Is certification valuable, or not? We have the definitive answer

10 IT management start-ups to watch; Review: SharePoint Server 2010 beta pulls it all together IT Best Practices NetworkWorld.com | Update Your Profile | Forward this to a Friend >>> Sponsored by APC Virtualization: Optimized Power and Cooling Data centers are routinely and unknowingly missing a great portion of their entitlement from virtualization. Beyond virtualization's undisputed IT benefits – from reduced rack footprint to disaster recovery – is the parallel story of a substantial benefit from optimizing the physical infrastructure that supports it. Learn more Spotlight Story Is certification valuable, or not? We have the definitive answer Are IT certifications still relevant today, or are they not worth the time, effort and money? This debate has raged for years. Now, an in-depth three-year IDC study provides real data that shows the relationship between training, certification and the functional performance of teams of IT professionals. Read full story Related News: 10 IT management start-ups to watch Today's IT management start-ups are focused on cloud computing, SaaS, virtualization and more. We've picked 10 of these newcomers worth watching into the new year -- and today we'll reveal two of them. Review: SharePoint Server 2010 beta pulls it all together Microsoft's SharePoint Server 2010 is a significant improvement over SharePoint 07, providing IT execs with multiple ways to streamline their infrastructure and cut costs. Bringing smarter networks to industrial world A so-called "smart grid" is going to need smarter switches, and in fact all of industrial networking is headed in that direction, as Sixnet recently pointed out during the introduction of its latest switch. The under-hyped tech that's changing the world was asked recently whether I thought any wireless technologies were currently being over-hyped. The cynic in me was ready to tick several off of my fingers. But the more I thought about it, I realized there's actually one I consider under-hyped. That would be the wireless sensor. These little gizmos are quietly on a path to change civilization as we know it. November giveaways Cisco Subnet is giving away free books on VMware vSphere security. Microsoft Subnet is giving away training from New Horizons and free books on Exchange Server 2010. Google Subnet is giving away free books on Android app development. Entry forms can be found on the main contest page. Trivia answers are revealed on each main Subnet page. Network World on Twitter? You bet we are Ethernet everywhere! Inside planes, trains, cars and spaceships, Ethernet is a morph master. Here's a look at some of Ethernet's cooler implementations. 7 tools to ease Windows 7 rollout These utilities help you plan, ensure app compatibility and manage images. 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Register today!   November 30, 2009 MOST-READ STORIES IBM cat brain simulation dismissed as 'hoax' by rival scientist Cisco pedigree wins over VCs De-Worm your iPhone Steve Jobs is a man of a few words Holiday gift guide Desktop virtualization cheat sheet 15 free downloads to pep up your old PC Internet routing blasts into space Microsoft begins paving path for IT, cloud integration Google Chrome OS: InfoWorld's visual tour Dramatically Reduce WAN Costs with Adaptive Private Networking Increase WAN bandwidth while lowering costs and improving reliability with Adaptive Private Networking (APN). You can get 30 to 100 times the bandwidth per dollar spent. APN appliances treat these connections from multiple service providers as one aggregate while improving key WAN metrics including loss, latency and jitter. Not only can you expect to lower your WAN bill by 40% to 90% you can also expect a quick return on investment with APN. View this Webcast! EMO Labs: Better Sound Through Innovation at DEMOfall 09 EMO Labs' Invisible Speaker innovation takes People's Choice Award top honors at DEMO conference. Watch EMO Labs product launch.   This email was sent to networking.world@gmail.com Complimentary Subscriptions Available for newsletter subscribers. Receive 50 issues of Network World Magazines, in print or electronic format, free of charge. Apply here. Terms of Service/Privacy   Subscription Services Update your profile To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. Unsubscribe Network World, Inc., 492 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham, MA 01701 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2009 www.networkworld.com | Forward this to a Friend >>>