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Where do you moved the "MCP by numbers" site? Or did you REMOVED it? When removed, would you tell me why?
tia
GS
i would greatly appreciate it.
tia
GS
As u disscussed this(wallet Cards) topic thoroughly n briefly on behalf of MCP's ,very well.
b'coz their r lots of MCP's who r suffering from this wallet cards problem but they were not able to express their problems properly, just as u did on their behalf.
so thank u again.
I do appreciate your feedback and perspective, however - keep them coming!
Greetings!
I am really beginning to think Microsoft need to conduct some kind ofg a survey on whether or not Wallet cards should be brought on a per request basis. If REALLY the reason for their discontinuation is based on going green, then I think bringing them back is EVEN more green! I am positive that it's a green option because if you read all these comments (plus the majority that are just overflowing with either anger or utter frustration or both, and those are the majority) from these distinguished and HARD working MCPs (marketing Microsoft through their commendable jobs), you will agree with me that thre is NO WAY any of these people will through away their Wallet cards! Wait a minute! May be I am mistaken about this green revolution, I am kind of thinking problems arise when and onnly when these products cause problems when they end up in refuse bins not when they are in the pocket. And if that comes close to thei green movement, then printing Wallet cards will in no way put Microsoft out of the green revolution.
Hence, the reason wallet card cannot be brought back on a per request basis, has nothing to do with being green. It's time you asked the MS Bosses to look into this issue from the MCPs' point of view. I really appreciate your interaction with MCPs on this forum. However, it may be a good idea to nopw address the issue of bringing back wallet carsd unless there is another reason other than 'green' because the 'green' reason does not seem to hold much ground under the present ciorcumstance.
Someone to address us please, and yes yes I am a die-hard servant of the hardworking wallet card!
I do think, however, that one problem with the old wallet card was that I believe you'd get a new wallet card for each certification you obtained. For some people, this wasn't a problem because you'd get one card every couple of years. However, I know of many people who have a huge stack of cards because you'd get a new card for each exam you took.
Anyway, good comments and we keep wanting to hear what you all think around this issue.
I guess after the launch and the weeks or months that follow feedback will beging centering on the VBC as a finished product and not as the case is now, an anticipated product. So depending on that feedback and it's magnitude (size) it should be clear if in deed MCPs will benefit from the VBC, I am refering to those who want the VBC back. So may be at that time the MCP Program officials and us MCPs can look at the matter with new eyes. I am now eagerly waiting for the launch.
.o/
Also raising my hand to say that ordering wallet cards would be awesome. I'm ever so disapointed I will never have my MCSE on my card now. I always carry my wallet card around just because i think its cool!
But m really looking Forward to order the Wallet Cards...u knw how much we want them back.
M very much Thankful 2 u man...
Atlast, we(MCP's) got somebody supportive, with whom we can discuss our thoughts n queries...
Not everybody participates in online forums, social networking because of the expensive rates for accessing internet in non-euro regions like Asia and Africa where the largest %ge of computer users use MS products well as all MCPs looking for jobs present Wallet Cards to show proof and identification of their credibility in interview which separates them from the rest of the flock.
I want to applaud you for informing us and being one of the people who has been in contact with the forum BUT you know the bottom line of what all the comments in this forum say and represent. Please send them but add an objective voice too.
Cheers
Josse
Thanks for your idea and good support.
I am eagerly waiting to order the wallet cards when they are released.
Have a nice day bye
Take care.
As far as the ordereable wallet card - just wanted to make clear that it's not a sure shot. It's something we're working on and we'll update everyone on how that goes.
We dont get em for free anymore, thats ok, , but what could be a reason not to sale them to us? We want to buy it, so you should sale it. Everything else is nonsense. Or i just dont get the point.....
GS
It's not that we don't want to sell it right now, but the logistics to get that operation running without problems is a tough one.
Where I live (in Northrhine-Westfalia, Germany), the local public transportation groups have plastic wallet cards for subscription-based tickets that are individualized on-site at the company's customer service points. I can apply for a ticket and take the card with me just a couple of minutes later. After half a year of flashing my card at bus drivers a couple of times per day, my name and card number are still as good as new without wear and tear, and I'd hope that an MCP card wouldn't get that kind of frequent use (okay, for some people who always have to acquire new customer accounts, perhaps). Might be a viable option if you can find a manufacturer who can do that on an automated basis.
Erwin, your suggestion of printing MS certification logos on regular business cards has occurred to me as well. It always depends on the individual company's guidelines for business cards (black ink only, two-color print or a funny Pantone ink), and the other problem is "going green". :) If you want to show someone an official record of your MS certs, a plastic card is much more sustainable than any business card. You can only pull out a single cardboard business card so many times before it looks unpresentable, so even if (in this hypothetical case) you just flashed it at someone who doesn't actually want to keep it, the business card has a limited number of uses before you throw it away or put it under the leg of a wobbly desk at the office. And if you give your business card away, it's gone, and you'll need to break out another card to show the next person. Also, it'd be much nicer to have a one-look-fits-all MCP card that is easily identifiable to those who know what IT certifications mean, and have it decoupled (just as my certs are) from the company I work for.
With an on-demand, non-automatic ordering system for only those people who really want them, plastic MCP cards would be more sustainable, I think--they last for ages in the right hands. If this could be combined with a logo builder-like interface to choose what credentials (logos? plain text? logos look nice and snazzy) the card should include, it would be in your customers' hands to order a card when they have all the certs they need for the foreseeable future.
I've come to the MS certification world pretty late (never had the time for it until I decided to make it), and with an MCSE done in August, an MCITP:EA in December and hopefully the MCITP:EMA2010 if I can get into a 663 beta come December, I'd love to have a card that shows them all. Right now, I've only got a scrawny little MCTS card and an MCP card--with those future certifications in mind, I'd love a card that shows them whenever I need it.
Come to think of it, I think there is no reasonable doubt as to whether these wallet cards popular so if MS is doing whatever it's doing for MCPs, then all these comments should be taken into consideration. I am waiting for the launch so this reply is merely my view over your comments about whether the company that printed the cards would be in business if they reopenned the production unit. I think most people here will agree with me that anyone who will get that contract will find it lucrative (I wish it was me). Look at specific comments, you will find people asking if they could pay dollars just to have the card not just shipping. If you discontinued paper certs completely, that may not be a big problem because MCPs could print the digitall version whenever it is necessary.
I just received the CompTIA Security+ cert and wallet card and I really loved the wallet card as I can move lightly with just my purse but still able to assure my clients that they are in safe hands by showing thenm a card corresponding to the tecxhnology I am applying. The discontinuation of wallet cards has caused immense grief (well this may sound exagerated, it's just that I paint with words as I am a 'word artist'). I really wish I came to the game a little earlier, fooolish me why did I take long to quit teaching? Ha it's my fault. Please Erwin help us bring the wallet cards, we promise to remain green, please! MS carsd are the best in the IT world in my opinion. My employers like having the cards around so that we can easily assure our clients on site as to our certification status. I will be waving a notebook with WIFI connectivity to show them my VBCs. To be honest in our case the card is not just for decoration, we use it to asure our clients that we are certified and it speaks better thatn the paper certificate.
I think that many have the same thoughts as I do when it comes to this. Why not let us pay for it if we want it? I know Microsoft is trying to cut costs wherever it may be, but instead of getting rid of a service that so many appreciate, let us front the cost of it. I went to an interview recently and on my resume they saw my certification, and then later asked me for further proof (displaying my wallet card), and considering that the certification that they had liked, I didn't have one for that. I didn't bring a copy of my certificate, so when trying to explain the situation (that you all no longer offer it), they took it as a lie/excuse for me not having one. Wallet cards are well known to many in the IT field, and I felt ashamed for not having something to prove my worth.
I think that it was very irresponsible of Microsoft to stop this service without having at least a backup system in place. If the cards were at least able to be purchased within that time frame between the VBC or whatever other means you have at replacing it, then most of those situations, like what happened to me, would have never happened. I expect that I am not the only one with the same situation.
Now that I am going for my MCITP: SA/EA I wish there was a better way of showing people offline my credentials when needed a more proper way other than photocopying my certificate that I originally printed off.
just wanted to add that your transcript/transcript sharing code should be the best proof to an interviewer that you have what you say you have. :)
I would like to say I think that the Virtual Business Cards are a great idea. However, I think they would go great with the actual wallet cards as well. I am sure you have heard a lot of distraught from Microsoft going in the way that they have gone with this. Someone who pays the money to get certified and take the time from there lives shouldn't have to pay 10 bucks to have a quality Certificate shipped to them. I am one who thought that Microsoft was doing a good job with the Certifications process and benefits, I am aliitle discouraged and am thinking of going in a different track with my career now. I know you are not the one who makes the calls there, however I felt I should voice my two cents.
Thanks and have a great day!
Brad Steshoski
MCP, MCSA, A+, Network +
I would also like to have an order option for the wallet cards for a small fee. I was very dissapointed after you stopped shipping them halfway through my certification.
Thanks from the Netherlands
"Thanks for your comment and I understand how you could feel if you would compare the two decisions. Please note that, although we will send MCTs a welcome kit, the contents of this kit will be much reduced. In the past, we sent DVDs and additional program information which will now be available to MCTs by download and we will not include these items in the new welcome kits. We will send a welcome letter, a certificate and wallet card as the vast majority of our MCTs are freelancers and require these items in order to demonstrate skills and acquire jobs. Please note that the MCT fee is a much higher fee whereas the total population of MCTs is limited to 16.000."
So plz try to offer wallet cards for MCP's also , as majority of us r ready 2 pay for it.
"We will send a welcome letter, a certificate and wallet card as the vast majority of our MCTs are freelancers and require these items in order to demonstrate skills and acquire jobs."
Are there MCPs seeing and feeling the way am hurting.
This is what we have been saying since July 2009 and we looked so stupied yet those guys knew their plan, what a waste of money and time to be MCITP EA and can't even be recognised.
Erwin and team, please continue, the architect of this decision will regret it soon than later most especially in the developing countries where people are now seriously embracing other friendly and open services/resources.
MCPs i know we nolonger contribute to this blog like it was in Jan 09 - August 09 because of that has happened, but don't lose heart because you still have the heads where the knowledge resides. Use those head to develop other friendly services and certifications.
Cheers
And be able to order pins in the MCP Store, too!
Thanks for the response to our comments. As you have noticed that almost in each reply to your postings everyone demanded for the MCP wallet cards or at least favored it. Like of me and other MCPs we belong to third world countries and we have no access to the internet at each and every place so there the virtual card idea goes fail. I request you to forward this forum's feedback to your high officials so that they can decide something positive for the continuity of MCP wallet card program. We are hopeful to the constructive response of Microsoft for the assistance of MCPs, as they are great asset to them.
Best Regards,
Ejaz Baig Khan
MCSA, MCSE, MCTS
Thanks for the info on the VBCs and the (hopefully upcoming) comeback of "THE WALLET CARD"
Really looking forward to owning one. Some people in less developed countries (like me), need to show their future employers some Physical evidence of their excellence. And a piece of shiny plastic with Microsoft all over it will just blind their eyes... Trust me, coming from a Communist regime, I know how things are done here.
Regards,
Darko Mesaros, Serbia
MCTS
because of all the business owners want to make sure this certificate has become very difficult, particularly in Egypt
Please reply
Shit! VBC! Shit!
what should i pay for it?
Please, please, please!
In the Windows 7 Party Box is nothing to see about Going Green. Marketing fouls.
Shit! VBC! Shit!
what should i pay for it?
Please, please, please!
In the Windows 7 Party Box is nothing to see about Going Green. Marketing fouls.
It even doesn´t matter if it would cost some coins ^^
A microsoft employee told me to order printed hardcopys of my certs, that i would get a wallet this way but i was not quite amused as i found out that i only got the hardcopys *so sad*
So please keep up on this matter, i don´t want to only have LPIC wallet cards i like to give M$ a place in my wallet too ^^
Regards, Stefan
P.S -- as a side note -- yesterday i received my COMPTIA security+,Network+ wallet cards.. to be honest with you, we pay on average about 100 bucks to take an exam.. it took me 7 exams to earn my enterprise admin, and 3 to earn my Enterprise Desktop and now 3 more for my Messaging.. so i have already spent over 1,000 dollars for my certifications... where does this money go? prometrics and testing center need to make a profit, but come on.. this is alot of money.. yes we are willing to pay more for the wallet card, but i would think that the thousand dollars i have already spent earns me a voice in Wallet Card decision...
Todd
Any news or screenshots of the newer features ?
Do you have any update regarding the Please Wallet Cards?
MCTS, MCSE+M, MCSE+S
We need to carry something in our purse to show off....
Mr. Erwin and team, please look into getting the plastic cards back, we are ready to Pay..
any further updates on the availability of VBC
Well done BornToLie!
VBCs were conceptualized a long time before the virtual welcome kits were introduced. We're launching VBCs because we believe it will be a valuable resource. I've said it many times - VBCs are NOT meant as a replacement for wallet cards but as a completely new benefit.
The wallet card issue is still under consideration and if there is a final decision made (one way or the other), you'll know about it.
The quality of the Wallet Card/Cert is degrading as after doing some Photoshop thingy, anyone can make a Card like that. But the Real Value is in the Proof that you Physically receive from Microsoft itself.
So please consider adding the Wallet Card back :)
I think you can put up a Poll/Petition or something to get user feedback on this issue. Atleast put it on the Store so the people who need it can get one.
Are there any sceenshots already of will we have to wait until tomorrow?
Please bring back the Plastic Wallet Cards. Please try to understand the importance of Plastic Wallet Cards especially for people that don't live in North America and the countries of Western Europe. Even in the US when interviewing inexperienced candidates, employers are still asking for the Plastic Wallet Cards.
When I get screenshots of the newer features we’ve added since last time I’ll let you know and post them. Thanks for your patience and we’re working as hard as we can to ensure a successful and (now) smooth launch.
Erwin Chan
Marketing Manager – Online Evangelism
erwinc at microsoft.com
Its Dec 8, 2009 here and there is no screen shot, no explanation, no direction, nothing. Oh wasted MCITPs! some body advise us here of what to do because this monoply in some of our countries by M$ has done us bad otherwise we would be already gone like some MCPs did long ago from this forum!
I want to just see that hypered VBC though am pretty sure that it can never help upcoming MCPs to shrive over others who are non-MCPs because there is nolonger going to be a difference.
Sanz
RSA
Idea:
Creating a plastic wallet card with a chip. On the card would be general MCP logo and MCPs data as it was. In the chip (of curse if it is possible to make) would be electronic certificates or some other data showing what certificates he has. It could be updated manually after getting new certificate, so problem of "pile of cards" would be solved, plastic card and electronic form of certificate would be available.