email questions

[Pauline McNamara]

I got some questions by email that I'm going to try to cover here. The questions are below.
Most of them will be answered on the 2 pages describing the Cattle Drive:
The Cattle Drive: http://www.javaranch.com/cattledrive.jsp
More about the Cattle Drive: http://www.javaranch.com/drive/about.jsp
Check those out first. If you're still not clear on how it works, post back here.

I would
> like to learn java in its true manner. I am very much interested to
> take a Sun Certified Exam. I am thinking your "java college" will help
> me to learn Java and prepare me for the examination.
My question is how does this whole thing work?
> 1) how do i become a participant in this?
> 2) Can you please tell me the procedures on how the
> class(assignments/grades/attendance)works.

The links above should answer these two questions. Ask again if something is still unclear.

> 3) How do people get promoted to higher levels? Any tests/exams?

No tests, just assignments. Once the assignment gets accepted by a nitpicker you go on to the next one.

> 4) What is this graduation log? When do people graduate?

This is a list of people who have made it through the various sections. You "graduate" when you complete the last assignment of those sections.

> 5) How long (weeks, days)will it take to move from one level to
> another? Ex, Java1 to java2.
> 6) This seems like a very intensive program, how much of a work will it
> require from my side?

This depends entirely on you, your background and, maybe most importantly, the time you have to commit to doing the assignments. You can decide to try to do them fast or to take more time. The timing is up to you. The difficulty increases along the way so the first assignments tend to go more quickly.

> 7)How many assignments are given for each level?

They're listed on the Cattle Drive page (first link above).

> I am sorry to bombard you with all the questions at the same time. I am
> just so excited to have found this site!:-)
And i'd like
> to thank you for providing us with this great site, and that too for
> free!:-)
>

Oh yes, almost forgot: Welcome to JavaRanch! Glad to hear that you're so happy with it.
You might want to express your gratitude over at the forum called Java Ranch too - that way the other bartenders and the site's owner will hear it too.
Hope to see you around the ranch!
Pauline