Windows Vista - Windows Vista Administration
and Support
By Train Signal Inc
Video cover reproduced with kind
permission of Train Signal, Inc
Physically demonstrating how Windows Vista works
is by far the best way to get someone to absorb the
information. This is why Computer Based Training
(CBT) is so useful. The hands on approach of the
instructor give the user the feeling of a one to one
relationship which, inevitably, instils confidence
and enables more of the learned knowledge to be
retained.
Train Signal, Inc have perfected, in Windows
Vista – Windows Vista Administration and Support,
the art of the Computer Based Training video,
ensuring that any user, regardless of initial skill
level, can master the skills needed to succeed with
Windows Vista.
Knowledge at your fingertips
The Windows Vista Training course instructor,
Scott Skinger, is an experienced IT instructor who
has not only worked as a network engineer, but has
also been an independent consultant to a variety of
companies. His relaxed approach to the learning
process is extremely comforting and his enthusiasm
for his subject leaves you in no doubt that the
knowledge he has acquired is at your disposal.
Training at its best
Consisting of two CDs, the Windows Vista Training
course contains a total of 15 selected videos (or
Chapters); in all over 19 hours of intense training.
The videos are recorded using Tech-Smith’s Camtasia
4 software and playback is through Windows Internet
Explorer. All you have to do is slip the relevant CD
into the CD-ROM, wait for the Train Signal menu to
appear, and then click on the video option of your
choice.
Regarding the Train Signal menu, I should point
out that, if like me, you prefer to listen to the
video commentary via headphones, you ensure the
volume control is set to a low level when first
inserting the training CD as Train Signal’s
signature audio clip, a locomotive horn and clanking
rolling stock, can be pretty disconcerting to the
unwary.
Real life scenarios
The Windows Vista course is set against the
background of a real life scenario; in this case,
Amy’s Cakehouse. The goal of this scenario is to
install into the company, Amy’s Cakehouse, a
networking system comprising PCs running Windows
Vista and, just to add an extra ingredient into the
mix (excuse the pun!); Amy also needs to upgrade her
one laptop PC from Windows XP to Windows Vista. Real
life scenario’s such as Amy’s Cakehouse provide
hands on experience, not only of installing Windows
Vista itself, but also on setting up and using
Vista’s many features.
One major advantage, for an instructor, anyway,
of creating video training courses is when, during a
demonstration, something goes wrong. We all make
mistakes and, I suppose, where a video demonstration
is concerned, it is easy to brush the problem under
the carpet and pretend that nothing actually
happened by pausing the video recording or, indeed,
actually editing the problem out. I was surprised to
see that the Windows Vista course actually does the
opposite. Instead of pausing the video or editing
out a problem, Scott actually works through it,
giving the user extra insight into how problems can
be overcome.
Disk Content
As stated, the Windows Vista course contains two
CDs with a total of 15 videos (or Chapters).
- Disk 1 provides you with an
overview of Windows Vista along with an outline
of the Amy’s Cakehouse company scenario. Further
videos explain the installation of Vista; its
user interface and navigation; user groups;
networking; mobile PC and wireless; disk
management and shared folders and permissions.
- Disk 2 covers security in
Windows Vista; internet explorer (IE 7.0);
running software on Vista; administering Vista;
hardware and printing; backing up your system
and, last but by no means least, for users of
Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate there is
a complete video devoted to group policy.
Verdict
The Windows Vista course gives the user an
opportunity to learn at his/her own pace, and
contains video demonstrations of all aspects of the
Windows Vista operating system.
Because the course is based around a real life
scenario company you receive hands on experience of
what is likely to happen in the real world. You also
have the opportunity of watching the videos over and
over again until you are 100% certain that you have
grasped all aspects of each particular lesson. This
is really something you are unable to do in a real
classroom situation.
At the end of each video Scott provides a summary
of what has been discussed and also provides a list
of ‘what we covered - what you should know’. These
are the points you should automatically be able to
complete before moving on to the next video. Call it
homework, if you will, but it is extremely effective
at concentrating the mind on what you have seen in
the video.
The videos are professionally made and
instructionally sound. Scott does an excellent job
of guiding the user through the intricacies of the
Windows Vista system. All in all Train Signal’s
Windows Vista – Windows Vista Administration and
Support is a must have for all users' who wish to
master the Windows Vista operating system.
Rating:
- Ease of use: 9.0
- Features: 9.0
- Value for Money: 9.0
- Overall: 9.0