CBT Nuggets for the 680...

muckymuck

Does anyone else find this guy to be really, really annoying? Geez, I can barely deal with it.

QHalo

I've never been a fan of CBT Nuggets in general. The guys run a mile a minute and I think the blackboard stuff with written notes is really elementary looking. Just personal preference as I know there are several people here that enjoy their content of which I can't really deny that they cover it. I'm just not a fan of their delivery methods.

alokin123

muckymuck wrote: »

Does anyone else find this guy to be really, really annoying? Geez, I can barely deal with it.

Although James Conrad can go off on a tangent sometimes he is probably one of the best instructors CBT nuggets has. He covers all areas in depth and generally gives you more than you need to know for the exam. If you can put his quirks aside he can provide you with very good content.

BradH

I think James is a very good teacher. He certainly has some interesting stories however I think he makes up some silly stuff to keep people interested.

He does however cover most things I have found in previous videos I have seen of his. Never got the 680 one so don't know how he went there.

[Deleted User]

I've never laughed so hard watching CBT Nuggets. Personally, I really like James Conrad's quirkyness. He is excellent at explaining things in depth and he really gives you a good understanding of the material.

DoubleD

hes OK He knows what hes talking about Just dont like it how he talks sooo fast

muckymuck

This is my beef with it too. Slow down, buddy. Nobody is going to take the mic away from you. Lay off the caffeine. Geez...

LCA

DoubleD wrote: »

hes OK He knows what hes talking about Just dont like it how he talks sooo fast

+1

He's very knowledgeable but seems to get somewhat hyped up.

BradH

Would you prefer to listen to someone with a monotone who is slow and drawls as they speak?

James does well to make it interesting which is why he is very good.

snadam

BradH wrote: »

Would you prefer to listen to someone with a monotone who is slow and drawls as they speak?

James does well to make it interesting which is why he is very good.

+1 the faster the better. When you used to be able to speed up the vids, I had it at 1.5x speed all the time.

I listened to one of those CCNA videos not too long ago, and it was more dry than a mouthful of Cinnamon

muckymuck

Whatever. The guy talks way too fast. Defend him all you want. It doesn't change the fact that he is spastic and annoying.

One of my friends showed me part of the Security+ series. Take note. That is how normal people talk.

If this James Conrad person were standing next to me spouting off the way he does I would just walk away.

snadam

muckymuck wrote: »

Whatever. The guy talks way too fast. Defend him all you want. It doesn't change the fact that he is spastic and annoying.

One of my friends showed me part of the Security+ series. Take note. That is how normal people talk.

If this James Conrad person were standing next to me spouting off the way he does I would just walk away.

Much like you are giving your opinion on him, so are we. I don't understand your combativeness.

genXrcist

I like his quirkiness as well but it's not really something I think about all that much. You wanna hear someone talk and go through the material fast, listen to one of Greg Shields videos (e.g. the System Center series). I've watched the SCVMM, SCCM & part of SCOM and boy does he go fast.

But I guess that's where the pause button comes into play. In addition, the CBT videos are a good supplementary source in my opinion. If you've already read a book or two on the subject material, and have a decent grasp already, I think you'll appreciate the faster pace much more.

muckymuck

snadam wrote: »

Much like you are giving your opinion on him, so are we. I don't understand your combativeness.

Im not trying to be combative. If his style is your thing, so be it. Its not mine at all.

Devilsbane

I haven't watched the 680 videos, but I've watched James in the 70-290, 70-291, and I'm currently watching him with the 70-293. I have absolutely no issues with him. If he does spend 30 seconds talking about some odd tangent, that just gives me time to review in my head or check my email.

They had another instructor (I forget his name) who was really annoying. But James does a great job.

Devilsbane

QHalo wrote: »

I've never been a fan of CBT Nuggets in general. The guys run a mile a minute and I think the blackboard stuff with written notes is really elementary looking. Just personal preference as I know there are several people here that enjoy their content of which I can't really deny that they cover it. I'm just not a fan of their delivery methods.

Whats wrong with writing on a blackboard? If you were sitting in class the instructor would do the same thing.

Believe it or not, most people watch these videos in either 1.5 or even double speed. I like the fast talking. It gets the content in your head quickly, and if you need to review you can always rewind or pause to jot down a couple notes.

You might be more into trainsignal. I saw the security+ ones and they might be up your alley. The guy talked very slowly, and the video was basically a powerpoint presentation. Little or no handwriting was used. (And I actually hated that style. But each of us have our own way to learn)

EDIT:
In comparison, the CBT is 26 videos and is 17hrs of content. Trainsignal is 24 videos and 17hrs 40mins of training. So assuming that the trainsignal guy talks slower (which he probably does, who else can go as fast as James?) then you are actually getting more content with the Nuggets. Not to mention the nuggets are $299 vs $397 for the Trainsignal videos. (Although Trainsignal includes a copy of Transcender which is about a $100 value)

QHalo

Devilsbane wrote: »

Whats wrong with writing on a blackboard? If you were sitting in class the instructor would do the same thing.

But I'm not sitting in a class am I? Use One Note or another tool.

Devilsbane

QHalo wrote: »

But I'm not sitting in a class am I? Use One Note or another tool.

I use One Note for note taking, but there are some things that onenote can't do, and freehand drawing is one of the things I am disappointed with.

I think the goal of CBT nuggets was to emulate a classroom enviornment, which a lot of time involves writing on the board. And really, there isn't a ton of writing. How often is the entire screen only writing? Usually there is a picture or a diagram that he is drawing arrows or labels on. Occasionally there is something like a T chart to compare thinsg, but there are lots of hands on sit back and watch him configure something and explain it as he goes. That is invaluable (and something that Trainsignal neglected, or maybe that was only in the Security+)