Safar online

coffeeking

I have thinking about subcribing to Safari online web site. They seem to be a good source for of study material, they also have a variety of books available, most of the ones I searched I found them on there.

Just need to get an opinion from you guys have used it or are currently using it.

Do you think its worth it or is a good source for certification preparation?

Some expert opinions will be greatly appreciated.

dynamik

I've been using it for about a year, and I have 9 Safari tabs open as I'm writing this. As long as you don't mind reading off of a monitor for long periods of time, it's an amazing resource. I have about 30 MS Press, Cisco Press, and O'Reilly books on my bookshelf right now. It's saved me a ton of money, and it's extremely convenient.

They offer a trial, so wait for a week you can really dedicate to it and try it out for yourself.

hetty

I use the CompTIA IT Professional membership. You get 25% of any CompTIA exam and you get web access to 6,130 books for one year. It has books from Microsoft Press, Sybex, Syngress, some older Exam Crams, a load of other publishers as well, no Cisco Press books though.

25% off the full price Security+ exam is $251 - $62.75. Take the $62.75 you saved off the full price exam off the cost of the $99 IT Pro membership, leaving you with $36.25.

The Security+ exam will still cost you $251 but you just got access to 6,130 books for one year which only cost you $36.25. Compare that to Safari. A big difference! One catch, you need to have passed at least one IT exam with any vendor. You can look at as many books as you like.

Ahriakin

I've used it for nearly 2 years now and love it.

coffeeking

Thanks guys, good to hear some positive reviews. I have thinking about it for a long time, but am pretty conviced to subcribe now, it looks well worth it.

Now, one more thing. Is it O.K to get the cheaper individula membership that allows a limited access to titles or the one that allows you a lot more, but for more money as well. Which one do you think is better.

dynamik

I'm actually debating on dropping my down. It's nice to have unlimited access, but I don't think I take full advantage of it. You might as well start with the cheaper one and upgrade if you feel constrained.

c0d3_w0lf

I agree with dynamik. I'm probably going to sign up for Safari fairly soon, just because my library is getting ridiculous :P

But I'm going to start out with the basic membership, and if I feel it's limiting me too much, I'll upgrade. Better to have too little at first than to pay too much and realize you don't need it.

dynamik

c0d3_w0lf wrote:

I agree with dynamik. I'm probably going to sign up for Safari fairly soon, just because my library is getting ridiculous :P

The length of time that I use a book is the biggest issue for me. I'll go through an MCP book in 10-14 days, and move on to Transcender and Technet after that. I just can't justify paying $50+ for something I'm done with so soon.

c0d3_w0lf

Agreed. It's much more economical to use something like Safari. (not to mention you can save a tree, lol )

SrAtechie

Also, if you work for a large company, check if you already have a corporate sponsorship. I was lucky in that I was talking out loud about it one morning and that I was planning on subscribing when one of my coworkers showed me that we already had access to safari through our company. Not sure about your situation, but if you work for a bigger company its worth a shot. Heck, talk to your boss anyway; he/she might see the cost benefit of paying for your subscription!

wd40

Take a look at IEEE Computer Society Offer.
http://www.computer.org/portal/cms_docs_cs/ieeecs/jsp/elearning/campus_home.jsp
1300 online courses
500 Books

for around 120$

coffeeking

wd40 wrote:

Take a look at IEEE Computer Society Offer.
http://www.computer.org/portal/cms_docs_cs/ieeecs/jsp/elearning/campus_home.jsp
1300 online courses
500 Books

for around 120$

Thanks man, sounds very good. I checked the web site but couldn't figure out if the courses and books all are offered for around $120. It is kind of hard to beleive that would offer courses for such a price. Do you know more about it?

hetty

wd40 wrote:

Take a look at IEEE Computer Society Offer.
http://www.computer.org/portal/cms_docs_cs/ieeecs/jsp/elearning/campus_home.jsp
1300 online courses
500 Books

for around 120$

Are you a member of IEEE wd40? If you are how much are they charging for the Books24x7 access? That's the same one that CompTIA are offering.

wd40

I was a member until the end of last year.
List of Books.
http://www.computer.org/portal/cms_docs_cs/ieeecs/jsp/elearning/info_books.jsp
Courses
http://www.computer.org/portal/cms_docs_cs/ieeecs/jsp/elearning/info_courses.jsp
+
they send you a monthly magazine (computer magazine) I did not read the magazine, it is an academic magazine about new technologies etc.

coffeeking

Thanks for the links. I am about to contact them for some more information. The 120 bucks still sounds unbelievable, will find out what we can get for that once I hear from them.

KGhaleon

TC should still fix the topic title.