I think this bit of news is too important to risk its getting lost in the hoopla about the infamous build 4k78 (donit pretend you havenit heard of Wincent.org).

In the midst of the whining about what OS X will or wonit include at Saturdayis coming-out party, one sentence was ignored in Appleis press-released statements. Actually, it was the last sentence in one of two statements to the press:

To help customers migrate to Mac OS X, Apple iServices will offer several new services, including a comprehensive set of Mac OS X training and certification offerings for Mac OS X system administrators. [Emphasis mine]

This is big news. If youive ever tried to get work in Mac related fields, like, say, tech support, you realize right away that there are very few official certification programs for you to get up to speed -- or to stay current -- in repairing and troubleshooting the Mac. Never mind that you hardly need that for the Mac; most managers think that because you need it for Windows, you need it for the Mac. Then there is another area where Iive sought training, namely, system administration, where training and certification on the Mac would go a long way.

By contrast, say what you want about Microsoft, but that company has its act together when it comes to propagandizing, er, teaching its users to become certified experts. For the unitiated, Microsoft has this certification called MCSE, short for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. That title is treated like a pedigree by the geek squads that staff corporate IS departments, computer-repair facilities and computer instruction programs.

I, for one, have always sought equivalent training from Apple. The closest Iive gotten to date has been that AppleCare Technician Training that was introduced last year. It isnit a true certification, if you read the fine print. Iim hoping that the aforementioned quote remedies this problem and that it bodes well for those of us who want to get some type of Apple certification.

Apple should have offered some type of certification programs long ago, and itis high time it corrected this gross oversight.

To be fair, Iim sure such programs are in the Master Plan for Appleis quest toward global domination of the computing world. Besides, certification programs are a sure way to make money. Ask any PC expert about MCSE, and if theyire honest with you, theyill tell you that every time they turn around, they have to get recertified for and/or become conversant with the next version of Windows or Office (just look at the last few years (Windows 3.1, 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, and the upcoming XP -- not to mention the service packs, Back Office, ad nauseam). Holy cash cow, Batman!

Itis a good racket, if you ask me, Steve

Also, this is a prime time to start such a program. With the advent of OS X Client and OS X Server, there will be a growing demand for Aqua-fied Unix geeks in coming years -- IF you know what I mean, and I think you do.

Honestly, Iid like to think Iim merely echoing the plans that Apple has already outlined and initiated.