Discussion of assignment in the forum

[Chintan Rajyaguru]

People have been discussing assignment in part 2 of architect certification. Sun asks each test taker to agree to non discloser statement. Let us refrain from discussion exam issues in public forums.
If this keeps happening exam will not be valuable anymore and we cannot be proud of being architect certified.
Moderators, any pointers on how much can be discussed about the exam questions or assignment on this forum?
Interested parties could exchange e mails and discuss exam matters privately.

[Charles Miller]

I'm not sure what the policy is on the Architect parts, but I distinctly remember a non-dislcosure statement in the Java Programmer Test and I'm pretty sure that there is one for the developer project as well (though I can't put my hands on it right now). Regardless, if the answers to the projects are discussed openly in the forums (ie, taken directly from the actual project) then the certification itself will begin to be diluted and will have less and less meaning in the market. Frankly, I'd rather not see that happen. Right now, those certifications mean that the holder actually knows the material. If the answers to the projects are just handed out in forums, having a certification will basically mean that the holder knows how to surf the web and copy answers... then those of us who have legitimately earned our certificate will be facing employers who will no lenger respect it.
I'm all for sharing knowledge, but there is a difference in sharing knowledge and sharing answers. I've been looking through the developer cert forums and the questions there (for the most part) are generic questions. Those that are specific are often answered with a generic answer or not answered at all.
And finally, there are plenty of free resources on the internet for getting the information that is needed. I studied for and passed my Programmer test using free internet info and 1 book that was less that $40. That same book covers the Developer cert as well and I have invested nothing further to get that one finished (submitting in a day or so as soon as I finish the docs). The certs can be earned without spending money for professional classes or attending Java One. All it takes is some initiative and some hard work.

[Daniel CarMichael]

Basically I haven't seen anyone discussing answers here rather than trying to understand the problems and issues involved. This is a necessary step and a very positive approach in our daily work too. We don't just sit at our desk and believe that we understand something which we actually don't. By all means it is always the process of working towards a PERFECT solution through exchanging intellectual discussions I enjoyed most. It is not difficult to work on your own desk and get the certificate by passing the exam marginally at 70% . The certificate in itself don't have too much value as such. The existence of this FORUM is not only to post the exam results or to obtain pointers to some factual information and materials. They're readily available on the internet and it doesn't warrant a forum such as this.
This is just my view. However, I appreciate people who takes the certification process seriously.

[Rufus BugleWeed]

The Gardner Group says Microsoft has many more
trained developers working in the world than
Sun. The end customers choose Microsoft over
Sun because the available supply of talent is
greater.
As Java devotees, how can we compete?