true
That bang-ups and hang-ups
Can happen to you.
Let’s be sure when we step.
Step with care and great tact
And remember that Life’s a great balancing act.
The above poem comes from Dr Seuss and I read it for the first time when I was around 13 years old. It is with surprise that when I look back at many of the things I believe in, and that drove me to become what I am, come from the reading material I had available.
I must therefore, do more to ensure that those children who come after me, have the same (if not more) access to reading material.
Monday, 12 October 2009
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Understanding Microsoft Certifications
In today’s world you need to continuously upgrade your skills and be able to provide proof of your expertise and skills. This is very clear in Namibia and can be seen by the number of tertiary training schools teaching business and technical skills.
Once you have undergone the training, it is important to ensure that you are certified as well. In technology this means getting international certification, probably through Prometrix or similar examination board. These certifications provide the recognition you need to excel in your career and provides employers with validation of your skills.
If you would like to understand the language IT people use to define their qualifications, read on about the Microsoft certifications below.
Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS)
The Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) credential validates skills in using the 2007 Microsoft Office system and the Windows Vista operating system, meeting the demand for the most up-to-date skills on the latest Microsoft technologies. Candidates who successfully complete the program by passing a certification exam show that they can meet globally recognized performance standards.
To earn the Microsoft Office 2007 Master certification, you must pass the following MCAS exams:
• MCAS: Microsoft Office Word 2007
• MCAS: Microsoft Office Excel 2007
• MCAS: Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007
• MCAS: Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
The Technology series is designed for IT professionals and developers who want to demonstrate their skills and in-depth knowledge on a specific Microsoft technology. The Technology Series Certifications typically consist of one, two, or three exams, and are focused on a key Microsoft software or technology. They do not include job role skills, and are retired when mainstream product support for the related technology expires.
Microsoft Certified IT Professional and Certified Professional Developer (MCITP and MCPD)
The Professional series is designed for the experienced IT professional and validates a comprehensive set of technology skills necessary to be successful in a particular job role. It’s for the individual who wants to validate his or her skills beyond technology prowess, and includes design, planning, deployment, and operations management. By validating a more comprehensive set of skills, these credentials give candidates and their hiring managers a reliable indicator of on-the-job performance.
The two Professional series credentials—Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)—typically consist of one, two, or three exams and require one or more prerequisites from the Technology series as well as periodic re-certification.
Microsoft Certified Master Series
Master Series Certifications identify individuals with the deepest technical skills on a particular Microsoft technology. The program recognizes experienced IT professionals who can successfully design and implement solutions that meet the most complex business requirements. The strength of the program is advanced, experience-based training and testing on Microsoft technologies that goes beyond any product training offered outside of Microsoft today. The Master Series Certifications have prerequisite exams from the Technology Series and Professional Series and require the candidate to attend and complete all training. A final qualification lab exam focuses on a single technology platform.
Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA)
The Microsoft Certified Architect program makes it easy for companies to identify experienced IT architects who have completed a rigorous peer review process and exhibit exemplary business IT skills and a proven ability to deliver business solutions. The MCA program identifies prestigious professionals that have a minimum of ten years of advanced IT industry experience and three or more years of experience as a practicing architect. They possess strong technical and managerial skills, and form an elite community. Unlike other industry certifications, this credential was built, and is granted by the architect community. The Architect Series Certifications have a rigorous and competitive entry process, require the candidate to work closely with a mentor who is a Microsoft Certified Architect, and culminate in an oral review in front of certified architects. Microsoft Certified Architects are required to periodically refresh their certification.
Certifications for Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is a line of integrated, adaptable business management solutions that automate and streamline financial, customer relationship, and supply chain processes in a way that helps drive business success. The Microsoft Dynamics Certification program identifies individuals who can help deliver comprehensive business management solutions. There are two Microsoft Dynamics Certification titles—Microsoft Certified Business Management Specialist and Microsoft Certified Business Management Professional.
Microsoft Dynamics Certifications typically have single exams for each Microsoft Dynamics or related business technology, along with other exams for other Microsoft technologies, such as SQL Server. The pre-determined set of required and elective exams for this set of certifications focuses on three specific knowledge areas for one Microsoft Dynamic product: applications, developer, and installation and configuration.
Once you have undergone the training, it is important to ensure that you are certified as well. In technology this means getting international certification, probably through Prometrix or similar examination board. These certifications provide the recognition you need to excel in your career and provides employers with validation of your skills.
If you would like to understand the language IT people use to define their qualifications, read on about the Microsoft certifications below.
Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS)
The Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) credential validates skills in using the 2007 Microsoft Office system and the Windows Vista operating system, meeting the demand for the most up-to-date skills on the latest Microsoft technologies. Candidates who successfully complete the program by passing a certification exam show that they can meet globally recognized performance standards.
To earn the Microsoft Office 2007 Master certification, you must pass the following MCAS exams:
• MCAS: Microsoft Office Word 2007
• MCAS: Microsoft Office Excel 2007
• MCAS: Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007
• MCAS: Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
The Technology series is designed for IT professionals and developers who want to demonstrate their skills and in-depth knowledge on a specific Microsoft technology. The Technology Series Certifications typically consist of one, two, or three exams, and are focused on a key Microsoft software or technology. They do not include job role skills, and are retired when mainstream product support for the related technology expires.
Microsoft Certified IT Professional and Certified Professional Developer (MCITP and MCPD)
The Professional series is designed for the experienced IT professional and validates a comprehensive set of technology skills necessary to be successful in a particular job role. It’s for the individual who wants to validate his or her skills beyond technology prowess, and includes design, planning, deployment, and operations management. By validating a more comprehensive set of skills, these credentials give candidates and their hiring managers a reliable indicator of on-the-job performance.
The two Professional series credentials—Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)—typically consist of one, two, or three exams and require one or more prerequisites from the Technology series as well as periodic re-certification.
Microsoft Certified Master Series
Master Series Certifications identify individuals with the deepest technical skills on a particular Microsoft technology. The program recognizes experienced IT professionals who can successfully design and implement solutions that meet the most complex business requirements. The strength of the program is advanced, experience-based training and testing on Microsoft technologies that goes beyond any product training offered outside of Microsoft today. The Master Series Certifications have prerequisite exams from the Technology Series and Professional Series and require the candidate to attend and complete all training. A final qualification lab exam focuses on a single technology platform.
Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA)
The Microsoft Certified Architect program makes it easy for companies to identify experienced IT architects who have completed a rigorous peer review process and exhibit exemplary business IT skills and a proven ability to deliver business solutions. The MCA program identifies prestigious professionals that have a minimum of ten years of advanced IT industry experience and three or more years of experience as a practicing architect. They possess strong technical and managerial skills, and form an elite community. Unlike other industry certifications, this credential was built, and is granted by the architect community. The Architect Series Certifications have a rigorous and competitive entry process, require the candidate to work closely with a mentor who is a Microsoft Certified Architect, and culminate in an oral review in front of certified architects. Microsoft Certified Architects are required to periodically refresh their certification.
Certifications for Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is a line of integrated, adaptable business management solutions that automate and streamline financial, customer relationship, and supply chain processes in a way that helps drive business success. The Microsoft Dynamics Certification program identifies individuals who can help deliver comprehensive business management solutions. There are two Microsoft Dynamics Certification titles—Microsoft Certified Business Management Specialist and Microsoft Certified Business Management Professional.
Microsoft Dynamics Certifications typically have single exams for each Microsoft Dynamics or related business technology, along with other exams for other Microsoft technologies, such as SQL Server. The pre-determined set of required and elective exams for this set of certifications focuses on three specific knowledge areas for one Microsoft Dynamic product: applications, developer, and installation and configuration.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
History of the Namibian Coloureds
"History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity." - Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC), Pro Publio Sestio
For the past three months I have once again been staying Khomasdal, in what was the old coloured area of Windhoek. It has been really fun meeting up with some of my old friends, especially when we take part in the coloured sport of drinking. ;-)
I am staying directly behind my Grandmother's house, which is now owned by my Uncle. Most of the people staying in the four blocks around my flat are the same people who have been staying there for the past 30 years or more. The area itself has changed very little, and the business districts are made up of primarily retailers, take-aways, night clubs, bottle-stores and shebeens.
As I walk down memory lane and remember my past loves and sins, I realised very little of the history of the people has been written.
So If not me, then who?
I will thus be writing a book on the history of the coloured families and their influence on Namibia. It includes historical data,photographs and most importantly the personalities in politics, business, religion, education, etc.
Feel free to contact me on miltonlouw@gmail.com or join Coloureds in Namibia if you wish to collaborate.
For the past three months I have once again been staying Khomasdal, in what was the old coloured area of Windhoek. It has been really fun meeting up with some of my old friends, especially when we take part in the coloured sport of drinking. ;-)
I am staying directly behind my Grandmother's house, which is now owned by my Uncle. Most of the people staying in the four blocks around my flat are the same people who have been staying there for the past 30 years or more. The area itself has changed very little, and the business districts are made up of primarily retailers, take-aways, night clubs, bottle-stores and shebeens.
As I walk down memory lane and remember my past loves and sins, I realised very little of the history of the people has been written.
So If not me, then who?
I will thus be writing a book on the history of the coloured families and their influence on Namibia. It includes historical data,photographs and most importantly the personalities in politics, business, religion, education, etc.
Feel free to contact me on miltonlouw@gmail.com or join Coloureds in Namibia if you wish to collaborate.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
What is love?
"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two."
-St. Augustine
-St. Augustine
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Create an Internet Action Group for Namibia
Did you know?
• The fifth biggest “country” in the world is Facebook. That’s right, a country that only exists on the Internet has over 200 million people sharing their thoughts, photographs, birthdays, love lives, interests and causes with one another. In the “Nation of Facebook” your every thought is shared with all your friends at once. They can indicate if they like it, or make a comment. In addition, you or a friend can “write on the wall” if you wish to send each other private messages. The photographs area allows you to upload any of your photos and share them instantly with those you know. The best feature is the ability to tag a friend, and everyone they know will be informed that a photo has been loaded.
• In the Twitter application an actor, Ashton Kutcher, beat the news company CNN to having a million users following their “twitting” (Twitter is a service that allows you to send and post SMS messages to a network of contacts.) Kutcher had challenged CNN to the Twitter race, saying he would donate 10,000 mosquito bed nets to charity for World Malaria Day in late April if he beat CNN, and 1,000 if he lost. CNN agreed to do the same. "It's a turning point in media. He's one person who uses a free media platform to reach a large audience. And that really hasn't been done before," Cherwenka said. "He didn't spend a penny on this. And that's kind of the point of any kind of social activity on the Web."
• Digital divide is shrinking through the use of mobile technologies, in countries such as South Africa, Nigeria and Namibia especially in mobile telephony. More than half of the Namibian population has a cellular phone.
• ICTs are technologies that enable us to receive, disseminate and share information and knowledge as well as to communicate – they are the foundation of the Information Society and Knowledge Economy. The Polytechnic of Namibia is a mirror site for most of the information libraries across the world and a key node for connecting Namibia to the information highway.
• Telecommunication is technically defined as the transportation of information from point A to B. Telecom has a fibre optic cable covering almost all of Namibia – a fully digital transmission network (6500 km of Fibre Routes).
What does all this mean for Namibia?
Our challenges are:
• Nationally – the imbalances in basic infrastructure, education, health and government services
• Globally – the technological advances far outpace our national development
“Poverty does not only refer to lack of income, but also includes:
• the deprivation of basic capabilities;
• the deprivation of information needed for meaningful participation in society
• and lack of access to:
• education
• healthcare
• natural resources
• employment
• land and credit
• political participation
• services
• infrastructure, etc.
Neither investment in ICTs or access alone is sufficient for development to occur, ICTs must also mediate the delivery of useful services and civic interaction that contribute to the economic and social well being of the community.”
Creating a better future, Today
Namibia can use the latest technology to the benefit of all its residents. The attitude to education which is presently geared to becoming an industrial country, must be changed to a system where knowing where the information is available is more important than having the information in your head. This means moving from our present agricultural society to a knowledge-base society within five years.
This leapfrogging into a knowledge-based society can be assisted by creating an ICT Action Group (IAG) reporting directly to the President. The IAG should consist of four staff members, of which two should be young people under the age of twenty-five. (The (male and female) staff member should each have software programming skills and should also participate in gaming leagues such as Starcraft. In addition, they should have a minimum competency in the number of words they can SMS per minute on their cellular phone.)
The objectives of the IAG:
• Advise the President and Cabinet on ICT.
• Ensure ICT capability of all members of the Cabinet and their staff.
• Create a Government Ministerial scorecard on Information and Communication Technologies. This includes a baseline survey of computer equipment and civil servant skills, as well as monitoring the information availability over government websites.
• Oversee the creation of a central register for Namibia.
• Ability to declare certain areas to be under-serviced and secure funds from the universal service fund to roll-out infrastructure
• Identify international trends such as Facebook and Chat with the view of encouraging local sites that are able to provide the same service. A social network site for people located in Namibia (in other words within a national local area network) is within the capability of the Polytechnic or UNAM. This will encourage innovation and access to information.
• Promote local content development to enhance the National Identity.
• Host free internet websites for any resident of Namibia.
The funding for the Internet Action Group will come directly from the Universal Fund that is contributed to by the telecommunications companies in Namibia.
• The fifth biggest “country” in the world is Facebook. That’s right, a country that only exists on the Internet has over 200 million people sharing their thoughts, photographs, birthdays, love lives, interests and causes with one another. In the “Nation of Facebook” your every thought is shared with all your friends at once. They can indicate if they like it, or make a comment. In addition, you or a friend can “write on the wall” if you wish to send each other private messages. The photographs area allows you to upload any of your photos and share them instantly with those you know. The best feature is the ability to tag a friend, and everyone they know will be informed that a photo has been loaded.
• In the Twitter application an actor, Ashton Kutcher, beat the news company CNN to having a million users following their “twitting” (Twitter is a service that allows you to send and post SMS messages to a network of contacts.) Kutcher had challenged CNN to the Twitter race, saying he would donate 10,000 mosquito bed nets to charity for World Malaria Day in late April if he beat CNN, and 1,000 if he lost. CNN agreed to do the same. "It's a turning point in media. He's one person who uses a free media platform to reach a large audience. And that really hasn't been done before," Cherwenka said. "He didn't spend a penny on this. And that's kind of the point of any kind of social activity on the Web."
• Digital divide is shrinking through the use of mobile technologies, in countries such as South Africa, Nigeria and Namibia especially in mobile telephony. More than half of the Namibian population has a cellular phone.
• ICTs are technologies that enable us to receive, disseminate and share information and knowledge as well as to communicate – they are the foundation of the Information Society and Knowledge Economy. The Polytechnic of Namibia is a mirror site for most of the information libraries across the world and a key node for connecting Namibia to the information highway.
• Telecommunication is technically defined as the transportation of information from point A to B. Telecom has a fibre optic cable covering almost all of Namibia – a fully digital transmission network (6500 km of Fibre Routes).
What does all this mean for Namibia?
Our challenges are:
• Nationally – the imbalances in basic infrastructure, education, health and government services
• Globally – the technological advances far outpace our national development
“Poverty does not only refer to lack of income, but also includes:
• the deprivation of basic capabilities;
• the deprivation of information needed for meaningful participation in society
• and lack of access to:
• education
• healthcare
• natural resources
• employment
• land and credit
• political participation
• services
• infrastructure, etc.
Neither investment in ICTs or access alone is sufficient for development to occur, ICTs must also mediate the delivery of useful services and civic interaction that contribute to the economic and social well being of the community.”
Creating a better future, Today
Namibia can use the latest technology to the benefit of all its residents. The attitude to education which is presently geared to becoming an industrial country, must be changed to a system where knowing where the information is available is more important than having the information in your head. This means moving from our present agricultural society to a knowledge-base society within five years.
This leapfrogging into a knowledge-based society can be assisted by creating an ICT Action Group (IAG) reporting directly to the President. The IAG should consist of four staff members, of which two should be young people under the age of twenty-five. (The (male and female) staff member should each have software programming skills and should also participate in gaming leagues such as Starcraft. In addition, they should have a minimum competency in the number of words they can SMS per minute on their cellular phone.)
The objectives of the IAG:
• Advise the President and Cabinet on ICT.
• Ensure ICT capability of all members of the Cabinet and their staff.
• Create a Government Ministerial scorecard on Information and Communication Technologies. This includes a baseline survey of computer equipment and civil servant skills, as well as monitoring the information availability over government websites.
• Oversee the creation of a central register for Namibia.
• Ability to declare certain areas to be under-serviced and secure funds from the universal service fund to roll-out infrastructure
• Identify international trends such as Facebook and Chat with the view of encouraging local sites that are able to provide the same service. A social network site for people located in Namibia (in other words within a national local area network) is within the capability of the Polytechnic or UNAM. This will encourage innovation and access to information.
• Promote local content development to enhance the National Identity.
• Host free internet websites for any resident of Namibia.
The funding for the Internet Action Group will come directly from the Universal Fund that is contributed to by the telecommunications companies in Namibia.
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