Apple Certified Technician: Has anybody done this? Did you use Apple's online training course (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA714Z/A) before you took the test?
Funny you should ask, I looked at it a few times and was a little dismayed & confused by how any courses (and the cost) it would take to actually become certified. Then there's the question of whether I'd rather go hardware or software - or both eventually. I'm going to contact a guy locally who runs a very successful Apple Certified Repair shop. They always seem to be hiring lately, I'm going to try and get his take on whether I'm a viable candidate and some general info on the business growth etc.
Print is dead, I don't even want to look at going to another shop honestly. It's a shame to walk away with so man years of experience & relationships, but I don't honestly see it getting better any time soon if at all.
I've been thinking about something to do to keep me busy when/ if I retire. Not a business to make a lot of money, but just do something I like and have always done "informally"anyway. There's not a Apple Certified Technician that I know of in this area.
From what I have gathered so far it is a simple matter of taking the test to become certified. Good idea to talk with some repair shops who are doing this sort of thing.
Quote from: Slappy on January 15, 2010, 01:59:50 PMFunny you should ask, I looked at it a few times and was a little dismayed & confused by how any courses (and the cost) it would take to actually become certified. Then there's the question of whether I'd rather go hardware or software - or both eventually. I'm going to contact a guy locally who runs a very successful Apple Certified Repair shop. They always seem to be hiring lately, I'm going to try and get his take on whether I'm a viable candidate and some general info on the business growth etc.
Print is dead, I don't even want to look at going to another shop honestly. It's a shame to walk away with so man years of experience & relationships, but I don't honestly see it getting better any time soon if at all.
Not from where I'm sitting it aint :tongue:
I've looked at this as well. It's tremendously expensive, and I don't think I'd ever get my money back looking at the wages - less than prepress a few years ago. But I was looking at the software side of thing. Jeeeeeeeezz, if I'd gone through with it, I'd be bored out my wits in a genius bar somewhere fixing the same thing over and over again
Right now I could use you here, jez. Co-worker's neglected Mac needs a wipe and re-install, by the looks. Oh BTW, it's warm/hot here.
I'll look up cheap air fares now. :cheesy:
And I reckon you'd be in the top percentile, Cert or no Cert! :laugh:
I'll do it for half price! :evil:
Quote from: G_Town on January 15, 2010, 02:15:39 PMQuote from: Slappy on January 15, 2010, 01:59:50 PMFunny you should ask, I looked at it a few times and was a little dismayed & confused by how any courses (and the cost) it would take to actually become certified. Then there's the question of whether I'd rather go hardware or software - or both eventually. I'm going to contact a guy locally who runs a very successful Apple Certified Repair shop. They always seem to be hiring lately, I'm going to try and get his take on whether I'm a viable candidate and some general info on the business growth etc.
Print is dead, I don't even want to look at going to another shop honestly. It's a shame to walk away with so man years of experience & relationships, but I don't honestly see it getting better any time soon if at all.
Not from where I'm sitting it aint :tongue:
I agree. We were slow for a few months, but now? It's ridiculous how busy we are and I am getting a shitload of freelance, too. If anything, it's picked up.
Quote from: Joe on January 15, 2010, 08:31:41 PMI'll do it for half price! :evil:
I'll get it right :wink:
Quote from: DigitalCrapShoveler on January 15, 2010, 10:22:37 PMNot from where I'm sitting it aint :tongue:
QuoteI agree. We were slow for a few months, but now? It's ridiculous how busy we are and I am getting a shitload of freelance, too. If anything, it's picked up.
I don't believe it will last though, and the way shops are just prone to close without
any warning whatsoever, I feel like I'd better have another skill ready, ya know?
There will always be a need...
However you will always have to buy food
When I retire I think I had rather fix Macs than be a Wal-Mart greeter
Quote from: Slappy on January 19, 2010, 04:36:05 PMI don't believe it will last though, and the way shops are just prone to close without any warning whatsoever, I feel like I'd better have another skill ready, ya know?
Learn how to write for and use a complex cross-media variable data program. Become fluent writing sql queries. Learn how to use a robust database platform like SQL. Learn PHP and ASP, and how to create PURL sites. Position yourself in a company that does a lot of one-to-one marketing type stuff. Marketing is absolutely never going away, and when the printing side wanes, you can easily make the jump over to the Internet side.
I really, REALLY didn't want to be taken out of prepess and plopped down in the programming department, but I can honestly say that had I not made that change, I would be looking for a job right now. (Well, actually, I *am* looking for another job, kinda, but I wouldn't be doing it from the position of having a job while I was looking.)
It's a natural extension of the skill set you've developed in your prepress job -- actually, I've had to learn a TON more about Illustrator and Photoshop since making the move -- and it gives you security moving forward (until global oneness of thought makes the Internet unnecessary ... you're on your own after that).
Quote from: youston on January 19, 2010, 05:45:02 PMQuote from: Slappy on January 19, 2010, 04:36:05 PMI don't believe it will last though, and the way shops are just prone to close without any warning whatsoever, I feel like I'd better have another skill ready, ya know?
Learn how to write for and use a complex cross-media variable data program. Become fluent writing sql queries. Learn how to use a robust database platform like SQL. Learn PHP and ASP, and how to create PURL sites. Position yourself in a company that does a lot of one-to-one marketing type stuff. Marketing is absolutely never going away, and when the printing side wanes, you can easily make the jump over to the Internet side.
I really, REALLY didn't want to be taken out of prepess and plopped down in the programming department, but I can honestly say that had I not made that change, I would be looking for a job right now. (Well, actually, I *am* looking for another job, kinda, but I wouldn't be doing it from the position of having a job while I was looking.)
It's a natural extension of the skill set you've developed in your prepress job -- actually, I've had to learn a TON more about Illustrator and Photoshop since making the move -- and it gives you security moving forward (until global oneness of thought makes the Internet unnecessary ... you're on your own after that).
Hey Professor, what time does class start? I'm ready to learn.
Quote from: Slappy on January 19, 2010, 04:36:05 PMQuote from: DigitalCrapShoveler on January 15, 2010, 10:22:37 PMNot from where I'm sitting it aint :tongue:
QuoteI agree. We were slow for a few months, but now? It's ridiculous how busy we are and I am getting a shitload of freelance, too. If anything, it's picked up.
I don't believe it will last though, and the way shops are just prone to close without any warning whatsoever, I feel like I'd better have another skill ready, ya know?
I've been thinking more and more like this as well. The two people that replied that nothing has slowed down in their shops are both doing packaging. There will always be packages. For those of us doing magazines and newspapers the writing is on the wall. I had always hoped to be able to get out and retire before the anvil dropped on my head but that is looking less and less likely. I read that print advertising was down 19% in 2009 over 2008. More and more of those ad dollars are going to go to the web. There is no doubt in my mind about it. Combine with that the new workflows that take in PDF's and spit them out at a rate that was unimaginable 10 years ago. When I started in this trade it took a shop of 20 people 2 weeks to get out an issue of Cosmopolitan. Nine years ago when that plant closed it took 5 people about a week. Today that amount of work is done by one person in a day. PDF's are easier to make than ever. We get almost no jobs that are native anymore and with the automation that gets better and better everyday, prepress in shops like mine is going to be one person just to make sure everything keeps moving along. Probably an IT type person that knows a little prepress and it probably wouldn't hurt to know a little of the stuff youston mentioned. Print is not dead but it's far from healthy.
That is exactly why I am getting out now, Joe. I have about ridden this horse as far as it is going and my company made me an offer at the right time. My job now is mainly pushing PDFs thru an automated workflow- it's not prepresss as I once knew it. The passion is gone.
Feeling this more and more as well. Loathe to be too specific on a public area of the forum, but our print stuff, sales, as well as the included ads, are in decline. It's as though there's a demographic ground movement going on, specially in the entertainment area we're in/around.
6 years ago, there were 3 people flat chat. Now it's 1.3, so to speak. PDF work flow, for want of a better term, seems to have matured in the last year for us.
But wait until the next gen A2 digital presses start hitting. It's not just prepress people in the cross-hairs. In fact there have been hints that some opportunities may open up there for pp people to run those. It's nearly all front-end stuff running them. :undecided:
But I thought Macs don't break? :evil:
Quote from: Farabomb on January 20, 2010, 11:37:42 AMBut I thought Macs don't break? :evil:
Grab a seat because you will need to be sitting for this news.
Macs break too.
Shocking huh?
Quote from: Joe on January 19, 2010, 09:59:20 PMQuote from: youston on January 19, 2010, 05:45:02 PMQuote from: Slappy on January 19, 2010, 04:36:05 PMI don't believe it will last though, and the way shops are just prone to close without any warning whatsoever, I feel like I'd better have another skill ready, ya know?
Learn how to write for and use a complex cross-media variable data program. Become fluent writing sql queries. Learn how to use a robust database platform like SQL. Learn PHP and ASP, and how to create PURL sites. Position yourself in a company that does a lot of one-to-one marketing type stuff. Marketing is absolutely never going away, and when the printing side wanes, you can easily make the jump over to the Internet side.
I really, REALLY didn't want to be taken out of prepess and plopped down in the programming department, but I can honestly say that had I not made that change, I would be looking for a job right now. (Well, actually, I *am* looking for another job, kinda, but I wouldn't be doing it from the position of having a job while I was looking.)
It's a natural extension of the skill set you've developed in your prepress job -- actually, I've had to learn a TON more about Illustrator and Photoshop since making the move -- and it gives you security moving forward (until global oneness of thought makes the Internet unnecessary ... you're on your own after that).
Hey Professor, what time does class start? I'm ready to learn.
If you work for a company like mine, class starts as soon as you launch your browser and teach *yourself* how to do your new job. :cry:
:laugh:
I'm well aware Macs break but if you're looking for a career maybe a A+ or MCSE would do you better. Wait, that's what I went to school for and I ended up in prepress. :huh:
Quote from: Farabomb on January 20, 2010, 12:19:29 PM:laugh:
I'm well aware Macs break but if you're looking for a career maybe a A+ or MCSE would do you better. Wait, that's what I went to school for and I ended up in prepress. :huh:
Someone's not listening :laugh:
Not looking for a new career. Just something to keep me a wee bit busy after retirement and maybe make some spending money.
Like you I am self taught and been "working on Macs for years, but not certified.
Quote from: tapdn on January 20, 2010, 12:24:53 PMQuote from: Farabomb on January 20, 2010, 12:19:29 PM:laugh:
I'm well aware Macs break but if you're looking for a career maybe a A+ or MCSE would do you better. Wait, that's what I went to school for and I ended up in prepress. :huh:
Someone's not listening :laugh:
Not looking for a new career. Just something to keep me a wee bit busy after retirement and maybe make some spending money.
Have you considered a paper route? :grin:
don't you have local people or coworkers you need to be torturing? :tongue:
got a Mac here at work that someone felt the need to change the system fonts on...
all the pull down menus are blank, can't open any folders or apps, and the dock went MIA.
ahh, keeps me busy I guess.
oh, forgot, I will be certifiable by the end of the day, just not as a Mac tech.
anybody got a gun I can borrow, just need it for a few minutes, I swear, I'll even wipe it clean
:cool:
Quote from: tapdn on January 20, 2010, 12:28:16 PMdon't you have local people or coworkers you need to be torturing? :tongue:
Nah, I can torture them any time I please. It's a less-frequent occasion when I get to torture YOU! :laugh:
Quote from: david on January 20, 2010, 12:57:42 PMgot a Mac here at work that someone felt the need to change the system fonts on...
all the pull down menus are blank, can't open any folders or apps, and the dock went MIA.
ahh, keeps me busy I guess.
oh, forgot, I will be certifiable by the end of the day, just not as a Mac tech.
anybody got a gun I can borrow, just need it for a few minutes, I swear, I'll even wipe it clean
:cool:
See, Macs don't break, co-workers just screw them up!
Looking back, I see that about every 10 years or so since the 1984 Macintosh commercial, I've had that same great idea of becoming a Mac Technician and/or Consultant. I took a 3 day course around 1992 in Mac repair, paid the $900 out of my own pocket. I'd been laid off by a typeshop and was collecting unemployment. Didn't so much learn specific useful stuff (how to take apart a IIci? Whoohoo!) but what I did learn was that Macs were just machines, like Chevys, and that I actually could fix and rebuild them.
I ran ads in local papers, got a little consultant work, though mostly through friends in the graphic industry. Bought tools and stuff. What I found was that not many people needed help with their Macs, and no one needed repeat help. Once you fixed them up, they pretty much stayed fixed. Just like the industry data shows: Macs need way, way less support than peecees.
I looked into Apple Technician training 5 or 6 years ago and decided there wasn't enough time to get into it before I retired. I also found out that the techs at Apple stores made a lot less than I make in prepress. Who needs that aggravation?
Meanwhile, I note with interest that the slightly more savvy laid-off business guy types who've been taking classes in the building trades in recent years are finding that there are no job openings whatsoever for entry-level carpenters, electricians, and plumbers, especially cocky 38 year old over-educated ones.
Doomed...
Meanwhile, I've been an organic gardener for 40 years, we grow a lot of our own vegetables, and I haven't eaten meat in 20 years. Maybe survival is possible, especially if you don't need to be raising and slaughtering your own cattle and pigs? We're considering getting some chickens. You can do that in Minneapolis as long as you don't have a rooster!
Quote from: youston on January 20, 2010, 12:26:15 PMHave you considered a paper route? :grin:
Not sure how long that gig would last. :undecided:
true Rat :laugh:
Quote from: youston on January 19, 2010, 05:45:02 PMQuote from: Slappy on January 19, 2010, 04:36:05 PMI don't believe it will last though, and the way shops are just prone to close without any warning whatsoever, I feel like I'd better have another skill ready, ya know?
Learn how to write for and use a complex cross-media variable data program. Become fluent writing sql queries. Learn how to use a robust database platform like SQL. Learn PHP and ASP, and how to create PURL sites. Position yourself in a company that does a lot of one-to-one marketing type stuff. Marketing is absolutely never going away, and when the printing side wanes, you can easily make the jump over to the Internet side.
It's a natural extension of the skill set you've developed in your prepress job -- actually, I've had to learn a TON more about Illustrator and Photoshop since making the move -- and it gives you security moving forward (until global oneness of thought makes the Internet unnecessary ... you're on your own after that).
Interesting, I'd been hoping to make inroads to some more web specific areas already, particularly since our company tends to stay on the bleeding edge, but it's just not happening. I almost get the feeling internally that people in key positions are "checking out" and any moving forward has simply halted.
I'd like to find some good indicators to which of the programming and back-end software disciplines are going to be the best to concentrate on, instead of always chasing the latest & greatest.
A good understanding of HTML and CSS is a good foundation to build on from a creating point of view. Any flavour of SQL is worth knowing and a basic understanding of networks and TCP/IP is always good to have