When writing a resume, it is sometimes tempting to fall back exclusively on Microsoft templates and cliched language and details. In this webinar, you’ll learn to move beyond the typical resume, and how to create one that helps you stand out proudly.

Microsoft MVP Heather Ackmann and instructor/author Alan Ackmann focus on 10 ways to strengthen and shape your resume, including how to:

• Demonstrate your achievements through specific, attention-getting details and language.
• Leverage and customize existing Microsoft Word templates to show you at your best.
• Create a resume with appealing design and aesthetics.
• Tailor your resume to specific goals and situations.
• Using viewer-submitted resumes for example and discussion, Heather and Alan will help you learn 10 ways to make your resume as unique as you.

Using viewer-submitted resumes for example and discussion, resume experts Heather and Alan help you learn 10 ways to make your resume as unique as you.

In this webinar, you’ll learn to move beyond the typical resume, and how to create one that helps you stand out proudly. Microsoft MVP Heather Ackmann and instructor/author Alan Ackmann will focus on 10 ways to strengthen and shape your resume.

The infographic shows that application virtualization actually improved the quality of service while reducing total cost of ownership. If you’re considering application virtualization for your organization, check out this infographic and our brand new training that will provide you with the essentials of desktop and application virtualization with VMware View 5.

Sudhir Diddee, the author of the book, was kind enough to do a giveaway of his book on our blog AND he has provided us one of the chapters in his book to give away for free to our readers!

The free chapter is the first chapter in the book and covers some great Windows 7 tips and tricks that you might not know existed — like Windows Snap, Aero Shake, Sticky Notes, Quick Launch, the Problem Steps Recorder and how to connect to a Projector with a keyboard shortcut.

Download your free book chapter today!

Enter to Win a Free Signed Copy of the Book!

There’s still time to enter to win a signed copy of Sudhir Diddee’s Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips. All you have to do is share your favorite Windows or Office shortcut, tip or trick in the comments section of this blog post before Monday, January 30^th.

Learn more and enter to win today!

Well now there’s an easy way to help those you care about understand the main aspects of a tech geek’s life, from computers, mobile devices, applications and even geek entertainment. J. Peter Bruzzese’s latest book Conversational Geek (in 7 Days!) is the essential guide for the non-geeks in your life that is easy to read and more importantly, easy to understand.

The book is a very quick read and covers:

• Desktop Computers — the main parts of a computer and what to know when buying one
• Networks — how your network works, how TCP/IP addressing works and even some basic network troubleshooting
• The Internet — brief history of the internet, how the internet works, how to make sense of the different browsers and more
• Operating Systems — Apple, Windows and the different Linux flavors
• Mobile Phones and Tablets — smartphones, tablets, eReaders and more
• Applications, Apps, Social Network Sites — what’s a WYSIWYG? what’s cloud computing? what are the best apps to use?
• Geek Entertainment — your favorite geeky movies, TV shows, comic books, and games

The book also includes a neat section on understanding the binary code, making sense of DNS, and my personal favorite DC vs Marvel comics. But the best part is that the book is easy to read, easy to understand and includes a ton of great information.

The author, J. Peter Bruzzese, is a Microsoft MVP with years of experience in the IT field. He’s a true geek at heart and has a knack for explaining complex concepts (like binary code) to diverse audiences. You’ll enjoy his geeky humor, fun side notes and crafty explanations. Follow Peter on twitter at @JPBruzzese and @LearnGeekSpeak.

Get Conversational Geek (in 7 Days!)

So how can you get your hands on Conversational Geek?

You can purchase a Kindle, EPUB, PDF or paperback version of the book on Peter’s site www.conversationalgeek.com. And make sure to tell all your non-geek & geek friends about it!

Win The Book — Enter Today!

Peter was kind enough to give us 4 paperback copies of his brand new book — and he even autographed them for us! You can win a copy of the book simply by leaving a comment on this blog post telling us about your ultimate geek-out moment. It can be your best — or worst, but it must be funny.

Winners will be selected randomly on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012, so make sure you leave your comment before then.

Best of luck!

Thank you so much for your support and your votes! Our virtualization instructors along with the entire TrainSignal team want to thank you for helping us develop the best virtualization training available on the market.

In this short video, David Davis, TrainSignal’s lead virtualization instructor talks about the award and what it means for us.

The tools presented in this webinar have all made David’s and Kendrick’s top 25 list and are all completely free. Whether you’re a seasoned VMware pro or someone just starting to learn about virtualization, you’ll benefit from learning about these tools as they’ll undoubtedly will make your work more productive and enjoyable.

If you weren’t able to attend the live event, take a look at this video which includes the complete webinar presentation, from start to finish. And if you have any questions for David or Kendrick, don’t hesitate to contact them on Twitter (@davidmdavis and @KendrickColeman) or through their blogs (vmwarevideos.com and kendrickcoleman.com).

Improve Your Resume with these Top 10 Resume Tips for IT Pros

Date: Thursday, January 26^th 2012
Time: 12 PM – 1 PM CST

Registration: Sorry, registration is now closed.

In this free webinar you’ll learn the 10 essential resume tips and tricks designed specifically for IT professionals that will help you strengthen and shape your resume. Microsoft MVP and instructor Heather Ackmann along with author and resume expert Alan Ackmann will show you how to move beyond the typical, boring resume and create one that’s unique, specific and eye-catching.

In this webinar you’ll learn how to:

• Demonstrate your achievements through specific, attention-getting details and language
• Leverage and customize existing Microsoft Word templates to show you at your best
• Create a resume with appealing design and aesthetics
• Tailor your resume to specific goals and situations

Submit Your Resume for Customized Feedback

If you would like to submit your resume for a chance to receive personalized feedback from Heather and Alan, send your resume to webinars [at] trainsignal.com before Monday, January 16th.

Viewer submitted resumes will be used as examples during the webinar discussion allowing you to get customized, specific feedback on how to improve your resume.

About Heather Ackmann:
Heather is an accomplished instructor with a decade of teaching experience, helping students at the high school, college, and adult levels in a variety of topics. Specializing in Microsoft Office computer applications, she is a Microsoft Office Specialist Master and holds a degree in English and Secondary Education. She is honored to have been recently awarded the Microsoft MVP Award for the Office System.

About Alan Ackmann:
Alan teaches Business and Technical Writing at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. His creative work has appeared in a variety of literary journals, including Ontario Review and McSweeney’s. In addition to teaching and writing, he edits resumes on a freelance basis.

But how do you know which tools to use?

Get the Best Free vSphere Tools, Road Tested and Approved

Date: Wednesday, January 11^th 2012
Time: 2 PM – 3 PM CST

Registration: Register today. Seats are limited.

In this free webinar you’ll learn about 25+ essential tools that no VMware admin should go without. vExperts David Davis and Kendrick Coleman will present you with only the best, road tested, reviewed and approved tools that you can get for free. Tools that will help you with vSphere management, performance, reporting, scripting and a whole lot more.

Whether you’re an experienced virtualization pro or an admin just starting with VMware, you’ll benefit from learning about these 25 completely free tools.

In this one hour webinar you’ll learn:

• Why every VMware admin should use free virtualization tools
• Where to download the best free VMware tools
• Which free tools will make your job as a VMware admin easier and more productive

Registration is filling up fast and seats are limited! Signup for this free webinar today!

Recently, I came across a great book that offers some very unique Windows 7 and Office 2010 tips that have proven to be huge time-savers for me.

The book, written by Sudhir Diddee who is a Microsoft employee, is titled Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips and lists 99 tips on Windows, OneNote, Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and more.

Each of the 99 tips is presented with a short scenario explaining the benefits of the tip and when and how to take advantage of it.

Increase Your Productivity with 99 Time-Saving Tips

If you’re wanting to be more productive — or you’d like to help someone else get more done — check out Sudhir’s book:

• Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips – Kindle Edition
• Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips – Nook Edition
• Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips – Paperback Black & White Edition
• Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips – Paperback Color Edition

Book Giveaway: Enter to Win Before January 30^th, 2012

Sudhir was kind enough to sign 3 copies of his new book (paperback color edition) and we will be giving them away on Tuesday, January 31^st 2012. Which means you have until then to submit your entry to win one of the books.

To enter to win all you have to do is leave a comment on this post with your favorite Windows or Office shortcut, tip or trick — something you use on a daily basis that helps you save time and be more productive.

Please read the official contest rules at the end of this post and best of luck!

My Favorite “Priceless Computer Tip”

Now, let me tell you about my favorite new tip.

While reading Sudhir’s book I came across tip #19 on setting up rules in Outlook 2010. Of course, I knew about this popular Outlook feature but never truly understood the benefit until reading this scenario and seeing how different rules can help organize my inbox for me. I get so much email, having to manage multiple inboxes, that I truly feel overwhelmed and keeping my inboxes empty has become mission impossible.

Here’s how Sudhir explains the benefits of Outlook rules in his book:

“One of the biggest problems people face is e-mail overload. However, most of the e-mail can be easily managed by setting rules where e-mails from certain people or teams can go directly into a particular folder. For example, e-mails from your manager can be routed into a separate folder. E-mails sent to you where you are in the “cc line” can go to a different folder, or your e-mail stock alerts can go to your investing folder.”

This short description is followed by detailed steps and diagrams that show you how to create and edit rules in Outlook.

After spending approximately 30 minutes setting up my Outlook rules I now get to save at least 30 minutes each day not having to organize my emails by priority before tackling the responses. My New Year’s resolution for 2012 is to keep up with my emails and I’m confident that this quick tip will help stay on top of my mail.

So, that’s my favorite new tip. What’s yours?

Official Contest Rules:

Please read through all of the official stuff below before entering:

No purchase necessary to enter or win. By entering you agree to our use of your name in any TrainSignal literature.

Binding Agreement
In order to enter TrainSignal’s Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips Book Giveaway (the “Contest”), you must agree to these Official Contest Rules (the “Rules”); please read this entire document prior to entry to ensure you understand and agree. You agree that submission of an entry in the Contest constitutes agreement to the Rules. The Rules form a binding legal agreement between you and TrainSignal, Inc with respect to the Contest.

Eligibility
The Contest is open to all individuals 18 years and older. Current TrainSignal employees are not eligible. Only one entry per person, per day. In order for your entry to be eligible it must meet all of the requirements as listed above. Entries that do not include all of the requirements are deemed ineligible.

How to Enter
To enter the contest you must submit a comment listing your favorite Windows or Office tip, trick or shortcut. Any comments submitted that do not include this will not be eligible to win. You must submit your comment before January 22nd, 2012. Any entries received after the contest deadline will be deemed invalid.

Prizes
All Prizes are not redeemable in cash and must be accepted as awarded. By claiming the prize, the winner authorizes the use, without additional compensation of his or her name and municipality of residence for promotion and advertising purposes as deemed appropriate by TrainSignal, Inc. Any potential winner who cannot be contacted by email within 14 days of the first attempted notification will forfeit his/her prize.

Privacy
Participants agree that personal data including name, mailing address, phone number and email address will be collected and used for purposes of administering the Contest. If a Participant does not provide the required data when requested, the Participant’s Entry will be ineligible for any prizes. All personal data collected will be maintained in accordance with Train Signal’s Privacy Policy which all Participants should read and understand.

Contest Sponsor
The Contest is sponsored by TrainSignal, Inc, 152 W. Center Court, Schaumburg, Illinois 60462.

This week Hal is talking with Jeff Hicks, PowerShell MVP and TrainSignal’s PowerShell training instructor. The best part is that you can join the conversation — you can let Hal know ahead of time what you’d like to hear or join the live stream and ask questions yourself.

If you’re passionate about PowerShell or if you’re just learning how to use this powerful tool, the PowerScripting podcast is the perfect venue to connect with experts and get your questions answered. Both Hal and Jeff are PowerShell MVPs and have years of experience that you can take advantage of.

Join Hal and Jeff this Thursday, December 22^nd at 9:30 PM Eastern for a live podcast at powerscriptinglive.blogspot.com.

Win Jeff Hick’s Server 2008 PowerShell Training

During the podcast Hal and Jeff will also be giving away a copy of Jeff’s new Windows Server 2008 PowerShell Training which will help you learn how to manage services, event logs, files and printers, the registry and more all with PowerShell.

Don’t miss your chance to win the course!

We made the Inc. 5,000 list of fastest growing companies, 4^th year in a row, and we were able to get involved with over a dozen charitable organizations and charity events, including Salute Inc, Walk MS, Digital Hope, Avon Walk, Hustle up the Hancock, Child’s Play Charity, Habitat for Humanity, Life Works, Donors Choose and more.

TrainSignal instructors have also received plenty of recognition. Heather Ackmann and J. Peter Bruzzese were awarded the prestigious Microsoft MVP awards, Heather for Office System and Peter for Exchange. David Davis was recognized as a VMware vExpert yet again and Heather Ackmann and Bill Kulterman, our applications instructors, became Microsoft Certified Trainers. Our instructors also took the time to give back to the IT community through a number of online and in-person events, including VMworld, WinConnections, TechMentor, Microsoft Certified Career Conference, Career Factor and a number of free educational webinars.

But as the year comes to a close, we realize that we couldn’t have done any of these things without you — our loyal customers, our blog readers and our fans. Thank you for another great year of success! We hope that your 2011 was as good as ours!

Top 10 Training Courses of 2011

To show our thanks, we’re offering you savings on our best selling training courses of the year — just in time for the holidays!

If you’ve been waiting to start or advance your career in the IT field, now is time to do it. Start the new year with a new training course, a new skill or a new certification under your belt!

1. Cisco CCNA Training

Cisco’s CCNA certification is recognized around the world as one of the top networking certifications you can get. It’s also a great start to your networking career, offering you plenty of job opportunities and advancement with Cisco’s professional level certifications.

Our CCNA Training is taught by CCIE Chris Bryant and offers everything you need to pass the current 640-802 exam.

Save $50 on your Cisco CCNA Training

2. VMware vSphere 5 Training

Whether you’re a current VCP wanting to update your certification before February 2012 to avoid the costly VMware Education class requirement, or someone looking to get into the virtualization field, our VMware vSphere 5 training will help you get familiar with the newest vSphere version in no time.

Taught by vExperts David David and Elias Khnaser, the training covers the challenging VCP-510 exam.

Save $50 on your VMware vSphere 5 Training

3. CompTIA A+ Training

If you or someone you know wants to get into the IT field, the CompTIA A+ certification is the perfect place to start. And our comprehensive A+ course will teach you everything you need to be a successful Computer Support Technician teaching you hands-on skills you’ll be able to use on the job.

The course covers all of the exam objectives and has received CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum (CAQC) stamp of approval.

Save $50 on your CompTIA A+ Training

4. Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Administrator Training

If you have Server 2008 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure knowledge and certifications under your belt, the Enterprise Administrator training is the next step on your way towards the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certification.

This training covers the 70-647 professional level exam and includes a free Transcender practice exam.

Save $50 on your Server 2008 Enterprise Administrator Training

5. Exchange Server 2010 MCITP Training Package

Taught by Exchange MVP J. Peter Bruzzese, the Exchange Server 2010 MCITP Training Package will teach you how to install, configure, secure, maintain, manage, design and deploy your Exchange 2010 infrastructure.

Plus MCITP Exchange 2010 training package offers comprehensive coverage of the 70-662 and 70-663 exams.

Save $50 on your Exchange Server 2010 MCITP Training Package

6. Citrix XenDesktop 5 Training

This course will help you get some hands-on experience with desktop virtualization as you learn how to deploy, configure and troubleshoot XenDesktop 5. The training covers the XenDesktop Profile Manager, Citrix Receiver, server provisioning and much more.

Plus you get complete exam coverage for the CCA 1Y0-A19 Citrix XenDesktop 5 Administration exam.

Save $50 on your Citrix XenDesktop 5 Training

7. VMware vSphere Training Package

The VMware vSphere training package includes everything you’ll need to master VMware vSphere. You’ll learn the vSphere essentials before moving on to VMware View and ThinApp, Cisco Nexus 1000V, PowerCLI, VMware Site Recovery Manager as well as advanced VMware features and 3rd party tools.

Learn from experts in the virtualization field including David Davis, Hal Rottenberg, Rick Scherer, Eric Siebert and Sean Clark.

Save $50 on your VMware vSphere Training Package

8. VMware vSphere Troubleshooting Training

Troubleshooting is one of the most important skills you can build. This course will help you learn how to troubleshoot vSphere using log files, different ways to deal with broken vNetwork Distributed Switches and how to quickly get vSphere back up and running.

This course is also part of the VMware VCAP certification training curriculum.

Save $50 on your VMware vSphere Troubleshooting Training

9. CompTIA Network+ Training

The CompTIA Network+ certification is a must-have for any network administrator, and especially for those breaking into the IT field. It helps you build a solid networking foundation that will help you advance your knowledge and build your career in IT.

Our comprehensive Network+ course has also received the CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum (CAQC) stamp of approval.

Save $50 on your CompTIA Network+ Training

10. Exchange Server 2010 Training

The Exchange Server 2010 Training is a great way to get started with messaging. The course will help you get hands-on experience with installing, configuring and maintaining Exchange 2010 that you’ll need to pass the 70-662 exam.

Taught by Exchange MVP J. Peter Bruzzese, the training is fast paced and comprehensive.

Save $50 on your Exchange Server 2010 Training

But just like any new tool, Unified Messaging can be a little tricky to deploy, especially if you’re new to it. In this recorded webinar, presented by Unified Messaging expert and Exchange MVP, J. Peter Bruzzese, you’ll learn about the best tips for a successful Unified Messaging design and deployment.

In the webinar Peter goes over the top 10 UM features that can show decision makers the value of Unified Messaging as well as the basics of telephony, which will help you understand how UM works as you plan your deployment. One of the best tips in the webinar is knowing where to look and who to call when your UM deployment isn’t functioning. Additionally, Peter explains topology planning, availability and load balancing, recovering UM, virtualizing UM and the UM language packs. Peter concludes the webinar with a couple of bonus tips you won’t want to miss.

We hope you enjoy!

Upcoming TrainSignal Webinars

Learn about TrainSignal’s upcoming webinars by singing up for our monthly Newsletter.

Best of all, Unified Messaging is already built into your Exchange 2010 server role line-up and all you need to do is unleash it.

But Unified Messaging can be scary, especially to Exchange administrators who aren’t experienced in telephony. You could start by spending hours researching Unified Messaging, looking for best practices, case studies and the like. Or you could spend an hour with Exchange guru J. Peter Bruzzese learning about the best tips to help you make the right decisions for your Unified Messaging design and deployment.

Join Us For: Top 10 Tips for Exchange 2010 Unified Messaging Design and Deployment

Date: Thursday, December 15^th 2011
Time: 12 PM – 1 PM CDT

Registration: Register today. Space is limited.

In this webinar, Exchange MVP and Unified Messaging expert J. Peter Bruzzese will provide you with his 10 best tips for making design and deployment decisions, including:

• To virtualize or not to virtualize Unified Messaging
• Where to look first when UM is deployed but isn’t functioning
• The keys to auto attendant voice mail system design

Join Exchange MVP J. Peter Bruzzese in this fast paced, entertaining and informative webinar on the top 10 Exchange UM design and deployment tips.

About J. Peter Bruzzese:
Peter is a Microsoft MVP for Exchange with over 15 years of experience in Exchange and SharePoint. He is a regular contributor to Redmond Magazine, WindowsITPro, SharePoint Pro, TechTarget and InfoWorld and has presented at TechMentor, TechEd, IT360, the TEC Conference and Connections.

This is a great opportunity to help others by sharing your experiences — your resources, biggest mistakes, and your best advice for those who are just getting started with Windows PowerShell.

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Windows PowerShell

The series, entitled How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Windows PowerShell, will be published in the PowerShell Magazine and one out of ten writers will win a free PowerShell course of their choice from TrainSignal:

• Windows PowerShell Fundamentals Training by Jeff Hicks
• Windows Server 2008 PowerShell Training by Jeff Hicks
• Exchange Server 2007 PowerShell Training by Scott Lowe

Learn more about PowerShell Magazine’s call for writers and share YOUR PowerShell story!.

In recent years many IT professionals have complained that Microsoft exams are not challenging enough, that the certifications don’t prove expertise because anyone is able to obtain them and that Microsoft has simply made their certification process too easy. In response to this, Microsoft Learning has made some significant changes to exams that are coming out in 2012.

In our recent webinar on Getting Started with a Microsoft Certified Career, Erika Cravens and Krista Wall from Microsoft Learning shed some light on how new Microsoft exams are changing. Below is a quick summary, but if you’re interested in learning more take a look at Erika’s presentation and Krista’s involvement in the Q & A that followed or visit Born To Learn.

How Are Microsoft Exams Changing?

Microsoft exams are changing in a number of ways; they are becoming harder, more relevant and more difficult to cheat on.

The Microsoft Learning team has redefined the experience level for their certifications, so instead of 6 months of experience for TS level exams, IT professionals are encouraged to have at least 2 years of experience with the product before attempting their exams. The increase is also true for Pro level exams, which now will require 4 years of experience. Experience with the product doesn’t necessarily mean work experience, and it can be obtained in a number of ways. People who don’t work in the IT field can read a book, attend a class or get Microsoft training to help them obtain the experience they need to prepare for an exam.

New Microsoft exams will require a deeper technology knowledge, more familiarity with business context and understanding of more complex environments. The distinction between TS (technology specialist) and Pro (professional level) certification is also growing, with the Pro level certifications requiring 3-4 exams, depending on the technology. Similarly, MCTS certifications may require 2 exams to earn the credential. This will make TS and Pro certifications more difficult to complete and will help close the gap between the Pro and Masters level certifications.

The difficulty of Microsoft exams is increasing across the board. Not only will you need more experience, the exams will be more difficult to complete. Microsoft is introducing new question types to make the exams more challenging. The relevance of the skills being tested is also increasing to ensure that what you’re being tested on are the actual skills you need on the job. In addition to changes to how the exams are being designed and developed, Microsoft is improving the user interface and accessibility of their exams as well as test center standards, monitoring and security of exams and test centers. Which means no more brain dumps for Microsoft exams!

In short, Microsoft exams are getting harder, which in turn will make Microsoft certifications more valuable. It’s a win-win for certification holders as well as the integrity of Microsoft certifications.

What Do You Think?

Is Microsoft doing the right thing by making their certifications more difficult to obtain?

These are just some of the questions that get asked repeatedly by our readers and customers. We decided to tackle some of these questions as they pertain to Microsoft certifications in a live webinar hosted by TrainSignal’s lead Windows Server instructor and Microsoft Certified Trainer, Ed Liberman and Erika Cravens, Certification Strategy Product Manager at Microsoft Learning, who did a presentation on how Microsoft exams will be changing in 2012.

If you didn’t get a chance to join us for the live webinar, you can watch a recording of the 45 minute presentation and the 1 hour+ Q & A session that followed. Ed and Krista Wall from Microsoft Learning were committed to answering every single question and stayed on for as long as time permitted. You’ll get as much from the presentation as you will from the questions and answers.

We hope you enjoy!

Upcoming TrainSignal Webinars

Learn about TrainSignal’s upcoming webinars by singing up for our monthly Newsletter.

So, how do you make sense of it all? How do you know which certification is right for you? How can you get a start with a career in Microsoft technologies?

In this free webinar presented by Ed Liberman, a Microsoft Certified Trainer with over 20 years of experience in the IT field, you will learn about the different Microsoft certification options for IT professionals and why getting certified will help you launch your career in IT.

Update: Erika Cravens, Certification Strategy Product Manager at Microsoft Learning, will be joining us live to talk about some of the changes that will be occurring in future Microsoft exams and answer your certification related questions.

Join Us For: Getting Started with a Microsoft Certified Career

Date: Tuesday, November 15^th 2011
Time: 12 PM – 1 PM CDT

Register: Registration now open

Today’s competitive job market demands validation of skills and getting certified is the best way to show prospective employers that you have what it takes to do the job. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get advice from a Microsoft Certified Trainer who has helped thousands of students start and advance their careers through Microsoft certifications.

Ed has a deep understanding of Microsoft certifications, how they have evolved over the years and how IT professionals can take advantage of the certification process to learn, grow and advance their careers. And he’s here to help you do just that.

Over the past couple of years, the TrainSignal Halloween Costume Contest has become a tradition… and somewhat of a legend. Check out our Halloween photos from 2008, 2009 and 2010 to see what I’m talking about.

We really get into it! Everyone in the TrainSignal office dresses up and our customers, readers and fans vote for their favorite costume.

To make things a bit more fun, we also do a training giveaway. If you place a vote for your favorite costume you will be automatically entered to win a free TrainSignal course of your choice.

So what are you waiting for? Vote for your favorite Halloween costume today and you could be the lucky winner of a shiny, brand new TrainSignal course!

How to Vote:

Vote by leaving a comment to this post with the name of the person you would like to vote for before Sunday, November 6th, 2011 — the voting deadline has been extended to Friday, November 11, 2011.

Please note: there are 3 guys named Chris, please specify which Chris you’re voting for. Thanks!

How to Win Free Training:

There’s no purchase necessary to enter or win. Everyone who leaves a comment with a vote is automatically entered in the contest.

One lucky winner will be selected at random on Monday, November 7th, 2011 Monday, November 14th, 2011 and notified by email. The winner will receive a free TrainSignal training course of their choice ($397 or less).

Congratulations to Our Winners!

Ed, dressed as the creepy headless monster has won this year’s Halloween Costume Contest with a total of 30 votes. Congratulations Ed!

Lisa dressed as Rosie the Riveter came in at a close second with 25 votes, and Sandy dressed as the Mummy Queen has won 3rd place. Congratulations ladies!

Our big winner for today is Nick Fritsch, who was chosen randomly from everyone who voted. Nick has won a free TrainSignal course of his choice. Congrats Nick!

And thanks to everyone for voting!

Bill dressed as a Pirate says “Give me your money or I sick the parrot on you!”

Brian dressed as a toilet bowl

Chris C. dressed as Yellow Angry Bird says “Weeeeeee!!!”

Chris G. dressed as Khal Drogo says “I’ve always had an affinity for beards. Also, pillaging.”

Chris M. dressed as a broken iPod says “I can’t go on.”

Christina dressed as a sushi roll says “Wasabi? Not much, what’s up with you?”

Ed dressed as a creepy headless monster says “I seem to have lost my head.”

Steven dressed as Wayne Campbell says “No way!”
Emilie dressed as Garth Algar says “Way!”

Eric dressed as Duke Silver says “The greatest sax player in all of Pawnee!”

Gary dressed as vNerd Lego Man says “Free Ego Leonard!”

Gosia dressed as a PiMP says “I think you owe me money for last weekend.”

Heather dressed as Moaning Myrtle

Iman dressed as Aladdin says “I can show you the virtualized world!”

Jillian dressed as Dorothy says “There’s no place like home!”

Jonathan dressed as a warrior

Kasia dressed as a cowgirl says “Howdy partner!”

Kevin dressed as a skeleton

Lisa dressed as Rosie the Riveter says “I’m not historically accurate.”

Mary dressed as Rowdy Morrow

Myles dressed as Jawa from Star Wars says “Oooteenee”

Rowdy dressed as Mayhem

Sandy dressed as Mummy Queen

Scott dressed as Grass Fairy says “OMG … soccer is my fav sport!”

Tim dressed as a Pirate advocating for legal downloads

Veronica dressed as a witch

Zach dressed as Lego Minifig says “I wish I had hair.”

And that’s how our second place winner, Ashraf from Jordan, was able to join us for the VMworld 2011 conference in Las Vegas Nevada. Ashraf has blogged about his experiences at VMworld, but we were also able to shoot a short video interview with him to find out what he liked most about the conference and what his advice is for other IT professionals attending VMworld for the first time.

Here’s a photo of Ashraf with the TrainSignal crew at the Palazzo in Las Vegas. I, of course, have my eyes closed

And here’s a photo of Brian Green, TrainSignal’s Product Development Specialist with Ashraf at the VMworld party.

We had a great time hanging out with Ashraf at VMworld 2011 and we hope that we’ll be able to see him at another tech conference in the future. Ashraf is very intelligent and extremely passionate about technology, particularly virtualization. Take a look at the video, which was shot in the conference hall in front of the TrainSignal booth, to see what Ashraf has to say about his experience at VMworld.

If you didn’t get a chance to join us, or if you’d like to review some of the information that was presented in the webinar, you can do so now. This hour long video is the complete webinar, from start to finish.

And if you’re interested in learning more, make sure to check out David’s two hour online course and PDF guide that he references in the webinar. Both the course and guide are available for free at TrainSignal.com. The written guide outlines all of the information for you nicely and provides a lot of handy links, while the online course offers a lot of hands-on demonstration which you’ll find useful when setting up your own personal virtualization lab.

Upcoming TrainSignal Webinars

Learn about TrainSignal’s upcoming webinars by singing up for our monthly Newsletter.