As with most career paths in IT, job opportunities are expected to increase for Webmasters. This growth will not be as dramatic as it is for other career paths in IT, however, due in part to the fact that Web servers are becoming easier to repair and maintain. Therefore, in the near future, it will be possible for a team of Webmasters to administer scores of Web servers simultaneously. This advancement in technology will be counterbalanced with the increase in business moving to the Internet. As a result, it is expected that the demand for Webmasters will continue to increase steadily.
Training Options and Resources
Because of the multifaceted nature of Web administration, there are many various certifications available that could apply to the job of a Web administrator, but few are specifically targeted at this particular job role. Many of these certifications have been outlined in previous sections of this chapter and in other chapters.
Courses and Certifications
Given the overall depth of tasks that a Webmaster must take on, there are a number of courses and certifications available to qualify you for this position. Many of these certifications are focused on software products offered by specific vendors. For hardware certifications, a review of the CompTIA A+ PC Technicians certification is in order. Also from CompTIA comes a new certification, Server+, which focuses on administering network servers with a concentration on Internet servers.
- Prosoft Master CI W Network Administrator-This certification involves passing a number of vendor neutral exams on basic network administration, network security, and networking hardware. It does however, have a slant towards Internet-based networking concepts. Like all other Master CIW certifications, it requires that you pass the Foundations exam before attaining this certification. For more information, visit www.ciwcertified.com/ certifications/ciw_mcasp.asp.
- Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0-This exam tests your ability to maintain and administer IIS 4.0, Microsoft's flavor ofWeb server. This exam must be passed for MCP+I and MCP+SB certification status. For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/trainingandservices/exams/ examasearch.asp?PageID=70-087.
- Microsoft Site Server 3.0 Commerce Edition-Site Server is an extension package to IIS, which is geared toward e-commerce sites that require frequent updating and administration. This exam is part of the MCP+SB certification. For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/trainingandservices/exams/ examasearch.asp?PageID=70-087.
- CompTIA Server+-Although this certification is not available until 2001, it will be very in depth in its testing of knowledge about servers and their related hardware technology. Preliminary reports are that it will have a heavy focus on Web servers and related technologies. For more information, visit http:// comptia.org/certification/serverplus/index.htm.
Many courses on installing, maintaining, and administering Web servers are available online.You should look for courses on Microsoft IIS 4.0 and Apache to learn about the two most commonly used Web servers. Many of these courses are reasonably priced compared to live instructor-led courses. The challenge is creating a means of gaining some hands-on experience on the subject. You may want to consider finding an old computer and using it to practice administering a Web server. Some of the more well-known online schools are contained in the following list:
- SmartPlanet (www.smartplanet.com)-Students need only Web access and a credit card to sign up, pay for, and complete courses on this site. For Internet topics, students can choose from several options within tracks entitled Databases, Web Design & Graphics, Programming, Webmaster, and Networks & Servers. Within the Web Design & Graphics track, classes are offered in Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Illustrator, CSS, and basic design techniques. Wanna-be programmers can take courses in Perl and CGI, all things Java, and Visual Basic. SmartPlanet is a good choice for Webmasters who want to dive quickly into a new technology or become familiar with an authoring tool without going deeper than the fundamentals of usage.
- Techies.com (www.techies.com/Develop.html)-Purchasing a $129.95 subscription toTechies.com provides you with access to more than 200 online courses including instruction on Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, CGI/Perl, and DHTML. The subscription is good for one year, and classes are entirely Web-based, meaning you can start a class at any time and complete it at your own pace. If you're a job seeker, one significant perk ofaTechies.com registration is the automatic inclusion of your vital stats and skill set in the nationwide job bank and resume pool. Job descriptions matching your abilities and interest are emailed to the address of your choice, and employers can scan your resume online.
There are vast amounts of information on the Internet regarding Apache and IIS Web servers. Some of the better sites are kept up-to-date with the latest security holes and patches along with reviews of the latest releases of both software packages. C-Net's Web Builder site has a fantastic area devoted to Web servers for Webmasters. A quick search of "Apache & IIS & Webmaster" in your favorite search engine will turn up scores of other resource centers.
C-Net (http://home.cnet.com/webbuilding/0-3884.html?tag=st.bl.3880.dir.3884) is a subsection of the infamous Web Builder section that is devoted to Webmasters. The site also has some interesting articles on Macintosh Web Servers as well as hosting your own Web site on a Commodore 64 (yes, it's possible).
Professional Associations
The International Webmasters Association (IWA) at www.iwanet.org is an organization "devoted to the education and professional advancement opportunities among individuals dedicated to a Web career." Full membership is $50 U.S. per year with free limited trial memberships available. Benefits include industry discounts, access to the IWA Experts-Exchange, and a host of additional monthly benefits and offers.
