Try CBT Nuggets IT Training Videos for Free

CBT Nuggets is one of the most well known video training services among IT professionals. There is a variety of different series from Microsoft Excel training to network security. However, many individuals are chased away by the subscription prices. Luckily, CBT Nuggets launched a free one week trial program earlier this month.

One week may not seem very long. However, for those of us who are studying for certifications, watching an entire certification series in one week is feasible.  In all, this trial program is an amazing opportunity to all IT professionals with empty wallets, like me. If you only plan on using the one week trial, keep in mind that CBT Nuggets will automatically charge you for an annual subscription when the trial period is over. So to avoid financial disaster, opt out of auto-enroll immediately after creating your account.

How to Study for the Cisco ICND1 100-101 Exam on a Budget

Earlier this month I passed the Cisco CCENT 100-101 ICND1 Exam. It took a lot more studying than I was used to and the exam experience was new as well. However, before I started studying, I researched the best material to study with when money is tight. Now that everything has worked out, this post is dedicated to the top study materials money can buy when you're on a tight budget.

Options for Under $50

Buy: Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide by Wendell Odom ($28)

Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide is by far the best exam preparation material that can be purchased for both beginners and for those that have been in the field for a long time. The book is well written and breaks topics down into small chapters. Before each chapter you can take a short quiz to see if you already know what the chapter covers. In addition, a companion CD is included with the book. The companion CD has quizzes for the end of each section as well as simulation labs, and a lot more supplemental material.

Rent: Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide by Wendell Odom ($20)

If you're very low on funds, you can just rent the book. However, I would make the investment if you plan on going into the networking field.

Options for Under $100

Subscribe: CBT IT Training Videos ($99 Per Month)

The sticker price is expensive, but the content quality is worth every penny. The total course duration for the Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 series is 23 hours and 20 minutes--easily watchable in a one month subscription. Additionally, the series' audio tracks can be downloaded and listened to offline. The video and audio content combined is worth $99.

Best Option for Under $150

Buy: Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide by Wendell Odom ($28)

And

Subscribe: CBT IT Training Videos ($99 Per Month)

This is the option I went with. I watched all the CBT Nugget videos in less than a month and listened to the audio tracks on my daily commute. After I finished the nuggets, I read Wendell's book cover-to-cover--using the companion CD along the way. The combination of both products seemed to work out well. I passed the exam the first time with a pretty decent score. Furthermore, feel much more confident about my networking fundamentals than my friends who used other products feel about theirs.

Conclusion

If you can only afford one product, buy Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 Official Cert Guide. While the CBT IT Training Videos helped introduce me to a new topic, Wendell's book got into the detail I needed to pass the exam. Good luck!

Finished with the ICND1 100-101? See my post on How To Study For The Cisco ICND2 200-101 Exam On A Budget.

UPDATE: CBT Nuggets now offers a one week free trial, which should be enough time to watch the entire Cisco CCENT/CCNA ICND1 100-101 series for free. 

How has your experience been with these products? Do you have any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments below.

Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Computers

While most of us are already aware of obvious keyboard shortcuts like “Alt+F4” and “Ctrl+C”, there are some obscure shortcuts which most of us tend to overlook. These keyboard shortcuts are not only useful for the average PC user but for advanced users as well. This article contains many such amazing keyboard shortcuts which if used properly could save a lot of time and effort. So let's get

Install Windows 8, 8.1 or 7 from a Bootable USB drive

Windows is sold in the form of DVDs and downloadable ISOs. The Windows DVD can be put into an optical drive for easy installation. However, with the advent of ultra portable devices and tablets that do not have optical drives, installing Windows from the setup DVD becomes a problem. The only solution for these devices is to install Windows from a USB device such as a flash drive.

There are many

My Cisco CCENT 100-101 ICND1 Exam Experience

After months of hard work, I passed the 100-101 ICND1 exam today. I studied enough that I felt confident that I would pass. However, I was still anxious because I had never taken a test in a testing center, and I had no idea what to expect. I didn't know when my score would be posted, what the testing center needed, how long the entire process would take, and so on. Now that it's over, I want to share my experience in the testing center.

First off, the testing center advises showing up 15 minutes before your appointment. I somehow missed traffic and arrived 45 minutes early, which meant 30 minutes of psyching myself out in my car before entering the testing center—hoping I wasn't about to waste the $150 testing fee.

The testing center required two forms of identification when I entered. One ID required a signature and one had to be a photo ID. I used my driver’s license and social security card. However, I have heard that you can use a credit card as a signature ID. After I handed over my IDs, I had to fill out a couple of simple forms consisting of check boxes and signatures. Afterwards, I signed a digital signature pad and take a photo. The proctor had me place all my person belongings in a locker including my analog watch, phone, keys, and wallet. I was then given a laminated paper and erasable marker before entering the testing room.

The proctor logged into the computer and opened the exam. A timer started counting down from 15 minutes when the proctor left—time to read the exam rules and review the Cisco Certification Exam Tutorial. The same tutorial on the Cisco website linked HERE. Many individuals suggest watching the tutorial at home before the exam and instead using that time to write all the notes in your head. I decided against using my paper, but I advise making notes during your tutorial time if you plan on using notes.

The test finally started. I had 90 minutes to answer 50 questions. The exam consisted of multiple choice, multiple answer, drag and drop, simlets and testlets. Keep in mind that while taking an exam the testing center can get noisy as was the case when I took the exam. Many individuals advise bringing foam ear plugs. Just be sure to check with your proctor before bringing the ear plugs into the testing room.

The computer congratulated me and presented my preliminary score after the exam was over. I was then asked to participate in a short survey. The preliminary score will range from 300 to 1000; however, you will need at least an 804 to pass. On a piece of paper you are given before you leave, this preliminary score and does not constitute an official score report. Cisco still has to analyze your exam responses for validity before it is official. The paper I was given says to allow 10 days for Cisco to receive your exam results. After 10 days you can view your certification status by logging into the Certification Tracking System at http://www.cisco.com/go/certifications/login. Furthermore, you will receive an email from Cisco when your results are finalized.

So now I am waiting for my exam to show up in the Certification Tracking System before I can say I am officially CCENT certified. Good luck!

UPDATE: My certification status was posted in the Certification Tracking System 11 hours after I took the exam—not 10 days. However, I'm sure this varies.

How was your testing experience? Or do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments below. If you're preping for the exam, check out my post on How to Study for the Cisco ICND1 100-101 Exam on a Budget.

How to Secure a Wireless Wi-Fi Network

With the world going wireless in every sphere of technology, the question of security has often been raised. The same is true for wireless internet networks or Wi-Fi networks with hackers and Wi-Fi intruders always looking for ways to gain access to unsecured networks. There are several reasons why you might want to protect your Wi-Fi network. Prominent among them include better privacy, reduced

Convert, Resize and Cut videos with VLC Media Player

VLC, the free and open source media player is great at playing media of even the most obscure formats. However, that is not all it can do. It can be used to easily convert videos from one format to other. Converting videos with VLC media player is pretty fast and is in the league of most premium video converters in terms of quality. It can also be used to resize videos from one size to other for

Examination Results All Level's Of Bangladesh

Examination Results:

01.  JSC / JDC
02.   HSC / ALIM
03.  SSC / DAHKIL 
04.   SSC (Vocation)  
05.   HSC ( vocation) 
06.   HSC (BM)
07.  Diploma In Commerce  
08.  Diploma In Business Studies  
09.  Polytechnic Institute  
All University Of Bangladesh
01. Dhaka University
02. Chittagong University 
03. Rajshahi University
04. National University 
05. Comilla University

Folder Protector: How the program works

Some time ago, I released a folder locking application on this blog. It has been downloaded by a lot of users till now. Many of them are curious about how the program works and regularly send me emails inquiring about this. This article will explain exactly what the program does and how it locks folders.

The application is fairly basic because of the limitations of the programming language. Also

what is the difference between ddr2 and ddr3 to get?

 computer tips:
  Ram DDR means Double Data Rate Random Access Memory. A 100 Mhz DDR RAM, DDR2 RAM,Then transfer the data to the two cycles of 4 to 8 DDR3

Suppose, if the memory bandwidth of 100 MHz DDR RAM to a 1600 MB/s DDR2 will be of the 3200 MB/s and have DDR3 64,00 MB/sec.DDR3 Ram famous for gaming.

1.      The normal use 99% of this difference is not well understood because of the computer program is not much a huge amount of memory bandwidth need, understood the difference when running heavy programs abed videos games(computer tips)

2.      If the clock spee is more Ram the better it will perform. So  DDR2 Ram gives the best experience.

Famous gaming Ram Transcend X-Ram.
3.    DDR3 Ram is much more energy.

How to break BIOS password to remember and forget.

computer tips

1^st-have a look at how to set the password

Restart the PC and boot 1^st to enter the menu.

Please enter boot menu the security,Like the photo above

 computer tips

Press F10 to save and go be hire now,the story ends-this password is set in the BIOS celebrities.

See how this password is ever a break?

You can break the password in several ways,I did not know how to present in front of everyone try it but do not feed mind please.

1^st system

1^st day of the  shout down of the PC,remove from the PC and remove the cable.

Open the cover at the PC.

Open the CMOS betters  from the motherboard .see the picture…

 

computer tips 

Open the CMOS bettery is ta 20/25 minutes at the CMOS bettry on the PC.like the previous set,I hope at ever bypass your BIOS password is lost,if the CMOS bettery is at the moment more that can open,it maybe take sometime or a day.