I just got a copy of ExamCram's "General Linux 1" by Emmett Dulaney and I recall seeing some odd avice. Although dumps are not too hot with regards to Linux certs, and not easily had, let me quote something from this book:

"You should also cruise the Web looking for braindumps (recollections of test topics amd experiences recorded by others to help you anticipate topics you're likely to encounter on thte test.

Tip: When using any braindump, it's okay to pay attention to information about questions. However, you can't always be sure that a braindump's author will also be able to provide correct answers. Therefore, use the questions to guide your studies but NEVER rely on the answers in a braindump to lead you to the truth. Double-check everything you find in any braindump".

This is from page 'xxvii' of the Self-Assessment chapter. I know dumps have been a hotly debated topic here, but I find it odd that an author actively suggests cheating to pass an exam . . .

Is there any wonder some people are confused on this topic?

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cheating ??? well a very thin line here !!! ATPL ( Airline Transport Pilots License ) test is carried out from a question pool officially available in the market !!!!!!! are all Airline pilots cheaters ?

garm garm nan_kebab
MCSE+I,MCDBA

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Randy, believe it or not the exact same thing was printed in my Examcram for Network+ in the same section, only difference was the authors. I went through my NT4.0 Examprep/cram books and did not find that message. BUT it is in the Examprep for Windows 2000 Professional.
I wonder if it is the publisher and not the author putting that in the books?
Confusion? yes, due to a lack of everyone adhereing to the same standards and protocols as to whether or not to use the 'dumps. But as long as some do use and some don't use, the braindump debate will continue as long as there are certificates available to get.

I just find it odd that Coriolis would mention braindumps within their publications, since most of my other books (Sybex, New Riders, etc) have no mention of them at all.

------------------
Peter Kett

• A+
  
• i-Net+
  
• Netwotk+
  

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Well nan_kebab, it is not necessarily the same thing . . . when one takes computer certifications, one must digitally agree to a "Non Disclosure Agreement" -- a contract that specifically states that you will not reveal the test questions to anyone. I don't know if the ATPL works the same way, but it seems to me that if one signs an agreement, one should abide by it . . . Microsoft permamnently decertified several braindumpers for this very thing and I just found it odd that a book from a reputable company would intentionally advise violating the NDA.

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randy i agree to the NDA stuff and i am also convinced that just memorizing the braindumps and clearing the exam serves no purpose ..... now, i write a study guide knowing all the questions and just explain them in my study guide or i make a software which has the same questions and give some explanation of the answers .... examcram,troytec,boson,trancse
nder etc. etc. now a person uses them and passes the exam ... partner, to me he is as much a paper MSCE as someone who has just seen braindumps on net !!!! according to MS

>>>>>The Windows 2000 track of the MCSE credential is designed for IT professionals working in the typically complex computing environment of medium to large organizations.

An MCSE candidate should have at least one year of experience implementing and administering a network operating system in environments with the following characteristics:
200 to 26,000 supported users
5 to 150 physical locations
Typical network services and applications including file and print, database, messaging, proxy server or firewall, dial-in server, desktop management, and Web hosting.
Connectivity needs including connecting individual offices and users at remote locations to the corporate network and connecting corporate networks to the Internet.
In addition, an MCSE candidate should have at least one year of experience in the following areas:
Implementing and administering a desktop operating system.
Designing a network infrastructure. <<<<<<

so definitely a thin line there !!

garm garm nan_kebab
MCSE+I,MCDBA

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I agree, but I found it strange that a widely respected publisher would endorse such a thing.Passing the exam is the goal of these books, but still, if you sign an agreement, you should abide by it. I know some exams give you the test questions (albeit not any IT examns I know of) and expect to simply memeorise them. This may be of a certain use in some fields but not in a problem-solving oriented fild like IT. I was just metnioning that it seemed a bit hypocritical to fault braindumps in general but to recommend such books. To be fair, the author did emphasise that hands on knowledge was best, but still, it cannot be denied that he was advocating cheating apropos the traditional IT exam paradigm. I found it irritating, as I work hard for my certs (i.e., putting computers together for the A+, installing and configuring over a doxen Linux/Unix distros for the GNU/SAIR Linux exams).)

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I agree, but I found it strange that a widely respected publisher would endorse such a thing.Passing the exam is the goal of these books, but still, if you sign an agreement, you should abide by it. I know some exams give you the test questions (albeit not any IT examns I know of) and expect to simply memeorise them. This may be of a certain use in some fields but not in a problem-solving oriented fild like IT. I was just metnioning that it seemed a bit hypocritical to fault braindumps in general but to recommend such books. To be fair, the author did emphasise that hands on knowledge was best, but still, it cannot be denied that he was advocating cheating apropos the traditional IT exam paradigm. I found it irritating, as I work hard for my certs (i.e., putting computers together for the A+, installing and configuring over a doxen Linux/Unix distros for the GNU/SAIR Linux exams).)

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I've seen that statement also. I think they were trying to make several points. First, find the brain dumps to get an idea of what the questions are like. Next, DO NOT trust the answers posted to the dumps. The idea is to find the questions, then research the answers yourself and make sure that you know the material. Not to memorize the dump.

On the topic of the NDA, I think that Microsoft, Cisco, Novell, etc should really go after the people who post the dumps. Decertify them and get the sites shut down. But that's just my opinion.

As far as folks using the information from dump sites. I think thats goes back to the age long question, of should you listen to the answers of someone who has taken the exam before you? I won't entertain this as I think its an ethical quesiton and there is no black and white answer. The back and white answer in my mind is that folks who sign an NDA shouldn't give out the questions. This way, the person hearing/seeing the information won't be put into the ethical question situation.

Tom

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point taken randy ... reputed publishers should not mention these things !!! really strange.

garm garm nan_kebab
MCSE+I,MCDBA

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