Passed SCBD with 84%

[Al Pearson]

The same mark I got with Whizlabs. Found this software useful, despite problems with the install. (I installed it on my laptop and was surprised the fancy protection system wouldn't allow me to install it also on my PC in the office). Won't complain about the price as I expensed it.
Had just 2 months work experience testing EJBs, version 1.1.
As regards books, used mainly Monson-Haefel, with a bit of Ed Roman. Used the Sun Spec for occasional reference, and for EJB-QL.
Where to now? Can't go for Architect as my SCJP expires in June, and my SCWCD in December. I hardly have the time to maintain the qualifications I have without going for more. (Sun's 2-year expiration policy strikes me as arrogant and unrespectful of the private efforts we're all putting in to tool up for their products, and I'm not so sure it's legal. They don't incorporate enough enhancements to their products to justify this practice, but why worry if our exam fees bolster the results of their Education division?).
This new certification will get me plenty of congrats, but it won't get me a raise. To find out if it makes me more employable, I'd have to get myself fired first, then see what happens. Life sucks...
Feel better now.
Best wishes to the staff of this superior site
Al

[Murat Balkan]

Congrats Al,
Their expiration policy is not important. A wise boss will see that if you are a Java programmer , its version will not be important. If split function has come to the String class, you will discover and LEARN it in a minute. The "thinking in java" is more important I think.
Again good job. I am considering to take SCBCD too.
Murat
SCJP 1.4 (1.5 beta is on the way but who cares)

[Satish Avadhanam]

Congrats Al on passing!

[Nicholas Cheung]

Hi Al,
Congrads!
SUN has changed the expiry policy!
I have copied Andrew's post about the expiry:

Sun changed their policy on certifications expiring last year. Take a look at the Sun FAQ about Recertification: that will explain the old policy, the new policy, and how to get new certificates which do not have expiry dates.

Hope this help.
Nick.
[ February 27, 2004: Message edited by: Nicholas Cheung ]

[Al Pearson]

Thanks for the encouragement.
And thanks, Nicholas, for sharing this important piece of news with me.
I wonder why Mr Sun didn't take the trouble to email me and inform me directly, rather than expecting *me* to find out by poking around at their kafkan website.

[George Thomson]

congratulations!

[Ko Ko Naing]

Originally posted by Murat Balkan:
Murat
SCJP 1.4 (1.5 beta is on the way but who cares)

Is it true? Can u provide me the link to this info? Thanx...

[Nicholas Cheung]

Hi Ko Ko,
simly checks SUN's website, the J2SE 1.5 beta 1 is released.
Nick.