Microsoft in the wrong here? Response to MCP Flash: July 2009

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MCP Digital Certificates Now Available for Download

To reduce the company's carbon footprint, we transitioned from traditional paper to digital Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certificates. You can download your certificate at any time. If you require a paper certificate, you may order one through the MCP member Web site. There will be a shipping and handling fee associated with your order. Give us your feedback on the Born to Learn blog.

http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/2009/06/going-green-mcp-digital-certificates-are-here

I know this has probably been discussed but Microsoft recently ended the "free" distribution of physical certification, under the guise of "going green", however I believe as well as many others that this is nothing more than a cost cutting exercise, which fine, however I highly doubt the cost savings will be passed on to us, the test takers who are funding a nice little sideline for Microsoft.

Anyways take a look at the link and I will not go into a rant, however I feel this is a huge PR own goal, and maybe another nail in the declining value of certification

 

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Totally agree mate.

 

The worst thing is they seem to be ignoring the influx of complaints on that blog, and then post a link to it.

Stupidity or what.

 

RIP certs 2009.

 

It's been a long time coming.

Has anyone else noticed that the paper certificates have been getting thinner and thinner over the years and the wallet cards flimsier and flimsier? Not even any good at scraping the ice of windscreens anymore.

A few years ago I used to get an action pack.
They used to be delivered in an impressive box delivered by UPS.
Then the box shrank by about 75% and came via postman pat.

I guess everyone wants to cut costs and I guess there is no decrease in the number of MS subscribers.

However, I bet you anything 'going green' doesn't apply to their sales and promotional material.
I bet that bumf all still comes in glossy packaging with free CDs and ribbons.
Can you imagine that?
'Want to know what Dynamics CRM can do for your business? Go to our website and download the pdf!'
Yeah, right.

 

I practically had to give a DNA sample last time I tried to get something through customs....

Your managers actually know and care about your certs ? How refreshing...

 

I think this is a shame really, the certificate was the only part of the package I ever wanted in the first place. Although I'd happily give it up if they could put some value back into the certifications themselves.

They should move more in line with Cisco and Red Hat and introduce hands-on labs for the MCSE and MCITP qualifications. Yes they'd cost more but they would also benefit your career unlike most of the existing exam offerings.

 

Hmm, perhaps I'm the odd one out, I usually am

personally, I've never given a rats ass about the certificate, and I got my first MCSE back in the 90s with a thick wallet card! and a lapel pin ;)

Digital certificates are fine by me, the easy transcript tools are even better, and I've never had an employer ask for either!

MS don't receive a ton of that 88 squid anyway, and remember MS exam prices have not changed in over 10 years!!! not even accounting for inflation
I'd rather have them spend money on improving the test technology than mailing out certificates to every tom dick and harry who passes a test, you can get a cert for the cost of S&H if it really means that much to you

 

I went for a job interview not long ago and was asked to take copies of all my 'relevant certificates and awards'. So I took all mine along and they actually photocopied them all.

I think that just providing your transcript would be better, as long as the employer knows what it is...

 

Cisco doesn't do hands-on labs for their Associate or Professional level certifications - at least, their simulations are no different than the simulations offered on the MCSE and MCITP exams.

 

Pfffft. Come on, guys... you don't get certified so you can have a piece of paper on your wall, do you? Really? If so, you really ought to re-evaluate your motives for certification.

The only thing that is important are the little electronic bit flags that are tripped in Microsoft's or Cisco's or CompTIA's database that electronically verify that you are indeed certified. I've not once been asked to produce a paper certificate, or a wallet card, or a lapel pin to validate my certification. However, I HAVE been asked to provide electronic documentation from the vendor's Web site.

If you REALLY want the certificate, they'll let you download it and print it... come on, isn't that enough? Or are you upset that there won't be a shiny gold sticker on the paper??

All that said... spinning this cost-cutting measure as a "going green" initiative makes me want to puke. I'm all for Microsoft saving money... but at least they could be honest with me about it. Deceit simply isn't attractive.

 

That is what I don't like about this move, the BS they are trying to palm us off with.

I do quite like to get a physical cert when I pass something and providing they don't charge loads I would probably order one under the new scheme.

 

Sorry I should have been more specific, I meant their top tier exams.

In the same way Microsoft could offer the MCTS exams in their existing format but have the hands on lab for their top tier accreditations.

 

So how much are they gonna charge for the cert?

 

MS DO have the hands on portion for their top tier tests
the Master level has hands on, proctored and I believe peer review
the Architect level has peer review