9/16/2009 -- The Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) program was introduced in last summer to authenticate skills specifically focused on designing, building and troubleshooting. The programs originally created were for Exchange Server 2007, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 Active Directory.

This summer, Microsoft has announced that it's expanding the program to include Microsoft Office Communications 2007 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 (Office SharePoint Server 2010 and Exchange Server 2010 will be added next year). There's also a 20 percent discount for MCM programs until Jan. 1, 2010. Get all the info here.

CompTIA Greens It Up
CompTIA recently released the objectives for the new Strata Fundamentals of IT Technology cert exam, which focuses on basic PC knowledge similar to that found on the A+ exams. It's also the first of any size to incorporate green IT.

The domains, in order of their weighting, are as follows: 

There are three objectives beneath the green IT domain and several topics and subtopics, the last of which focuses solely on preventative maintenance issues, not green IT. The following lists the two green objectives and top-level topics beneath each:

Name environmentally sound methods for power preservation and material disposal.

• Environmentally hazardous substance disposal.
• Power management (power-saving features).
• Power management PCs and lower-power servers replace large desktops with energy-efficient laptops and thin clients.

Name green techniques, equipment and procedures.

• Define cloud computing.
• Duplex printing and use lower-cost-per-page network printers.
• Terminal servers.
• Energy Star rating.
• Use low-power network attached storage (NAS) instead of file servers.
• Employee telecommuting.
• Solid state drives.
• Define VoIP its relation to green IT.
• Green building infrastructure.

You can get a full list of the Strata Fundamentals objectives and topics/subtopics here (you need to fill out some information first, though).

LPI Celebrates LinuxFest with Discounts
The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) will offer LPIC-1 and LPIC-2 exams in paper-based form for $99 each at the Ohio LinuxFest 2009. There's a small window, however; the discounts will be available on Sept. 27 for three hours only.

Coming Attraction: JBoss Certified Application Administrator
Red Hat recently announced the launch of its newest certification, the JBoss Certified Application Administrator (JBCAA). JBCAA is a performance-based accreditation requiring candidates to demonstrate the "skills and knowledge needed to install, configure, monitor and manage JBoss Enterprise Application Platform and deploy applications to it." The planned launch date is Oct. 1.

Oracle Dumps Prometric
Heads up! As of Sept. 25, VUE will be the sole provider of Oracle's certification exams.

Book of the Week: 'Brain Rules'
I initially approached this book with trepidation since it was being hyped so much that I couldn't imagine how it could live up to the buzz. But As soon as I started reading John Medina's Brain Rules, I was hooked.

The 12 chapters are presented as 12 "rules," often techniques or pointers for getting more out of the material you're trying to focus on. The writing style is fluid and easy to follow and the text stays away from any truly complex topics.

Given that, you could argue that much of what's here is common sense, but I would counter that these are principles we need to be told in order to survive and thrive in the next meeting, the next planning session, the next brainstorming hour...you get the point.