From: Marc Russell (mrussell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Date: Wed Dec 26 2001 - 22:29:32 GMT-3
Our new labs with the old content removed, basic pre-configs for the 1-day
lab, errors removed, and modified for a standard rack config will be out in
2-3 weeks. We are also working to have labs 21 & 22 done in that time frame
too. A few new minor items have been added to the older labs. The new labs
will all be released as one complete update.
Subscription customers will receive this for the price of shipping or they
can send us an envelope as before at no cost except for postage.
We don't just mail labs out to the order address as people move all the time
or change their mind about getting their CCIE. Also, the subscription is
only good until you pass.
We used to charge to fax as we got too many people asking for faxes when
they should of been sending us envelopes. I always made an exception to
individuals that had real reasons for needing them ASAP, like their exam was
coming up in a few weeks. Most of the time, especially for International
customers we would just fax them for free.
We will no longer fax updates as too many photocopy versions of our labs are
floating around. All new labs and updates will be released on special no
photocopy paper.
Marc Russell
Network Learning, Inc.
1677 W. Hamlin
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
Ph# 248-299-8114
www.ccbootcamp.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Brown
To: 'cisco@groupstudy.com'; ccielab@groupstudy.com
Sent: 12/26/01 5:13 PM
Subject: BootCamp Saga and Suggested Study Material (longish)
I try to stay out of, or ignore conversations such as the one that has
transpired over the course of the past week.
But I can't hold my tongue anymore.
I purchased a subscription to BootCamp months back in preparation for
the
lab. Everyone proclaimed how important they were in pursuit of the
numbers.
I followed the rest of the flock and plunked down my money and received
my
package. Don't Do It!
I quickly became disenchanted with the material. It is littered with
errors
and outdated technology not to mention poorly or incorrectly worded
questions. If someone can tell me how to assign traffic to the highest
priority in custom queuing or adjust the default datagram size of a
priority
queue I will eat Doyle's Volume I and II in a single sitting. This is
just
one of many examples. Don't get me started on this one. Some of these
labs
are from '95 where is the errata?
How many of you have subscriptions to a magazine or book club? Do you
have
milk delivered to your home? Do you call and ask the publisher for next
months issue! With BootCamp you must call and REQUEST the new labs. Why
doesn't BootCamp send the lab, without my asking, when a new one is
produced? Isn't this what a subscription is? They sure have my address,
phone number, and e-mail. They had no problem acquiring this information
when payment was rendered and from what I understand they want to charge
for
every faxed page on new labs!
They refuse lab e-mail delivery to protect their material. If anyone is
intending on illegally distributing the material, a fax or mailed copy
isn't
going to stop them! Just e-mail me the @#!%$ new labs and keep your
costs
down!
Lets ask ourselves a few questions. If these labs are soooo great would
you
pay $800 for the set? How about $1000. I find myself saying no way. Now
lets
compare this with the defunct, other piece of the "CCIE mandatory
puzzle",
ECP1. Would I pay $5000 for ECP1? How about $6000? You bet your bottom
dollar I would. That freaking class was awesome and taught me so much in
a
short period of time as well as boosted my confidence.
This is the sort of litmus test I use to determine how critical the need
is,
or if my perceived value is really in a product. My gauge is.... how
much
farther would I be willing to go, or pay for a particular item.
All I really want are correct and concise labs, with current material,
delivered to me as the should be under guise of a subscription.
I know I could create better labs, I'll admit it, I just to stinking
lazy to
do it.
I don't even use BootCamp anymore. I took a chance and purchased the
set. I
screwed up, or maybe that is all that was available at the time. In any
event, I sure wish I had my money back and I hadn't laid eyes on them.
---- END RANT -------
To anyone who is seeking material. My personal recommendation would be
to
purchase the CCIE Lab Practice Kit and the new CCIE Practical Studies.
Start
with the Practice Kit and complete the BGP Lab and the OSPF Labs. If you
UNDERSTAND both of these you have enough understanding for the actual
lab.
In my opinion these are GREAT teaching labs. They also have a few
errors,
but the content is to the point without the fluff. The Lab Practice Kit
includes step-by-step explanations towards the solution. I wish all labs
were documented in this fashion it makes learning easier. Do the BGP lab
and
you will know BGP.
Next, pick up the new CCIE Practical Studies from Cisco Press. You won't
be
disappointed. The total cost for the two items is around $140USD. If you
complete the six labs at the end of the Cisco Press Book and two of the
four
in the Lab Practice kit you should be well on your way, if not ready,
for
the real deal. If you find yourself yearning for more material, then by
all
means purchase BootCamp material, but I would use this as an expensive
last
resort.
My only goal is to receive my numbers in the most economical fashion
possible and according to my calculations BootCamp doesn't figure into
the
equation. I'm still waiting for that next lab hoping it will be better
than
the last and absolve my disappointment. Maybe 21 and 22 will be the cure
I
need.
These are only my personal opinions and I have donned my flame retardant
underwear for responses.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Thu Jun 13 2002 - 10:32:47 GMT-3