Thank you. These both look great. And both cover up to Java 17. The complete reference looks like it's got a new edition due to be published in March so I might get 'in a nutshell' for now, and then the new version of the complete reference when it's out if I feel like I still want more :-D
Simon
I find my self fairly late in my career switching primary languages. I've spent 20 years working with C# & everything Microsoft, and now I'm at predominantly Java place. I want a good detailed reference book. I don't need beginner concept stuff, but I'd like lots of technical details. I'd like to build my knowledge on the subtleties that may trip me up where I may be making assumptions based on C# that are not correct in Java. Effective Java seems to be frequently recommended, but it's not been updated since 2017. Can anyone recommend a good Java reference book that's reasonably current.
Simon
Yeah, that was my thought. They are probably being deprecated. But unfortunately it's still a requirement for gold partnership status, so we've got to do them.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
I'm sure they are, but I can't work out what it is? :-) We are already a software house that uses C#.net, SQL & Azure. We use MVC for an API, but not the view side of things, and we don't use .net core yet. The people are also a mix, so for example, the people who know Azure best are typically different people to those who know C# and SQL best. I consider myself a pretty experience developer, I've worked with a wide range of tech, almost all around the Microsoft ecosystem, so I should be an ideal candidate for these certs, but I have a few gaps in the specifics and I would like to have a way to add to my knowledge and fill those gaps without just randomly hunting around through MSDN docs. So is the thing they are trying to tell me that we aren't eligible for partnership status because we don't use one specific piece of technology that they have on the certification path? Or because our people have a mix of skills rather than each person having the full stack? That would be a bit frustrating. Or is the thing they are trying to tell me that the exams are being deprecated soon hence they aren't bothering to keep the material up to date? In which case, it would be nice if they removed them from requirement for partnership.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
Great. Does that count towards the MS partnership too :-)
Simon [Need a software dev?]
Thanks, but it's only the original 2013 edition they've got (The one with MVC 4 in the title). The 2016 edition is out of stock too.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
I totally agree, the certs are worthless as an indicator of ability. We are only doing them as they are a requirement for MS partnership, which is pretty annoying really.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
I would but all the online samples I can find a pretty sketchy looking. Most describe the exam as "Developing ASP.NET MVC 4", which is definitely out of date. I wouldn't mind doing sample exams, but I wish I could find some official ones from Microsoft. For example, this is the first result in google - https://www.examcollection.com/70-486.html - and seems to be a fairly questionable collection of paid for brain dumps which are explicitly not allowed in the t&cs when signing up for the exam.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
I'm in the position of having to organise multiple devs getting the Microsoft App Builder certification because it's a requirement for our gold partnership. One of the required exams in the track is the "70-486 Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications" exam, but I've looked everywhere and as far as I can tell the book is as good as out of print. There seems to be 2 editions of the book, a 2013 one and a 2016 one. I've managed to find a few second hand copies of the 2013 one, but it's likely to be pretty out of date as apparently the 70-486 exam now covers .net core too. The 2016 one just doesn't exist anywhere. I'm not even sure the 2016 book will be up to date enough as core was first released in 2016. Sorry, this is a bit of a rant, but how do they expect people to know what to cover if they can't keep the material up to date with the exams. Has anybody done these certifications? How did you approach them? Amazon - Out of stock - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Exam-70-486-Developing-ASP-NET-Applications/dp/1509300929/ Microsoft press - Not available - https://www.microsoftpressstore.com/store/exam-ref-70-486-developing-asp.net-mvc-web-applications-9781509300921
I think you missed an option somewhere between 1 and 2 1.5) Client on PC automatically syncs new files to server. Data is encrypted using a key unique to you. Key is stored on the companies server but is encrypted with a password which only you hold. The unsecured key only exists on your PC. Advantages: 1) You can do web based restores by providing your password so the decryption can be performed server side and the the file downloaded with no special client side software. (Obviously this does mean that temporarily the unsecured key must exist in memory on the server) 2) You can change your password as this only causes the key to be reencrypted and you don't have to reencrypt/reupload the whole data set. Disadvantages: 1) If you forget the password, recovery is not an option 2) The unsecured key does exist temporarily on the server on some occasions. This is what I use (via crashplan[^] ). I consider it paranoid enough for my backups (which is predominantly just family photos anyway, so no major secrecy required), while not reducing the convenience of being able to access the files directly over a http page when I want to get to them. They also offer your options 1 & 2 as alternatives. Obviously if you pick option 2, the web restore feature is disabled. For the occasional bit of more critical data I would just use a separate 3rd party encryption package and have the auto backup software just back up the encrypted blob. (For example I use KeePass[^] to encrypt and store passwords. The encrypted file is backed up, but it means I know it's secure unless my PC is accessed while I actually have my keepass file open and unlocked - and it's set to timeout and auto lock after a few minutes) I also think there is an additional higher level you aren't considering. For long term security I think it should generally be considered that any encryption is not secure enough. For example, if computers continue to get more powerful, in 50 years time current encryption standards will be easily breakable. This is irrelevant for one time communication like SSL, but for backups you need to consider that once you have distributed the file even if it's highly encrypted others may take a copy of that file and just hold onto it for long enough that the encryption becomes obsolete. If you have data that
Thanks, but you're about the only person who likes it Roger. I think you are right about it being too different for people to take value from. I was trying to come up with an idea that stood out in some way, but I don't think this is it. Interesting suggestion with the business cards, but I think it will suffer from the same issue that a CV would which is that most people would dismiss it very quickly as unprofessional. I might leave it on my website in some way though.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
Let's just say there was nothing even remotely bodacious about them.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
That is true, they don't actually convey any additional information. Thanks.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
Good point.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
Thanks for the article. Looks like some good tips there.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
Thanks. Appreciate the direct response. Any reason? Is it that these particular drawings are bad, or is that you don't want to see images at all?
Simon [Need a software dev?]
Hi guys (It's been ages since I've posted here.) I've just been touching up my CV and was wondering if it would be appropriate to include some kind of graphic to convey my technical experience rather than just the usual list of words. Some samples of the kind of thing I'm thinking of: Complex.png[^] Simple.png[^] Circular.png[^] What do people think of this? Is it too complex? Would it put hiring managers off? Or would it make a CV stand out in a good way? [Edit: Thanks everyone for stopping my dumb idea before I actually did it ;) ]
Simon [Need a software dev?]
I bet after you hand them your business card they check out your website though. It might not be what draws in the leads, but I'm sure it plays a part in their impression of you. Love the new site by the way - "Results so good we don't need a flashy website." (Although did you know your navigation links don't work without javascript?)
Simon [Need a software dev?]
That's true, but sometimes when you get well known you can break the rules. (I'm not saying there are rules, but just that you can get away with more when everyone knows your good) I would also count Scott's website as personal (like my current one), running a company should definitely be separate. The trouble is as a small company there isn't a huge distinction between personal and professional life, so perhaps it is better to be entirely professional even on the personal site.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
I think I'm just at the transition phase right now. I have a company (but only just) and haven't actually got the company site up and running quite yet.
Simon [Need a software dev?]
