What are Professor Messer’s Free Certification Training Courses?
This free online video course is a project that highlights the power of media, the breadth of the Internet, and a dramatic change to what most people expect from online training resources. I wish I could say that the idea of creating this course was a flash of insight that came to me in a vision, but the reality is the idea of giving away this nature of training content was slowly formed through 20-plus years in the computer industry and the technological evolution of video and audio resources.
The basic idea of the course is simple. Our goal is to provide quality training for the world’s most popular technical certifications. The technology industry is desperate for people who have a strong technical foundation, and these certifications are a common starting point for many people who are working toward their initial technology certifications.
Unfortunately, there are few free quality resources available on the Internet for any technical certification. As I began the planning process for this course, I found that there are very few online sites providing a comprehensive set of technical training resources. While some of these scattered sites are relatively good, other online CompTIA A+ resources provide blatantly incorrect information or have questionable intentions.
My personal experiences have also helped to build this training course. I grew up in a very rural North Florida town, and there were few technical resources available to me during my middle school and high school years. As I’ve grown older, I’ve also realized that opportunity often needs a fair amount of financial capital to grow to fruition.
Your email messages to me have proven that there is a group of people who would like to build their technical knowledge, but they don’t have the money to invest in a DVD-based video course or a live course at a local college. My primary goal for this course is to fill the need of these people and to bring everyone else along to enjoy the ride. What could be better?
Is it really free?
The entire course is completely free. There’s no registration required to view any of the videos, and there’s nothing to buy. There are no “members only” videos, and there are no private hidden videos that are hidden away somewhere.
Nothing is free. What’s the catch?
Ok, you got me. It’s true, I still have to maintain a web site, pay for server hosting, and buy the audio and video equipment needed to make this course. The financial plan for this project was modeled from the television model in the United States. I’ve combined online advertising with our free content to create a combination that keeps the site running without requiring a cash outlay from anyone watching our videos. Watch as much as you want, we’ll make more.
Could I learn everything I need to pass the CompTIA A+ test from this online course?
We’ve tried to encapsulate the fundamental topics of the CompTIA A+ course into ten-to-twenty minute video segments, but there’s no possible way for any resource to provide 100% of everything the aspiring CompTIA A+ certified professional might need. We highly recommend that anyone studying for the CompTIA A+ certification consider additional study resources before sitting for their exam. My personal favorite is the A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide by Mike Meyers
Can I get the video course on DVD?
We don’t plan on offering the video in a physical DVD form, but we do offer a downloadable version of the course that can be played on a computer, mobile MPEG4 video player, iPhone, Blackberry, or MP3 player. Check out our download page for more information.
I’m teaching a CompTIA course, can I use your videos?
Are you kidding? Please use them as much as you can! Please click the “Contact Us” link at the top of our web page and let me know how you’re using them. I’m also available to do presentations or interviews with your training class, either online or in person.
How long did it take to create a course module?
We built every module from scratch, so this process was incredibly time consuming. By the time we took pictures, built the presentation, recorded the video presentation, edited the video, and rendered the final video version, each 20-minute module underwent about six to eight hours of development.
How can I contact you?
Please feel free to send us any feedback or comments. It’s incredibly motivating to hear the stories of how people are using these videos.
You can always send us a message!
Study well!