IC3 CERTIFICATION

IC3 CERTIFICATION

IC3 is a global certification of a person's knowledge of current IS (Information Systems) or IT (Information Technology) technology.  The certification is given by a company called Certiport.

The IC3 GS3 certification is composed of 3 proctored online examinations.  The first exam tests the examinee's knowledge of COMPUTING FUNDAMENTALS which include knowledge of Windows 7. The second exam tests the examinee's knowledge of KEY APPLICATIONS.  The KEY APPLICATIONS tested on are Microsoft's Word version 2010, Excel version 2010, and PowerPoint version 2010 software. The third exam tests the examinee's knowledge of LIVING ONLINE which includes knowledge of e-mail and other online collaboration software.  The three exams can be taken on different days.

I recently took all three exams this June 2014 because it was a recommended requirement for tutors of students who are required to pass all three exams to pass their course IS 101 or Information Science 101. After reviewing for each exam, I passed all three in the first tries.  Actually, I took the newer version of IC3, the IC3 GS4 version of the exams which are more in-depth and includes cloud computing. There are 45 questions in both GS3 and GS4.  While GS3 time limit is 45 minutes, GS4 time limit is 50 minutes.  Additionally, GS4 also includes knowledge of Microsoft Access version 2010.

IC3 GS4 covers a phletora of skills and knowledge needed to be proficient in operating today's digital devices and their software.  While some companies require their employees to have IC3 certifications, some companies only prefer their employees to have one.

All three exams have multiple choice answers and demonstration of skills by clicking or pressing on the right set of buttons or keys to accomplish certain tasks.  I found that all GS4 three exams have the same level of difficulties, or if you prefer, especially for those who are already practicing these same skills and knowledge regularly, the same level of easiness.

How do you prepare for IC3 exams?  There are actually classes for them.  Some are college courses and some are high school courses.  College courses require passing all 3 exams.  You can also retake any of the exams so you can receive the IC3 certification for all 3 exams.  If you do not prefer to take courses, either online or classroom, there are some books that you can read for yourself and some companies in the internet that will offer to help you in studying for them.  Be sure, however, that these books or companies, are legitimate in their propositions.

John
IC3 GS4 Certified

FUTURE OF COMPUTERS

FUTURE OF COMPUTERS

The computers of today are made possible by electronic signals that are manipulated to produce binary signals.  These binary signals of 0's and 1's make it possible to write digital codes to run the computers (OS or operating system software) or to apply to the computers (application software).

The computers of tomorrow will no longer need to operate through electronic signals.  There are two possible alternatives for the computers of tomorrow, both of which have already been implemented.

The computers of tomorrow operate through our knowledge of Quantum Physics.  Quantum Physics is the study of light pulses at subatomic level.  But, generally speaking, Quantum Physics, sometimes also called Quantum Mechanics, is the study of our quantum universe at the quantum level.  To be sure, Quantum Physics has many branches, but the branch Quantum Optics of Quantum Physics is what is being applied to the computers of tomorrow, otherwise known as Quantum Computing.

The second known alternative for the computers of tomorrow is DNA Computing. DNA Computing operates through our knowledge of DNA and molecular biology, and may I add, at the risk of being redundant, at the molecular level.  DNA Computing uses the bases G, T, A, and C to form computer codes to run and to apply to DNA computers.

The two alternatives to digital electronic computing have already been applied in some of today’s computers.  Quantum computers are already being used in banking in Europe, though at a limited level.  DNA computing has already been applied successfully, though at a research level.

These two alternatives to computing may not be the only ones in this century, for with the billions of people in this planet with their brilliant minds, and with more coming with each generation, humanity may yet generate new ways of making this world more hospitable and habitable than it was millions of years ago.

This article starts my blogging anew after some sporadic tries while I was studying in college. I am happy to report that I received all A's for all my efforts of studying.  Here's the list of my courses so far:

Summer 2013 ------------------- 8 weeks
Beginning Java ---------------------- A
Project Management ------------------ A
Fall 2014 -------------------- 16 weeks
Beginning C++ ----------------------- A
Beginning Visual Basic -------------- A
Introduction to Computer Security --- A
U.S. History II --------------------- A
Spring 2014 ------------------ 16 weeks
Advanced C++ ------------------------ A

Happy computing!

John