Ron writes
> Jim Chance, who believes that an MPE Certification is worthless, 
> advertises for subcontract help. His requirements include: 
> HP3000   6+ years - Advanced
> Now I might be missing something here. But don't you think that he'd 
> be more assured on that qualification if somebody with an MPE 
> Certification applied for the job?

Maybe you are missing something here, Ron.  First, Mr Chance didn't say
he believes the certification's worthless; he said pursuing
certification vs an obsolete platform is a waste of time.  But what's
the certificate's real value?  

As to his assurance of qualification, I bet someone holding said
certificate would probably get consideration equal to that of a
non-holder if they claimed competence in all the requisites mentioned.  

While the certificate is ostensibly an attempt to certify competence,
its existence can be quite misleading.  I bet (I'd say I KNOW, but then
you'd want examples) that there are people who hold the certificate who
don't know half as much about the machine, much less the project at
hand, as do some other people who've never set foot inside an HP
training class much less taken an HP certification test.

The certificate indicates that its holder passed a test, not that they
can program their way out of a paper bag or can apply common sense to a
business problem, much less unravel code written by possibly competent
programmers who didn't have time for documentation.  Does the
certificate imply knowledge of every gotcha to be found in VPlus?

Said test(s) include(s) questions about a lot of pretty arcane stuff,
just the sort of knowledge that leaves a person pretty quickly if not
exercised.  How long has it been since the certificate became
unavailable?  Are all those certified actively working with the platform
and using all the skills for which they're certified?  Even if so, does
that make them More competent than a non-holder?  Not in my book.

If I had one, I'd probably mention "HP Certified" on my resume.  But I
don't think I'd really want to work on the project if the employer's
more impressed by a certificate than by a demonstration of the real
skills actually needed.

On the other hand, a certificate will make the bearer's suit and shoes
look much shinier to an HP3000-ignorant entity offering a conversion
contract; it's also a probable indicator that the holder knows enough to
hire competent staff for a project involving the e3k.

Now let's have some weekend!

Tracy Pierce

ps I used to see an Optometrist who I feel is incompetent, but (s)he has
the same certificate from the same year from the same school as does the
quite competent and I'll say brilliant Optometrist I see now.  One funny
thing I noticed: the first has the certificate quite prominently
displayed, but while the second does have it on the wall, it's not where
you'd see it unless you're bored stiff.  now if my eyes would just stop
aging...

> -----Original Message-----
> From: OpenMPE Support Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On 
> Behalf Of Ron Seybold
> Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 8:20 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Possible part-time gig/Certification
> 
> Hello Friends:
> 
> Jim Chance, who believes that an MPE Certification is worthless, 
> advertises for subcontract help. His requirements include:
> 
> HP3000   6+ years - Advanced
> 
> Now I might be missing something here. But don't you think that he'd 
> be more assured on that qualification if somebody with an MPE 
> Certification applied for the job?
> 
> Funny how these certifications can have meaning and value where you'd 
> least expect it -- like in migration projects where HP 3000 expertise 
> is essential to a timely completion of the project.
> 
> Have a happy Labor Day weekend!
> 
> >
> >This might become full-time. Total # of hrs. aren't
> >quite known until they analysis is completed. Project
> >will begin in Nov./Dec. thru Feb./Mar.
> >
> >All skills listed are requirements.
> 
> -- 
> 
> Ron Seybold, Editor In Chief
> The 3000 NewsWire -- 512.331.0075 -- [log in to unmask]
> Independent Information to Maximize Your HP 3000
> NewsWire Blog -- http://3000newswire.com/blog
> Main Web site -- http://www.3000newswire.com
> 

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