Get Your Hands On A SharePoint 2010 Practice Test

Joel Jeffery, a SharePoint instructor at Firebrand Training, has created a SharePoint practice exam. The 40-questions test is based on questions from Microsoft Exam 70-573 “TS: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Application Development”.

Joel explains: "These are brand new questions. Not pirated. Not copied."

For a limited time these are available online, for only £20 (for one month's access).

Visit Joel's SharePoint Practice Exams page for more details.

Facebook Maps The World With Relationsips Alone

Facebook has released a truly stunning image. It is an almost complete world map, created solely by lines indicating Facebook friendships.

The obvious omissions are China and central Africa - where Facebook has been stifled for differing reasons.

Need For IT Professionals To Double

Cisco has released some rather IT industry stats:

• The need For IT professionals will double by 2013
  
• The demand for wireless network specialists is expected to double in the next five years
• In this time, demand for network security specialists will grow by 80%, and voice network specialists by 70%
• Video instant messaging and calling is set to increase ten-fold through 2013
  

Cisco has also pointed out that the annual salary of a Cisco Certified professional increases up to 9% on average - compared to non-certified individuals. In the USA, a Cisco Certified network Professional (CCNP) earns an average salary of $101,020.

As Cisco eloquently puts it: "Knowledge is power, and certification is your proof."

Firebrand in Top 20 IT Training Companies in the World

Firebrand Training has been named in the Top 20 IT Training Companies in the world, by TrainingIndustry.com. Selection for the Top 20 is based on the following criteria:

• Leadership and innovation in IT training
• Breadth of IT training and delivery methods offered
• Company size and growth potential
• Strength of clients
• Geographic reach

A massive thank-you to all of our 25,000 students for this global recognition.

CCNA and CCNP Receive IPv6 Gold Certification

The Cisco CCNA, and Cisco CCNP certifications have received Gold certification from the IPv6 Forum's Education Certification Program. This means that students who gain these certs can display the IPv6 logo, demonstrating that they have attained IPv6 knowledge and skills.

The IPv6 Forum is a worldwide consortium of leading Internet vendors, Industry Subject Matter Experts, Research & Education Networks, with the mission to advocate the adoption of IPv6 technology.

Apple Bans Steve Jobs Doll

NetworkWorld reports that Apple has banned the further production of dolls based on its CEO Steve Jobs.

The doll - see image below - was created by M.I.C Gadget. It comes complete with Job's trademark black turtleneck and Levi’s 502 jeans - even a pair of New Balance trainers! M.I.C Gadget was preparing to roll out production following the success of a first batch of 300. However, before you rush for your debit card - hang fire.

Apple has confirmed in a letter to M.I.C Gadget: "Unauthorised use of a person's name and/or likeness constitutes a violation of California Civil Code Section 3344, which prohibits the use of any person's name, photograph or likeness in a product without that person's prior consent."

Needless to say, the gadget store immediately backed down, declaring to its customers: "You are not going to get this phenomenal figure any more. M.I.C gadget hereby apologises to Steve Jobs, Apple Inc, and their law firm for any inconvenience caused."

Not without some advice for Mr Jobs: "Steve, can we apply for some trademark licence to produce this phenomenal figure for all your Apple fans? A wild thought, maybe Apple can bundle this figure with an iPhone 4 purchase."

Will Antivirus Software Survive the Cloud?

In Bloomberg Businessweek Jay Bavisi, President of EC-Council, discusses the supposed threat of cloud computing to the antivirus industry.

He points out that the threat of viruses and malicious code continues to increase - despite the growth of off-premise, cloud computing. Bavisi points to many facts that suggest there will always be a need for on-premise antivirus protection:

• The security software market has grown from $7.5 billion in 2005 to $16.4 billion in 2010
• The number of computer viruses increased to 1,017,208 in the first half of 2010 - a 50% increase on last year. This is expected to rise to 2 million by the end of the year
• The University of Michigan unveiled its CloudAV platform in 2008, and the AV industry has only grown bigger since.
  

Firebrand Training is hosting a free webinar, in conjunction with EC-Council. The First Look at Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH) webinar takes place on Thursday 9 December at 1pm UK time. Content will include a look at the latest hacking and forensic techniques, necessary to protect your business.

Grab a seat on this limited event by filling in the registration form. This three-hour training will highlight the latest security threats, and how to beat them.