Frustrated with 70-680

robdawg925

A little background about myself. I've been working in IT for about 5 - 6 years. I would consider myself a jack of all trades. My title is a Sys Admin, although I do fill a desktop support and network administration role. I've just recently decided to head down the certification path to expand my knowledge.

I just cracked open the Microsoft 70-680 book. I would say I'm very frustrated through the first 100 pages. The first few chapters are about creating, deploying, and managing images. I don't have a lot of hands-on experience with Microsoft's imaging products; I've only used other products like Ghost. I'm not familiar with many of the command line tools like image.exe, dism etc... While performing the labs I find a few of the commands don't actually work. I then have to reference the internet to find correct instructions. After using the book and other sources on the web I finally get through the labs, although it takes me a LONG time. About a month ago I completed my CCNA. I feel as if the Cisco Press books were written so thoroughly. I just feel like the Microsoft book I have been reading is just thrown together. I don't feel like the concepts are harder in Microsoft's 70-680 book; I just feel like it's not put together as well.

All that being said I'm at a crossroads. Should I just continue with the 70-680 book and continue to pull my hair out? I have more experience working with the Windows GUI. After chapter 3, the rest of the chapters do seem to be more GUI based. I keep telling myself just make it through the first three chapters. Maybe I should continue? Maybe I should just wait for another 70-680 book to be released? How much of the 70-680 test is based on command line tools? Maybe i should try another MCTS test? Maybe the 70-682 test? I do feel comfortable with many of the topics in that book. Or maybe just move onto the CCNP test. I really do enjoy the Cisco Press books.

Anyways I know this is a lot of information. Your suggestions are appreciated.

Thank You

Hyper-Me

I think its important to understand the fundamentals of the MS imaging stuff because a lot of 3rd party products actually use some of it as a backend to their product.

Some MS press books are just terrible. The Vista book was so boring to read i literally fell asleep in the middle of a chapter.

There is an errata for the book, but if that doesnt help you quick enough then maybe try to mix in some of the links on the "71-680 resources" thread in the Windows 7 Certifications forum section.

I hate to be a prude, but you cant be a successful windows sys admin and be GOOD at it unless you can throw around some command line. The GUI just has too many shortcomings.

robdawg925

Thx for the reply. I've decided that I'm going to keep plugging away at the 70-680 for now. I'm just going to take my time and focus on some of the command line tools. My goal is to be a well rounded IT professional so this will give me an opportunity to strengthen my areas of weakness. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks

Psoasman

Take heart! Once you get into chapter 4, it is more interesting. I just finished it up a couple of days ago.