Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Adobe ACA 2015 Creative Cloud and ACE Exams



Adobe and Certiport have announced the upcoming release of new Creative Cloud exams for Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) program. 


 The new exams will be based on the 2015 update of the Creative Cloud software and will be delivered on the online LMS engine. The new exams will feature scenario-based question groupings, which will present test candidates with a short one-paragraph scenario depicting a realistic design situation followed by 3-5 questions related to that scenario. The question types on the new exams will continue to be a mixture of linear and performance-based items.



The new English exams will be released in two phases. The Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign exams will be released in September 2015 and the Dreamweaver, Flash and Premiere Pro exams will come out in early 2016.



The current Creative Cloud ACA exams (that are based on the 2013 Creative Cloud software) will stay in market temporarily to allow customers time to become familiar with the new CC exams and make the transition.



Also, Adobe have made 6 Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) exams available for all Certiport Authorize Testing Centers (CATC). The following exams will now be added:

Photoshop CC ACE Exam
Illustrator CC ACE Exam
InDesign CC ACE Exam
Dreamweaver CC ACE Exam
Flash CC ACE Exam

Premiere Pro CC ACE Exam


Pearson VUE will continue to deliver these same six exams (along with all other ACE exams) through Pearson VUE Testing Centers (PVTC) so a test-candidate will have the option to take one of these exams at either a CATC or a PVTC. ACE exam vouchers that can be redeemed at CATCs will be separate from ACE exam vouchers that can be redeemed at PVTCs so a test-candidate will need to decide to take the exam at a CATC or PVTC at the time the voucher is purchased.


All credential management (certificate fulfillment, candidate logos, etc.) for ACE exams will continue to be managed by Pearson VUE whether a candidate earns the credential at a CATC or a PVTC.


Sources: 



-Dexter Ray Magalang

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Office 2016 - Whats New!

There is nothing permanent except change. -Heraclitus

When Microsoft released MS Office 2007 sometime year 2006, most MS Office users were lost with the huge change in the interface as they switched from using the old menus and toolbars with tabs and the ribbon. After Office 2007, comes Office 2010, then Office 2013 with most users not able to catch-up with the changes.

Just before you are able to get used to working with Office 2013 and know every features of it, Microsoft now comes with MS Office 2016 and it is scheduled to be release today (Sept. 22, 2015).
Those who are using Office365 may get notifications already regarding their upgrade options so lets try to have a peek of whats new and interesting with Office 2016.

Real time co-authoring in Word
When you're collaborating on a document, you can see text changes others are making as well as the location of their cursor within the document. Changes are displayed automatically as people use and update the document. This capability will be available when working in documents stored on OneDrive for Business and Office 365 SharePoint sites.

-This is already available in google docs, a great feature to be included in MS Apps.

Tell Me
Tell Me saves you the time you would normally use to look for a specific function within the Ribbon. You can type what you’re looking for in the Tell Me box at the top right corner of the Ribbon in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, and with “word-wheeling”, which enables results as soon as you start typing, every keystroke refines the results so that you can click on what you’re looking for as soon as you see it. For example, when you want to mark your document as confidential, just type “confidential” or “confidential banner” and Tell Me will bring back the “Insert Watermark” command. When you click in the Tell Me box, you'll also see a list of the last five commands you ran from within Tell Me, saving you time getting to the feature you want to use.

-Looks like a widget to me. Will be one of my meds when in Alzheimer mode.

Excel Power Query integration
Microsoft Power Query for Excel, which was a separate downloadable add-in for Excel 2013 and 2010 is now integrated in Excel. Power Query enhances self-service business intelligence (BI) for Excel with an intuitive and consistent experience for discovering, combining, and refining data across a wide variety of sources including relational, structured and semi-structured, OData, Web, Hadoop, Azure Marketplace, and more.

-Lets integrate more add-ins.

Excel forecasting functions
The time series forecasting sheet functions are used to predict future values based on historical data. For example, a monthly timeline with values on the 1st of every month or yearly timeline. For this type of timeline, it’s very useful to aggregate raw detailed data before you apply the forecast, which produces more accurate forecast results as well.

-A crystal ball.

Math input control
Already available in OneNote and Window, math input control is now available in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. You can write math equations with a digital pen, a pointing device, or even your finger, and have the ink converted to a “typed” format.

-This has been a problem ever since. We have tons of add ins to do this, finally its included with MS Office.

New chart types
The following new chart types are available. They are particularly good for visualizing financial or hierarchal information and for revealing statistical properties in your data:
  • Financial: Waterfall
  • Statistical: Histogram, Pareto, Box and Whisker
  • Hierarchical: Treemap and Sunburst

Excel data cards
Data cards display rich tabular data for a specific geolocation on mouse hover or selected visual. Users can drill down and surface hidden data during presentation or storytelling. This hidden data may be aggregated data that cannot be shown as an existing visual. For example, a column chart can't show the description for a set of events that occurred at a specific location: such as a list of health violations spanning across a time period at a particular restaurant.

- I thought this is already available with Office 2013.

Use Clutter in Outlook to sort low priority messages
Clutter moves low priority messages out of your Inbox and into their own folder, saving you time when you scan for important messages. Clutter looks at what you've done in the past to determine the messages you’re most likely to ignore. It then moves those messages to a folder in your Inbox called Clutter items. The Clutter items folder will be available regardless of how you access your account. From Outlook desktop, you can access your Clutter folder, configure your clutter experience, and indicate that an individual mail is not clutter.

-Has been in my mail for more than a month but still don't know how to use it.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Microsoft Office 2013 Master Certification Requirements




For those who are trying earn the MOS Master certification for Office 2013, exam requirements are quite different from Office 2007 and 2010.

MOS Master certification in Office 2013 provides 3 different tracks:




Track 1: Word 2013
Title
Required exam(s)
Word 2013 Expert Part 1
Word 2013 Expert Part 2
Excel 2013
Elective exams (choose one): PowerPoint 2013 (422), Access 2013 (424), Outlook 2013 (423), SharePoint 2013 (419) or OneNote 2013 (421)

Track 2: Excel 2013
Title
Required exam(s)
Excel 2013 Expert Part 1
Excel 2013 Expert Part 2
Word 2013
Elective exams (choose one): PowerPoint 2013 (422), Access 2013 (424), Outlook 2013 (423), SharePoint 2013 (419) or OneNote 2013 (421)

Track 3: Traditional Office 2013
Title
Required exam(s)
Word 2013 Expert Part 1
Word 2013 Expert Part 2
Excel 2013 Expert Part 1
Excel 2013 Expert Part 2
NO Elective exams


-Dexter Magalang

Monday, September 14, 2015

Buying a laptop? Here's how to make sense of Intel's new Core chips -(CNN)


I found this quick guide from money.cnn.com for Intel's new Core Chips.
To read the full article click here, for those who are too lazy to read the full article you may scroll down below for the quick guide.





Here's a quick guide:

1. Super-cheap tablet or a tiny PC + basic computing tasks = Core m3.
2. Moderately-priced tablet or tablet/laptop hybrid for average + average tasks = Core m5.
3. Higher-end tablet/laptop hybrid + average tasks = Core m7.
4. Inexpensive laptop or mini PC + average tasks = Core i3.
5. Moderately-priced PC + advanced tasks = Look for a Core i5.
6. High-end, full-powered laptop + seriously advanced computing tasks = Core i7.
Keep in mind that the speed of your processor isn't the only factor that determines how well your PC functions. For instance, more RAM allows you to run more tasks simultaneously, and a solid-state flash drive instead of a mechanical hard drive will allow your PC to boot faster.
But tailoring the processor for your computing needs is generally a good way to ensure that you're getting the right PC.

To read the full article click here.

-Dexter Magalang

Friday, September 11, 2015

Accessing your MCID and Access Code (For Certiport Users)


After passing Microsoft Certified Professionals qualifying exams, you automatically become an MCP  and was given access to MCP site. Within 1 to 2 weeks, an email message from Microsoft will be sent to you containing instructions on how to access MCP along with your Microsoft Certification ID (MCID) and Access Code.

The email needs immediate attention as the Access Code is only valid up to 30 days. After the 30 days period, you might need to contact Microsoft Regional Center to request for a new one.

For whatsoever reasons, some candidates are reporting that they do not receive any email from Microsoft and therefore do not have a their MCP and Access Code.

For those who have obtained their MCP thru Certiport Exams (MTA and MOS) you may be able to have your MCP and Access code via your Certiport account.

Here are to steps from Certiport on how to Access your MCID. The Access Code initially sent to your email is also available just below where your access code can be found.

TO ACCESS YOUR MCID AND ACCESS CODE

Log in to the Certiport Website
1. Navigate to www.certiport.com and click Login. Log in using your Certiport Username and Password.
Obtaining your Microsoft Registration Information
2. Once logged in, access your Profile by clicking on My Profile.

 

 3. Click on the Programs tab to access your registration information.





4. Click on Edit Registration Data for the Microsoft program.








5. Locate your MC ID within the registration info.

















Source: certiport.com

-Dexter Magalang

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Comma separator in excel changed to semicolon (FIX)




If you are used to manually typing formulas in MS Excel, you notice some change after upgrading to Windows 10. The usual comma used to separate arguments was suddenly changed into a semicolon.


It may be a very slight change but may create a great impact if you have been using comma for years, or if you have created automated macros that are designed to use comma as separator.


If you are in the same situation as mine, you might want change the separator back to comma so let’s get started.

1.       Open your Control Panel (right click on Start Menu then choose Control Panel, or type “Control Panel” on the start menu)
2.       Choose Change date, time, or number formats under Clock, Language, and Region.



3.       In the Region dialog box, choose Additional settings... under Formats tab:



4.       In the Customize Format dialog box, under Numbers tab, change the List separator from semicolon to comma or any value/symbol that you wish to use.



5.       Apply all changes.

   Welcome back Comma!


        -Dexter Magalang




Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Retired MTA Exam Suggested Replacements


For those who are still confused on what to replace the retired MTA titles. Please see recommended replacements below.

Exam # Exam Title Retirement Suggested Replacement
98-362 Windows Development 31-Jul-14 Software Dev Fundamentals
98-373 Mobile Dev Fundamentals 31-Jul-14 HTML5 App Dev Fundamentals
98-349 Windows OS 31-Jul-15 Mobility and Device Fundamentals
98-363 Web Development 31-Jul-15 HTML5 App Dev Fundamentals
98-372 .Net Fundamentals 31-Jul-15 Software Dev Fundamentals
98-374 Gaming Development 31-Jul-15 HTML5 App Dev Fundamentals
98-365 Windows Server Admin 31-Jul-16 Cloud Fundamentals
98-367 Security Fundamentals 31-Jul-16 N/A
98-379 SW Testing Fundamentals 31-Jul-16 N/A

Other MTA Exam Info:
Exam # Exam Title Info
98-364 Database Fundamentals No Change
98-366 Networking Fundamentals No CHange
98-368 Mobility and Device Fundamentals New Title
98-369 Cloud Fundamentals New Title

-Dexter Ray Magalang

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Windows 10 Tips & Tricks

Windows 10 Tips and Tricks

Exam Retake Policy

  1. General Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exam retake policy
    1. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score on an exam the first time, the candidate must wait at least 24 hours before retaking the exam.
    2. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score the second time, the candidate must wait at least 14 days before retaking the exam a third time.
    3. A 14-day waiting period is also imposed for the fourth and fifth subsequent exam retakes. A candidate may not take a given exam any more than five times per year (12 months). This 12-month period starts the day of the fifth unsuccessful exam retake. The candidate is then eligible to retake the exam 12 months from that date. To take a given exam more than five times per year, a candidate must submit a request and obtain prior permission from Microsoft.
    4. If a candidate achieves a passing score on an exam, the candidate cannot take the exam again.
  2. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) and Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) exam retake policy
    1. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score on an exam the first time, the candidate must wait 24 hours before retaking the exam.
    2. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score the second time, the candidate must wait seven days before retaking the exam a third time.
    3. A seven-day waiting period is imposed for each subsequent exam retake.
    4. A candidate may not take a given exam any more than five times per year (12 months). This 12-month period starts the day of the fifth unsuccessful exam retake. The candidate is then eligible to retake the exam 12 months from that date. To take a given exam more than five times per year, a candidate must submit a request and obtain prior permission from Microsoft.
    5. If a candidate achieves a passing score on an MTA exam, the candidate cannot take it again.
  3. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam retake policy
    1. Retake vouchers can only be used to retake the same exam that was failed.
    2. All vouchers must be used prior to their expiration dates, without exception.
    3. Retake vouchers must be used within 30 days of the initial failed exam.
    4. As of July 1, 2014, the retake policy changed to the following:
      1. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score on an exam the first time, the candidate must wait 24 hours before retaking the exam.
      2. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score the second time, the candidate must wait 48 hours before retaking the exam.
      3. A two-day waiting period is imposed for each subsequent exam retake.
      4. If a candidate achieves a passing score on an exam, the candidate may take it again.
  4. MCP beta exam retake policy
    1. Beta exams may be taken only once.
    2. This policy supersedes the general retake policy.
  5. Exam-specific retake policy exceptions
    1. In some cases, Microsoft may have special policies for specific exams.

Source: https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/certification-exam-policies.aspx

Friday, September 4, 2015

Console 8 Update (V8.4) allows delivery of MTA and MCE

Console 8 Update (V8.4) allows delivery of MTA and MCE

In case you are still not aware, the latest version of Console 8 (v8.4) has now the ability to deliver Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) exams as well as the Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) exam. MOS OneNote and SharePoint (2010 & 2013) are still delivered via online exam.

Version 8.4 also includes introduction of the LAN Solution feature which alleviates the internet load with respect to downloading updates in areas with limited bandwidth. The feature was released August 17 and allow CATCs greater flexibility with downloading updates by designating a specific computer in their lab (or network) to act as the server, which will facilitate the distribution of content updates to the other workstations via the CATC's own LAN, as opposed to using internet bandwidth per workstation. Additional information regarding this feature can be found here.

Previous Release Enhancements and Fixes


Console 8.3.5.1 Release Configuration:
This release will also be an optional update, but highly recommended that all Certiport Authorized Testing Centers take this update at their earliest convenience. A new Console 8 installer will not be provided for this release.
The 8.3.5.1 release includes the following enhancements and fixes:
This maintenance release address an issue where multiple MOS 2010 tiles would appear on the “Product Selection” screen. This fix allows the deploy MOS 2010 exams (MAS Compliant versions) without impacting iQsystem with these deploys. The Pending MOS 2010 exams in these languages can now be released. Additionally the following enhancements/issues were also addressed:
·         Issue that may prevent updating services from downloading the latest available files.
·         The “Register” and “Cannot access my account” always going to English pages instead of the appropriate localized page.
·         Driver and Renderer (DnR) performance enhancements and stability improvements (Note: These improvements only effect the GS3 & GS4 exams available in Console 8):
o   Removal of SQL Lite dependency.
o   Removed most dependencies of IIS Express, but still needed for now.
o   Simplified installer – reduced size and added flexibility in deployment.

Console 8.3.5 Release Configuration:
This release will be an optional update, but highly recommended that all Certiport Authorized Testing Centers take this update at their earliest convenience. A new Console 8 installer will not be provided for this release.
The 8.3.5 release includes the following enhancements and fixes:
·         Improved performance when logging into Console 8 and through the select exam pathway.
·         Improved stability of “Update Services” in low-bandwidth and unreliable regions. This was improved by:
o   Adding support for resuming downloads via “Update Services”.
o   Fixing issue where download failures could occur when bandwidth is less than 768k.
o   Adding support for importing and exporting of updated items. These can now be stored on a media device such as a USB drive and shipped to locations where updating via web is not a viable option. Click here for more information.
·         Addressed issue with MOS 2013 where a 0 score result upload is possible although the exam had scored items.

(source: www.certiport.com)

-Dexter Magalang

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Console 8 MTA Update and AntiVirus Program


Console 8 MTA Update and AntiVirus Program

Date: 9/2/2015
Subject: Console 8 update for MTA exams
Issue: MTA Update detected as worm
Other details: Avast AntiVirus
Resolution: Disable Antivirus during update

While working with one of our CATC yesterday, I have noticed that update for MTA on Console 8 stops at specific point and returns a network connection error. I asked assistance from their network admin to trace on communication logs and found that their network antivirus was detecting some of the updates from certiport server as a potential threat (worm).

To be able to continue the update, we decided to turn off the network antivirus. After the antivirus was turned off, the update was successfully completed. After the process, we decided to set the unit as Console Server.

When trying to update Console Clients, the same issue was experienced, the update stops and returns a network connection error. This time, it was Avast antivirus that was blocking the updates. The update was downloaded successfully after Avast was temporarily disabled, however during installation of the update, Avast continuously prompts that a threat was detected pertaining to the MTA updates.

A notification was already sent to Certiport regarding the issue, and they have confirmed that this was a false positive

-Dexter Magalang