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Author Interview:
Chris & Margaret Minnick
Coauthors of CIW E-commerce Designer Certification Bible
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GoCertify: What is the most difficult topic that is covered?
Chris Minnick: E-Commerce Security is the most technical aspect of the exam, and is heavily emphasized. A general knowledge of Web business issues will get you through the rest of the exam, but for the security portion, memorization and close studying will probably be a requirement for most people.
GoCertify: How much actual hands-on experience does someone need to pass the exams?
Chris Minnick: Ideally, a candidate should have a year or two of experience with e-commerce projects. Or, at the very least, with web development projects in general. They also need to have passed the prerequisites for this exam, which include CIW Foundations and Site Designer.
GoCertify: Could someone pass the e-commerce exam without hands-on experience?
Margaret Minnick: Yes, but it would be difficult. With a lot of studying and some practice, it could probably be done. Hands-on experience is still the best way to learn the enormous amount of material on the exam, and our book provides plenty of hands-on exercises for that reason.
GoCertify: Does the certification focus on the products of specific vendors?
Chris Minnick: In the latest version, the exam has moved away from covering specific products or vendors. For an e-commerce certification, this is a good thing, since products and standards are shifting so rapidly. An ability to understand the issues and the underlying technologies is more important that knowledge of a specific e-commerce "solution."
GoCertify: What other advice do you have for would-be CIWs?
Chris Minnick: Being certified as a CIW master designer requires that you have a very broad knowledge of nearly every aspect of planning, building, and running an e-commerce site. This sort of knowledge is difficult to gain by just reading and taking sample exams.
Fortunately, it's possible to build complete websites, with e-commerce capabilities, for free or very little cost. Our book is packed with opportunities for gaining hands-on experience without having to get a job in e-commerce first. Plus, it's hardcover and will rest open on your desk very nicely without you having to mutilate it in any way.
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Buy the book!
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