-
Website
http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/ -
Original page
http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/2009/08/where-are-the-virtual-business-cards -
Subscribe
All Comments -
Community
-
-
Top Commenters
-
Popular Threads
All Comments
because of all the business owners want to make sure this certificate has become very difficult, particularly in Egypt
Please reply
It was a very bad idea to discontinue the Wallet Cards. I am so desperate, I am willing to pay Microsoft for the Wallet Cards. Dronzer001 is correct, anyone can go and get a custom made business card with any credentials mentioned on it. Microsoft's Wallet Cards proved the authenticity of the certification that the person worked so hard to earn. For a person seeking an entry-level position like me that keeps on going from job-fair to job-fair, these Wallet Cards is the only way to prove my credentials in 5 seconds. A lot of employers don't even know that MS has discontinued Wallet Cards.
I understand the "green purposes" about the Earth's health and I would pay a double fee to give a big contribution to this cause, but I want receive the Wellcome Kit plus Wallet Card.
I see too many usless Microsoft gadget made by paper, cotton and all "anti-green" things! Remove some of them instead a professional item like Wallet Card!
I have the Cisco one and i found it very very usefull!
Are there any updates regarding the availability of VBC? We have been waiting for it for a long time now.
Krishna
The only people that liked the idea of Virtual Business Cards are the ones who have had jobs for 10 - 15 years. Do you know how bad the job situation is right now especially for new people who are trying to get their foot in the industry. In these tough times poor people like me had to borrow money at high interest rates to take Microsoft classes and to pay for the tests. Asking money for the certificates was an insult. Discontinuing the Wallet Cards was adding insult to injury. It's a disgrace on Microsoft's part. Why is CompTIA and Cisco still issuing free certificates and wallet cards? If the recession made Microsoft so desperate, I am willing to pay Microsoft for the Wallet Cards. Do you know how long the lines are at job / career fairs? Do you know it is impossible for me to prove my MS credentials within the first 10 seconds of the interview without a Wallet card.
I assure you we haven't trashed any of your comments. Disqus is not displaying them, but they're still there on the wordpress platform.
We're still working with Disqus to figure out why they don't appear, but their support (for a free service) is slow. We're in the process of signing up a VIP account with them so we can get faster support and get the comments back. This is how serious we're taking this. Rest assured they're still there AND they've been heard by the appropriate product managers.
Erwin, when do we expect the so called good VBCs
Thanks
Server Error in '/MCP' Application.
Will we show something like it on HR interviews? I think, Server Error doesn't impress anyone.((
I need paper certs back.
is it still on the schedule to attach a CV as well to the VBCs?
Best regards,
Thomas
how many logos fit on these cards?
I got 3 MCITP and 1 MCSA Title...
that hapens several times a day, i would suggest the app isn´t coded realy good. or maybe they should receyle more often.
I became desperate wen i tried it last time... so just try it again in none buisness hours ;-)
- Your comment was ment for @Logoff.. ?
Besides Second Shoot I haven't seen anything valuable from you in last two-three years. During these time you have rose price of exam (10$ shipping of cert) and discontinued many benefits (six if I recall correctly). Other failures were pointed by me and other people in previous comments. There is no point in repeating it, you should know it already.
I doubt we will see Virtual Business Cards in September I doubt it will have any value.
Why would I fill out one of these how?
Who will see it and why do you think they would see it?
What about adding other certification and awards such as A+, CCNA, MVP, CA, CPA, etc?
Hopefully these are linked back to a limited version of the transcript as well? I wouldn't want just anyone who sees my virtual card to be able to view my entire transcript, but it would be nice if they could see all of the certs that I hold and maybe an "MCP since 2000" on the transcript.
I'd also like to see the Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn links at the bottom be optional. I wouldn't mind having LinkedIn on the card since that's used purely for professional networking, but I don't want people asking why my Twitter and Facebook links are dead (because I don't use those sites) and thinking that I'm hiding something.
I did find it interesting in the screen shots that Google appears to be your default search provider. BTW, it's mine too.
The frequent server errors that have been mentioned in numerous posts including this one have never been addressed by Microsoft. I am confident this can be fixed but there appears to be no interest in doing so.
We are going to work on creating a dynamic card - one that is created in flash or silverlight - that has different sections people can click on. With that, we'll be able to put more credentials on the card itself.
Here's the deal. We know you're an MCP and have studied/worked hard for your credential. Now we're helping you spread your credentials around and make sure that people online know you're an MCP.
The MCP member site is a disgrace. More often than not it tells me I'm not certified. I'd love to send that link to an employer. NOT.
This design is quite.....stupid.
I think Microsoft is trying to create the Business Card for those developer. It is because, usually, developer will not have a Business Card printed by the company. I am not sure if this happens or not in your area/region/country, but it is truth where I am living in.
By the way, I also encountered the transcript problem in the MCP Site. But I figured out that everytime my transcript is going to update, that page will be a error-generator....... I don't know the code implemented behind. But I do believe that it is a very common sync problem in most of the application.
One thing I wanted to point out is that VBC is not intended for offline use. In fact, we won't have a print friendly feature at launch. We are not intending on using this for you to create your offline business card. Rather this is entirely for your online identity.
But if it is going to replace the transcript share code, then it should show all certs and all logos, again what would the point be otherwise.
No this doesn't replace anything currently available. All transcript sharing features will still be available.
The purpose of VBCs is to show off your credentials on your email signature, forum signature, webpage, blog, anywhere you want to establish your credibility.
I don't believe so - my understanding of chartered member status is that it wasn't something that we recorded in our records, but rather someone that was done at printing. I'll check around but I don't think this data is available in the cert database from which we pull your cert information.
VBCs are not a replacement for a wallet card - it's a new thing we're trying to do for online communities.
I am researching some other possible alternatives to a wallet card so I'd like your thoughts. Rather than a wallet card, couldn't you print your certification logo on your business cards? These days it's not very expensive to print your own business cards and we provide the Logo Builder service for you to download the right logo.
Anybody Who is Not MS Certified,But any how got that Logo
through Some Source Can Make His Own Business Cards with MS LOGOS..
I live in a Developing Country like INDIA...People here Don't Follow this VBC Thing very Much,
N People Here Does'nt easily Believe in Business Cards,Bcoz Business cards r so Cheap that Any person can MAke his own..
The Standarad of the Wallet Cards is Much more High than the VBC thing...
N 2nd thing is that...
I know MS is Trying 2 go Green,n i Appreciate That,
But U also have 2 Accept this FAct That...
the Abscence of the wallet Cards is affecting us a lot...
And the VBC cannot fill the place of Wallet Cards...
So PLz Do us a Favour.........
Provide some Alternatives for Wallet Card..
I get very frustrated when an important person asks for proof of certification and I can only pull a few wallet cards and then fill in by saying aaah you need to visit the MS Website and check, and try as many times as you can due to errors, meanwhile am before a panel being interviewed! Please make allowance for optional wallet cards - yes I know they are gone forever! Printing own cards is chaotic with varied business cards making it difficult to differentiate a genuinely cerified MCP from a fellow who got a logo from somewhere. Wallet cards spoke a common language and added VALUE to the credential, something to look for after you pass. MS you have hurt some of us especially that the VBC will be of little use otherb than for Social Networking which is not for every MCP. Sad sad sad.
But I think all our suggestions means nothing 2 MS...
Cause they just do wat they want 2 do..
our comments means nothing 2 them..
i mean, wats the meaning of implementing a thing n after dat taking suggestions..
95% of MCP's are annoyed with this thing..
MS treat us nothing but a source of income..
Ms is just Showing Off dat they r taking our comments Seriously..But
the fact is dat they are'nt..
dis Blog is just a means of TIMEPASS 4 MS..
Atleast they should had done Polling or a kinda voting For WALLET CARDS OR VBC..
NOw we have 2 totally be dependent on PC's,Laptops,Net, 4 showin our credentials..
i mean wat if there is an electricity Cut Off..Server down..Errors..etc Problems..
Cause in INDIA(where i live)..these things happens a lot..
GOD...I totally wasted my MONEY,TIME n ENERGY 4 this CRAP..
I worked hard for my card, so I want my card. I don't want some virtual image that a person has to take 20min out of there day to type in the address bar and click through, and more often than not, get an error page. I want it as instant proof of my certification. No possible way of an error showing up if I have physical proof in my hand. But whatever, do what you want.
Presumably that data still exists somewhere even though we can't see it now, and there's no reason it couldn't be brought back.
It was a very bad idea to discontinue the Wallet Cards. I am so desperate, I am willing to pay Microsoft for the Wallet Cards. Dronzer001 is correct, anyone can go and get a custom made business card with any credentials mentioned on it. Microsoft's Wallet Cards proved the authenticity of the certification that the person worked so hard to earn. For a person seeking an entry-level position like me that keeps on going from job-fair to job-fair, these Wallet Cards is the only way to prove my credentials in 5 seconds. A lot of employers don't even know that MS has discontinued Wallet Cards.
I get very frustrated when an important person asks for proof of certification and I can only pull a few wallet cards and then fill in by saying aaah you need to visit the MS Website and check, and try as many times as you can due to errors, meanwhile am before a panel being interviewed! Please make allowance for optional wallet cards - yes I know they are gone forever! Printing own cards is chaotic with varied business cards making it difficult to differentiate a genuinely cerified MCP from a fellow who got a logo from somewhere. Wallet cards spoke a common language and added VALUE to the credential, something to look for after you pass. MS you have hurt some of us especially that the VBC will be of little use otherb than for Social Networking which is not for every MCP. Sad sad sad.
Can we have a communication about the VBCs that replaced the Environmental friendly and loved Wallet Cards. Its now September 21, 2009. Everything is ICE cold yet that is all MCPs were left with to saw! for their hard work and dollars spent. Please let us know if we should forget them till next year 2010! as we forget all the Benefits we should have got from MS for certifying in their products so as to help them in marketing them at our work places FREE! of charge. I hope you also notice how the frequency of posts have changed here too. Please if you have eyes and ears, please use them. I will be grateful for you quick reply.
Cheers
krsk
The problem probably comes from Disqus antispam system. It doens't work properly - nothing new in MSL world :-/
I read every single piece of comment out there and I know your frustration. VBCs won't replace wallet cards - but we are listening to your feedback. Doing something about it, however, will take some time but we are working on it.
Why are you saying, "VBCs won't replace wallet cards." If they are not being replaced, then why are we not getting them anymore. Microsoft employees can start donating part of their salaries to these environmentalists, but please don't discontinue the plastic wallet cards. We already paid for the plastic wallet cards by investing time and money getting MS certifications.
However, I recognize that a lot of people here are very passionate for the wallet card and I've looked into bringing it back on a limited basis for people like yourselves. To give you a behind the scenes look, I've talked to our original vendor who printed and shipped the welcome kits, but the issue becomes how to scale up what will be an on demand print job. I'll also take a look at converting VBC into a wallet card replacement - the issue here is that we didn't build high res images into the tool which is required for printing. The other issue (and I would like your thoughts) is that we'd have to incorporate a bunch of printing templates for business card formats (like Avery in the US). Do you think that is necessary or if we just output to PDF it'll be ok?
Thank you for your detailed response. I would say that output to PDF will be ok, but I think that the majority of the people might end up voting for printing templates for business card formats.
I would pay the same (or more) for the Microsoft one, is it enough? :)
If you really want to punish those who still want the wallet cards then charge them for the wallet cards as well as for shipping and I bet, people will still pay. Right now I only have two wallet cards and it feels as if I only have two certs because I do not feel too good with the walletless certs esp when am asked to show evidence of my certification by way of a walletr card. This VBC thing wont help much. Consider Africa and much of Asia, there are many companies that are very good employers but does not seem to value any web presence. They do not even have a website and you will find that they do not have much to do with Internet. You may find this funny, but my friends from some parts Asia and Africa will tell you it's true. In most of the developing countries thee is no ecommerce, the companies do not sell stuff through the internet. These countries still rely on Microsoft products and so employ a great number of MCPs. My point is Internet use is very limited so to rely on it for credential verification is a huge mistake and it will disadvantage many MCPs, and this worsened by very very slow internet connections!
To make matters worse, the VBCs will not be printable. It's just not practical for a hiring manager to start googling the Microsoft website and entering codes and transcript IDs to verify candidate certification status. The easy way is for each to show a high quality wallet card in a few seconds and save time for things that matter. Please bring the Wallet cards as an option for those who want them. It will add value to our credentials.
We aren't asking you use VBCs or your online transcript to show to your hiring manager. At VBC launch I'll make a post identifying best practices on what asset you should use for different situations. In those cases where you need to ID your credentials in an interview, I suggest you use the orange transcript. It has watermarks and everything and it is the one verifiable document we have.
We have been looking for a bit at on demand print jobs of wallet cards similar to how we do the certs right now (you know we offer to print your certs professionally for $10 including worldwide shipping? Compared to your $60 shipping for your shipping it's good and trust me, this is not a for profit venture. Our fulfillment vendor is doing it just to offer MCPs and MCTs a service). The issue with the on demand print jobs for wallet cards is that the printing process is a little more complicated, especially with storing a supply of plastic material. But we'll continue to take a look at it.
I Live in INDIA, n VBC have Hardly any Value Here.
Wallet Cards are the Whole n Sole for the MCP's like me...
And Most of the Times it gets really very difficult for us to proove our certification without wallet Cards..
B'coz, nobody is interested in wasting time on internet, just for confirming our credentials ...
U mentioned abt the orange transcript........But the thing is its not as handy as the Wallet Cards are.
Plz Man ..... Try 2 bring wallet cards back.
Just Keep yourself in our Place n try 2 feel the PAIN,that we r feeling right now.
Try 2 bring it Back or atleast Bring any justified Alternative for it.
PLz ERWIN.......
You are like an only Hope for us man...
Come to think of, it was not a good decision because paper certs which were calready available for download continues to ship if only a shipping fee is paid while Wallet cards which are equally valuable cannot be shipped even for a fee. Wallet cards are not as likely as paper certs to fibd themslves in a dump so it's had to believe they were discontinued purely for 'green' reasons. I think of the two, the cert and the Wallet card, wallet cards costed MS more dollrs to prints compared to paper certs so MS knew where the most saving would be realide. This is just a guess anyway, I am as baffled as everyone as to why our nice little rectangular 'buddy' was delt a blow so suddenly.
Anyway now you have seen how the cards were valuable. It was really handy as all you did was to pull it out and the client says well, 'you are rerally certified compared to 'or the that transcript can be printed by anyone, it's not hard to forge that. By the way MS Wallet cards just oozed out integrity, everyone could see that the cards were genuine! As an option for MCPs, there wont be 'green issues' because you can't through it away after paying for it's shipping.
For you and others who aren't happy - please continue to speak out on this blog and comments. I'm reading these comments every day and people within Microsoft Learning are hearing it as well. Obviously we can't react to every single request, but we won't know what's on your mind if you don't voice it! All I ask is that you keep your comments respectful and professional, but we want to hear what you have to say, positive or negative!
Meanwhile am waiting for your promise Erwin, about the launch date. Please do remember we have run out of time. Keep us abreast to avoid speculations.
...........................
Hey ANDREW....... Can i get ur email ID...
It will be Very nice talking 2 u..
Mine is "dronzer_001@yahoo.in"
Just like many others here, I do not want to be a spoilt brat, always whining about the lack of that and this, but I just wonder what kind of example is being set here. The MCP program is huge and globally respected. We are not MS employees but we in some way market the company. So one would think a lot of caution should be exercised in transtioning from one platform to another. The absence of wallet cards and/ or VBCs can be likened to downtime, much like the recent CompTIA's database transtion that left candidates in the dark! As an IT Pro we are taught to avoid and / or lessen downtime. Microsoft has brilliant project Managers who should have made a good estimate of how long the transition from Wallet cards to VBC will take. August is long gone and there is still no date in sight, not even a long range one! It means we are in for a long wait, starting from a date in the future! Could it be possible to revist the wallet card issue? Like making them available until the VBCs will be ready because it is clear VBCs may not launch for weeks/ months to come though we currently need something to use. I am thinking reviving them, even for a fee should take shorter time than building the new VBC Platform.
Erwin, are we going to have the launch this year? If the new VBC platform will be unavailable until; next year, how are you going to mitigate the problem (like finding alternatives if any)?