Top 10 Greasemonkey User Scripts, 2009 Edition

http://lifehacker.com/5245938/top-10-greasemonkey-user-scripts-2009-edition

The industry's 10 best IT certifications

IT pros tend to have strong opinions when debating the value of professional certification — and views become even more polarized when it comes down to a discussion of which certs are meaningful. Erik Eckel put together a list of the accreditations he believes currently hold value for IT pros.

---

IT certifications boast numerous benefits. They bolster resumes, encourage higher salaries, and assist in job retention. But which IT certifications are best?

Technology professionals generate much debate over just that question. Many claim vendor-specific programs best measure a candidate’s skills, while others propose vendor-independent exams are the only worthy way of measuring real-world expertise. Still other observers believe the highest-level accreditations — Microsoft’s MCSE or new Architect Series certification, Cisco’s CCIE, etc. — are the only credentials that truly hold value.

Myself, I don’t fully subscribe to any of those mindsets. The best IT certification for you, after all, is likely to be different from that for another technology professional with different education, skills, and goals working at a different company in a different industry. For that reason, when pursuing any professional accreditation, you should give much thought and care to your education, experience, skills, goals, and desired career path.

Once a career road map is in place, selecting a potential certification path becomes much easier. And that’s where this list of the industry’s 10 best IT certifications comes into play. While this list may not include the 10 best accreditations for you, it does catalog 10 IT certifications that possess significant value for a wide range of technology professionals.

Note: This information is also available as a PDF download.

#1: MCITP

The new-generation Microsoft Certified IT Professional credential, or MCITP for short, is likely to become the next big Microsoft certification. Available for a variety of fields of expertise — including database developer, database administrator, enterprise messaging administrator, and server administrator — an MCITP validates a professional’s proven job-role capabilities. Candidates must pass several Microsoft exams that track directly to their job role before earning the new designation.

As with Microsoft’s other new-generation accreditations, the MCITP certification will retire when Microsoft suspends mainstream support for the platforms targeted within the MCITP exams. By matching the new certification to popular job roles, as has been done to some extent with CompTIA’s Server+ (server administrator), Project+ (project manager), and A+ (desktop support) certifications, Microsoft has created a new certification that’s certain to prove timely, relevant, and valuable.

#2: MCTS

The new-generation Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) helps IT staff validate skills in installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting a specific Microsoft technology. The MCTS certifications are designed to communicate the skills and expertise a holder possesses on a specific platform.

For example, candidates won’t earn an MCTS on SQL Server 2008. Instead, they’ll earn an MCTS covering SQL Server business intelligence (MCTS: SQL Server 2008 Business Intelligence), database creation (MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Database Development), or SQL server administration (MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance).

These new certifications require passing multiple, tightly targeted exams that focus on specific responsibilities on specific platforms. MCTS designations will expire when Microsoft suspends mainstream support for the corresponding platform. These changes, as with other new-generation Microsoft certifications, add value to the accreditation.

#3: Security+

Security continues to be a critical topic. That’s not going to change. In fact, its importance is only going to grow. One of the quickest ways to lose shareholder value, client confidence, and sales is to suffer a data breach. And no self-respecting technology professional wants to be responsible for such a breach.

CompTIA’s Security+ accreditation provides a respected, vendor-neutral foundation for industry staff (with at least two years of experience) seeking to demonstrate proficiency with security fundamentals. While the Security+ accreditation consists of just a single exam, it could be argued that any IT employee charged with managing client data or other sensitive information should, at a minimum, possess this accreditation. The importance of ensuring staff are properly educated as to systems security, network infrastructure, access control, auditing, and organizational security principles is simply too important to take for granted.

#4: MCPD

There’s more to information technology than just administration, support, and networking. Someone must create and maintain the applications and programs that power organizations. That’s where the new-generation Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) credential comes into play.

The MCPD accreditation measures a developer’s ability to build and maintain software solutions using Visual Studio 2008 and Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. Split into three certification paths (Windows Developer 3.5, ASP.NET Developer 3.5, and Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5), the credential targets IT professionals tasked with designing, optimizing, and operating those Microsoft technologies to fulfill business needs.

A redesigned certification aimed at better-measuring real-world skills and expertise, the MCPD will prove important for developers and programmers. Besides requiring candidates to pass several exams, the MCPD certification will retire when Microsoft suspends mainstream support for the corresponding platform. The change is designed to ensure the MCPD certification remains relevant, which is certain to further increase its value.

#5: CCNA

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) accreditation captures most of the networking company’s certification glory. But the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) might prove more realistic within many organizations.

In a world in which Microsoft and Linux administrators are also often expected to be networking experts, many companies don’t have the budgets necessary to train (or employ) a CCIE. But even small and midsize corporations can benefit from having their technology professionals earn basic proficiency administering Cisco equipment, as demonstrated by earning a CCNA accreditation.

As smaller companies become increasingly dependent upon remote access technologies, basic Cisco systems skills are bound to become more important. Although many smaller organizations will never have the complexity or workload necessary to keep a CCIE busy, Cisco’s CCNA is a strong accreditation for technology professionals with a few years’ experience seeking to grow and improve their networking skills.

#6: A+

Technology professionals with solid hardware and support skills are becoming tougher to find. There’s not much glory in digging elbow-deep into a desktop box or troubleshooting Windows boot errors. But those skills are essential to keeping companies running.

Adding CompTIA’s A+ certification to a resume tells hiring managers and department heads that you have proven support expertise. Whether an organization requires desktop installation, problem diagnosis, preventive maintenance, or computer or network error troubleshooting, many organizations have found A+-certified technicians to be more productive than their noncertified counterparts.

Changes to the A+ certification, which requires passing multiple exams, are aimed at keeping the popular credential relevant. Basic prerequisite requirements are now followed by testing that covers specific fields of expertise (such as IT, remote support, or depot technician). The accreditation is aimed at those working in desktop support, on help desks, and in the field, and while many of these staffers are new to the industry, the importance of an A+ certification should not be overlooked.

#7: PMP

Some accreditations gain value by targeting specific skills and expertise. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a great example.

The Project Management Institute (PMI), a nonprofit organization that serves as a leading membership association for project management practitioners, maintains the PMP exam. The certification measures a candidate’s project management expertise by validating skills and knowledge required to plan, execute, budget, and lead a technology project. Eligible candidates must have five years of project management experience or three years of project management experience and 35 hours of related education.

As organizations battle tough economic conditions, having proven project scheduling, budgeting, and management skills will only grow in importance. The PMI’s PMP credential is a perfect conduit for demonstrating that expertise on a resume.

#8: MCSE/MCSA

Even years after their introduction, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) credentials remain valuable. But it’s important to avoid interpreting these accreditations as meaning the holders are all-knowing gurus, as that’s usually untrue.

In my mind, the MCSE and MCSA hold value because they demonstrate the holder’s capacity to complete a long and comprehensive education, training, and certification program requiring intensive study. Further, these certifications validate a wide range of relevant expertise (from client and server administration to security issues) on specific, widely used platforms.

Also important is the fact that these certifications tend to indicate holders have been working within the technology field for a long time. There’s no substitute for actual hands-on experience. Many MCSEs and MCSAs hold their certifications on Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 platforms, meaning they’ve been working within the industry for many years. While these certifications will be replaced by Microsoft’s new-generation credentials, they remain an important measure of foundational skills on Windows platforms.

#9: CISSP

As mentioned with the Security+ accreditation earlier, security is only going to grow in importance. Whatever an organization’s mission, product, or service, security is paramount.

(ISC)², which administers the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) accreditation, has done well building a respected, vendor-neutral security certification. Designed for industry pros with at least five years of full-time experience, and accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the CISSP is internationally recognized for validating a candidate’s expertise with operations and network and physical security, as well as their ability to manage risk and understand legal compliance responsibilities and other security-related elements.

#10: Linux+

While pursuing my first Microsoft certification 10 years ago, I remember debating the importance of Linux with several telecommunications technicians. They mocked the investment I was making in learning Microsoft technologies. These techs were confident Linux was going to displace Windows.

Well, didn’t happen. Linux continues to make inroads, though. The open source alternative is an important platform. Those professionals who have Linux expertise and want to formalize that skill set will do well adding CompTIA’s Linux+ certification to their resumes.

The vendor-neutral exam, which validates basic Linux client and server skills, is designed for professionals with at least six to 12 months of hands-on Linux experience. In addition to being vendor-neutral, the exam is also distribution neutral (meaning the skills it covers work well whether a candidate is administering Red Hat, SUSE, or Ubuntu systems).

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=464

Technology professionals almost always have strong reactions when debating certification’s value. Listing the top 10 certifications leaves room, of course, for only 10 credentials. That means many favorite and popular designations, such as HIPAA and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) certifications, have been necessarily omitted. Other important accreditations, including those for VoIP providers and from PC manufacturers, Red Hat, and even Apple, have also been left out here.

Gartner’s Top 10 Strategic Technologies for 2009

Every year at fall Symposium we release our top 10 strategic technologies list. Along with my colleague Carl Claunch I have the honor of creating this list based on input from the broad Gartner analyst community, analysis of Gartner surveys and other market data and direct input from various Gartner clients. Here is our list for 2009:
1. Virtualization
2. Business Intelligence
3. Cloud Computing
4. Green IT
5. Unified Communications
6. Social Software and Social Networking
7. Web Oriented Architecture
8. Enterprise Mashups
9. Specialized Systems
10. Servers – Beyond Blades

Here is a little more detail on the topics:

Virtualization. Much of the current buzz is focused on server virtualization, but virtualization in storage and client devices is also moving rapidly. Virtualization to eliminate duplicate copies of data on the real storage devices while maintaining the illusion to the accessing systems that the files are as originally stored (data deduplication) can significantly decrease the cost of storage devices and media to hold information. Hosted virtual images deliver a near-identical result to blade-based PCs. But, instead of the motherboard function being located in the data center as hardware, it is located there as a virtual machine bubble.  Various virtualization approaches have significant potential to reduce IT costs

Business Intelligence. Business Intelligence (BI), the top technology priority in Gartner’s 2008 CIO survey, can have a direct positive impact on a company’s business performance, dramatically improving its ability to accomplish its mission by making smarter decisions at every level of the business from corporate strategy to operational processes. BI is particularly strategic because it is directed toward business managers and knowledge workers who make up the pool of thinkers and decision makers that are tasked with running, growing and transforming the business. Tools that let these users make faster, better and more-informed decisions are particularly valuable in a difficult business environment.

Cloud Computing. Cloud computing is a style of computing that characterizes a model in which providers deliver a variety of IT-enabled capabilities to consumers. They key characteristics of cloud computing are 1) delivery of capabilities “as a service,” 2) delivery of services in a highly scalable and elastic fashion, 3) using Internet technologies and techniques to develop and deliver the services, and 4) designing for delivery to external customers. Although cost is a potential benefit for small companies, the biggest benefits are the built-in elasticity and scalability, which not only reduce barriers to entry, but also enable these companies to grow quickly. As certain IT functions are industrializing and becoming less customized, there are more possibilities for larger organizations to benefit from cloud computing.  However, caution is advised since significant privacy and security issues exist.  Cloud computing is not appropriate for the full spectrum of enterprise applications.

Green IT. Shifting to more efficient products and approaches can allow for more equipment to fit within an energy footprint, or to fit into a previously filled center. Regulations are multiplying and have the potential to seriously constrain companies in building data centers, as the effect of power grids, carbon emissions from increased use and other environmental impacts are under scrutiny. Organizations should consider regulations and have alternative plans for data center and capacity growth.  In the near term the environmental benefits will likely take a back seat to the cost savings from lower energy use.

Unified Communications. During the next five years, the number of different communications vendors with which a typical organization works with will be reduced by at least 50 percent. This change is driven by increases in the capability of application servers and the general shift of communications applications to common off-the-shelf server and operating systems. As this occurs, formerly distinct markets, each with distinct vendors, converge, resulting in massive consolidation in the communications industry. Organizations must build careful, detailed plans for when each category of communications function is replaced or converged, coupling this step with the prior completion of appropriate administrative team convergence.  Unified communications can be used to streamline existing business processes improving operational efficiencies in the near term and supporting more aggressive transformational efforts longer term.

Social Software and Social Networking. Social software includes a broad range of technologies, such as social networking, social collaboration, social media and social validation.  Enterprises should establish a strategy to monitor and engage in external social networking as it relates to their business because the greatest risk lies in failure to engage and thereby, being left mute in a dialogue where your voice must be heard.  Enterprises should consider adding a social dimension to conventional Web sites to enhance the customer experience - an important consideration in a highly competitive slow/no growth economy.  Enterprises should also examine use of social software to extend internal collaboration applications to support specific and targeted communication and coordination needs.

Web-Oriented Architectures. The Internet is arguably the best example of an agile, interoperable and scalable service-oriented environment in existence. This level of flexibility is achieved because of key design principles inherent in the Internet/Web approach, as well as the emergence of Web-centric technologies and standards that promote these principles. The use of Web-centric models to build global-class solutions cannot address the full breadth of enterprise computing needs. However, Gartner expects that continued evolution of the Web-centric approach will enable its use in an ever-broadening set of enterprise solutions during the next five years.

Enterprise Mashups. Enterprises are now investigating taking mashups from cool Web hobby to enterprise-class systems to augment their models for delivering and managing applications. Through 2010, the enterprise mashup product environment will experience significant flux and consolidation, and application architects and IT leaders should investigate this growing space for the significant and transformational potential it may offer their enterprises.  In the near term mashups should be used to create visualization dashboards and opportunistic end user applications that fill gaps in the current application portfolio and provide support for existing business process needs.

Specialized Systems. Appliances have been used to accomplish IT purposes, but only with a few classes of function have appliances prevailed. Heterogeneous systems are an emerging trend in high-performance computing to address the requirements of the most demanding workloads, and this approach will eventually reach the general-purpose computing market. Heterogeneous systems are also specialized systems with the same single-purpose imitations of appliances, but the heterogeneous system is a server system into which the owner installs software to accomplish its function.

Servers — Beyond Blades. Servers are evolving beyond the blade server stage that exists today. This evolution will simplify the provisioning of capacity to meet growing needs. The organization tracks the various resource types, for example, memory, separately and replenishes only the type that is in short supply. This eliminates the need to pay for all three resource types to upgrade capacity. It also simplifies the inventory of systems, eliminating the need to track and purchase various sizes and configurations. The result will be higher utilization because of lessened “waste” of resources that are in the wrong configuration or that come along with the needed processors and memory in a fixed bundle.  This trend should be factored into longer range strategic planning during 2009 but most organizations will not be purchasing such systems in 2009.

http://blogs.gartner.com/david_cearley/2008/10/14/gartner’s-top-10-strategic-technologies-for-2009/

100 Best Blogs for Those Who Want to Change the World

http://www.bestuniversities.com/blog/2009/100-best-blogs-for-those-who-want-to-change-the-world/

The world is full of visionaries and people who want to make a difference in the world, and many of those people share their knowledge online through their blogs. Whether you want to change the world through environment, humanitarianism, business, or any other way, there’s a blog out there that can offer you guidance and inspiration. Read on, and you’ll find 100 blogs that can help you change the world.

General

These blogs highlight good works in everyday life, around the world, and more.

1. United Nations Good Works: Find out what the United Nations is doing around the world from this blog.
2. Gladwell.com: Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers and other inspirational bestsellers, discusses making a difference, intelligent thinking, and other important topics.
3. Ordinary People Change the World: Find out how regular people can make a difference in the world from this blog.
4. Evange-list: Check out Evange-list to learn how you can use the Web to make the world a better place.
5. The Give Well Blog: This blog will tell you how to get the most change out of your giving dollar.
6. What Do You Stand For?: This blog encourages readers to find a cause for support.
7. A Volunteer’s Guide to Changing the World: Find out how you can change the world as a volunteer from this blog.
8. How I changed the world today: See what this blogger does on a regular basis to make a difference in the world.
9. Kiva Stories from the Field: Read the stories of Kiva fellows on this blog.
10. Blog for Change: Blog for Change will help you learn about causes, connections, and action.
11. The Change Blog: This blog is all about changing the world and changing your life.
12. So what can I do?: Read So what can I do? to find out hundreds of actions you can take to change the world.
13. One Person Can Make a Difference: This blogger demonstrates being a force for change in the world.
14. Skip a Lunch: Skip a Lunch is about making small personal sacrifices in order to help others.
15. Have Fun - Do Good: Have Fun-Do Good is written for people who want to change the world while having fun.

Environment

Check out these blogs to learn about changing the world through the environment.

16. How to Save the World: Dave Pollard shares environmental philosophy and more on this blog.
17. Worldchanging: This blog encourages readers to change their thinking to support a more sustainable world.
18. Change the World: HGTV’s blog will tell you how to change your world without losing your mind.
19. Green Tech: Through Green Tech, you’ll learn about the newest, most innovative green developments in technology.
20. Gristmill: Gristmill is full of environmental news and commentary.
21. Sustainable Food: This blog discusses practices and actions for more sustainable food.
22. GoodGuide: Check out GoodGuide to find products that are safe, healthy, and green.
23. Animal Rights: This blog focuses on the cause of animal rights.
24. Green Blog: This blog helps business leaders choose environmentally friendly solutions.
25. Sustainablog: Check out this blog to learn about sustainability, green business, and environmental politics.
26. Bright Green Blog: This blog discusses alternative energy, wildlife, living green, and more.
27. Stop Global Warming: Read this blog to learn what you can do to help put a stop to global warming.
28. Green Fork: Learn how to eat well and eat sustainably from this guide.
29. TreeHugger: TreeHugger shares green news and sustainable design with a modern twist.
30. Green Inc.: See how your business can be more environmentally friendly from this blog.

Social Action & Human Rights

These blogs highlight human rights and social change.

31. Social Work/Social Action: This blog is written by the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University.
32. Spare Change: Nedra uses social marketing to promote causes including health and social issues.
33. On Social Marketing and Social Change: Read this blog to find news and commentary on social change and marketing.
34. Human Rights Watch: Read Human Rights Watch to stay on top of the latest developments in human rights.
35. Poverty in America: Poverty in America fights poverty and supports organizations that help to end it.
36. Social Citizens: Learn more about social giving from this blog.
37. TakePart: On this blog, you’ll find out how to take action on social issues, human rights, politics, environment, and more.
38. Stop Genocide: Read this blog to find discussion on Darfur and more.
39. Aid Worker Daily: Get humanitarian news and reviews from Aid Worker Daily.
40. Survival International: Survival International encourages support of tribal peoples.
41. Gay Rights: Learn about developments in gay rights, and what you can do to support them.
42. Humanitarian Relief: Check out this blog to learn about humanitarian workers.
43. Global Health: Read the Global Health blog to learn what is being done about health crisises around the world.
44. Social Actions: Social Actions has blogs and community that supports social action.
45. Coalition for the Homeless: On this blog, you’ll learn about programs, advocacy, and ways to can help end homelessness.
46. The Humanist Community: This blog is all about promoting humanism.
47. Women’s Rights: Take action on women’s rights with the help of this blog.
48. Peace in the Middle East: This blog discusses the need, and actions for, peace in the Middle East.
49. Forced Migration Current Awareness Blog: On this blog, you’ll learn about refugees, IDPs, and forced migration.
50. End Homelessness: Find out what you can do to help end homelessness through this blog.
51. Blog for Darfur: This blog is on a mission to save Darfur.
52. End Human Trafficking: In this blog, you’ll learn what you can do to help end human trafficking.
53. iAbolish: iAbolish is the blog behind an American anti-slavery group.
54. Criminal Justice: This blog focuses on actions you can take to support a more fair criminal justice system.
55. Tobi Indyke’s Social Action Blog: Tobi Indyke shares events, actions, and more for social improvement.
56. Education: In this blog, you’ll find out how education can be reformed and improved.
57. Religious Action Center: The Religious Action Center shares how you can tackle world changing action through religion.
58. Immigration: On this blog, you’ll learn about the latest in immigration rights.

Inspiration

Changing the world takes commitment and motivation. Find the oomph you need to keep going from these inspirational blogs.

59. Operation NICE: Get inspired to be nicer every day by Operation NICE.
60. Gimundo: Gimundo shares good news and positive stories.
61. Zen Habits: On Zen Habits, you’ll learn about improving your life through simplicity.
62. The Hero Workshop: The inspiration in this blog will help you find your inner hero.
63. The Happiness Project: Check out this blog to learn about facing the challenge of being happier.
64. Abbey of the Arts: Abbey’s blog is a great resource for any artists who are creating for social change.
65. Sublime Goodness: This blog delivers inspiration with stories of goodness around the world.
66. Inspire Me Today: Gail Goodwin writes to help give you the motivation and inspiration to be, do, and create.
67. The Serendipity Factory: The Serendipity Factory celebrates happy discoveries, sharing news, quotes, and inspiration.

Philanthropy & Funding

Nonprofits can find a wealth of useful information through these blogs.

68. A Small Change: Check out this blog to learn about fundraising for non-profits.
69. Marketing for Nonprofits: On this blog, you’ll learn how you can help nonprofit marketing efforts.
70. Give & Take: Give & Take is an aggregator of blogs for the nonprofit world.
71. Tactical Philanthropy: Read Tactical Philanthropy to learn about the Second Great Wave of Philanthropy.
72. Philanthropy Journal: On this blog, you’ll find nonprofit news and resources.
73. Cause Marketing: This blog highlights and analyzes cause marketing promotions.

Health Care

Learn about making a change in health care from these blogs.

74. Universal Health Care: This blog discusses universal health care as a way to reform the health care system.
75. IgniteBLOG: IgniteBLOG offers a convergence of health care, marketing, and technology.
76. The Health Care Blog: The Health Care Blog is incredibly informative about the health care system and reform.
77. Subject to Change: Subject to Change focuses on social change in public health.
78. The Alan Katz Health Care Reform Blog: Learn about health care reform from Alan Katz on this blog.
79. Autism: On this blog, you’ll find news and actions relating to Autism.

Art

In these blogs, you’ll see how art can make a difference in the world.

80. The Groundswell Blog: The artists featured on this blog are a part of social change.
81. Women’s Creative Collective: This collective is a group of women who create for change.
82. Make Art Like You Care: This blogger creates good art and good works for a better world.
83. the Painting Activist: This artist describes the world with a paintbrush.
84. on Social Design.: Check out this blog to find out what designers are doing for social change.
85. art + craft = craftivism: This blog focuses on art and craft for good.
86. Art for a Change: Mark Vallen’s blog highlights art theory and commentary.

Leadership & Business

These blogs examine how business and effective leadership can help the world.

87. All Day Buffet: All Day Buffet supports a business model that is based on investment in people.
88. Leading Blog: The Leading Blog writes to build a community of leaders.
89. Social Entrepreneurship: Nathaniel Whittemore’s blog is all about entrepreneurial ideas that support the greater good.
90. The Greater Good: Learn about new scientific research and compassion through this blog.
91. Fair Trade: This blog highlights ways in which fair trade is working, and how it can be better utilized.
92. How to Change the World: Guy Kawasaki’s blog is all about changing the online world.
93. The Practice of Leadership: This blog discusses influencing the world through leadership.
94. Social ROI: Get inspiration for social entrepreneurship through this blog.
95. Servant-Leadership Blog: Learn about the concept of becoming a leader who serves from this blog.
96. Ecopreneurist: Ecopreneurist offers news and support for green and sustainable business ventures.
97. Chief Happiness Officer: Alex Kjerulf’s blog discusses making business more fun, happy, and profitable.
98. Tworque: In this blog, you’ll find news and commentary on entrepreneurship and innovation in developing countries.
99. Seth’s Blog: Seth Godin can help you learn a thing or two about leadership.
100. SustainableWork: SustainableWork supports the idea of creating sustainable startups and emerging enterprises.